The recent political campaign in the Goa elections has brought to light the historical context of Goa’s liberation. This piece aims to explore the significant events and factors that influenced Goa’s struggle for liberation from Portuguese rule, its subsequent integration into the Indian Union and the role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The article also delves into the unique aspects of Goa’s geography.
Integration of Goa into the Indian Union
In 1962, Goa was liberated from Portuguese control, a whole 15 years after India gained independence in 1947. The primary reason for this late liberation was due to an array of complex factors. The much-anticipated liberation took place on December 19, 1961, which now marks Statehood Day of Goa, following a swift military action that lasted less than two days.
India initiated cordial diplomatic relations with Portugal in 1947, after gaining independence from British colonial rule. However, these relations started to decline by 1950 due to Portugal’s refusal to relinquish its enclaves of Goa, Daman, Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli along India’s west coast. All of these enclaves were integrated into India in 1961.
Interestingly, Portugal altered its constitution in 1951, designating Goa not as a colonial possession but as an overseas province. This move was a strategic attempt to include Goa in NATO’s military alliance and instigate the collective security clause of the treaty in case of a potential attack by India. Consequently, diplomatic ties between the two nations were severed by 1955, leading to a crisis that eventually resulted in the liberation of Goa by Indian military forces in 1961.
The Freedom Movement of Goa
Goa’s association with Portugal dates back to 1510 when the Admiral Afonso de Albuquerque defeated Yusuf Adil Shah, the sultan of Bjiapur. However, the nationalist sentiment opposing Portugal’s colonial rule began to surge at the turn of the 20th century, especially in alignment with the anti-British nationalist movement in India.
Nationalist leaders like Tristão de Bragança Cunha, known as the father of Goan nationalism, played a pivotal role in shaping Goa’s nationalistic movement. The Goa National Congress was instituted by Cunha at the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress in 1928. Additionally, socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia led a historical rally in Goa in 1946, advocating for civil liberties, freedom, and eventual integration with India.
However, the realization that Goa would not gain independence immediately after India became increasingly apparent due to multifaceted factors such as the trauma of partition, war experience with Pakistan, NATO membership of Portugal, and India’s intention to portray itself as a peace-loving nation.
Geographical Highlights of Goa
Situated on India’s southwestern coast within the Konkan region, Goa is geographically isolated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats. With Panji as its capital, the state’s official language is Konkani, one of the 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule.
Geographically, Goa shares its borders with Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea borders its western coast. Sonsogor is the highest point in Goa, and the state houses seven major rivers namely – the Zuari, Mandovi, Terekhol, Chapora, Galgibag, Kumbarjua canal, Talpona, and the Sal. Most of Goa’s soil cover comprises laterites.
Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate Goa’s numerous wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, including Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary, and Mollem National Park.