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 — through feitorias, cartazes, and alliances. But there's a darker, more intimate side to that story: the Goa Inquisition. It's often overshadowed by the Spanish Inquisition, but it was a major force in Portuguese India for over two centuries. Luna: Wait, the Inquisition wasn't just in Spain and Portugal? I assumed it was a European thing. Lucas: No, it followed the flag. The Portuguese Inquisition was established in Goa in 1560, just fifty years after Albuquerque conquered it. And it lasted until 1812 — though it was formally abolished only in 1820. That's a long time to have a religious tribunal operating in Asia. Luna: So it wasn't just about rooting out heresy among Christians — it was also about converting non-Christians? Lucas: Exactly. The Inquisition in Goa targeted three main groups: New Christians — that is, converted Jews and their descendants — who might be secretly practicing Judaism; Muslims and Hindus who converted but were suspected of backsliding; and anyone who obstructed the spread of Catholicism. The Portuguese crown saw religious uniformity as essential to colonial control. Luna: Did it actually work? I mean, did they manage to enforce Catholicism? Lucas: To a degree. The Inquisition was ruthless. It had the power to arrest, torture, and execute. Public autos-da-fé were held in Old Goa, where prisoners in sanbenitos — those yellow penitential robes — were paraded before the crowd. The first auto-da-fé in Goa was in 1563, and they continued for decades. But the number of executions was relatively small compared to Spain — maybe a few dozen over the whole period. The real impact was on culture and society. Luna: What do you mean by cultural impact? Lucas: The Inquisition systematically destroyed Hindu temples and banned public practice of Hinduism and Islam. It confiscated property, forced conversions, and created a climate of fear. Many Goan Hindus fled to neighbouring kingdoms like Bijapur or the Maratha territories. The old Goan elite, the brahmins, were especially targeted. Some converted and became part of the Portuguese system, but their loyalty was always suspect. Luna: That sounds like it would breed resentment. Did it lead to resistance? Lucas: Yes, there were revolts. The most famous is the Cuncolim Revolt of 1583, where local chieftains and villagers in the village of Cuncolim killed five Jesuit missionaries and a Portuguese official. The Inquisition responded brutally — they executed the leaders and destroyed the village's temple. But resistance continued in smaller ways: secret worship, preservation of idols, and syncretic practices that blended Catholic and Hindu elements. Luna: It's fascinating how the Inquisition's reach extended into everyday life — not just religious belief but property, family, even food. Lucas: Absolutely. The Inquisition had its own prison and courtroom in Old Goa, near the Sé Cathedral. It kept meticulous records, many of which survived. Historians have studied these records to understand how the tribunal operated. One surprising thing: the Goa Inquisition actually prosecuted fewer people than the ones in Lisbon or Évora. But its cultural legacy was profound. Luna: How so? Lucas: Because it reshaped Goan identity. Almost all of Goa's Hindu temples were destroyed, and the Catholic Church became the dominant institution. Even today, Goa has a large Catholic population, and many aspects of Goan culture — like the music, the festivals, the food — are a blend of Portuguese Catholic and Hindu traditions. The Inquisition was a key force in creating that hybrid culture, but at a huge cost in terms of violence and coercion. Luna: And it lasted all the way into the 19th century? That's late. Lucas: Yes, it was formally suppressed in 1812 by the Portuguese government after the Liberal Revolution. But by then, the Inquisition's power had already waned. The Concordat of 1857 officially ended the remaining restrictions on non-Catholic worship. Still, the memory of the Inquisition lingers. In Goa, there are still stories about the 'Santo Ofício' — the Holy Office — and its dungeons. Luna: It reminds me of something — the way the Spanish Inquisition is often portrayed as this uniquely horrific thing, but the Portuguese version, especially in Asia, is less known. Lucas: That's a good point. And honestly, it's one of those stories that deserves more attention. If you've been following along with our series on colonialism, you can see how the Inquisition was another tool — like the cartaz or the feitoria — for extending and consolidating Portuguese power. But instead of controlling trade, it controlled belief. Luna: And belief, in turn, shaped identity. It's a sobering thought — that the same empire that brought us the first global trade networks also brought us institutions like this. Lucas: Yeah. And you know, if today's conversation made you think about how history isn't just about economics or politics but about people's lives and beliefs — well, if it was worth a coffee to you, there's a link at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. Luna: It's a small gesture that keeps these conversations ad-free and independent. Lucas: Exactly. So, back to the Inquisition — one more detail I find striking: the Inquisition's prison was located right next to the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary. So you had this juxtaposition of sacred and punitive space. That's very Portuguese baroque — faith and fear hand in hand. Luna: Were there any prominent figures who opposed the Inquisition in Goa? Lucas: There were a few. The most notable was probably the Jesuit priest Fernão de Queirós, who in the 17th century wrote critically about the treatment of Hindus. But the Inquisition was powerful enough to silence most dissent. It wasn't until the Enlightenment ideas reached Portugal in the late 18th century that the institution came under serious criticism. Luna: So it took outside ideas to challenge it from within. Lucas: Exactly. And even then, it took decades. The Inquisition was abolished in 1812, but the persecution of non-Catholics didn't end overnight. It was a slow process. But by the time Goa was annexed by India in 1961, the Catholic Church had become deeply integrated into Goan society. Luna: It's almost like the Inquisition achieved its goal in the long run — not by eliminating other religions, but by creating a Catholic majority in Goa. Lucas: In a twisted way, yes. The demographic shift was real. Today, about 25% of Goa's population is Catholic, compared to less than 2% in the rest of India. That's a direct legacy of the Inquisition and the colonial policies that supported it. But of course, it came at a tremendous human cost. Luna: And that cost is often forgotten when we talk about the Portuguese empire's achievements. Lucas: That's why we talk about it. The empire wasn't just about spices and trade routes — it was about reshaping societies. And the Inquisition was one of its sharpest tools.