Latest / The Rise of Colonialism: How Europe Divided the World — Fexingo History / The Goan Inquisition: Faith, Conquest and Resistance
Transcript
- Lucas: So we've talked a lot about the Portuguese presence in India — the cartaz system, the trade networks, the battles. But there's a darker, more intimate side of that empire that we haven't touched yet, and it's the Goan Inquisition. Luna: The Inquisition in Goa? I knew there was one in Portugal and Spain, but I didn't realize it extended to India. Lucas: It's not as famous as the Spanish Inquisition, but it lasted from 1560 to 1812 — over two hundred and fifty years. It was established by the Portuguese crown specifically to police the faith of newly converted Christians and to root out any remnants of Hinduism, Islam, or Judaism. The official name was the Tribunal do Santo Ofício da Índia. Luna: So it wasn't just about keeping converts in line — it was about erasing the old religions entirely. Lucas: Exactly. The Portuguese had already destroyed many Hindu temples in Goa, but the Inquisition was the institutional hammer. The first Grand Inquisitor was Aleixo Dias Falcão — a Dominican friar who arrived in 1560 with a mandate from King Sebastian. He set up his tribunal in Old Goa, in the palace of the Viceroy, actually. Lucas: And what's chilling is that the Inquisition had its own prison, its own court, and its own execution grounds. They held public auto-da-fé ceremonies — acts of faith — where condemned heretics were paraded in sanbenitos, those yellow robes, and then burned at the stake if they didn't repent. Luna: Did they actually burn people? I know the Spanish Inquisition did, but I thought the Portuguese one was less violent. Lucas: No, it was just as brutal. Between 1560 and 1774, records show over sixteen thousand cases were tried. Of those, about fifty-seven people were executed — burned alive. But thousands more were subjected to torture, public humiliation, confiscation of property, and exile. The records are preserved in the Torre do Tombo in Lisbon, and they're a horrifying read. Lucas: The main targets were crypto-Hindus — Hindus who had converted to Christianity but secretly kept their old practices. The Inquisition had a whole list of forbidden acts: wearing a sacred thread, performing puja, celebrating Diwali, even eating certain foods on religious days. Informants were encouraged, and neighbors often denounced each other. Luna: So it created a culture of fear and betrayal. That's how they kept control. Lucas: Exactly. And it wasn't just Hindus — they also targeted Jews who had converted to Christianity, called 'New Christians,' and even Muslims. But in Goa, the overwhelming majority of cases were against crypto-Hindus. The Inquisition saw Hindu practices as idolatry and demonic, so they were relentless. Luna: Did anyone resist? I mean, beyond just hiding their rituals. Lucas: Yes, there were open acts of defiance. For example, in 1583, a group of Hindu priests from the Mangeshi Temple — which was one of the most important Shiva temples in Goa — reportedly moved the deity to a safe location after the Portuguese destroyed the temple. They rebuilt it in a remote area, and that temple still exists today, in Priol. Lucas: There were also rebellions. In 1583, the so-called 'Conspiracy of the Pintos' — a group of converted Christians who were accused of plotting to overthrow Portuguese rule and restore Hindu kings. The Inquisition crushed it, and several leaders were executed. Luna: So the Inquisition wasn't just about religion — it was a tool of colonial control, pure and simple. Lucas: Absolutely. The Portuguese crown and the Church worked hand in hand. The Padroado system gave the King of Portugal authority over church appointments in Asia, so the Inquisition was directly answerable to the crown. It was used to suppress any challenge to Portuguese authority, whether religious or political. Lucas: And it had a devastating effect on Goan society. Many Hindus fled Goa to neighboring kingdoms — like the Maratha Empire or the Sultanate of Bijapur. The ones who stayed had to practice their faith in secret. That's why you have this unique tradition of 'crypto-Hinduism' in Goa, where families kept icons hidden in their homes and passed down rituals orally for generations. Luna: So the Inquisition actually succeeded in pushing Hinduism underground, but it never fully disappeared. Lucas: Right. And eventually, the Inquisition was abolished. The Marquis of Pombal, the Portuguese prime minister, ordered its closure in 1774 as part of his Enlightenment reforms. But it was briefly reinstated, then finally ended in 1812. By then, Portuguese power in India was already declining. Luna: It's remarkable that the records survived. I mean, we can actually read the testimonies and sentences. Lucas: Yes, the Inquisition records are a goldmine for historians. They give us detailed accounts of daily life, religious practices, and even the names of ordinary people who were caught up in the machinery. Some of the cases are heartbreaking — like a widow accused of teaching her children Hindu prayers, or a farmer who was tortured for refusing to eat beef. Lucas: And speaking of preserving history — we try to do that here on this show, episode by episode. If you've been coming with us through these conversations about the Portuguese empire, the Spanish conquests, the colonial systems, and you find value in them, one way to keep this going is through listener support. You can buy us a coffee at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo — that's 'fexingo' spelled f-e-x-i-n-g-o. It helps us keep the show ad-free and focused on the stories that matter. Luna: Yeah, it's a small way to say 'keep digging.' And we really appreciate it. Lucas: So back to the Inquisition — one of the most troubling legacies is that it created a lasting trauma. Even after it was abolished, the fear remained. Many Goan families continued to practice their faith secretly for decades, and some of the old temples were only rebuilt in the 19th century. The cultural landscape of Goa was permanently scarred. Luna: It's a reminder that colonialism wasn't just about trade and borders — it was about controlling souls. Lucas: Exactly. The Inquisition in Goa is a chapter that doesn't get as much attention as the Spanish Inquisition, but it's just as important for understanding how European powers imposed their worldview on the rest of the world. It's a story of faith, fear, and the resilience of people who refused to abandon their gods.