Precis on Portuguese Goa

Précis; Portuguese Goa

Goa is a small coastal state in India, located 375 kilometres from Bombay. It was colonized in 1510 by Portuguese explorers who used the port to increase the power of the increasing Portuguese empire. It quickly gained military presence as the Portuguese government sent over soldiers to maintain colonial rule. Goa was the largest and most important Portuguese colony of three (the other two taken in 1763 and 1788). The Portuguese in Goa lost favour with many of the local people when they attempted to introduce European culture to the people of Goa this resulted in many revolts before the 20th century and a large number of people leaving the area.

Portugal introduced Catholicism to Goa in 1510 by sending a large number of priests in order to convert the state of Goa to a more European way of life. Many traditional Hindu temples were destroyed in the attempt to proselytize the Goan people and make way for Catholic churches. The Portuguese tried to enforce the conversion to Catholicism and many, rather than change their faith, moved out of the territory. Churches were built in a furthered attempt to secure a Catholic influence in the Goan culture like the Cathedral of Goa which was begun in 1562 but wasn’t finished until much later and was left to decay a short while later. Despite the effort of the Portuguese colonialists 61% of the Goans remained Hindu and the Hindu caste system took effect inside the Catholic churches with Europeans in the places of control within the Goan Catholic church.

The original language of Goa, before colonial rule, was an Indo-Aryan language called Konkani. During Portuguese control Konkani lost a lot of its textual heritage and due to this many who speak in Konkani read in Marathi, another Indo-Aryan language. The Portuguese colonialists released a series of decrees which meant those who learnt to speak Portuguese advanced quickly in society. It was the official government language and took place of...