Question

When did Goa, Dadra, Nagar Haveli, Daman, and Diu were merged with the union of India?
A. 12 March 1961
B. 12 March 1962
C. 12 March 1963
D. 12 March 1964

Answer 1

Hint: Goa, Daman and Diu were under the Portuguese rule for over 400 years. Indians wanted to free them of the Portuguese rule. The Republic of India annexed the previous Portuguese Indian territories of Goa, Daman, and Diu, starting with the armed action administered by the Indian soldiers.

Complete answer: Goa, Dadra, Nagar Haveli, Daman, and Diu were merged with the union of India on 12 March 1962. This movement started in December 1961 which finally came to an end in March 1962. This movement is referred to as the ‘Liberation of Goa’ in India. Dadra and Nagar Haveli was in fact taken to be a de-facto state, before becoming a union territory in 1962. Daman and Diu were taken to be a part of the union territory of Goa, Daman, and Diu between 1962 and 1987. When Goa was granted statehood, it became a separate union territory.

Hence, the correct answer is option b) 12 March 1962.

Note:The action was code-named Operation Vijay by the Indian Armed Forces. It involved strikes for around more than 36 hours, all land, sea, and airstrikes, and was a decisive victory for India, ending 451 years of rule by the Portuguese over its remaining exclaves in India. This engagement lasted 2 days, and 22 Indians and 30 Portuguese were killed in the fighting. The brief conflict drew a mixture of worldwide praise and criticism. In India, the action was viewed as a liberation while Portugal viewed it as an invasion.