Silvassa also spelled as Selwas (Sēlavās) amongst Gujarati people, is the headquarters of the Dadra and Nagar Haveli district of the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, India. The city has many factories and industries providing significant government revenue, which allows the city to maintain a low level of taxation. The city was chosen as one of the hundred Indian cities in Narendra Modi's flagship Smart Cities Mission.
Until the end of the 19th century, Silvassa was only a small village. The growing importance of Silvassa started in 1885 when the Portuguese Administration decided to transfer the seat of Nagar Haveli to the city, which until then had been in Darará. By decree of 11 February 1885, Silvassa was created as a town, with the name of Vila de Paço d'Arcos. However, the original name prevailed and the town continued to be mainly known as Silvassa and referred to as such in official documents.
Source :
Wikipedia
