History of Goa

Early Goa - Mauryas, Satavahanas, Chalukyas and Kadamabas

Goa dates back to the 3rd century BC, when it formed part of the Mauryan Empire.  It was later ruled by the Satavahanas of Kolhapur, around two thousand years ago and passed on to the Chalukyas of Badami who controlled it between the periods 580 to 750 A.D. 

Over the next few centuries, Goa was successively ruled by the Silharas, the Kadambas and the Chalukyas of Kalyani, rulers of Deccan India.   The Kadambas, a local Hindu dynasty, left an indelible mark on Goa's pre-colonial history and culture.

The Vijayanagar empires and the Bahamani Dynasty

In 1312, Goa came under the influence of Muslim rulers.  However by 1370 they were forced to surrender it to Harihara I of the Vijayanagar Empire. The Vijayanagar monarchs held on to the territory until 1469. 

They used the harbours as important landing places for ships carrying Arabian horses to Hampi, to reinforce their cavalry. Later, Goa was taken over by the Bahmani Sultans of Gulbarga. After the fall of Bahmani kingdom, the area fell in to the hands of the Adil Shahis of Bijapur who made Velha Goa their auxiliary capital.

Portugal take over Goa

In 1498, Vasco da Gama became the first European to set foot in India through a sea route, landing in Calicut (Kozhikode) in Kerala. Subsequently, he arrived in Old Goa.  Goa, then, was the largest trading centre on India's western coast.

The Portuguese arrived in 1510 with the intention of setting up a colony and seizing control of the spice trade from the east as Ottoman Turks were controlling the spice routes in the west. 

Portuguese admiral Alfonso de Albuquerque defeated the ruling Bijapur kings with the help of a local ally, Timayya, leading to the establishment of a permanent settlement in Velha Goa (or Old Goa).

The Portuguese intended it to be a colony and had a strong desire to spread Christianity.  Goa also served as strong naval base to them which were distinct from the fortified enclaves established elsewhere along India's coasts.

Arrival of Christianity

Jesuit Missionary, St. Francis Xavier arrived in Goa in 1542.  Then the Portuguese rule was limited to old Goa.  Later they extended into Bandez and Salce te. 

With the imposition of the Inquisition (1560-1812), many of the local residents were forcibly converted to Christianity by missionaries, threatened by punishment or confiscation of land, titles or property. 

Many converts however retained parts of their Hindu heritage. To escape the Inquisition and harassment, thousands fled the state, settling down in the neighbouring towns of Mangalore and Karwar in Karnataka, and Savantwadi in Maharashtra.

Portugal's most important possession

With the arrival of the other European powers in India in the 16th century, most Portuguese areas were surrounded by the British and the Dutch.  Goa soon became Portugal's most important possession in India, and was granted the same civic privileges as Lisbon. In 1843 the capital was moved to Panjim from Velha Goa.

By mid 18th century the area under occupation had expanded to most of Goa's present day state limits after series of annexations. In 1763, provinces of Ponda, Sanguem, Quepem and Canacona were added.  In 1788, Pednem, Bicholim and Satari were annexed.

Goa fought over by India and made into a state

Even though, India gained independence from the British in 1947, Portugal refused to relinquish their control over Goa which was by then part of the Indian mainland.

Finally, on December 12, 1961, the Indian army with 40,000 troops moved in as part of Operation Vijay. Fighting lasted for twenty-six hours before the Portuguese garrison surrendered.

Goa, along with Daman and Diu (enclaves lying to the north of Maharashtra), was made into a centrally administered Union Territory on India.

India's takeover of Goa is commemorated on December 19 (Liberation Day). On May 30, 1987, the Union Territory was split, and Goa was elevated as India's twenty-fifth state, with Daman and Diu remaining Union Territories.

The 60s and the 70s - Influence of the Hippie crowds

New Age travelers started arriving since the late 1960s.   Anjuna Beach became a rocking venue for party demons & hippies. For many, Goa still conjures up images of all-night parties and tripping hippies loitering along sun-soaked beaches. But there is more to this tiny western state than sea and sand, hippies.

Modern Goa

A rich amalgam of Portuguese and Indian influence have ensured continuance of its cultural heritage in India.  Many Goans are Catholic and you'll meet lot of Portuguese-speaking locals (whose family names are similar to those in Portugal) whose ancestors were converted to Christianity, often by force.

Dotted among the palm groves and rice fields are graceful villas bearing European coats of arms and imposing mansions with wrought-iron gates built not only for European well-to-do but also for the Brahmins who earned the right to own land.

Over the past several years, Goa has traversed far from the hippie culture.  Now, well-heeled Indians frequent the new rush of upscale international-style restaurants and design-conscious furniture and lifestyle outlets.  J

oining them are the foreign nationals who come to indulge in the rather commercialized trance culture, and Indian youngsters who cruise from beach to beach, legs wrapped around flashy motorbikes with their cargo pants loaded with money power.

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