PORTUGUESE: HISTORY
NEWS:
On this day over 500 years ago, the Portuguese conquered Goa: Here are 3 key
parts of that story
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
The Portuguese arrived in India in 1498 under Vasco da
Gama, driven by the desire to control trade routes and rival Muslim powers.
Alfonso de Albuquerque conquered Goa in 1510, aided by Timmayya, to establish a
strategic base, making it a cornerstone of Portuguese rule for over 400 years.
Why
Did the Portuguese Come to India?
1.
First Contact (1498):
·
Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama reached
Calicut (Kozhikode), Kerala, in May 1498 after a challenging voyage via the
Cape of Good Hope.
·
His journey revealed the prosperous trade
routes of the Indian Ocean, controlled largely by Muslim rulers.
2.
Motivations for Arrival:
·
Trade Riches: The discovery of a thriving maritime trade network motivated the
Portuguese to establish control.
·
Rivalry with Muslims: Portuguese aimed to counter Muslim dominance along the trade routes.
3.
Early Establishments:
·
By 1504, the Portuguese had set up the Estado
da Índia, with the first viceroy, Francisco de Almeida, based in Fort Manuel
(modern Kochi).
·
Over time, Portuguese possessions expanded,
including Bombay (given to the British as a dowry in 1661).
How
Did Alfonso de Albuquerque Conquer Goa?
1.
Shift in Strategy:
·
Alfonso de Albuquerque, successor to Francisco
de Almeida, was tasked by King Manuel to conquer strategic ports such as
Hormuz, Aden, and Malacca.
·
Instead, he recognized the value of Goa, under
the Sultan of Bijapur, as a permanent base to control maritime trade routes.
2.
Role of Timmayya:
·
Albuquerque acted on advice from Timmayya
(also spelled Timoji), whose motivations and identity are debated.
·
Timmayya’s support played a critical role in
Albuquerque’s decision and subsequent military efforts.
3.
First Attempt (1510):
·
In February-March 1510, Albuquerque’s forces
captured Goa with little resistance, aided by Hindu support due to
dissatisfaction with Sultanate rule.
·
However, Sultanate forces soon retaliated,
forcing Albuquerque and his men to retreat and endure a challenging monsoon on
the Mandovi River.
4.
Final Conquest (November
1510):
·
Replenished with reinforcements from Portugal,
Albuquerque launched a fresh assault and decisively recaptured Goa, making it a
key Portuguese possession.
Who
Was Timmayya?
1.
Disputed Identity:
·
Descriptions vary, with some accounts labeling
Timmayya as a Malabari pirate, while others describe him as a high-ranking
aristocrat.
·
He served as the admiral of the Vijayanagara
fleet and opposed merchant ships trading with enemy ports like Goa.
2.
Alliance with Portuguese:
·
Timmayya’s motivations included weakening Goa
to fulfill imperial objectives of the Vijayanagara Empire, which had lost Goa
to the Bahmanis in 1472.
·
Goa’s Hindu population allegedly sought
Timmayya’s help to liberate them from Muslim rule.
3.
Aftermath of Conquest:
·
Albuquerque rewarded Timmayya with a minor
position, while firmly establishing Portuguese rule.
·
Albuquerque encouraged integration by asking
Portuguese men to marry local women and settle in Goa.
Significance
of the Portuguese Conquest of Goa
1.
Strategic Base:
·
Goa became a vital base for Portuguese
operations in the East, strengthening their hold over maritime trade.
2.
Colonial Legacy:
·
The Portuguese ruled Goa for over 400 years,
making it the last European colony in India, until its annexation by India in
1961.
3.
Cultural Influence:
·
The Portuguese left a lasting impact on Goa’s
culture, architecture, and religious practices.