Latest / The Rise of Colonialism: How Europe Divided the World — Fexingo History / The Portuguese Inquisition in Goa: Faith, Fear, and Empire
Transcript
- Lucas: So we've talked a lot about the Portuguese feitoria system and the Estado da Índia, but there's another institution that really shaped life in Portuguese Asia, especially in Goa, and that's the Goa Inquisition. It was established in 1560, just a few decades after the Portuguese conquered Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate in 1510. Luna: Right, I've heard about the Spanish Inquisition, but the Portuguese one in Goa — how was it different? Lucas: Good question. The Goa Inquisition was modeled after the Portuguese Inquisition in Lisbon, but it had its own distinct flavor because it was operating in a multi-religious colonial context. Its official name was the 'Holy Office of the Inquisition of Goa', and its jurisdiction covered all Portuguese territories in Asia, from East Africa to Macau. But Goa was the nerve center. Lucas: The Inquisition targeted three main groups: Hindus who converted to Christianity but were suspected of backsliding, Muslims, and 'New Christians' — Jews who had been forced to convert in Portugal and then migrated to Goa. The tribunal could arrest people based on denunciations, often anonymous, and the accused had no right to face their accusers. Luna: That sounds terrifying. So how did the Inquisition actually operate in Goa? Lucas: The Inquisitors would hold regular visitations, traveling through villages to hear confessions and gather denunciations. Then they'd hold an auto-da-fé, which is Portuguese for 'act of faith'. These were public ceremonies where sentences were read. They could include public penance, flogging, galley service, or even execution by burning at the stake for unrepentant heretics. Lucas: The first auto-da-fé in Goa was held in 1563, and they continued for centuries. One of the most famous cases was the Cuncolim revolt in 1583, where local villagers in the village of Cuncolim, in Salcette, rose up and killed five Jesuit missionaries and a few Portuguese officials. The Inquisition responded brutally. Luna: The Cuncolim revolt — that's the one where the villagers were angry about the destruction of their temples, right? Lucas: Exactly. The Portuguese had been systematically destroying Hindu temples and building churches on the same sites. The Jesuits were particularly aggressive in their conversion efforts. After the revolt, the Inquisition arrested dozens of villagers, and many were executed or sentenced to harsh punishments. The village was destroyed, and the land was redistributed to Christian converts. Lucas: But the Inquisition wasn't just about punishing individuals. It also controlled what people could read. The Inquisition maintained a list of banned books, including many Hindu and Islamic texts, but also some European works that were considered heretical. So it was a tool of both religious and intellectual control. Luna: How long did it last? I mean, the Inquisition in Portugal itself was abolished in the early 19th century, wasn't it? Lucas: Yes, the Goa Inquisition was formally abolished in 1812, but it had been declining for decades. The Portuguese Inquisition itself was dissolved in 1821, and the Goa tribunal followed suit. However, the legacy lasted longer. The Concordat of 1857 between Portugal and the Holy See officially ended all Inquisition activities in Portuguese territories. Lucas: But the social effects were deep. For centuries, the Inquisition created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion. Many Hindus fled to neighboring territories like the Maratha Empire or to the Dutch-controlled areas. Some converted outwardly but continued their traditions in secret. The Goan Catholic community that emerged was deeply orthodox and conservative, partly because of this history. Luna: It's interesting how the Inquisition also affected the Jewish community. I've read about the 'New Christians' in Goa. Lucas: Absolutely. Many New Christians were prominent in trade and finance. But the Inquisition suspected them of secretly practicing Judaism. There were several high-profile cases. One of the most famous was the case of a New Christian named Francisco de Almeida, who was burned at the stake in 1573. The Inquisition even pursued people who had fled to other parts of India. Lucas: The Inquisition also had an impact on the local economy. The confiscation of property from convicted heretics was a significant source of revenue for the Church and the state. But it also disrupted trade networks because merchants were afraid to travel or do business freely. Luna: So it wasn't just religious — it was also about control and money. Lucas: Exactly. And one more thing — the Goa Inquisition is often compared to the Spanish Inquisition, but the target was different. In Spain, the main focus was on conversos and Moriscos. In Goa, it was primarily about preventing syncretism and ensuring that conversions were genuine. The Portuguese were very concerned that converts might be mixing Hindu or Muslim practices with Christianity. Lucas: For example, they banned the use of coconut oil in religious rituals, because it was associated with Hindu customs. They also prohibited the wearing of certain garments and the celebration of non-Christian festivals. The Inquisition even regulated everyday behavior, like what people could eat on certain days. Luna: That's incredibly intrusive. It really affected daily life. Lucas: Yes. And the Inquisition had its own prison in Old Goa, where accused people could be held for years before trial. The conditions were harsh, and many died in custody. The whole system was designed to instill fear and ensure conformity. Luna: It's a dark chapter, but it's important to understand how colonial empires enforced their rule. Lucas: For sure. And it's a reminder that the Portuguese Empire wasn't just about trade and navigation — it was also about cultural and religious domination. The Inquisition was a key tool in that project. Lucas: Let me just mention one more thing — the Goa Inquisition has been controversial in modern times. In the 20th century, there were debates about whether the Portuguese should apologize for it. Some historians argue that the Inquisition was not as brutal as often portrayed, but the evidence shows that it caused real suffering. Luna: It's one of those topics that people still feel strongly about. Lucas: Absolutely. And speaking of how history is remembered, I want to take a quick moment to mention something that keeps these conversations going. You know, we don't run ads on Fexingo History — it's supported entirely by listeners who chip in through buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. A small but loyal group makes this possible, and we're grateful for that. Luna: Yeah, it's a great model — keeps the show independent and allows us to go into depth on topics like this without worrying about sponsors. Lucas: Exactly. So if you've been getting something out of these episodes, that's how to keep it going. And now, back to the Inquisition — one of its lasting legacies is the Goan Catholic community's strong identity, which still carries traces of that history. Luna: I'd love to hear more about how the Inquisition ended. Was it a gradual decline or a sudden abolition? Lucas: It was a gradual process. By the late 18th century, Enlightenment ideas were spreading in Europe, and the Portuguese government under the Marquis of Pombal began to curb the Inquisition's power. In 1774, Pombal banned the auto-da-fé and the use of torture. But the Inquisition itself lingered until the liberal revolutions of the early 19th century finally abolished it. Lucas: Even after abolition, the Inquisition's records were hidden or destroyed. Some were lost in a fire in the Palace of the Inquisition in Goa in the 19th century. So we don't have a complete picture of how many people were tried or executed. Estimates range from a few hundred to several thousand over the 250 years it operated. Luna: That's a wide range. It makes you wonder what we'll never know. Lucas: Indeed. And that's part of the challenge of studying colonial history — so many records were lost or deliberately destroyed. But what we do know paints a vivid picture of how the Portuguese Empire used faith as a weapon of control. Luna: It's a sobering note to end on, but it's a crucial part of the story. Lucas: Thanks for joining us for this deep dive into the Goa Inquisition. Next time, we'll look at another aspect of Portuguese colonialism in Asia.