DAMAUN  or DAMAN, a

town of Portuguese India, capital of the settlement of Damaun, situated on the east side of the entrance of the Gulf of Cambay within the Bombay Presidency . The area of the settlement is 82 sq. m . Pop . (1900) 41,671 . The settlement is divided into two parts, Damaun proper, and the larger pargana of Nagar Havili, the two being separated by a narrow strip of British territory . The soil is fertile, and rice, wheat and tobacco are the chief crops . The teak forests are valuable . Weaving is an industry less important than formerly; mats and baskets are manufactured, and deep-sea fishing is an llllllll important industry . The shipbuilding business at the town of Damaun is important . Early in the 19th century a large transit trade in opium between Karachi and China was carried on at Damaun, but it ceased in 1837, when the British prohibited it after their conquest of Sind . The settlement is administered as a unit, and has a municipal chamber . Damaun town was sacked and burnt by the Portuguese in 1531 .

It was subsequently rebuilt, and in 1558 was again taken by the Portuguese, who made a permanent settlement and converted the

mosque into a Christian church . From that time it has remained in their hands . The territory of Damaun proper was conquered by the Portuguese in 1559; that of Nagar Havili was ceded to them by the Mahrattas in 178o in indemnification for piracy .