Goa Liberation Day

Syllabus: GS1/Post-Independence History

Context

• December 19 marks the day Goa was liberated from Portuguese rule and formally integrated into India in 1961. 

Course of the Invasion

• First capture (1510): Albuquerque seized Goa with help from the local chieftain Timoji.
• Loss of Goa: Adil Shah’s forces recaptured Goa during the monsoon.
• Final conquest (November 1510): Albuquerque returned with reinforcements and decisively defeated Bijapur forces.
• Reasons for Portuguese Success: 
  • Superior naval power and artillery
  • Weak internal control of the Bijapur Sultanate
  • Local support from discontented groups
  • Effective leadership of Albuquerque
• Impact: 
  • Goa became the capital of Portuguese India (Estado da Índia).
  • It marked the beginning of European territorial colonialism in India.
  • Goa emerged as a centre of trade, administration, and Christianity.
• Goa was the first Indian Territory to be captured by European power and last to get its independence.

Background: 

• Following the country’s independence in 1947, the regime had major challenges to tackle: the integration of regions like Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, Hyderabad among others. 
• The India government made several diplomatic outreach to persuade Portugal to hand over Goa peacefully.
  • Portugal, which ruled Goa for 451 years, rejected all such requests. 
  • This led to the Goa Liberation Movement, with significant participation from local leaders and the public. 

Operation Vijay

• Operation Vijay was launched by the Indian Armed Forces to annex Goa and amalgamate it with the rest of India during Jawaharlal Nehru’s tenure as Prime Minister.
• The operation lasted for over 36 hours and involved coordinated strikes by the Indian Armed Forces across air, sea, and land.
• Outcome: Portuguese forces surrendered on 19 December 1961, leading to Goa’s liberation along with Daman and Diu.
• On 30 May 1987, the Union Territory was split, and Goa was made India’s twenty-fifth state, with Daman and Diu remaining Union Territories.

Major Leaders in Goa Liberation Movement

• Tristao de Braganca Cunha: TB Cunha is known as the “Father of Goan Nationalism” for launching the first movement to end Portuguese rule in Goa. 
  • He founded the Goa Congress Committee and succeeded in getting it affiliated with the Indian National Congress.
• Juliao Menezes: Menezes set up the publication Gomantak Praja Mandal with the aim of promoting nationalism in the region. 
• Libia Lobo Sardesai: From 1955 to 1961, she operated an underground radio station called Voice of Freedom, which broadcast messages across Portuguese-ruled Goa.
  • After Goa’s liberation, Lobo became the first Director of Tourism for Goa, Daman, and Diu; she was awarded the Padma Shri in 2025.
• Purushottam Kakodkar: He established an ashram in Margao, which became a discreet hub for the freedom struggle, providing shelter and support to many freedom fighters.

Source: BS