An easy, practical and in-sequence itinerary planner I have travelled the length and breadth of India, and am truly proud of its rich and varied heritage. I am amazed by the tradition and values, the people, festivals, celebrations and the changing landscape. Have you wondered if it's possible to travel across India completely? Most foreigners arriving in India, land in Delhi and then travel the Golden Triangle route first- which is a good decision incase you have limited time at hand and want to make the most of it. The Golden Triangle- Delhi, Agra and Jaipur includes the much hyped Taj Mahal which invariably is part of a tourist's bucket list. This blog on the other hand- is a sequential strategy and detailed 'been there done that' itinerary plan starting from Mumbai. I am sure as we go through this Journey you will understand India better. My experiences are based from the perspective of a - digital nomad, budget backpacker and from a local standpoint. Each Itinerar
Goa Portuguêsa: Life during Portuguese rule in GOA
Medieval Europe was an age of exploration, and it was brimming with a burning enthusiasm to conquer new lands and to establish trade. The Spaniards, British, Portuguese and Dutch had all set out on voyages to distant continents.
The Portuguese in that respect were master explorers and seafarers just as their counterparts. Vasco da Gama became the first Portuguese to arrive in India. He dropped anchor at Calicut [now Kozhikode in India]. Francisco de Almeida was the first viceroy and made Fort Kochi his capital. By the 1500s they subsequently moved further north towards Goa, Daman and Diu.
Map of Vasca da Gama's discovery of the sea route to India
Interesting facts~
The Portuguese were the first European colonial rulers in India. In 1502 they began by trading in Kollam, Kerala and eventually moved further north and conquered Goa which they ruled for 450 years from 1510 until 1961. Thus making them also the last Europeans to leave India.
The other Europeans to make their presence felt, were the British who entered India in 1600. The Dutch East India company established themselves in 1602, and the French set up their colonies from 1668 onwards.
The Portuguese rule in GOA went through various phases. From 1510 to 1820, the monarch had absolute control over Portugal and it's territories. During this phase, religious intolerance and conversion was at its peak.
The French Revolution and it's slogan of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity brought about sweeping changes in Europe. A parliament was established in Portugal which started function effectively by 1833. The liberals had now gained victory over the Absolutists. It was during this phase that native goans found representation in the Portuguese Parliament. Prof. Dr. Bernardo Peres da Silvafrom a village named Neura in Ilhas became the first Governor of Portuguese Goa.
1910 to 1926- The Republic of Portugal
The establishment of the Republic in Portugal assured a new era in the modern history of Goa. The rule of the Monarchy finally came to an end. The church was separated from the state and Hindus could now heave a sign of relief. Religious and political sentiments could be expressed more freely.
1926 to 1961 - A dictator named Dr. Antònio de Oliveira Salazar
With the coming to power of Dr. Antònio de Oliveira Salazar, Goa goes full circle again. The golden days of the Republican rule came to an end, civil liberties were curbed to a great extent and public gatherings and the press was censored. Salazar's misadventures and cruelty was destined to make him the last in the line of the Portuguese rulers who believed Goa was theirs for good.
The conquest of Goa
Afonso de Albuquerque v/z Ismail Adil Shah
Afonso de Albuquerque Portuguese governor of Goa
Afonso de Albuquerque (1453 - 1515) was governor of Estado Português da Índia ie The Portuguese State of India, and it was during his tenure that the conquest of GOA occurred. Adil Shah of the Bijapur Sultanate was the then ruler of Goa.
Ismail Adil Shah was the ruler of Goa at the time of the Portuguese conquest
After a failed attempt, finally on Nov 25, 1510 Afonso de Albuquerque with the support of 2000 men from Timoji; a privateer who had escaped Adil Shah of Bijapur, sailed through the waters of the Mandovi and conquered Goa successfully.
The Portuguese plan of action after the conquest part1~ Focus on fortifying and defending the city
Afonso de Albuquerque was now in complete control of Goa and took office on 1 Dec 1510 and his first task was in fortifying and defending the city.
For the first 10 years the Portuguese lived in Goa, mostly aboard their ships and eventually settled in Old Goa.
During that period many mansions were built on the banks of the Mandovi river along the way to Old Goa. Note the sombre fort-like building in the picture below.
Earliest goan houses on the banks of the river Mandovi along the way to Old Goa. This one is Palacio de Vice Reis from late 18th century. Sadly many did not survive or have changed completely. (Photo credit- Helder Carita's Places of Goa)
Whereas, Adil Shah's reorganized attempts at retaking Goa on the hand failed badly.
Note~ In all cases, Goa during the conquest has been the present-day town of Old Goa which was an island.
Albuquerque's desire was to make GOA the centre of the Portuguese empire across all Asia. It was the initial days of the formation of Portuguese GOA and Albuquerque spared no detail in making his dream come true.
Goa : an important trade center
As envisioned by the Portuguese the city had by now gained considerable importance as a flourishing trading port. Goa became wealthy and even earned the epitaph as 'Rome of the East'.
A strong naval base
Establishing a strong naval base to not only counter hostile adversaries, but also build lucrative trading routes was another strategic development.
The Konkan landscape of simple houses made of mud bricks and thatch (tiled) roofs had now started to change.
An example of pre-Portuguese goan house
Imbibing this traditional style, new Christian converts were now building bigger and luxurious houses with a western influence that had transformed the goan landscape, much in a way that gave the Portuguese a feeling of permanence in the region.
The façade now had embellishments that added to the house's grandeur. And then came the Casa de Sobrado (double storied mansions).
A beautiful but neglected double storied mansion, seen in Margao, Goa
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