Background of Portuguese rule in Goa

This is a historical fact the year 1498 saw the establishment of sea travel route for the Europe journey from the India, with the landing of Vasco Da Gama on the sea shores of south India. During this time control of spice trade of India was at the hands of Arabs and since past one two decades Portuguese were much eager to take control of this high earning business hence they catches this opportunity with both hands as this sea travel route opened the easy entrance gate for them.

Portuguese were too eager but their troops landed on the Indian sea shores in Goa around 1510 under the leadership of Afonso Albuquerque. At that time Goa was ruled by Bijapur Kingdom ruled by Adil Shah. Towards the end of 1543 Portuguese were succeeded in taking control of Salcette, Mormugao, Bardez and some other regions, almost one fifth of entire Goa state. The process of conquering Old Goa by the Portuguese is known as the Velhas Coquistas and resulted in reducing the Arab dominance of spice trade of India. In those days Portuguese were used to call this costal land Golden Goa.

In the period of 30 odd years of ruling Portuguese were in position of understanding the famous Hindu tolerance and decided to use this for the propagation and expansion of Christianity on the sea shores of Goa. 1540 onwards Portuguese ruler started show their harsh and commanding nature for the construction of churches and even not hesitate to convert Hindu worship places in Churches, following the tradition of Mogul Kings of India. Still there is confusion over the World Heritage Site Taj Mahal, weather it was constructed or ancient Hindu temple of Lord Shiva was converted into this world renowned love monument.

Towards the 17th Century Portuguese rule in Goa started to fade up primarily because Dutch succeeded in reducing the Portuguese hold on the spice trade of India and Marathas started to take control of region like Bicholim, Canacona, Pernem, Ponda, Quepem, Sanguem and Satari etc. Besides that at the same time Portuguese views towards the Jesuits and Pope in Rome started to be appear in different way hence the Hindu population of Goa was allowed much greater freedom for their religious faiths and rituals hence a significant harmony was developed in the human societies of Goa which is still a characteristic feature of people of modern Goa.

During the rule of Portuguese on Goa several buildings were constructed, many of them are most spectacular and fine illustration for the Portuguese architecture and are count as the prime tourist attraction on Goa tour.