Goa was a part of the Mauryan Empire, around third century BC. The Satvahanas of Kolhapur, and the Chalukyas of Badami, took over the governance later. Other dynasties followed, including a short-lived Muslim invasion, until the Vijayanagar Empire established itself for almost a century. This era ended with the arrival of the Sultans of Gulbarga, from whom the rule passed on to Adil Shah of Bijapur. Soon, the Dutch, English, French and Portuguese, all began struggling for its possession. Ultimately, in 1510, the Portuguese conquered Goa, with Alfonso de Albuquerque leading the invasion. Having ruled for around four centuries, in 1961, fourteen years after the country's independence, the Portuguese had to leave Goa. Tourist influx started in Goa in the 60s and 70s of 20th century with hippies, the spoiled children of western materialism. Behind them came the explorers, and at the end the mass tourist traffic. With opening of Goan skies for chartered flights, number of holidayers increased exponentially in the 1980 and 90 and growth in numbers is still continued. In 1987, Goa was conferred statehood and Daman and Diu was made a separate union territory.


We can trace back the history of Goa to ancient period when it was known by more than one name. Goa was known as Gomanchala, Gomant, Goapuri, Gowapur and Gopakapattana. The people of Goa are considered to be the descendents Dravidians who were natives of India. Dravids were gradually invaded by the Aryan march from the north around 1500 BC. Aryans, after settling in Western India, established and named their state Konkan. Goa was a part of Konkan and gradually became an important port of the ancient and medieval traders like the Phoenicians, the Persians, the Arabs, the Sumerians, the Greeks and the Romans.

Goa was under the control of several ruling dynasties since the ancient times. The influence of all the dynasties that ruled Goa can be seen on such diverse culture of Goa. Goa was the part of the Mauryan Empire under Ashoka, who reigned from 273-236 BC. The Sathvahanas acquired Goa in the 2nd century BC. After that the control of Goa went to the Western Kshatrapas who ruled from the 150 AD. After that, the Bhojas came to power and made Chandor as their capital, which is now known as Chandor. The Chalukyas of Badami got the control of Goa in AD 540 and ruled it for about 200 years. The Rashtrakutas came to control Goa from 753 AD to 973 AD. The Kadambas exercised their power over Goa from 1008 AD to 1300 AD. Goa became the maritime power of India during their rule. They built their capital at Gopakapattana ruled from there until their fall. It is now called Goa Velha, which a few kilometers to the south west of old Goa.

The political control of Goa passed to the Muslims from the Hindus by 1312 AD. Malik Kafur, the general of the army of Ala-ud-Din Khilji defeated the Kadambas. The effect of the Vijayanagar Empire was evident on Goa. In 1370 AD, Vidyaranya Madhav, the ruler of the Vijayanagar, defeated the Muslims. The Bahamani Sultans established their political supremacy over Goa in about 1470 AD. The Adil Shahi Dynasty of Bijapur got to rule Goa in 1498 AD.

In 1510, Alfonso de Albequerque captured Goa from Yusuf Ali Adil Shah. With this, the influence of the Portuguese culture can be seen prominently on the culture of Goa. Christianity became another important religion with Hinduism and Islam. There was an evolution of a unique culture with the association of the local population with the Portuguese soldiers. The Panaji was made the capital of Goa by the Portuguese in 1843 AD.

Goa remained a Portuguese colony till 1961 after which it became a part of the Indian Union. Goa acquired the status of a state on 30th May 1987 while Daman and Diu retained a separate identity as the Union Territory.

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