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Goa, Daman and Diu were freed from Portuguese rule and became part of India through 'Operation Vijay' in December:
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Answer: Option B — 1961
Detailed Solution
Goa, Daman and Diu were freed from Portuguese rule in December 1961, when the Indian armed forces carried out "Operation Vijay"; the Portuguese Governor-General surrendered on 19 December 1961.
Background:
- The Portuguese had ruled Goa since 1510, when Afonso de Albuquerque captured it from the Sultan of Bijapur.
- After Indian independence in 1947, India asked Portugal to hand over its territories in India, but Portugal refused, claiming that Goa was a province of Portugal.
- The French had handed over their settlements peacefully, but the Portuguese government of Antonio Salazar refused to negotiate.
The liberation movement:
- Goans had been struggling against Portuguese rule for many years.
- A civil disobedience movement against Portuguese rule began in Goa in 1946.
- In 1954-1955, satyagrahis from India entered Goa; the Portuguese police fired on them, killing many.
- The Portuguese also suppressed the freedom fighters in Goa.
- Dadra and Nagar Haveli were freed by Indian volunteers in 1954.
Operation Vijay (1961):
- On 18 December 1961, the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force launched a combined operation.
- The operation lasted about 36 hours.
- The Portuguese forces surrendered on 19 December 1961.
After liberation:
- Goa, Daman and Diu became a Union Territory of India.
- Goa became the 25th state of India on 30 May 1987, with Panaji as its capital; Daman and Diu remained a Union Territory.
- In 2020, Daman and Diu was merged with Dadra and Nagar Haveli to form a single Union Territory.
Remembrance:
19 December is celebrated as "Goa Liberation Day".
Why not the other options?
- ✗1947 was the year of Independence; 1954 was the year Dadra and Nagar Haveli were freed; 1975 is not correct.
Quick tip
Remember: Goa liberated by Operation Vijay on 19 December 1961 ("Goa Liberation Day"); Goa became a state on 30 May 1987.
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Indian States & Union Territories — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Indian States & Union Territories, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers state-wise GK for India: capitals, formation dates, high courts, state animals, birds and flowers, famous places, and the culture, dances and festivals that identify each state and union territory. Questions commonly ask about the newest state or union territory, the state formed on a particular date, the capitals of states, and which high court serves more than one state. Keep a single table per state with its capital, formation year and key facts. Reorganisations such as that of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 change the answers, so make sure your notes are up to date. Practise the Indian states and union territories questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.