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Introduction

The Portuguese were the first to colonize parts of India, and were the lastto leave.  This web exhibit documents rare photographs of the resistanceprovided  by Indians to the Portuguese since the arrival ofVasco da Gamatill the surrender of Portuguese troops in 1961. 

Photographs are from V.N. O'key Collection and Kamat Picture Archive.

Contributor: Vikas Kamat

Early Resistances

In the process of  establishing the Portuguese rule in  Goa in 1510A.D.,Alfonso Albuquerque exploited and oppressed the local Goans, and many citizens rebelled against him. However, they were brutallypunished, and their properties confiscated. 

In 1787, some leading priests organized what has come to be known as"Pinto Revolt".  This rebellion suffered due to leakage of newsand disorganization. This effort was inspired by the French Revolution, and wasaimed at establishing "liberty, equality and fraternity" in Goa.

In 1840, the British supported some rebels in the hope of destabilizing Goa.

The Ranes of Goa

Between 1852 A.D. and 1912 A.D. fourteen different rebellions were sprung bythe locals against the Portuguese.Dipaji Rane carried the fight for four yearsand was able to extract several discounts and leniencies from the Portuguese.

Vikas Kamat/Kamat's Potpourri

Dada Rane and his Soldiers
Dada Rane in 1895 organized an armed rebellion against the Portuguese atrocities

Ram Monohar Lohia and  18th June 1946

After Portugal came under the dictatorship of  Antonio Salazar in 1932,the repression extended to Goa with press censorship, suspension of laws andautocratic rule of the Governor of Goa. The rest of India at this time wascaught in the electrifying mood for freedom from the British, and the greatsocialist leaderRam Manohar Lohia thought that Goa should also be part ofthe struggle and be free from Portuguese rule. On 18th of June in 1946, hecalled for a gathering of Goans  in Madgao (Margoa) to agitate against thesuspension of civil liberties. This idea appealed to the people of Goa who,inspired by the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, were dreaming about becoming apart of free India. Thousands of people showed up in downtown Margoa, causinglogistical and law and order problems for the administration.

Vikas Kamat/Kamat's Potpourri

Satyagraha of 18th June 1946, Goa

The Portuguese tried to disperse the crowds, and prevent Lohia fromaddressing. But Lohia preferred to defy the Portuguese and courted arrest, apeaceful protest strategy that had become popular in India.

Dr. Lohia truly kindled the flame of freedom in the hearts of the Goan people, as a result of which all shops and business establishments put down their shutters and expressed their solidarity with the cause. Eighteen June 1946 thus remains a memorable and sacred day in the history ofGoa [1].  An important road in Goa today (year 2006)  is named"18th June" road.

Nehru

Lohia

T.B. Cunha

Efforts to Find a Peaceful Exit

Subsequent to the high drama of 1946, the Portuguese tightened the controlagainst the Satyagrahis, but leaders likeT.B. Cunha kept the movementalive. After India became free in 1947, the Government of India lobbied theGovernment of Portugal very hard to relinquish Goa, but the efforts wereignored, and even ridiculed.

For fourteen years even after British left India, Goa continued to be under Portugueserule. Many organizations started to liberate Goa, their means and tacticsdiffering in approach. Some of these organizations were Azad Gomantak Dal, the United Front of Goans, the Goa Liberation Council, the Goan People's Party,and the Quit Goa Organization. Of course, theIndian National Congress andPraja Socialist Party continued to lead thefight, but no breakthrough seemed possible, due to Nehru's inability to bringinternational pressure on Salazar and his own peaceful policies.

Unification with Rest of India

Amidst this tense situation, one day October of 1961, a  Indianfisherman fromAnjadiv Island was fired upon by a careless Portuguese policeman on a trivialaccusation. In support of the fishermen, India moved India moved naval vesselsin the proximity of Goa, which were also fired upon. Nehru'scabinet, who was frustrated at the apathy shown to its diplomatic and peaceful initiativeby the Portuguese Government, and under heavy domesticpressure to take action, ordered shelling of Goa and began a military operation.

Vikas Kamat/Kamat's Potpourri

Portuguese Soldiers Surrendering to Indian Army
Display from Government Museum, Panaji

When the Indian military moved in to Goa, they were welcomed by the citizensand thePortuguese surrendered (Dec.19, 1961) without much resistance.

Eventually Goa was accorded statehood in India.

Table of Contents

• Acharya Kripalani Leading an Agitation for Freedom
• Commandos of the Azad Gomantak Dal
• Dada Rane and his Associates
• Dada Rane and his Soldiers
• Defeat of the Portuguese Army
• Dipaji Rane
• Hirve Guruji - A Martyr for Goa
• March of Satyagrahis in Goa
• People of Goa in a Satyagraha for Freedom
• Pictures of Goa's History and Freedom Struggle
• Portuguese Soldiers Surrendering to Indian Army
• Portuguese Prisoners of War
• A Reminder that Goa is Not Yet Free
• Satyagraha of 18th June 1946, Goa
• Surrender of Portuguese Goa
• Violence During 18th June 1946 Protest

References

1. Lambert Mascarenhas, "Goa's Freedom Movement",  Published inGoacom Website, November 2006
2. Museum Exhibit at the Government Museum, Panjim, February 2006
3. Wikipedia Articles onPintos Revolt,Portuguese India

See Also:

• Tryst with Destiny -- The story of India's struggle for freedom remains as a guiding light for resolving the various conflicts around the globe

The Portuguese were the first to colonize parts of India, and were the last to leave.  This web exhibit documents rare photographs of the resistance provided  by Indians to the Portuguese rule inGoa.

Historic Pictures of Goa's Freedom Movement

Kamat's PotpourriResearch DatabaseGoa's Freedom Struggle