British records as corroboratory sources in writing the history of Goa

Abstract

Sources or historical facts collated from varieties of literature, inscriptions, monuments, coins, oral source, etc. play a crucial role in history writing. In fact the statement 'No Fact No History', beautifully sums up the importance of sources in historical research. The topic of study or research determines the sources to be consulted. There is no doubt that a scholar researching on Indo-Portuguese history should primarily consult the Portuguese and other foreign and indigenous sources. However, as Portuguese Goa had interactions with the rest of India, and particularly the contiguous territories which today form parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra, it is essential to tap the sources of history available outside Goa for the reconstruction of Goan history. The Portuguese in Goa had political, economic and socio-cultural relations with their neighbours in India. This part of their history can be written better by studying the sources available in the repositories outside Goa also. There are several records in the Tamil Nadu State Archives and Maharashtra State Archives which provide information on Goa and its linkages with the neighbours.