Goa, a small state located in Western India, has been a major attraction for tourists visiting India and for Indian residents, as well. This small state is famous for its beaches and for its night-life however, there is a side of this state that only a few wish to explore. The history of Goa is evident in its present-day architecture with its Portuguese influence, as it was ruled by the Portuguese from 1510 till almost 1961, when India annexed the state. Almost four hundred and fifty years of rule is visible in the architecture of Goa and in the presence of a large number of Goan Catholics. This paper attempts to study in detail the architecture of Goa in reference to two prominent cathedrals’ and the impact of the Portuguese invasion in the state.
Before Goa was captured by Afonso de Albuquerque in 1510, it had been part of the Vijaynagar empire and was then incorporated into the Adil Shah kingdom of Bijapur. Under Portuguese rule, many temples were destroyed and till date, only a few remain in comparison to the numerous churches, cathedrals and basilica’s that exist. In a state where around sixty to sixty-five percent of the population belongs to Hinduism, and approximately twenty to twenty-five percent belongs to Christianity, it is surprising to see that Christian architecture dominates and that too, with peace. However, this might be a result of the process of Christianization that took place in Goa after its conquest by the Portuguese. Conversion to Christianity took place on a large scale thus resulting in Goan Catholics. The culture of Goa underwent major changes under Portuguese rule, one major change being in language. A major chunk of the population spoke Portuguese and even today, some of the older residents are fluent speakers of Portuguese although now Marathi is also taught in schools and the official language is Konkani.
One important result of the Portuguese conquest was to bring the Konkan region in direct contact with the architecture and art of Renaissance Europe. Portuguese rule brought in many drastic changes in the structural landscapes. Palaces, towns, and religious institutions that were built were all built in styles that were inspired by the contemporary Portuguese style (Gupta, 1992). The two most important churches that are greatly influenced by the Portuguese style and are most frequently visited are; The Basilica de Bom Jesus, and the Se Cathedral.
The Basilica de Bom Jesus translates to “Good or Holy Jesus” and is one of the best examples of the architecture that was introduced by the Jesuits. It is declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the first minor basilica in India. The Basilica de Bom Jesus is located in Old Goa, which was the capital for the Portuguese in the earlier days and this basilica houses the remains of St. Francis Xavier, a Jesuit known for his restoration and spread of Christianity in Asia. The basilica is one of the finest examples of the Baroque architecture style, a style that originated in late sixteenth-century Italy and has its origins in the Counter-Reformation (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2015).The remains of St. Francis Xavier are encased in a silver casket and a there are a large number of tourists who are seen here at all time, regardless of religion.
The other church that is one of the most important churches is the Se Cathedral, situated in Old Goa. This church is dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria and was built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese over the Muslim army that led to the conquest of Goa on the same day as the feast of Saint Catherine. The architecture style of Se Cathedral is Portuguese-Manueline. The exterior is Tuscan and the interior is Corinthian. “The tower of Se Cathedral houses a large bell known as the “Golden Bell”, because its rich tone. It is said to be the largest in Goa, and one of the best in the world. The main altar is dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria, and there are several old paintings on either side of it. On the right, there is a Chapel of the Cross of Miracles, where a vision of Christ is said to have appeared in 1919. There are six main panels, on which scenes from the life of Saint Catherine are carved. There is a huge gilded reredos above the main altar.” (F., 2016).
Besides these two very important churches, there exists Fontainhas, a Portuguese colony in Goa that housed some of the most prominent Portuguese rulers. It is a beautiful quarter that is situated in Panjim, Goa and has some of the best examples of Portuguese influenced houses. The European influence is evident in the houses situated here and the streets almost make it seem that one is in a different world. The extremely colorful and vibrant houses instill a sense of remembrance. The architecture of the houses in Fontainhas is very interesting. The typical Balcões, covered verandahs that were used by the elite to create a barrier between people belonging to the lower class and entering the house, the roosters on top of Portuguese houses to show the distinction, the statues of soldiers on top of the houses to signify the house of a freedom fighter, all constitute this amazing Portuguese quarter. Fontainhas has been successful in keeping the local population in touch with what can be recognized as “Goan culture”.
It is very evident from the architecture and culture of Goa that there is something that makes it stand out from the rest of the country. The adaptation of the indigenous people of Goa to the Portuguese culture and the passing down of that culture from generation to generation is what makes Goa an attractive place for people residing in India and for foreign visitors. The amalgamation of different cultures; Hinduism, Islamic, and Portuguese has led to the people embracing the past and the behavior and routines of the people reflect on this amalgamation. The Portuguese influence on Goa is an example of how the West influenced the East and on a magnitude that has shaped the state and the representation of the state to others.