Goa India Holidays

Delve into the past to lead you to the present….

Conquerors, invaders, dynasties have checquered Goa's history giving this little state an atmosphere and ambience of its own.

Legend says that Parashuram shot an arrow from the Western Ghats; this arrow flew across the mountains and landed in the sea, causing the waves to roll back
and form into the beautiful coastal plains of Goa.

Blessed as it is by natural harbors and wide rivers Goa was the ideal base for the seafaring Portuguese, who arrived in 1510. Afonso de Albuquerque established the first permanent base aiming to control the spice route from the East. It was not an easy conquest, he attacked and occupied the islands of Old Goa and Panjim for a brief period of 2 months when he was driven out by Muslim ruler Yussuf Adil Shah. The monsoon season gave him a respite and time to plan and train his forces, for he came back with renewed vigour and conquered Goa on St. Catherine's Day - 25th November. Albuquerque's first order was to put to death all Muslims and then fortify the City.

Having won the war against the rulers, the Portuguese began a battle of Religion, by passing a law ordering the destruction of Temples. Observance of ancient Hindu rituals and custom were considered heathen and hence forbidden. Land could be owned only by the Baptised.

1560 saw the suppression of any other religion besides Catholicism and the Inquisition as a form of terrorism. Many Hindus fled across the river, smuggling their deities and treasures to the densely forested hillsides of Ponda. Centuries later saw the rising of temples to house these Deities.

Many people accepted the Catholic faith, Portuguese became the official language and the native language Konkanni was banned.

The 16th Century saw the height of the Portuguese reign in Goa, with many religious orders establishing schools, hospitals and imparting alternative methods of agriculture. Beautiful edifices were built- the Se Cathedral and the Basilica of Bom Jesus are examples of their glory.

While the Portuguese in Goa were reigning supreme and spending their fortunes on building magnificent buildings, Portugal was annexed by Spain. Closer to Goa, the British East India Company was establishing its might in India. A century of turmoil followed.

The 18th Century saw the winds of change, with the British trying to stake a claim to Goa by trying to purchase this little bit of land for half a million pounds ! In pure Portuguese style appearing to being rulers was maintained, but with great difficulty, considering the pressure to succumb to power of the native Goans and India.

December 1961 saw the final surrender of the Portuguese and Goa was integrated into the Indian Union, with the power to elect members to the state assembly.26 years later Goa became India's 25th state and Konkanni was restored as the official language.

Goa has come a long way and its, old churches and ancient temples and almost 120kms of silver beaches where sun, sea and surf come together to make an ideal destination for a tranquillising holiday.