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Without a description of its Portuguese heritage history of Goa could be partial. The Portuguese invasion of Goa took place during the year 1503. Since then it has been a turbulent history- culminating in the freedom of the territory during the year 1961. In the year 1503 Alfonso -de- Albuquerque laid the foundation of the Portuguese ruling in the state 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. In the year 1510 he captured Goa and declared it the head of the Portuguese empire in India. Albuquerque made a number of contributions towards the Goan culture in the 5 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 added 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. This plundering sustained with all the adding up of new regions like Daman, Diu and Bombay. Portugal's overwhelming interest in India was commercial. However, a bunch of weak successors subsequent to Albuquerque failed to strengthen the gains made at this time. Still then- Portugal occupies a big 450 years in the history of Goa. The Portuguese ruling marks a phase of trade and industry prosperity in the history of Goa. Prior to the appearance of the Portuguese, Goa was merely known as a transit point for the Arabian horses to areas in the subcontinent and also like a harbor for transporting Muslims to Mecca. The Portuguese rule changed the territory right into a prosperous and contemporary harbor to the amount that Goa came to be referred to as 'The Rome of the east'! The Christian missionaries spread education in the state and contributed to its literacy. There were important additions in the area 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 progress of the exquisite filigree work- a complex work of foliage and jewels on metal. With the establishment of Portuguese as the language of choice for all official work the language of the people too underwent a transformation-. However, the rich and economically prosperous period was not to last- the history of Goa was once again facing an turmoil- and this time it was to be in the form of the Dutch and English colonizers!
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