Without an outline of its Portuguese heritage history of Goa would be incomplete. The Portuguese invasion of Goa took place around the year 1503. Since then it has been a tumultuous history- culminating in the liberation of the state in the year 1961. In the year 1503 the foundation of the Portuguese rule in the state was laid by Alfonso -de- Albuquerque when he came to India as the head of a squadron. Once he was anointed the in- charge for Portuguese affairs in Goa, he laid a siege on the state in the year1510. Goa was then under Sultan Adil Shah. However, Albuquerque was defeated and sent back. Albuquerque returned in a few months with the demise of the sultan. Now, he was accompanied by Timoja, a Hindu chieftain. He captured Goa and declared it the head of the Portuguese empire in India. This was the year 1510. Albuquerque made a number of contributions into the Goan society in his five years of rule- notable among these was the abolition of the Hindu practice of Sati. At the time of his death, Portugal was the supreme naval power in India by virtue of its control over Goa! By 1543 they had brought areas like Salcette and Bardez under its control and Portuguese sustained their policy of growth. The areas that were initially conquered were referred to as "Velhas Coquistas" that roughly translates into 'old conquests'! The history of Goa marked its 'golden era' towards the end of the sixteenth century. Portugal's overwhelming interest in India was commercial. This plundering sustained with all the adding up of new places like Daman, Diu and Mumbai. Conversely, a number of weak successors behind Albuquerque didn't strengthen the gains made at this time. Still then- Portugal occupies a gigantic 450 years in the history of Goa. The Portuguese rule marks a time of financial prosperity in the history of Goa. The Portuguese rule changed the land right into a booming and contemporary seaport to the point that Goa came to be known as 'The Rome of the east'! The Christian missionaries spread education in the land and contributed to its literacy. There were important additions in the field of art and music during this period. Goa also evolved into the destination of choice for a number of goldsmiths and silversmiths. This contributed to the development of the exquisite filigree work- a multipart work of foliage and jewels on metal. The language of the people as well underwent a transformation- with the establishment of Portuguese as the language of choice for all official work. However, the history of Goa was once again struggling with an upheaval - the wealthy and economically booming era was not to last- and this time it was to be in the form of the Dutch and English colonizers!
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Without a description of its Portuguese heritage history of Goa is incomplete. The Portuguese invasion of Goa occurred around the year 1503. Since then it has been a chaotic history- culminating in the freedom of the territory in the year 1961.
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