The recent discovery of a pot filled with centuries-old coins in North Goa’s Nanoda Bamber village has shed light on the rich history of Portuguese coinage in India and rekindled interest in the country’s colonial past. The pot, discovered by a local farmer, held 832 copper coins believed to have been minted in the 16th or 17th Century when Goa was under Portuguese control.
The Nature of Portuguese Coinage in India
During their rule, the Portuguese issued coins made from a variety of materials – gold, silver, copper, tin, and lead. These were minted in different parts of their Indian territories, including Goa, Cochin, Diu, and Damão.
Gold coins, known as ‘Cruzado’ or ‘Manoel,’ had a cross on one side and the royal arms on the other. They were uniform in size, value, and weight. Silver coins, referred to as ‘Meia-espera’ and ‘Espera,’ were also struck. The copper specimens found in the unearthed pot were divided into various denominations such as ‘Bazaruco’, ‘Leal’, ‘Tanga’, ‘Pardau’, and ‘Real’. They bore symbols like a castle, a lion, a crown, a cross, and the king’s name.
Coins made from tin and lead were primarily issued from Diu and Malacca. They were called ‘Dinheiro’ and were often irregularly shaped and crudely designed. These coins typically featured the king’s name or initials on one side and a cross or a flower on the other.
India’s Historical Engagement with the Portuguese in Goa
Portugal’s relationship with India began with Vasco da Gama, who became the first Portuguese explorer to reach India by sea in 1498, landing on the Malabar Coast at Calicut. Gama’s arrival was possible thanks to the patronage of a local ruler, Zamorin.
In 1505, Francisco de Almeida became the first Portuguese Viceroy in India, setting up base in Cochin and creating ripples in the spice trade by challenging the Zamorin of Calicut and the Mamluks of Egypt.
Just five years later, Afonso de Albuquerque seized Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate. He established the city as the capital of the Portuguese State of India, marking the beginning of nearly 450 years of colonial rule.
The Fascinating Transformation and Liberation of Goa
Under Portugal’s rule, which lasted from 1510 to 1961, Goa evolved into a prosperous and cosmopolitan city, earning it the nickname “Rome of the East.”
However, Goa’s relationship with Portugal ended abruptly in December 1961, when the Indian government launched a 36-hour military operation known as Operation Vijay, resulting in the liberation of Goa from Portuguese rule.
With the passage of time, Goa continued to make significant strides in its development. In 1987, the Indian government officially recognized it as a state, making it the 25th state of India.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question
In 2010, a question related to the European influence on Puducherry (previously known as Pondicherry) was posed. The question asked students to identify which of the following statements were correct:
1) The first European power to occupy Pondicherry were the Portuguese.
2) The second European power to occupy Pondicherry were the French.
3) The English never occupied Pondicherry.
The response was option (a), indicating that the Portuguese were indeed the first European power to occupy Pondicherry.
