History of Goa

Overview

One can find reference of Goa as early as the Vedic times. Mahabharata talks about the brahmanic colonization of Goa. Goa's ancient history dates back to the 3rd century BC, when it was a part of the Mauryan Empire during Ashoka. The next 700 years was the period of several Hindu rulers. From the 2nd to the 4th century AD, the Scytho-Parthians ruled Goa. The Satvahanas of Kolhapur, and the Chalukyas of Badami, took over the governance subsequently. The Rashtrakutas of Malkhed ruled from the 8th to the 10th century AD. Other dynasties followed, including a short-lived Muslim invasion, until the Vijayanagar Empire established itself for almost a century. Goa's harbours were important landing places for ships carrying Arabian horses to the Vijayanagar cavalry at Hampi.

Goa came under the rule of Portuguese in 1510. It was Afonso de Albuquerque who took control over the territory on 25th November, 1510 by a quick and bloody battle with the armies of Sultan Adil Shah of Bijapur. The Portuguese rule Goa for over 100 years. During this period the Portuguese introduced Christianity to Goa for which today there is a sizeable population of Christians in Goa.

In mid 17th century, Goa's decline as a commercial port also affected the Portuguese power in the East as a result of which they suffered several military losses to the Dutch and the British. India faced some initial protest when it tried to unite Goa with the Indian Union after independence in 1947. Finally, on December 17, 1961 India's Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru ordered for the military invasion and liberation of Goa. The Portuguese army surrendered before the Indian troops and Goa became a part of Indian Union.

This operation is known as "Operation Vijay” which brought freedom to Goa on December 19, 1961. The other Portuguese territories of Daman and Diu were also taken over at around the same time and thus was formed the "Union territory of Goa, Daman and Diu". December 19th is now celebrated as the Goa Liberation Day. Goa became a state of the Indian Union on May 30th, 1987. Goa comprises of two districts – North Goa and South Goa. The districts of Daman and Diu were also separated from Goa and are now a Union territory.