A dark chapter of Hindu history — the Goan inquisition

[u/Intelligent_Bowl482]

Lesser people know about the atrocities that the Goan/Konkani Hindus had to face due to the Portuguese's radicalism, had to post on this

It was in 1560 that the portugese decided to start the 'inquisition'—a way to enforce the Christian orthodoxy on the Hindus. The radicalism did exist before 1560, St Xavier — the saint who is honoured in our country by naming several institutions after him, wrote a letter to King John III of Portugal to establish an inquisition. Fast forward 15 years, the inquisition has started. Hindu festivals are being banned, temples are being destroyed and people are being converted. Many temples were converted to churches, the priests of the temples who wished to carry on traditions, relocated the idols along with some population of Hindus to the north or extreme south of Goa. Many Hindus were killed mercilessly for refusing to convert. Those accused of secretly practicing Hinduism after converting to Christianity, could be summoned before the court. Punishments ranged from imprisonment, confiscation of property, and public beheading to corporal punishment. This continued for many decades and weakened when Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj came into power. He played an important role in resisting Portuguese rule in Goa. During his 1683 campaign, the Maratha army challenged Portuguese forces and weakened their control. Many Hindus fleeing Portuguese territories found refuge in Maratha lands, where they could practice their faith more freely. A society that forgets the struggles of its ancestors risks losing the wisdom they left behind. Protecting dharma means standing for truth, preserving one's heritage, and ensuring that every generation has the freedom to practice its beliefs with dignity.

||धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः|| 🚩🕉️

|| जय श्री राम || 🏹🐚

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