Afonso de Albuquerque the Governor of Portuguese possessions in the East attacked and captured Goa in Feb-March 1510, but were driven out of the island by Adil Shah's forces in the middle of May 1510.
Albuquerque returned reinforced and with a better strategy than before, and finally re-conquered Goa on 25 Nov, 1510. The first area to come under Portuguese control was ILHAS (Tiswadi). Subsequently by 1543, Bardez and Salcete came under subjugation. 1780 onwards saw the new conquests (in green) which were subsequently added to form the present state of Goa.
 |
| Map of Goa, 1510 to 1961 |
Previous blog~ Goa Portuguêsa: Life during Portuguese rule in GOA
Initial Sequence of events leading to the struggle for Goa's liberation
It was now certain that Portuguese rule was proving to be a catastrophe. Goans had been through a great deal~ religious persecution, the Goa Inquisition, suppression and discrimination.
Freedom is not free or easy. Here is a sequence of events leading to the eventual struggle for Goa's liberation.
1510 to 1820- Absolute Monarchy
During this phase, the church and state were one. The Portuguese monarch swayed with the whims and fancies of the church who did as they pleased.
Religious intolerance and conversion was at its peak. The infamous Goa Inquisition was held during this period, Despite that, people took a stand for their rights and dignity amidst the risk of losing their lives.
1543- The Cuncolim Uprising
In order to express their anger against religious persecution, the people of Cuncolim (present day South Goa) protested by non-payment of taxes and also set an example to neighbouring villages to follow suit. The Portuguese govt came down heavily on this uprising and massacred the leaders in cold blood.
1654- Mateus de Castro's uprising
Father Mateus de Castro Mahale, a priest, was much against the Portuguese government's racist policies. He questioned and attacked both the religious as well as non-religious authorities. In return he was imprisoned by the very same authorities.
1787- Pinto's Uprising
Besides Portuguese missionaries, there were now a growing number of native goan missionaries, who despite being learned and dutiful were not offered higher posts. Hence in 1787, two goan missionaries- Fr. Caetano Francisco do Couto and Fr. Jose Antonio Goncalves began an uprising to protest against this unfair practice.
One Fr. Pinto had offered his house to these protestors, hence it was termed as Pinto's Uprising.
1820 to 1910 - Limited Monarchy
The winds of change in favor of Liberals over Absolutists
The French Revolution brought about uncertainties among the monarchs of Europe, and thereby changes in their affairs. A parliament was now established in Portugal and the liberals had more control.
During this phase, the constitutional regime brought a distinct rise in the fortune of native Goans who finally found representation in the Portuguese Parliament. Prof. Dr. Bernardo Peres da Silva from a village named Neura in Ilhas was one among the three members of Parliament to be sent to Lisbon in 1822 and subsequently became the first Governor of Portuguese of Goa in 1834/ 1835.
1852- Rane's uprising
The Ranes of Satari Mahal under the leadership of Dipaji Rane rebelled against Portuguese rule, and succeeded in driving out the Portuguese from Satari Mahal in 1852.
Later in 1895, Dada Rane and his soldiers again rebelled against the taxation rule of the Portuguese govt.
1910 to 1926- The Republic of Portugal
The church was separated from the state bringing in a new era in the history of Portugal and its colonies alike.
Rise of Nationalism
There is an extensive list of brave men and women who took part in the liberation movement Read more...
1926 to 1961 - A dictator named Dr. Antònio de Oliveira Salazar
 |
| Dr. Antònio de Oliveira Salazar- the last ruler of Portuguese Goa |
As the liberation struggle was getting public support and gaining momentum, the Portuguese govt tried various ways to suppress the movement.
 |
| Portuguese flag |
TMT - TRIBUNAL MILITARY TRIAL
Military courts were established to severely punish those who were involved in the struggle.
Tip- TRIBUNAL MILITARY TRIAL is housed at Goa Archives and available to view. It highlights the trials, prosecution and sufferings of the freedom fighters.
18th June 1946 Satyagraha
The suppression of Liberties in Goa and the intolerable conditions created by the dictatorship of Dr. Antònio de Oliveira Salazar, brought the socialist Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia to Goa. At a public meeting in Margao along with the local resistance leader Tristão de Bragança Cunha
he launched a movement for Civil liberties which set in motion a mass freedom movement.
 |
| Freedom fighter Dr Ram Manohar Lohia held the 18th June 1946 Satyagraha to demonstrate against the curbing of Civil liberties. This was the turning point in the struggle for Goa's liberation |
This was the beginning of the last phase of Goa's liberation struggle.
NCG - National Congress (Goa)
To continue the liberation struggle launched by Dr. Lohia, various political groups in Goa came together at Londa in Aug 1946 and formed the National Congress (Goa).
Dr. Ram Hegde was elected as the first President of NCG. They started campaigning for civil liberties on Gandhian lines ie. undertaking unarmed Satyagrahas. It was popularly known as 'Jai Hind' movement.
Azad Gomantak Dal
A section of National Congress (Goa) members led by Adv. Vishwanath Lawande advocated armed struggle against the oppressive Portuguese rule.
 |
| A section of National Congress (Goa) members led by Adv. Vishwanath Lawande advocated armed struggle against the oppressive Portuguese rule |
They formed Azad Gomantak Dal, whose members were active in attacking police stations, disruption of traffic and cutting down telephone lines thereby creating obstacles for the Portuguese govt.
AGD was whole-heartedly supported by India and provided them full financial, logistics and arms support.
27 Feb, 1950- Govt of India makes considerable diplomatic effort to engage with Portugal, to open negotiations about the disengagement of Portuguese colonies in India. But the Portuguese govt refuses to give up Goa. They stated Goa was part of Portugal even before the Republic of India was created and therefore India had no right to claim Goa.
11 June 1953- When all efforts fail India snaps diplomatic relations with Portugal.
1954- India begins visa restrictions for travel from Goa to India, thereby severing transport from Goa to the other Portuguese territories like Daman, Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
22 July till 2 Aug 1954- Now taking advantage of impediments, armed activists attacked and forced Portuguese forces to surrender in Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
15 Aug 1955- Close to 5000 unarmed Indian Satyagrahis attempt to enter Goa from various locations but were violently attacked by the Portuguese police force. Close to 30 people lost their lives. Local goan sentiments soar high against the Salazar dictatorship.
 |
| A Satyagraha, Goa liberation image |
 |
| Goa liberation image |
 |
| Goa liberation image |
1 Sept 1955- India shuts down its consulate in Goa
Meanwhile, India's hints on imminent Military Action against the Portuguese in Goa. While Salazar, Portugal's dictatorial Prime Minister asks United Nations Security council to intervene in the matter.
Goa liberation image
Small India, Bigger Goa
In order to contain the uprisings, the Portuguese govt deployed yet another tactic. They brought in African tribesmen from their colonies and recruited them as soldiers. The Africans who lacked knowledge about the ongoing struggles in Goa. were provided 2 maps wherein India was shown much smaller than Goa This was an attempt to make the soldiers believe that Goa is bigger than the rest of India.
Dec 1961- India takes a decisive stand to liberate Goa
V. K. Krishna Menon was the Defence Minister of Free India. It was he who persuaded Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to liberate Goa with the use of military troops.
 |
| Freedom fighters of Goa liberation movement, women too were involved in the struggle |
10 Dec 1961- Prime Minister Nehru gives a statement to the press, that "continuance of Goa under Portuguese rule is an impossibility".
The U.S. showing support to Portugal stated India should expect No support from the U.S. at United Nations Security council in such an eventuality.
1st Dec 1961- Operation Chutney : the first taste of Indian Navy
In a newly formed nation post-independence, the role played by the Indian Navy, headquartered at Mumbai in the liberation of Goa from its colonial Portuguese rulers is indeed commendable.
In November of 1961, there were acts of aggression by Portuguese soldiers stationed at Anjadip island off the Karwar coast. They first started firing from the island onto a merchant ship named 'Sabarmati'. Then, again a second time they began indiscriminate firing on Indian fishing boats.
Both these incidents led to the commencement of Operation Chutney.
By 1st Dec, Operation Chutney was executed by Naval headquarters to provide surveillance cover as part of which the Indian Naval ships INS Betwa and IND Beas commenced a linear patrol off the Goa coast.
 |
| INS Betwa and INS Beas patrolling the coast of Goa during Operation Chutney |
14 Dec- Salazar's ego and miscalculations
Despite well-found advice from Portuguese Defense Minister General Júlio Botelho Moniz and seconded by the Army in-charge- that an all-out effort against resisting the decolonisation of Goa was worthless and will lead to unnecessary loss of lives, Salazar orders his Governor General in Goa, Manuel António Vassalo e Silva to fight till the last man.
It was Vassalo e Silva's presence of mind that prompted him to disobey Salazar's order, and allow the evacuation of Portuguese civilians (European) who were eager to return home in case of an impeding attack by India. He later gave a misleading remark to the press stating "If necessary, we will die here."
17th - 19th Dec 1961 Operation Vijay : The moment of Truth
It was on account of intelligence gathered by these two frigates (INS Betwa & INS Beas) that helped in forming the blueprint for Operation Vijay. Maj General K.P. Candeth (17th Infantry division) and Brig. Sagat Singh (50th Parachute Brigade) commanded the operation.
Two routes were chosen for the attack. (A) the eastern route was through Anmode - Mollem - Ponda (B) the northern route through Dodamarg - Assonora - Bicholim.
For the purpose of deception, a small troop was to enter Goa from the south through Karwar.
Despite it being a 2 day war there was a great deal of strategy maneuvering, and challenges that needed to be overcome in the execution of Operation Vijay not included in this blog.
 |
| Borim bridge is dynamited by retreating Portuguese army. But Indian jawans undeterred build a pontoon bridge over the river. |
 |
| Borim bridge is dynamited by retreating Portuguese army. But Indian jawans undeterred build a pontoon bridge over the river. |
By the night of 19th December, the Portuguese had finally surrendered.
 |
| Portuguese army in the face of defeat |
 |
| Portuguese POWs (Prisoners of War) |
 |
| Instrument of Surrender- Liberation of Goa displayed at Adil Shah's palace, Panjim |
 |
| Instrument of Surrender- Liberation of Goa displayed at Adil Shah's palace, Panjim |
19th Dec 1961 - Goa has become part of India
 |
| Portuguese Governor General Vassalo e Silva in prisoner of war camp |
The Portuguese troops fought a pitched battle, and after air attacks on the morning of 19th December they reluctantly surrendered. The Surrender Treaty was signed by Vassalo e Silva Commander-in-Chief of Portuguese Goa, and Brigadier K.S. Dhillon on behalf of Indian govt.
Thus bringing to an end four and half centuries old Portuguese rule in GOA.
 |
Goa liberation day- tricolor unfurled atop and opposite Adilshah's palace, Panjim- 19 Dec 1961
|
Escudos to Rupees: currency change post Goa Liberation
Immediately after the Portuguese surrendered, Government of India issued notification stating -
"The Government of India has recognised Escudo as legal currency alongwith Rupees, and the rate of exchange was declared as 6 Escudos = 1 Rupee. The import of Escudos from outside Goa was strictly prohibited. On the other hand, the import of Rupees from India was freely allowed. Import and Export from and to foreign countries was restricted to 75 Rupees per head.
Comments
Post a Comment