History of Goa- Goa under Portuguese ruling

A history of Goa would be shortened without a description of its Portuguese heritage. The Portuguese invasion of Goa occurred during the year 1503. Since then it has been a tumultuous history- culminating within the freedom of the land in the year 1961.

In the year 1503 the foundation of the Portuguese rule in the state was set by Alfonso -de- Albuquerque when he came to India as the head 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 ended up being under Sultan Adil Shah. However, Albuquerque was defeated and delivered back. Albuquerque returned in some months with the demise from the sultan. Now, 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 numerous contributions towards the Goan the social order in the five many years of rule- notable among these was the abolition from the Hindu practice of Sati. Portugal was the supreme naval power in India by virtue of its control over Goa at the time of his death.

The Portuguese continued its strategy of spreading out and by 1543 had added regions like Salcette and Bardez below its power. The areas that were initially conquered were known as "Velhas Coquistas" that approximately interprets into 'old conquests'! The history of Goa marked its 'golden era' right at the end from the sixteenth century.

This plundering sustained with the adding up of new regions like Daman, Diu and Bombay. Portugal's overwhelming concentration in India was commercial. Conversely, a bunch of weak successors subsequent to Albuquerque failed to strengthen the gains made at this time. Yet then- Portugal occupies a big 450 years within the history of Goa.

The Portuguese ruling marks a period of monetary prosperity in the history of Goa. Before the appearance of the Portuguese, Goa was only known as a transit point for the Arabian horses to areas in the subcontinent and also as a port for transporting Muslims to Mecca.

The Christian missionaries spread education in the land and contributed to its literacy. There were important additions in the area of art and music through this age. Goa also became the destination of choice for a number of goldsmiths and silversmiths. This contributed towards the progress of the exquisite filigree work- a complex work of foliage and jewels on metal. The tongue of the people as well underwent a transformation- with the establishment of Portuguese as the language of choice for all official work.

Though, the history of Goa was once again facing an upheaval - the wealthy and economically booming era was not to last- and this time that it was to be in are the Dutch and English colonizers!