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INDIA
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If there is one thing that makes Goa different from
other parts of India than it is its East-West symbiosis
giving it a special historical and social niche. The
history of Goa tells a sweet and sour story of colonial
heritage, oppressive rulers, a glorious culture, and
uneventful immediate past.
As a land with the identity of its own, Goa was
brought into focus when it was liberated of Portugal
from its oppressive rule of around 450 hundred years in
1961. Goa was captured and annexed to the Portuguese in
1510 following the urges of trade and demand of spices
and also cottons and indigo. But, Goa has a history that
starts much before Portugal even thought of Goa being
where it is.
Goa - The Early History
Goa was coveted and ruled by a great number of Indian
kingdoms and dynasties from the 4th century onwards. The
first kingdom to rule Goa and Konkan were Bhojas, who
were the feudatories of Ashoka in 4th and 5th centuries
AD. The city of Chandrapur (present Chandor) was founded
by Prince Chandraditya, son of Chalukya King Pulakesin
from 566 to 597 A.D. after this, Goa was ruled
consecutively by Silahara Dynasty, Kadamba Danasty, and
finally Hoysalas from 1022 to 1342 A.D.
From the 14th century onwards, Goa became a great
trading center on the west coast, especially in the vast
trade of horses imported from the Middle East. This was
the time for bigger empires to move in and Vijayanagar
Empire conquered it in 1344. But there empire was not
going to last too long and in 1347, Bahmani Sultans
defeated Vijayanagara forces in 1347 and controlled Goa.
Afterwards, it was a time of great prosperity and peace
for Gpa, especially during the rules of Yusuf Adil Shah
and Ismail Adil Shah. They created beautiful houses,
fortified Goa, and encouraged local craftsmen. Their
liberal and progressive rule was not going to last too
long and situation changed in 1510 A.D.
Goa Under the Portuguese
Goa for all purposes was not on the Portuguese Radar
even after a long time of their presence in India. When
the Portuguese nobleman Alfonso de Albuquerque and his
cousin Francisco de Albuquerque were sent with a
powerful fleet in 1503 on the orders of King Dom Manuel
I, the purpose was to defend the cargoes of spices,
mostly pepper, against Arab Muslim raiders.
The center of spice trade was Calicut at that time and
Portuguese had built forts in Cochin and Cannanore.
It was in 1506-08 that an opportunistic pirate,
Timoja, persuaded Albuquerque to attack Goa and acquire
a better land base. This made Goa, Portugal's first real
territorial acquisition in Asia. After a brief period of
recapturing by the Muslims, Goa Albuquerque finally
captured Goa in 1510.
The inquisition of Goa in 1540 reversed the previous
liberal policy of Albuquerque and imposed strict
censorship of literature and new laws to forbade
non-Christians from professions. Forced conversions took
place continuously, censorship was established on
literature, the temples were destroyed, and
non-Christian priests, holy men, and teachers were
evicted. This led to continuous fleeing of Hindus from
Goa to other parts of India.
It is not that the relationship with Portugal brought
only destruction for the Goans. Portuguese also built
great churches like the church of St. Cajetan and Bom
Jesus basilica in Old Goa, which is a pilgrimage site
for the Christians from around the world. But it is also
true that pre-1961, Goa was a highly impoverished region
very backward and primitive. It is after the liberation
that Goa of today has emerged and it has surprised even
the locals many of whom had left their homeland before
its liberation. Portugal and India are today friends and
Goa continues to be a fascinating blend of Latin and
Oriental. |
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