History of Goa

Maratha Rule in Goa

In the Goan book of History, you can see many great kingdoms ruling goa for hundreds and hundreds of years. But did you ever know that the Marathas who are basically Maharashtrians ruled Goa for centuries together and accomplished a lot over here… Yet nobody is aware of it. All they know is Kadambas and Portuguese ruling Goa and the things done by them. So here we come, ‘The Ethnic Minds’ to make you aware of this mysterious Maratha Rule in Goa which is said to the one of the initial dynasties that ruled the Konkan region. 

The word "Kunbi" derives from the Sanskrit "Kutumbin" or "householder" (i.e., a settled person with home and land). Marathas/Kunbis are the dominant caste in Maharashtra State. They are landowners and cultivators, and they make up about 50 percent of the population. The distinction between Marathas and Kunbis is confused, and the former consider themselves superior to the latter. The Marathas were traditionally chieftains and Warriors who claimed Kshatriya descent. The Kunbis are primarily cultivators. The distinction between them seems mostly one of wealth, and we may assume a common origin for both.

Marathas are people inhabiting Central and Western India known as Maharashtra. It is so called because according to some, It originally was the land of Mahars while others state it got this name from the tribal people living there known as Maha Rattas. Shivaji was a Maratha aristocrat of the Bhosle clan who founded the Maratha empire. Shivaji led a resistance to free the Maratha people from the Sultanate of Bijapur, and re-establish Hindavi Swarajya.  He created an independent Maratha kingdom and successfully fought against the Mughals to defend his kingdom. He was crowned as Chhatrapati of the Maratha empire in 1674. So, Invariably it was Shivaji who laid the milestones for the Maratha Empire.

Marathas worship the god Shiva and his consort Parvati in her many guises as Devi or the mother goddess. At the same time, unlike other Shiva devotees in India, they may also worship Vishnu as Vitthal, by observing fast days sacred to both. Shiva worship is particularized by the worship of some of his specific incarnations, especially Khandoba, Bhairav, Maruti, etc., as family gods. The Devi or mother goddess is worshiped in many of her varying forms, such as Gawdi, Bhavani, Lakshmi, or Janni Devi. Marathas also worship as personal gods other Brahmanic, local, and boundary deities. They visit places of Hindu pilgrimage, such as Pandharpur. Maharashtra also has a whole line of saints who are worshiped, such as Namdev, Tukaram, and Eknath, who have written magnificent bhakti (devotional) poetry. 

A jatakarma, is celebrated as  Marathas believe evil spirits may attack a newborn child in the fifth or sixth day after birth, so special rituals are performed. A purification ceremony takes place after ten days.

Maratha death rites follow Hindu customs. They usually bathe a dead person and wrap the body in a white shroud. The body is then cremated, usually near a river or stream. After the body is burned, the ashes are placed in the water.

 

Cross-cousin marriage is allowed; so is marriage with a deceased wife's sister. Two brothers may marry two sisters. Boys are generally married between the ages of 12 and 25, and girls traditionally before they attain puberty. Bride-wealth is paid to the bride's family, and gift exchange after the marriage between the two families is more reciprocal. Gifts are also required to fetch a wife back after visiting her natal home. The third, fifth, and seventh months of pregnancy are celebrated. A girl goes for her first confinement to her parents' home. Widow remarriage and divorce are strictly prohibited. The basic kin unit for Marathas is the kul, which means "family." This is a lineage made up of extended families. Members of the kul worship a common totemic symbol called devak. The devak usually is a cobra, elephant, or blade of a sword. One cannot marry someone who worships the same devak. Other than that, Marathas have few marriage restrictions. They can marry within the village, cross-cousin marriage is allowed, and a man may have more than one wife. Marriages are arranged, and a bride price is paid to the girl's family. The actual marriage is elaborate, involving twenty-four separate ceremonies. The most important of these is installation of the devak. 

 

The Marathas by their valour, ferocity and martial skills, have traditionally been a warrior force to reckon with. In the 18th century, they created a large empire encompassing a major part of Deccan and central India (besides strong influence in regions of northern and eastern India).

 The marathas relied mainly on their infantry and cavalry during war.

The mountainous terrain of the Sahyadris made the Marathas a strong, nimble footed and athletic lot.

The terrain also made them use  light weaponary especially during the gureilla type of war that they fought. This enabled them to make quick movements and swift strikes on unsuspecting enemies and then disappear  into the darkness of the night or the shield of the thickly vegetated mountains during the day, (before the enemy could gather their wits).Ofcourse, with increase in their military power, their gureilla style often made way for the open pitch style of warfare. It also brought in a certain amount of sophistication in their weaponary.

Some of the medieval weapons traditionally used by the Marathas were the variants of swords like the talwaar, the firangi, the khandaa, the paataa ,and the variety of daggers like thekataar,  the shamsher,the jaambiya . Also prevalent were the ancient  bhaalaa (spear), dhanushyabaan (bow and arrows), kurhaad( battle axe), parshu (axe variant), gadaa / gurz (mace) or unique weapons like the waaghnakh (tiger claws).

These weapons were made as per the quintessential designs borrowed  from the Rajputs, the Mughals,thePersians,the Afghans  and the Europeans. But were often modified to suit the Maratha style of martial art. 

There is very little material regarding the architecture of the earlier period covering the reigns of Shivaji, Sambhaji, Rajaram and Shahu. The earlier Maratha rulers had neither the time nor the resources to indulge in such activities due to their protracted wars with the Mughals.

However, we can get some idea about the characteristic of the Maratha style from later buildings such as forts, palaces and temples. Brick, wood, mortar and stone were the materials used for construction. Besides other apartments, the palaces contained darbar halls and ranga and chitramandirs.

The use of the arch was kept to the minimum and, where used, followed the Deccan style. Forts were naturally the most common feature of the earlier period.

The decorative features of the mansions were "pointed arches, heavy carved stone brackets, narrow balconies projecting on rows of such brackets, domical shallow ceilings resting on a variety of squinches, the chief being the interwoven type".

Among the temples constructed during the period, we may refer to the Vitthalwadi temple near Poona and the temple of ShambhuMahadvat, Shinganapur. Both of them are said to have been constructed during the time of Shivaji. These temples followed the earlier style of the Yadava temples.

The Maratha architecture lacked the beauty and grace of the buildings of the Mughals, and the Rajputs. But the Marathas excelled in fort architecture. The wood work they used to decorate their palaces and other civil buildings was intricate and minute. Maratha art could have developed and attained a distinctive character but it was not possible because of the turbulent times.

Kadamba Dynasty

After the Maratha rule in Goa , there were other small dynasties which came into rule for a shorter period of time. For example: Shilaharas, chalukyas etc.

But then later came the the people called Kadambas who ruled the Konkan and made their presence felt through their accomplishments. Originally a royal family that ruled northern Karnataka and the Konkan from Banavasi. It was founded by Trilochana Kadamba also known as Jayanta who had three eyes & four arms. The Kadamba ruled Goa from the 10th to 14th century. King Kantakacharya the earliest ruler of Kadambas in Goa.

OCCUPATION:

The principal occupation was cultivation of lands. Villages are divided into three parts: the village proper, the arable land and the pasture. Each caste and profession established their habitation at one place. Every village was a self-governing unit.

Member of the community rewarded for his good deeds.The land was distinguished according to it’s quality.The farmers hold the land according to three kinds of tenure: the sarvanamasya, the tribhoga, and the tala-vritti.Towns having agricultural flourishment: Gopakapuri, Belagami, Banavasi, Halsi, Velugrama(Belgaum).

CUSTOMS:

The dress code of the people in Karnataka under the kadambas did not differ from those of today. Men ,Women, Courtesans and Warriors wore large earrings- alludes to Bij jala. The entertainment of people were mostly done by plays, dramas and dancing and music .Various musical instruments were used like the guitar, the flute, the katumukhavaditra, the samudraghosa, tiuli, permatti, turya, and the drum. A custom of svayamvara was held.

RELIGION:

The Kadambas worshipped  sprits and goblins and Naga (cobra) or the serpent . Later the temples were important as  they were considered as the centers of religious worship. In temples they were also thought  rig- veda ,yujur -veda ,pada - kandika , samaveda ,kalpa , sabdasastra. It also included rupavatara, nyaya ,pravra and Vedanta. Closely related are the ceremonies which each religion practiced. One of the most important ceremonies which jainas used to practice was of self-destruction by starvation. Another instance of self-destruction was by drowning oneself  when one finds that the end is approaching ( it’s also called  jalsamadhi).Asvamedha it is a sacrifice of a special interest to the political history of the kadamba dynesty . It was a royal rite symbolic of super power .The kadamba kings claimed to have performed many horse sacrifices.

THE KADAMBA LION:

The seal of the Kadamba Empire was an advancing lion, its fore paw raised, neck erect, mouth wide open & tail twirled round. It was used as a decorative motif in the buildings of the Kadambas. Its seen on the gopuram of Siddeshvara temple, round the mukhamandapa of the Degamve temple. Sculptures of Sala killing a beast in Hoysala temples.

SCULPTURE:

The inscription in front of the temple of this goddess shows that it was built in the reign of king Santivarmma. The goddess is holding a trisula which is thrusting into the neck of the buffalo.

The image of Lakshmi Narayana at  Halsi

On both sides are carved 2 pilasters which is surmounted by the prabha which bears the ten incarnations of Vishnu. Lakshmi is seated on the lap of Narayana

VIRAGALS & SATIKALS:

These were found in Karnataka. Viragals are known for their depiction of war scenes, those present at Hangal are most noticeable. Satikals are memorial tablets erected to commemorate those women that committed sati. At Orlim,image of the King projects on a panel with a sword on the right hand,while at his feet are two defeated chiefs. Another is a king and the queen depicted being peacefully engaged in a conversation surrounded by attendants. In Chandor a group of elephants round the image of Lakshmi was noticed carved on temple doors. On a well near the village church of betalbatim lies a statue of Bhairava (Betal) the statue though nude has its loins covered with a band with hanging bells and on its stomach a huge scorpion carved as to convey the impression of being inside. Tambdi-Surla temple is also Kadamba architecture built from basalt stone.

Vijayanagara Empire

POLITICAL HISTORY:

This empire was  established in 1336 by Harihara I & Bukka Raya I. Empire rose as attempts to ward off Islamic invasions, this Lasted until 1646. Although the empire got defeated in 1565 by Deccan Sultanates.The flag of Vijayanagara contains a boar, a dagger, the sun and moon. The animar Boar is said to the symbol of Vijay (Vijaya means victory ) .

GOVERNANCE:

Vijaynagara empire maintained administrative methods of previous kingdoms like Hoysala , Kakatiya, Pandya kingdoms. The King was ultimate authority, assisted by a cabinet of ministers ( Pradhana), headed by a prime minister ( Mahapradhana). All high ranking officers required military training.

There used to be a secretariat near the kings palace which maintained records made officials by a wax seal imprinted with the ring of the king.

The Lower administrative levels comprised of the wealthy feudal landlords (Goudas) and supervised accountants (Karanikas). The Palace administration divided is into 72 departments (Niyogas).  Each having female attendants chosen for their youth and beauty. 

ART & ARCHITECTURE:

State functioning was based on modernity & glamour of the time. Vijaynagara Empire revised all the knowledge branches of education. They also minted their own coinage n the royal symbol was a ‘boar’. Vijaynagara Empire continuously planned and carried out construction of the city. These construction also Included water canals, dams, roads, temples.

Dress:

Dress of Royalty: Kings wore ‘dhotis’ that were either made of silk or cotton. On hunting expeditions, the men wore a long coat that loosely fitted the chest along with a black wrapper and green trousers which acted as camouflage in the forest.

Dress of Royal Women: Royal women wore saris which were 9 yards in length and 52 inches in width. Dress of the Commons: The common women also wore saris called Mini Sakachcha. 

Food: 

Rice was the Staple diet. Mixed with Fish/Coconut Curry. Fish – Curry, Roasted, Pickled, Eggs and Chicken shunned by certain communities.

Social customs and traditions prevailing in the Hindu society had formulated the order of the dishes prepared in festive occasions. 
Last day of Shravan Month (July-August)- Pole. Makarsankranti - Yelape, Sadhne. Nagpanchami and Ganesh Chaturthi – Patolio. Other Festive occasions - Vadas (Vataka) offered to Lord Naguesh. Holy Purnima (Full moon day) – Puran poli, Kheer, Sevaya, Mangane, Sakharbhat.

 

Ornaments:

Ornaments were considered as Sign of Marital Bliss . Sindur, Tilak, Glass Bangles, Silver Toe rings were the ornaments that the married women wore. Men wore Karna-Kundalas, Kankanas, Haras.

Marriage and dowry system among the masses:

It has been mentioned earlier that by c. 200 A.D. child marriages became common among Brahmins and masses. The intercaste marriages became rare after 800 A.D. In Goa social function was held when married girl attained puberty. Dowry system is associated with the consummation of marriage on Dakshina. Hence it is called varadakshina. The gift is consisted in cash or gold. Among the masses the amount of the dowry was not sizeable. A Konkani proverbs says that the culture which the mother of the bride has transmitted to the daughter remains but not the dowry given by her father. It is evident that the mother had an important role in educating the girl in shouldering the responsibility of joint family. A girl who had not even reached the teen-age had to go to the house of In laws and the husband of the girl was one of the member of joint family. Immediately after the marriage, the  girl lost all her rights in the family of her birth. The house of her husband was her home. A married women whose husband is alive was supposed to wear 5 aspicious ornaments: Nose stud, Toe ring, A necklace of black beads (mangalasutra), Glass bangles, Red mark on forehead.

Sculpture:

 There is a Potrait of Madhav Mantri and his Attendant, Martand Bhairav. In madhav mantris portrait, he is catching a Bow in Right hand, Skepter in the Left, Quiver on the Left Shoulder and has a  a Moustache. He Wears a Necklace, armlets and anklets. the Attendant (Martand Bhairav) Holds a parasol.

Other stone sculptures: SURYA Stone sculpture at Sanguem. MAHISHASURA MARDINI stone sculpture at Torshem (Pernem). MAHISHASURA MARDINI stone sculpture at  Par – Usgao (Ponda). Identical smiling expression is found on both the stone sculptures of MAHISHASURA MARDINI. However, it lacks movement and life.

Temple Architecture:

The temples of vijaynagara empire are Surrounded by strong enclosure. the Small shrines consist of only garbhagriha (sanctum) porch. Medium Sized Temples consists of  Garbhagriha. Shukanasi (antechamber),Navaranga (antrala) connecting the sanctum and outer Mandapa (hall) Rangamantapa (enclosed pillared hall). Large Sized Temples consist of Rayagopuram built with wood, brick and stucco in Chola style. The term Raya is added to indicate a gopura built by Vijayanagar Rayas. The top of the gopuram has a shalashikhara resembling a barrel made to rest on its side. Large life sized figures of men, woman, Gods and Goddesses adorn the gopuram. Temple pillars often have engravings of charging horses or hippogryphs (Yali) — horses standing on hind legs with their fore legs lifted and riders on their backs. Pillars that do not have such hippogryphs are generally rectangular with mythology themed decoration on all sides. The Mantapas are built on square or polygonal plinths. Miniature elephants or with Yali balustrades (parapets) on all four sides. The Mantapas are supported by ornate pillars. Larger temples have a separate shrine for the female deity.

  

Bahmani kingdom

Another kingdom that controlled a part of Goa simulntaneously with the Vijayanagara kingdom was The Bahmani empire. Though its origin does not lie within Goa or The Konkan region, I would like to list down some of its accomplishments within the Deccan which was once the region where Goa belonged to. The sultanate was founded on 3rd August 1347 by Hassan Gangu. Hassan Gangu took advantage of misgovernment and incompetence of his master Muhamad-bin-Tughlaq. This Bahmani kingdom was the First Independent Islamic Kingdom in south India.

Hassan Gangu was the  Founder of Bahamanic kingdom. He succeded in subdueing the south Konkan including the ports of Dabol(Ratnagiri ) and Goa by 1352. He Died in 1358 and was followed by eleven Kings in the course of over a century untill it came to Mohamad Shah 3.

Bahmani Architecture:

Muhammed Tuglaq planted the earliest Mosques in south central India. Jama Masjid was built from the materials of the states  vicinity. A temple named Jaina was  modified into a Mosque. And was named as Deval Mosque.

Bahaman Shah’s Fortress, Gulbarga was founded in 1347 A.D by Ala-ud-din Bahaman. He surrounded his city of Gulbarga with 50 feet (15.2 m) thick fortress walls and a 90 feet(27.4 m) wide moat scraped out of living rock. He invited an architect, Rafi, from Persian town of Qazvin for bringing refinement in the architectural style.