1874.] T. W. H. Tolbort — Portuguese Settlements in India. llfl 



mirante sendo a segunda vez Viso-Rei da India no anno de 1(527, e os Ad- 

 ministradores da fortificagao em reconhecimento ao dito Viso-Rei em. cujo 

 viso-reinado se fez a mor parte deste Forte, pera defensao do qual mandou 

 de Goa 4 pesas grandes de artilharia, ordenarao que nesta frontaria se ental- 

 hassem as suas armas pera eterna memoria." Besides these there are the 

 mottoes of the two giants ; on the left — 



Quem por aqui quizer entrar com esta mo ade pagar ; and on the right — 



Que en he men companheiro a vigiamos sem dinheiro. 



The numerous epitaphs range from the year 1564 down to modern times. 



Leaving Daman we pass to Diu, the most interesting of all the Portu- 

 guese settlements after Groa, but the one least known to Englishmen, as it 

 lies so out of the way. The passage from Daman to Dili in a sailing vessel 

 takes on an average three or four days, 



The island of Diu lies to the south of Kathiwar. Its length from 

 east to west is about seven miles ; its average width from north to south 

 scarcely a mile. It is separated from the mainland by a narrow arm of the 

 sea, the eastern access to which is easy for ships of considerable burden, 

 while the western access is obstructed by shallows. A portion of the Por- 

 tuguese territory, including the village of Gogola, lies on the north of the 

 inlet, adjoining the mainland. 



The fortress or citadel of Did, a formidable and imposing structure, is 

 at the extreme east, or north-east point of the island. To the west of this 

 is the town or Pra9a, including both the European and native quarter, and 

 covering a considerable space of ground. This is also fortified, especially 

 by a long wall yet further to the west, which runs right across the island. 

 The remaining four-fifths of the island beyond this wall consist of a low 

 sandy strip on the north and of porous rock on the south, between the ridges 

 of which are several small plots of fertile soil where Persian wheels are 

 worked and crops are grown, and in some of which palm trees are numerous. 

 Generally, however, the vegetation, though not destitute of verdure, is limited 

 to grass, solanaceous plants, and different species of euphorbias. 



A few small hamlets and some detached forts are scattered through the 

 island, but Diu and its suburb Gogola are the only places of any importance. 



The fortifications are constructed of stone dug in the island, and the 

 Pra^a is intersected by the numerous quarries thus excavated. The stone 

 somewhat resembles the laterite of the Malabar coast, but is darker in 

 colour and much stronger in substance. 



Three great events have made Diu memorable in the history of Portu- 

 guese India ; (1), the death of king Bahadur of Cambay followed by the first 

 siege of Did in 1537-38. (The Portuguese had built the fortress in 1535.) 

 (2), The second siege of Diu in 1546 ; (3), The sacking of Diu by Arabs 

 from Maskat in 1668. The two former are among the most glorious inci- 



