Portuguese ruling - History of Goa

Without a description of its Portuguese heritage history of Goa would be incomplete. The Portuguese invasion of Goa occurred during the year 1503. Since then it has been a chaotic history- culminating in the freedom of the territory during the year 1961.

Alfonso -de- Albuquerque laid the foundation of the Portuguese rule in the territory in the year 1503 when he came to India as the top of a squadron. Once he was anointed the in- charge for Portuguese affairs in Goa, he laid a siege on the state during the year1510. Goa was then under Sultan Adil Shah. However, Albuquerque was defeated and sent back. Albuquerque returned in a few months with the demise of the sultan. This time, he was accompanied by Timoja, a Hindu chieftain. He captured Goa and declared it the head of the Portuguese empire in India. This was the year 1510.

Albuquerque made quite a few contributions towards the Goan the social order in the 5 years of rule- notable among these was the abolition of the Hindu practice of Sati. At the time of his death, Portugal was the supreme naval power in India by virtue of its control over Goa!

The Portuguese continued its policy of expansion and by 1543 had brought places like Salcette and Bardez below its control. The areas that were initially occupied were known as "Velhas Coquistas" that approximately interprets into 'old conquests'! The history of Goa marked its 'golden era' towards the end of the sixteenth century.

This plundering sustained with the addition of new places like Daman, Diu and Bombay. Portugal's overwhelming concentration in India was commercial. But, a number of weak successors after Albuquerque did not consolidate the gains made at this time. Yet then- Portugal occupies a gigantic 450 years in the history of Goa.

The Portuguese ruling marks a era of economic success in the history of Goa. Prior to the advent of the Portuguese, Goa was just known as a transit point for the Arabian horses to places in the subcontinent and also like a harbor for transporting Muslims to Mecca.

There had been major additions in the area of art and music in this time. The Christian missionaries spread education in the state and contributed to its literacy. Goa also turned the destination of choice for a number of goldsmiths and silversmiths. This contributed to the growth of the exquisite filigree work- a multipart work of foliage and jewels on metal. The tongue of the people also underwent a transformation- with the establishment of Portuguese as the language of choice for all official work.

Though, the rich and economically thriving era was not to last- the history of Goa was once again facing an turmoil- and this time it was to be in the form of the Dutch and English colonizers!

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