1. Early Goa to Portuguese Rule
Goa has a long history before the Portuguese arrived. It was ruled by several Indian dynasties, became an important port, and in 1510 came under Portuguese control, which lasted until 1961. Exams often ask about dynasties, capitals and key dates.
Early dynasties
- The Bhojas ruled parts of Goa in the early centuries CE (roughly 4th to 6th century). Their copper-plate grants are among the oldest records of Goa.
- Goa later came under larger powers such as the Konkan Mauryas, the Chalukyas of Badami and the Rashtrakutas.
- The Kadambas of Goa ruled from about the 10th to the 14th century, first as feudatories and later independently. Shashthadeva is regarded as an early founder of their rule in Goa.
- The Kadamba capital was Chandrapura (present-day Chandor), and later Gopakapattana (Govapuri), near present-day Goa Velha on the Zuari. It was a busy seaport trading with Arabia and East Africa.
- The Kadambas were patrons of temples and trade; the Tambdi Surla Mahadev temple near Mollem is a well-known surviving temple of this period.
Vijayanagara and Bijapur
- In the 14th century Goa faced raids from the Delhi Sultanate, and later came under the Bahmani Sultanate.
- The Vijayanagara Empire held Goa for part of the 14th and 15th centuries and used its ports for trade, including the import of horses.
- The Bahmanis took Goa again in the 1470s. After the Bahmani kingdom broke up, Goa passed to Yusuf Adil Shah, founder of the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur.
- Under Bijapur, Ela (in present-day Old Goa) on the Mandovi became an important city and port.
Portuguese conquest and colonial rule
- Afonso de Albuquerque captured Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate in 1510. He took the city in March 1510, lost it, and finally captured it on 25 November 1510.
- Old Goa became the capital of the Portuguese 'Estado da India' and was once called 'Rome of the East' for its many churches.
- The areas conquered first (Tiswadi, Bardez, Salcete and Mormugao) are called the 'Old Conquests'. Areas added in the 18th century, such as Pernem, Sattari, Ponda and Canacona, are the 'New Conquests'.
- The Goa Inquisition was set up in 1560 and was abolished in 1812. It tried people for religious offences; historians record that those prosecuted included New Christians (converts), Hindus and Jews.
- Due to epidemics and silting of the river, the capital gradually moved from Old Goa to Panjim (Nova Goa), which became the official capital in 1843.
- The Portuguese ruled Goa for about 451 years, from 1510 to 1961.
Quick facts
- Bhojas
- Early rulers of Goa (about 4th to 6th century CE)
- Kadambas of Goa
- About 10th to 14th century; capitals Chandrapura (Chandor) and Gopakapattana
- Bijapur
- Adil Shahi rule before 1510
- Portuguese conquest
- Afonso de Albuquerque, 25 November 1510
- Goa Inquisition
- 1560 to 1812
- Panjim as capital
- Officially from 1843
- Portuguese rule
- About 451 years (1510-1961)
💡 Remember '1510 - 1560 - 1843 - 1961': conquest, Inquisition, Panjim as capital, liberation.
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