This statement might sound a little weird but it is a fact that colonisation of Goa by the Portuguese was much milder compared to the British rule all over India and thus perhaps Goans remained under the Portuguese rule for more than four and a half centuries. Goans were much happier compared to the rest of the Indians as they were not suppressed by the Portuguese rulers and given equal right and status.
Even after 57 years of freedom from the clutches of the Portuguese, Goans reminisce the times of struggle for liberation. After 451 years of being under the rule of Portuguese, Goa breathed the air of freedom on 19th December 1961.
The bloodshed and lives lost and final gasp for freedom, all these moments will forever be imprinted in the pages of Goa’s history. This moment was one to be cherished by every Goan, for the fact that they were finally free after 4 and half centuries of colonialism, the longest a state has ever been.
Although it might seem that Goa had been under oppression for a long time, considering accounts of other colonized states- the situation of Goa was quite different. The state was not really oppressed by Portuguese compared to the rest of the country under the British rule. Goans had almost equal rights and many Portuguese married to Goan natives.
It did not compensate for the fact that Goa was under their rule and Portuguese forcefully exerted domination on the state and its resources. They converted Hindus to Catholics and massacred Muslims till there was no significant percentage of them left in the State.
Portuguese were the last to leave India; they turned the state into a mini-Portugal territory. It was rather a slow and diplomatic way that Portuguese laid their dominance. According to an article by UCA news, they called this, ‘silent ethnic cleansing’.
A considerable amount of influence of Portuguese affected Goan culture. Due to this, a significant per cent of Hindu traditions and culture was forgotten and many Hindus were forcefully converted to Catholics.
Goa remained silent during the struggle for rest of the country to Independence but soon after the country was freed from the hold of British rule, Goans were inspired and started revolting against Portuguese. After a bloody battle with over 50 people killed, Goa was finally a bird flying its way to freedom.
The influence of Portuguese can be witnessed many ways in the Goan culture- from food to buildings to even lifestyle. But it does not lessen the fact that Goans were Indians and had moulded their indigenous culture into their heritage. The lifestyle of Goa is much well-known for its laid-back and joyous nature.
Many had mixed reactions regarding the Liberation of the state. According to Newsclick, some were overwhelmed by this decision and were happy that they finally could taste freedom and others felt that Goa would be much better under the Portuguese rule as they felt if Goa is freed; it would be colonized under India. It was known that Goa was much different from other parts of India, with its culture and lifestyle that was largely alike Portuguese.
Many Goans feared that this liberation might leave Goa with no identity in spite, this tiny state having such a rich heritage. Some expressed their grief towards the lost opportunity of Goa, getting a special status.
The hander over of Macau in 1999 granted it a special autonomy and has got its own flag and currency. Some felt that if Goa was still under Portugal rule, they too would have had got its perks.
One could not argue about this, as people have different perspectives. Fortunately, the relation between India and Portuguese is quite well and the provision for Goa-Portuguese passports has helped Goans very much.
Now, Goa is one of the richest and developed states with a unique culture and has an essence of its own. These attributes of Goa, has it made it likeable than ever with people all over the world flocking to this state.
5 thoughts on “Goans were much happier under the Portuguese Rule compared to rest of India which was suppressed by British Rulers”
the past is the past, no need to torture ourselfes with bad memories, as portuguese i wish all the best to Goa.
Comparisons also don’t make it less wrong, we have the future in front, we have mixed our bloods, i have uncles and cousins half portuguese half from Goa, have been teached from Goa descendents professors, our prime minister family is from Goa, let us learn from our mistakes and make better future, we should analyse and study our common history even if painfull, in the end maybe we still have space to be friends
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When British left the Indians copied everything like them and practiced the caste divide whichis so horrific,the Portuguese in Goa have been much more cultured and civilto the people,the u inform civilto demonstrated that till today and there are no ambiguities like the convenient to British rules which got I troduced to usurp the rights of I Diane,moreover the Portuguese planning v foresight and medical advancement is unmatched and idiots who were never living in Goa are noone to tell a genuine Goykar what is the difference though they covertly come to the state with weird expectations and to leer ogle at the tourists conducting themselves in such disgusting ways even the domesticated animals of Goa have better conduct, Goa today is a abused territory of dirty politicians and crazy Indians,who are hypocrites of the ultimate level.the study and foresighted planning Architecture etc are a testimony of how Goa has evolved till this date ,the greedy political mafia only lies and cheats all time and the people who get on their band wagon are all compromised souls,shame on them say one thing and do the opposite.A La Indian instyle.
If Goans were much happier & now are not happier and safer then go to Portugal. Let Indians be happy & laugh at converted Portuguese washing toilets & cleaning garbage in E.U.R.
The Goan Inquisition was against Christians! Stop lying about conversions.