Posted: 2005-05-24 12:33:00
Goa's history stretches back to the 3rd century BC, when it was part of the Mauryan empire. Goa fell to the Muslims for the first time in 1312, but the invaders were forced out in 1370 by Harihara I of the Vijayanagar empire, whose capital was at Hampi. Over the next 100 years, Goa's harbours were important landing places for ships carrying Arabian horses to the Vijayanagar cavalry at Hampi.
In 1510 the charm and the geographical location of Goa attracted the Portuguese to the land. Their aim was to control the spice route from the east
Apart from the Portuguese, the parts of Goa had captivated many from the west - the Turks, the British, the French, the Dutch. The most prosperous times of Goa happened with the eventual ousting of the Turks, who controlled the trade routes across the Indian Ocean, and the resultant fortunes made from the spice trade.
The colony became the viceregal seat of the Portuguese empire of the east, including various East African port cities, East Timor and Macau. But rivalry between the British, French and Dutch in the 17th century, combined with Portugal's lack of ability to service its distant empire, led to their decline.
The Portuguese were nearly overthrown by the Marathas in the late 18th century. However, the Portuguese clung on till 1961, when they were finally ejected by India. Goa remained a Union territory for 26 years and gained full fledged statehood on August 12th 1987.
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Deepak from Mumbai
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