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 how the Portuguese built their empire in Asia — the Carreira da Índia, the conquest of Malacca, the Estado da Índia. But there's another side to that story that's often overshadowed, and it's the Goan Inquisition. Luna: Oh, the Inquisition in Goa? I've heard of it, but I don't know much. When did it start? Lucas: It was officially established in 1560, just a few decades after the Portuguese took Goa in 1510. And it lasted until 1812 — so over two and a half centuries. The Inquisition in Goa was actually a branch of the Portuguese Inquisition, which itself was modeled on the Spanish Inquisition. But its focus was slightly different. Luna: Different how? Lucas: In Europe, the Inquisition targeted mainly conversos — Jews who had converted to Christianity but were suspected of secretly practicing Judaism. In Goa, the main targets were Hindus who had converted, or were forced to convert, and were suspected of backsliding — what they called 'crypto-Hindus.' But it also went after anyone who didn't conform to Catholic orthodoxy, including some European missionaries who got too sympathetic to local customs. Lucas: The first Inquisitor General for Goa was Aleixo Dias Falcão, a Dominican friar. He arrived in 1560 and set up the tribunal in the old palace of the Adil Shah of Bijapur, in Old Goa. That building still stands, by the way — it's now the Archaeological Museum of Goa. Luna: So it was right at the heart of Portuguese power. What did the Inquisition actually do? Lucas: Well, it had the power to investigate, arrest, try, and punish anyone suspected of heresy. The most famous public events were the auto-da-fé — literally 'act of faith' — which were public ceremonies where sentences were read out. These were huge spectacles, held in the main square of Old Goa, with the viceroy and all the dignitaries attending. Some people were just forced to do penance, but others were handed over to the secular authorities for execution — usually by burning at the stake. Luna: That's horrifying. How many people were actually executed? Lucas: The exact numbers are hard to pin down, but historians estimate that over the 250 years of the Inquisition in Goa, about 16,000 people were tried, and around 50 to 60 were executed. But that doesn't include those who died in prison or suffered other punishments. And the terror it inspired was enormous. Lucas: Part of what made the Inquisition so effective was the system of spies and informants. Neighbors were encouraged to report on neighbors, and even family members could turn each other in. And the accused had very few rights — they were often tortured to extract confessions, and they didn't know who their accusers were. Luna: So it was a climate of fear. What about the Hindu temples? I assume they were targeted too. Lucas: Absolutely. The Inquisition was part of a broader campaign to eradicate Hinduism in Portuguese-controlled areas. Temples were destroyed, and Hindu festivals were banned. The famous Mangeshi Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was actually moved from its original location near Old Goa to the village of Priol, about 20 kilometers away, to escape destruction. It's still there today, a beautiful example of Goan temple architecture. Luna: So the temple survived, but the community had to go underground. Lucas: Exactly. Many Hindus fled to areas outside Portuguese control, like the territories of the Bijapur Sultanate or the Marathas. Others practiced their religion in secret — the crypto-Hindus. They would outwardly attend Mass and receive the sacraments, but in private, they would perform Hindu rituals. It was a dangerous double life. Lucas: The Inquisition also targeted any books or texts that were deemed heretical. In 1548, even before the Inquisition officially started, there was a famous auto-da-fé of Hindu books in Goa, where thousands of manuscripts were burned. That's an immeasurable loss to our understanding of medieval Indian culture and religion. Luna: That's devastating. But the Inquisition didn't just target Hindus, right? I remember something about the Syriac Christians in Kerala. Lucas: Yes, that's a great point. The Inquisition also went after the Saint Thomas Christians, the ancient Christian community in Kerala. They followed the Syriac liturgy and were under the Patriarch of Babylon, but the Portuguese wanted to bring them under the authority of the Pope and the Latin rite. In 1599, at the Synod of Diamper, the Portuguese imposed Latin practices and burned many Syriac books. That created a deep rift that still exists today. Luna: So it was about control — religious and political. Lucas: Exactly. The Inquisition was a tool of the Padroado system, where the Portuguese crown controlled the Church in its overseas territories. It wasn't just about faith; it was about asserting Portuguese authority. And the Inquisition was one of the most feared instruments of that control. Lucas: It's worth noting that the Inquisition wasn't universally supported even within the Portuguese establishment. Some missionaries, especially the Jesuits, were uncomfortable with the harsh methods. There was a famous case of a Jesuit named Thomas Stephens, who wrote a book in Marathi about Christian doctrine — he actually learned the local languages and tried a different approach. But by and large, the Inquisition had the backing of the crown. Luna: What led to its eventual abolition? Lucas: The Marquis of Pombal, the powerful prime minister of Portugal under King Joseph I, was a reformer who believed in a more secular state. He suppressed the Portuguese Inquisition in 1774, and that included the Goa branch. But it was briefly revived in the early 19th century before being permanently abolished in 1812. After that, Goa gradually became more tolerant, but the scars of the Inquisition remained. Luna: It's a heavy legacy. How do Goans today remember this period? Lucas: It's a complicated part of Goan identity. Many Goan Catholics take pride in their Portuguese heritage, but there's also a recognition of the violence that accompanied it. The Inquisition is not something that's widely celebrated. In fact, there's a movement to have the Portuguese apologize for it, but that hasn't happened. The ruins of the Inquisition building in Old Goa are now a tourist site, but it's a sobering visit. Luna: It makes you think about how empires use religion as a tool of control. Lucas: Absolutely. And it's a reminder that the colonial encounter wasn't just about trade and battles; it was also about deep cultural and religious violence. The Goan Inquisition is one of those chapters that often gets overlooked in the broader story of European colonialism in Asia. Lucas: You know, speaking of overlooked things, we've been doing these episodes for a while now, and it's amazing how much support we've gotten from listeners. It really helps keep this show ad-free and focused on the history that matters. Luna: Yeah, it's been a great journey. And for anyone who's been coming along with us, if this conversation was worth a coffee to you, you can find us at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. Lucas: Exactly, no pressure, but that link helps us keep going. And speaking of going — we've covered the Inquisition as an institution, but next time, I want to talk about one of the most fascinating figures caught in its web: a Hindu convert who became a Christian saint. Luna: Oh, that sounds intriguing. I'm definitely curious. Lucas: Well, that's for next time. For now, thanks for listening.