History of Goa
During the 3rd century BC, the Maurayan Empire was formed in Goa and later on the Satavahanas of Kolhapur ruled Goa. The empire was passed on to the Chalukyas of Badami during 580 A.D. Goa was ruled by the Silharas, the Kadambas and the Chalukyas of Kalyani over the next few centuries.
During 1312, the Muslim influence was seen in Goa and soon after the fall of Bahmani Kingdom Goa was under the rule of the Adil Shahis of Bijapur who made it their capital. In the year 1498, the first European to set in through the sea was Vasco Da Gama who landed at Calicut in Kerala and reached Goa. He made it the largest trading centre on India's western coast. Goa also served as a strong naval base for the Portuguese.
In 1542, Jesuit Missionary, St. Francis Xavier arrived in Goa and later they extended into Bandez and Salcete. Gradually, many local residents were forcibly converted to Christianity by missionaries. In the16th century, the other European powers arrived in Goa and soon it became Portugal's most important possession in India, and was granted the same civic privileges as Lisbon. The capital was moved to Panjim from Velha Goa in 1843.
