Goa CM: Portuguese rule destroyed temples, state lost its golden era

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said the state witnessed a "golden era" under the Kadamba dynasty (10th–14th century) and that Portuguese rule destroyed nearly 1,000 temples, depriving Goa of architectural marvels that could have rivalled those in South India.

Speaking at Divar island after performing 'Udakshanti and Gangapujan' to mark the start of the 'Koti Tirth Corridor Development Project', Sawant urged people to "remember our history" and not just the Portuguese period. He noted that before the Portuguese, Goa was ruled by the Kadamba kings Jayakeshi I, II, III and IV, and that even Adil Shah's palace was originally built during Kadamba rule.

"If the Portuguese had not come here, we would have had a chance to witness temples in Goa…even better than those seen in South India," Sawant said. He added that the Portuguese, who succeeded Adil Shah, made religious conversion their main objective to sustain long-term rule.

The CM said the people of Goa "suffered" for 450 years under foreign rule, longer than the 150 years of British rule elsewhere in India, and that only Goans truly understand the Inquisition.

Sawant highlighted that the Maratha warrior king Shivaji put a stop to conversions and rebuilt a temple for the deity Saptakoteshwar at Bicholim in 1668 after the original temple at Divar was destroyed by the Portuguese in the 16th century.

The Koti Tirth corridor project, approved by the state cabinet in September last year, aims to construct a new Saptakoteshwar temple at the historic site in Naroa, Divar. On Thursday, Sawant said restoration work had unearthed ancient relics dating between the 14th and 16th centuries, including a 'Kirtimukh' motif and a carved pillar capital, indicating an ancient temple complex and corridor.