Goa's history - during Portuguese ruling

Without an outline of its Portuguese heritage history of Goa would be incomplete. The Portuguese invasion of Goa took place during the year 1503. Since then it has been a chaotic history- culminating in the freedom of the state in the year 1961.

In the year 1503 Alfonso -de- Albuquerque laid the foundation of the Portuguese rule in the state 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 in the year1510. Goa was then under Sultan Adil Shah. However, Albuquerque was defeated and sent back. Albuquerque returned in a few months with all 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 multiple 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. Portugal was the supreme naval power in India by virtue of its control over Goa at the time of his death.

By 1543 they had added places like Salcette and Bardez under its control and Portuguese continued their policy of spreading out. The areas that were originally conquered were referred to as "Velhas Coquistas" that roughly translates into 'old conquests'! The history of Goa marked its 'golden era' towards the end of the 16th century.

Portugal's overwhelming concentration in India was commercial. This plundering continued with all the adding up of new regions like Daman, Diu and Mumbai. But, a number of weak successors after Albuquerque didn't consolidate the gains made at this time. Still then- Portugal occupies a gigantic 450 years in the history of Goa.

The Portuguese rule marks a stage of monetary prosperity in the history of Goa. Prior to the appearance of the Portuguese, Goa was barely referred to as a transit point for the Arabian horses to regions in the subcontinent and also like a harbor for transporting Muslims to Mecca.

There were noteworthy 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 became the destination of choice for a number of goldsmiths and silversmiths. This contributed to the progress of the exquisite filigree work- a multipart work of foliage and jewels on metal. With the establishment of Portuguese as the language of choice for all official work the language of the people too underwent a transformation-.

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

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