Portuguese wonder to boost Diu tourism

Declaration of Goa Basilica as one among 'Portuguese wonders' had sparked off a controversy among freedom fighters, but that is not the case in Diu. People of Diu are happy that the Diu fort has found a place in list of the 'seven wonders of Portuguese origin' that was announced recently.

According to X. Remedios of Diu, there should be no controversy in listing the fort among the seven wonders. "It will help Diu's tourism industry. It will become a prominent place in the world tourism map," said Remedios. Recently voting for the seven Portuguese wonders was carried out through the internet and telephone which resulted in 2,39,418 votes from across the world.

Diu fortress is a historical monument which was built between 1535 and 1541. According to its history, Bahadur Shah, sultan of Gujarat, was attacked by the Mughal emperor Humayun. It prompted Shah to form an alliance with the Portuguese and allowed them to construct a fort in Diu.

Later on, when the crisis ended, three attempts (1936, 1545 and 1546) were made by the rulers of Gujarat to drive out the Portuguese by attacking the fort. But they did not manage to do so. This fortress was reconstructed by a naval officer Dom Joao de Castro, who was the fourth viceroy of Portugal to India from 1547 to 1548.
The fort is the most impressive Portuguese building in Diu and it is a perfect border line. It is surrounded on three sides by severe sea cliffs and sheer walls built to prevent the evaders, mainly the former rulers of Gujarat.

According to RN Dharecha, tourism officer in Diu, the listing of Diu fortress among seven wonders will help the tourism industry. He said by and large around 7,000 to 8,000 foreigners come to Diu to visit the fort every year.