The East-West symbiosis of Goa makes it different
from other parts of India, more than the historical and social niche.
The history of Goa is 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 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 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.
