Portuguese India

Many of us probably think of the British as the European influence when we talk of the "colonial rulers" of India. Fact is, even though the British ruled large swathes of India, and some dominions were under their influence and paid patronage to them, they were not the only colonial rulers of India. Certain parts of India were also under other European powers. Pondicherry was under French rule, some parts were under Danish rule and Goa was under Portuguese rule.

In fact the Portuguese were the longest ruling colonial power in India. Portuguese influence had started shortly after Vasco Da Gama landed in the now Goa region after completing a dangerous journey around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope. The Portuguese Viceroyalty started in 1505 and it was only after a eternal wait of 451 years that India could wrest back Goa from the Portuguese on December 19, 1961. At the time of indepedence in 1947, the Portuguese had held a number of colonies in India including Goa, Dadar and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu.

Starting in 1950, the Government of India had attempted to make diplomatic dialogue with the Portuguese government in Goa, which asserted that the territory was not a colony but an integral part of Portugal. Calls for freedom had begun as early as 1928 when the French-educated Goan nationalist Tristao de Braganza Cunha organized the first independence movement to liberate the colony. Cunha, who was instrumental in coordinating the many disparate freedom movements within Goa, was made a state prisoner and confined first at Fort Aguada, Goa and then at the Peniche prison in Portugal. Cunha died in 1958, by which time the movement to free Goa had built up momentum. In addition to the nonviolent methods adopted by Cunha and his Gandhian supporter Ram Manohar Lohia, groups like the Azad Gomantak Dal and United Front of Goans, supported by the Indian government, used force to attempt to unseat the Portuguese government. After a series of incidents, Indian forces stormed Goa by land, air and sea and liberated the coastal enclave after a 48-hour operation. The Goa episode was hotly debated across the world when a United Nations Security Council draft resolution spearheaded by the United States calling for a ceasefire in Goa was vetoed by the Soviet Union, India’s Cold War ally. India’s ties with Portugal were suspended until they were restored in 1974 after the authoritarian ruler António de Oliveira Salazar’s regime was overthrown in 1968.

The Goan fight for independence was the theme for the movie 'Johar Mehmood in Goa' starring IS Johar and Mehmood. Those who have seen the movie may remember the song:

Sikandar Bhi Aaye Kalandar Bhi Aaye
na Koyi Raha Hai Na Koyi Rahega
hai Tere Jaane Ki Baari Videshi
ye Desh Aazaad Ho Ke Rahega
mera Desh Aazaad Ho Ke Rahega
na Koi Raha Hai na koi rahega

sikandar Ko Poras Ki Taaqat Ne Roka
gauri Ko Prithvi Ki Himmat Ne Toka
jab Khuuni Naadar Ne Chhedi Ladaayi
to Dilli Ki Galiyon Se Aavaaz Aayi
laga Le Tu Kitana Bhi Zor Ai Sitamagar
ye Desh Aazaad hoke rahega

parataap Ne Jaan De Di Vatan Pe
shivaaji Ne Bhagava Udaaya Gagan Pe
maradon Ne Khaayin Aazaadi Ki Kasamein
ada Auraton Ne Ki Jauhar Ki Rasmein
kafan Baandh Kar Raani Jhaansi Pukaari
ye Desh Aazaad hoke rahega


siraaj Aur Tipu Zafar Aur Naana
tha Har Ek Inamein Qaumi Deewaana
yahaan Le Ke Aaye Bagaavat Ki Aandhi
tilak Neharu Aazaad Netaaji Gaandhi
bhagat Sinh Ki Raakh Ne ye Pukaara
ye Desh Aazaad hoke rahega

halaaku Raha Hai Na Hitler Raha Hai
mussolini Ka Na Vo Lashkar Raha Hai
nahin Jab Raha Ruus Ka Czar Baaki
to Kaise Rahega Saalaazaar Baaki
goa Ka Har Bachcha Bachcha Pukaara
ye Desh Aazaad hoke rahega

kal Ko Agar Aaye Chaao Ya Maao
laga Denge Ham Zindagani Ka Daao
hamaara Hai Kashmir Nefa Hamaara
kabhi Jhuk sakega Na Jhanda Hamaara
zara Desh Ke Dushmanon Se Ye Kah Do
ye Desh Aazaad hoke rahega