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Capital: Panaji
Largest city: Vasco da Gama
District(s): 2
Population: 1,400,000 (25th)
Density: 363/km² (940/sq mi)
Language(s): Konkani. Konkani is the sole official language but Marathi is
also allowed to be used for any or all official purposes.
Established : 1987-05-30
Goa is India's smallest state in
terms of area and the fourth smallest in terms of population. Located on the
west coast of India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the
state of Maharashtra to the north and by Karnataka to the east and south,
while the Arabian Sea forms its western coast.
Panaji (Panjim) is the state's
capital. Vasco da Gama (Vasco) is the largest city. The historic city of
Margao still exhibits the influence of Portuguese culture. Portuguese
merchants first landed in Goa in the 15th century, and annexed it soon after.
The Portuguese colony existed for about 450 years (one of the longest held
colonial possessions in the world), until it was taken over by India in 1961.
Renowned for its beaches, Goa is
visited by hundreds of thousands of international and domestic tourists each
year. Goa is also known for its temples and world heritage architecture
including the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, which makes it one of the
biggest Christian pilgrimage sites in Asia. Goa also has rich flora and
fauna, owing to its location on the Western Ghats range, which is classified
as a biodiversity hotspot.
Origin of name
The name Goa came to European languages from the Portuguese colonisers, but
its precise origin is unclear. The Indian epic Mahabharata refers to the area
now known as Goa, as 'Goparashtra' or 'Govarashtra"' which means a
nation of cowherds. 'Gopakapuri' or 'Gapakapattana' were used in some ancient
Sanskrit texts, and these names were also mentioned in other sacred Hindu
texts such as the Harivansa and the Skanda Purana. In the latter, Goa is also
known as "Gomanchala". Gove, Govapuri, Gopakpattan, Gomantak and
Gomant are some other names that the region is referred to in certain
inscriptions and texts such as the Puranas. It has also been known as
"Apparent".
History
A chapel in Old Goa, an example of Portuguese architecture.Goa's known
history stretches back to the 3rd century BC, when it formed part of the
Mauryan Empire. It was later ruled by the Satavahanas of Kolhapur, around two
thousand years ago and passed on to the Chalukyas of Badami, who controlled
it between 580 to 750. Over the next few centuries Goa was successively ruled
by the Silharas, the Kadambas and the Chalukyas of Kalyani, rulers of Deccan
India.[6] The Kadambas, a local Hindu dynasty based at Chandrapura, (present
day Chandor - Salcete), laid an indelible mark on the course of Goa's
pre-colonial history and culture.
In 1312, Goa came under the
governance of the Delhi Sultanate. However, the kingdom's grip on the region
was weak, and by 1370 they were forced to surrender it to Harihara I of the
Vijayanagara empire. The Vijayanagara monarchs held on to the territory until
1469, when it was appropriated by the Bahmani sultans of Gulbarga. After that
dynasty crumbled, the area fell to the hands of the Adil Shahis of Bijapur
who made Velha Goa their auxiliary capital.
In 1498, Vasco da Gama became the
first European to set foot in India through a sea route, landing in Calicut
(Kozhikode) in Kerala, followed by an arrival in what is now known as Old
Goa. Goa, then a term referring to the City of Goa on the southern bank of
the River Mandovi, was the largest trading centre on India's western coast.
The Portuguese arrived with the intention of setting up a colony and seizing
control of the spice trade from other European powers after traditional land
routes to India had been closed by the Ottoman Turks. Later, in 1510,
Portuguese admiral Afonso de Albuquerque defeated the ruling Bijapur kings with
the help of a local ally, Timayya, leading to the establishment of a
permanent settlement in Velha Goa (or Old Goa). The Portuguese intended it to
be a colony and a naval base, distinct from the fortified enclaves
established elsewhere along India's coasts.
Ruins of Fort Aguada in north Goa; one of the defences that the Portuguese
built during their reign.With the imposition of the Inquisition (1560–1812),
many of the local residents were forcibly converted to Christianity by
missionaries, threatened by punishment or confiscation of land, titles or
property.[citation needed] Many converts however retained parts of their
Hindu heritage. To escape the Inquisition and harassment, thousands fled the
state, settling down in the neighbouring towns of Mangalore and Karwar in
Karnataka, and Savantwadi in Maharashtra. With the arrival of the other
European powers in India in the 16th century, most Portuguese possessions
were surrounded by the British and the Dutch. Goa soon became Portugal's most
important possession in India, and was granted the same civic privileges as
Lisbon. In 1843 the capital was moved to Panjim from Velha Goa. By mid-18th
century the area under occupation had expanded to most of Goa's present day
state limits.
After India gained independence
from the British in 1947, Portugal refused to accede to India's demand to
relinquish their control of its enclave. Resolution 1541 by the United
Nations General Assembly in 1960 noted that Goa was non-self-governing and
favoured self determination. Finally, on December 12, 1961, the Indian army
with 40,000 troops moved in as part of Operation Vijay. Fighting lasted for
twenty-six hours before the Portuguese garrison surrendered. Goa, along with
Daman and Diu (enclaves lying to the north of Maharashtra), was made into a
centrally administered Union Territory on India. India's takeover of Goa is
commemorated on December 19 (Liberation Day). The UN Security Council
considered a resolution condemning the invasion which was vetoed by the
Soviet Union. Most nations later recognised India's action, and Portugal
recognised it after the Carnation Revolution in 1974. On May 30, 1987, the
Union Territory was split, and Goa was elevated as India's twenty-fifth
state, with Daman and Diu remaining Union Territories. The Supreme Court of
India maintains it was conquest, not a "liberation". Since Goans
were not offered the opportunity to vote their will, the UN mandated a
plebiscite.
Geography and climate
Goa is famed for its sunny beaches.Goa encompasses an area of 3,702 km²
(1,430 sq mile). It lies between the latitudes 14°53'54" N and
15°40'00" N and longitudes 73°40'33" E and 74°20'13" E. Most
of Goa is a part of the coastal country known as the Konkan, which is an
escarpment rising up to the Western Ghats range of mountains, which separate
it from the Deccan Plateau. The highest point is the Sonsogor, with an
altitude of 1,167 meters (3,827 feet). Goa has a coastline of 101 km (63
miles).
Goa's main rivers are the Mandovi,
the Zuari, the Terekhol, Chapora River and the Betul. The Mormugao harbor on
the mouth of the river Zuari is one of the best natural harbors in South
Asia. The Zuari and the Mandovi are the lifelines of Goa, with their
tributaries draining 69% of its geographic area. Goa has more than forty
estuarine, eight marine and about ninety riverine islands. The total
navigable length of Goa's rivers is 253 km (157 miles). Goa has more than
three hundred ancient tanks built during the rule of the Kadamba dynasty and
over a hundred medicinal springs.
Most of Goa's soil cover is made
up of laterites which are rich in ferric aluminium oxides and reddish in
color. Further inland and along the river banks, the soil is mostly alluvial
and loamy. The soil is rich in minerals and humus, thus conducive to
plantation. Some of the oldest rocks in the Indian subcontinent are found in
Goa between Molem and Anmod on Goa's border with Karnataka. The rocks are
classified as Trondjemeitic Gneiss estimated to be 3,600 million years old,
dated by the Rubidium isotope dating method. A specimen of the rock is
exhibited in the Goa University.
Goa, being in the tropical zone
and near the Arabian Sea, has a warm and humid climate for most of the year.
The month of May is the hottest, seeing day temperatures of over 35 °C (95
°F) coupled with high humidity. The monsoon rains arrive by early June and
provide a much needed respite from the heat. Most of Goa's annual rainfall is
received through the monsoons which last till late September.
Goa has a short cool season
between mid-December and February. These months are marked by cool nights of
around 20 °C (68 °F) and warm days of around 29 °C (84 °F) with moderate
amounts of humidity. Further inland, due to altitudinal gradation, the nights
are a few degrees cooler.
Flora and fauna
Main article: Flora and fauna of Goa
The Salim Ali Bird sanctuary is one of the best-known bird sanctuaries in
India.Forest cover in Goa stands at 1,424 km², most of which is owned by the
government. Government owned forest is estimated at 1224.38 km² whilst
private is given as 200 km². Most of the forests in the state are located in
the interior eastern regions of the state. The Western Ghats, which form most
of eastern Goa, have been internationally recognised as one of the
biodiversity hotspots of the world. In the February 1999 issue of National
Geographic Magazine, Goa was compared with the Amazon and Congo basins for
its rich tropical biodiversity.
Goa's state animal is the Gaur,
the state bird is the Ruby Throated Yellow Bulbul, which is a variation of
Black-crested Bulbul, and the state tree is the Asan.
The important forests products are
bamboo canes, Maratha barks, chillar barks and the bhirand. Coconut trees are
ubiquitous and are present in almost all areas of Goa barring the elevated
regions. A large number of deciduous vegetation consisting of teak, sal,
cashew and mango trees are present. Fruits include jackfruits, mangos,
pineapples and blackberries.
Foxes, wild boars and migratory
birds are found in the jungles of Goa. The avifauna includes kingfishers,
mynas and parrots. Numerous types of fish are also caught off the coast of
Goa and in its rivers. Crabs, lobsters, shrimps, jellyfish, oysters and
catfish form some of the piscine catch. Goa also has a high snake population,
which keeps the rodent population in control. Goa has many famous National
Parks, including the renowned Salim Ali bird sanctuary. Other wildlife
sanctuaries include the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Molem Wildlife Sanctuary,
Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Madei Wildlife Sanctuary, Netravali Wildlife
Sanctuary Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuaryand the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary located
on the island of Chorao.
Goa has more than 33% of its
geographic area under government forests (1224.38 km²) of which about 62% has
been brought under Protected Areas (PA) of Wildlife Sanctuaries and National
Park. Since there is a substantial area under private forests and a large
tract under cashew, mango, coconut, etc. plantations, the total forest and
tree cover constitutes 56.6% of the geographic area.
Culture
An example of traditional Portuguese-influenced Goan architecture.
Mangueshi Temple, a Hindu temple in Old Goa.The most popular celebrations in
Goa are Christmas, Easter Sunday, Ganesh Chaturthi (Chavoth-Konkani), Divali,
New Year's Day, Shigmo and the Carnival. However, since the 1960s, the
celebrations of the Shigmo and carnival have shifted to the urban centres,
and in recent times these festivals are seen more as a means of attracting
tourists. Celebrations for all festivals usually last for a few days and
include parties and balls.
Western English songs have a large
following in most parts of Goa. Traditional Konkani folk songs also have a
sizable following. Manddo, the traditional Goan music which originated in the
nineteenth century, is sung and danced on special occasions. Goa is also
known for its Goa trance music. In the year 2006, the AIR FM channel ran a
program "Goa Top 10", which listed the most requested tracks of the
week. During analysis, it emerged that the song "Faithful" by Lobo
had an unusually high, consistent popularity, in spite of not being a fresh
track. Thus, this song is arguably Goa's favourite English song, and has been
referred to as Goa's English anthem. It has been found that Goans have a
preference for pop music, soft rock and ballads over hard rock, hip-hop, etc.
Some traditional Goan dance forms
are dekhnni, fugdi, and corridinho.
Rice with fish curry (Xit
kodi-Konkani) is the staple diet in Goa. Goa is renowned for its rich variety
of fish dishes cooked with elaborate recipes. Coconut and coconut oil is
widely used in Goan cooking along with chili peppers, spices and vinegar
giving the food a unique flavour. Pork dishes such as Vindaloo, Xacuti and
Sorpotel are cooked for major occasions among the Catholics. An exotic Goan
vegetable stew, known as Khatkhate, is a very popular dish during the
celebrations of festivals, Hindu and Christian alike. Khatkhate contains at
least five vegetables, fresh coconut, and special Goan spices that add to the
aroma. A rich egg-based multi-layered sweet dish known as bebinca is a
favourite at Christmas. The most popular alcoholic beverage in Goa is feni;
Cashew feni is made from the fermentation of the fruit of the cashew tree,
while coconut feni is made from the sap of toddy palms.
Goa has two World Heritage Sites:
the Bom Jesus Basilica and a few designated convents. The Basilica holds the
mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, regarded by many Catholics as the
patron saint of Goa (the patron of the Archdiocese of Goa is actually the
Blessed Joseph Vaz. Once every decade, the body is taken down for veneration
and for public viewing. The last such event was conducted in 2004. The Velhas
Conquistas regions are also known for its Goa-Portuguese style architecture.
In many parts of Goa, mansions
constructed in the Indo-Portuguese style architecture still stand, though in
some villages, most of them are in a dilapidated condition. Fontainhas in
Panjim, has been declared a cultural quarter, and are used as a living museum
showcasing the life, architecture and culture of Goa. Some influences from
the Portuguese era are visible in some of Goa's temples, notably the
Mangueshi Temple, although after 1961, many of these were demolished and
reconstructed in the indigenous Indian style.
Architecture
The height of Goa's glory was closely and mutually linked with the heyday of
Portugal, but Goan grandeur pre-dated the Portuguese. Chieftains, kings and a
host of Indian dynasties had made this little jewel glitter with royal pomp.
The Batpuras, the Bhujas and, after the fall of Ashoka and the Mauryans, the
Satyavahanas, ruled over Goa. The inscription of around A.D.1000 (when
Shashtadeva of the Goa Kadamba dynasty sat on the throne), describes the
early splendor of the capital: 'Gardens on every side.White plastered houses,
alleys, horse stables, flower gardens, agreeably connected bazaars, harlots'
quarters, and tanks.' In his son's reign, Goa is reputed to have commanded a
powerful fleet and traded with four- teen foreign lands.In essence, it was a
coveted land with the most sought-after port in India. And as the word
spread, this advantage was to become a liability. The friendly harbours that
had sent out sparkling blue ripples to the world were to backflow and become
the road of conquest and colonization.
On July 4, 1497 when Vasco da Gama
set sail from the River. Typical Street in Panjim having residence with
Sloping Roofs . Tagus in Lisbon commanding the flagship St. Gabriel, no one
could have imagined the implications of his voyage. At that time the
potentates of the East were wealthier than the financially em- barrassed
Western kings.Vasco da Gama never actually visited Goa, though now there is a
coastal town by his name to commemorate his link with Portugal. It was Afonso
de Albuquerque who is credited with sowing the seeds of the Portuguese empire
in India, first by destroying, then creating. the Arabian Sea into the fresh
mouth of the Mandovi. Little did anyone know that Goa would change face. Now
a stranger on the throne was to remould the past, reshape the present and go
so far as to influence the future psyche of an entire people.
The Portuguese brought to Goa the
magnificence of the West and the might of a nation at the height of its
imperial power. Their vision was lofty and ambition sky high, but it blazed a
short trail like a meteor. An art historian remarked, 'Portugal was a very
small nation of a people then heroic. However, at its peak, Goa was one of
the wonders of the world, larger than Lisbon and even the London of its time!
Some 300,000 people had made it their home. Goa re- sembled the 'meeting upon
the burse in Antwerpe' wrote Linschoten, the Dutchman, and it was then that
epithets like 'Rome of Asia' and 'Pearl of the Orient' were coined. 'Goa
Dourada' or 'Golden Goa' sands was not an advertising stogan to beckon
tourists, but more precisely the gilt-coated reredos and altars in the
churches that dis- played layers of the real gold Portugal had discovered in
Africa.
Contemporary descriptions do not
undertake this glitter. 'Quem viu Goa excusa de ver Lisboa', the word went
round, 'Who has seen Goa needn't see Lisbon.' In 1606 Goa got Santa Monica,
the first nunnery in the East. The imposing Basilica of Bom Jesus impressed
Christians and non- Christians; it went even further and tyrannised the
Century, elegant mansion by an gans.Fantastic Italian architecture-typically
renaissance modelled on architectural details from the churches circled the
city's skyline. There were compulsory orders to paint the mansions annually,
af- ter the monsoon had passed. The regulations insisted that al- though
white may be used for picking out architectural details like quoins and
cornices, and window edges and balustrades to contrast with the wall surfaces
of yellow-ochre, Indian red or pale green, no buildings but churches might be
white all over. In 1839, Caption Marryat in his novel The Phantom Ship de
described Goa: 'The squares behind the palace and the wide streets were
filled with living beings: elephants with gorgeous trappings; led or mounted
horses with superb housings; palanquins carried by natives in splendid
liveries; running footmen; syces; every variety of nation, from the proud
Portuguese to the half-covered native; Musselmen, Arabs, Hindoos, Armenians;
Officers and soldiers in their uniforms, all crowded and thronged together:
all was bustle and motion. Such was the wealth, the splendor and luxury of
the proud city of Goa- the Empress of the East.' As Vishal Saxena architect
urban designer and a keen visitor and student of Goan architecture puts it
'Now Old Goa is a sad remnant of its opulent
past'.
Sports
Football is perhaps the most
popular sport in Goa and is embedded in Goan culture. Its origins in the
state are traced back to 1883 when the visiting British priest Fr. William
Robert Lyons established the sport as part of a "Christian
education". On December 22, 1959 the Associacao Futebol de Goa was
formed, which continues to administer the game in the state under the new
name, Goa Football Association. Goa, along with West Bengal,and Kerala. is
the locus of football in the country and is home to many football club in
India's National Football League, including three of the ten Premier Division
teams. The state's football powerhouses include Salgaocar, Dempo, Churchill
Brothers, Vasco Sports Club and Sporting Clube de Goa. The state's main
football stadium, Fatroda (or Nehru stadium), is located at Margao and also
hosts cricket matches.
In recent decades, a growing influence of cricket is visible, in large part
fuelled by the massive coverage this sport gets on national television, thus
making an impact even in a part of South Asia which hardly had any contact
with the British Empire. Goa now has its own cricket team. Field Hockey is
the third most popular sport.
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