Liberation Of Goa- Timeline, Goa Liberation Movement, Annexation & More for UPSC Exam!

A group called the Goa Liberation Movement battled against Portuguese colonial control in Goa for the Liberation of Goa. The movement used various tactics, including nonviolent protests, revolutionary techniques, and diplomatic efforts. In 1510, the Portuguese began to colonise India, capturing much of the western coast and founding numerous colonies in the east. Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra, and Nagar Haveli were the only Portuguese colonies left in India by the end of the 19th century; they were collectively referred to as Estado da India. Portugal refused to cede its territory to Britain and France, who had colonised India before it gained its freedom, as they began decolonising. A movement was established between 1940 and 1961 to end Portuguese authority based on small-scale uprisings and revolts that gained strength.

The topic of Liberation of Goa is important from the perspective of UPSC IAS Examination, which falls under General Studies Paper 1 (preliminary) and General Studies Paper 1 (mains) and particularly in the History Section.

In this article, we shall discuss the liberation Of Goa, its historical background, Portugal claim, the Goa Liberation Movement, Operation Vijay, freedom fighters and Goa Liberation Day.

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Historical Background of Liberation of Goa 1961

The Portuguese ruled Goa on its southwesterly coast for around 450 years. The people of Goa continued to live under Portuguese control when the rest of the country gained independence from the British administration on August 15, 1947.

• On June 18, 1946, Drs. Ram Manohar Lohia and Juliao Menezes agreed to ignore the state’s restriction on public gatherings, which ignited a struggle for freedom. Although the Portuguese put a stop to the first civil disobedience movement, it served as motivation for the people of Goa to struggle for their independence. Despite India’s independence from Portugal 14 years prior, Goa remained under Portuguese rule until 1961.
• Portugal was a member of NATO, and the Indian government didn’t want to start a war with a NATO country. However, in November 1961, when Portuguese soldiers opened fire on Indian fishermen and attempted to kidnap people, the nation’s then-Defense Minister Krishna Menon asked Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to use force to retake the state.
• Operation Vijay, an initiative to restore control, saw the deployment of 30,000 Indian soldiers to the state. They had the full backing of the air and naval forces. The state was freed from Portuguese authority within 48 hours of the military forces being dispatched.

Does Portugal still claim Goa?

In 1947, when India gained independence, diplomatic relations with Portugal were established.

• Portugal’s refusal to give up its exclaves in Goa, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli on India’s west coast caused relations to deteriorate after 1950.
• By 1955, the two countries had severed diplomatic ties, setting off a crisis that resulted in a conflict between the two, which was followed in 1961 by the Indian Liberation of Goa.
• Until 1974, when the Carnation Revolution led to a new government in Lisbon, Portugal refused to recognise Indian sovereignty over the annexations. At that point, diplomatic ties were reestablished.

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Timeline Of Goa’s Liberation

After India’s independence, friendly relations with Portugal were established in 1947, and diplomatic ties were established in 1949.

• However, after 1950, bilateral ties deteriorated due to Portugal’s refusal to cede its enclaves in India’s west coast, Goa, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
• In 1951, Portugal amended its constitution to designate Goa as an overseas province rather than a colonial possession.
• The action appeared to include Goa in the recently established North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) military alliance.
• In the case of an Indian attack, it was planned to apply the treaty’s collective security clause.
• By 1955, the two countries had severed diplomatic ties, sparking a crisis that led to the liberation of Goa by Indian military troops in 1961, putting an end to Portuguese sovereignty over Indian enclaves.
• The Indian Government launched Operation Vijay in 1961 and annexed Goa Daman and Diu with the Indian mainland on December 19, following the failure of diplomatic efforts with the Portuguese.
• In 1961, India incorporated Daman & Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
• It ended the 451-year rule of Portuguese foreign provinces in Goa.

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Goa Liberation Movement

A group called the Goa Liberation Movement battled against Portuguese colonial control in Goa, India. The movement gained strength between 1940 and 1961 by building on the little upheavals and revolts of the 19th century. The movement used various tactics, including nonviolent protests, revolutionary techniques, and diplomatic attempts. It was carried out both inside and outside of Goa. However, Portuguese rule over its colonies in India didn’t cease until India freed Goa in 1961 and annexed the areas to the Indian Union. The then-Indian Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, was duped by the erroneous claims made by the Portuguese that the Goan culture was distinct from Indian culture. He undoubtedly wished to remove the Portuguese from Goa vigorously. He desired a Goan to be in charge of the movement. The Goa freedom movement was, however, led by Bombay-based Goan Peter Alvares.

Portugal Rule

Beginning in 1498 and continuing for as long as 450 years was Portuguese hegemony in Goa. Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese navigator who departed from Lisbon in 1498, arrived in Calicut.

• The days were still dismal in Goa while the rest of the nation celebrated independence. Goa continued to be governed by foreigners even after India attained independence. The French abandoned Pondicherry, but Portugal persisted in contesting India’s claim to the coastal colony of Goa. 
• The Portuguese government could not change its position despite pressure from the international community. As early as 1540, the Goan Catholics and Hindus were persecuted, the Konkani language was outlawed, Hindu temples were demolished, and Hindu marriage customs were forbidden. This was the darkest time of the Inquisition. People in Goa were denied freedom of expression, assembly, and the press, while Hindus who voluntarily converted to Christianity received a 15-year exemption from paying land taxes.

Indian Military Build-Up

Major General KP Candeth, who was in charge of the 17 Infantry Division, was assigned by Lieutenant General JN Chaudhuri, who also subordinated the 50 Parachute Brigade.

• All air assets allocated to the operations in Goa were under the leadership of Air Vice Marshal Erlic Pinto, the commander-in-chief of India’s Western Air Command.
• Concentrated on the bases at Pune and Sambra were the air assets for the attack on Goa (Belgaum).
• The Indian Air Command provided Pinto with the following list of instructions:
  • Destroying Dabolim, the only airstrip in Goa, without harming the terminal or any other airport facilities.
  • The wireless station in Bambolim, Goa, is destroyed.
  • Denial of Daman and Diu airfields were not to be attacked without permission but were nonetheless.
  • Support for moving ground forces.

Mandate to the Governor General of Estado da India

Prime Minister Salazar received advice from the defence minister that the resistance in Goa would be suicidal, but he ordered orders to the contrary.

• To stop India’s unilateralism, Governor General Vassalo e Silva was ordered to fight to the death and hold out for eight days. By that time, he thought that world assistance might be rallied—the Governor General’s access to the armed forces.
• Vassalo e Silva disobeyed Salazar and gave up the day after the Indian assault to prevent needless human casualties.

Operation Vijay 1961

The beginning of the operation was the platoon’s embarkation on INS Trishul on December 18, 1961. The platoon was supposed to touch down in two waves three kilometers south of the main Portuguese outpost on a beach.

• The Portuguese raised a huge white flag of surrender on the island's northern tip just before the first wave departed from INS Trishul, and the initial wave arrived at the shore without trouble, as expected.
• The second party was met with Portuguese machine gunfire as they approached the island after misunderstanding the white flag as a symbol of surrender. One sailor died instantaneously. Other sailors suffered serious injuries.
• The Indian and Portuguese soldiers engaged in a furious gun and grenade duel to control Anjadip. The first party, led by Lieutenant Arun Auditto, proceeded to overtake the troops stationed on the northern slope overlooking the town. On the northwest ridge, INS Trishul started a fire.
• A ferocious fire from the Indian naval ship forced the German garrison, which was deeply entrenched, to give up. The INS Mysore merged with the INS Trishul. They attacked the island's northern region simultaneously from the south-east (Mysore) and south-west (Trishul).
• On December 18, 1961, the Tricolor was raised on Anjadip. 7 sailors, along with two officers, gave their lives in the line of duty for the nation. 17 other sailors were injured.
• The Indian Army and Air Force started closing in on Goa at the same time as the battle at Anjadip.
• On December 18, strafing the Dabolim airstrip was the offensive operation taken by four IAF Canberra aircraft. Armed forces troops entered Goa from three separate directions: the north (Karwar), south (Sawantwadi), and south-west (Belgaum).
• The seaward approach was handled by the frigates Betwa, Beas, and Cauvery of the Indian Navy, and the vessels also guarded the ports of Marmagao and Panjim. Afonso de Albuquerque, a Portuguese man of war, and the Betwa, Beas, and Cauvery engaged in a 13-minute gun duel that was the pinnacle of Operation Vijay. When the Naval Headquarters instructed it to seize the Portuguese warship, the INS Betwa informed the INS Beas and the INS Cauvery.
• The Indian Army and Air Force started closing in on Goa at the same time as the battle at Anjadip. On December 18, strafing the Dabolim airstrip was the offensive operation taken by four IAF Canberra aircraft. Armed forces troops entered Goa from three separate directions: the north (Karwar), south (Sawantwadi), and south-west (Belgaum).
• The seaward approach was handled by the frigates Betwa, Beas, and Cauvery of the Indian Navy, and the vessels also guarded the ports of Marmagao and Panjim. Afonso de Albuquerque, a Portuguese man of war, and the Betwa, Beas, and Cauvery engaged in a 13-minute gun duel that was the pinnacle of Operation Vijay. When the Naval Headquarters instructed it to seize the Portuguese warship, the INS Betwa informed the INS Beas and the INS Cauvery.
• Albuquerque was located, surrounded, and given a three-minute deadline to submit. On December 19, the last Portuguese Governor-General, Antonio Vassalo e Silva, signed the Instrument of Surrender. Collectively, the Indian military forces liberated Goa and returned it to India.
• Operation Vijay was over in less than 40 hours, with the final Portuguese Governor-General, Antonio Vassalo e Silva, signing the Instrument of Surrender at 8:30 on December 19. Betwa and Cauvery fired when Albuquerque refused to obey and attempted to cover behind a commercial ship.

Surrender at Vasco da Gama

At Vasco, the Portuguese had organised their last-ditch defence. Despite receiving orders to “fight to the last man and burn Goa to the ground,” the Governor General recognised the pointlessness of the Lisbon directives.

•  He offered to surrender on December 19th, and the 48-hour operation was completed.
• Apart from the surrender of 4669 prisoners, the total fatalities on the Portuguese side were 31 killed and 57 injured, compared to 34 killed and 51 wounded on the Indian side.
• Most of the officers were put on trial upon return, and the Governor General was cashiered.

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Freedom Fighters of Goa Liberation

The freedom fighters of Goa liberation are given as follows:

• Ram Manohar Lohia
• Vishwanath Lawande
• Narayan Hari Naik
• Dattatraya Deshpande
• Prabhakar Sinari
• Mohan Ranade

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Annexation of Goa

• Nearly six years after diplomatic efforts with the Portuguese had failed, the Indian government decided to take military action to end Portuguese authority in Goa. Thus, on December 17, 1961, the Indian Army invaded Goa.
• The Indian army took control of Goa during the December 18 and 19 military operation. The instrument of surrender was signed on December 19th, 1961, by the Governor-General of Portuguese India. Goa was, therefore freed from Portuguese domination.
• Following the end of Portuguese authority in 1961, Kunhiraman Palat Candeth was appointed lieutenant governor and oversaw the military administration of Goa.
• When the Lieutenant Governor appointed an informal Consultative Council of 29 nominated individuals to assist him in the administration of the territory on June 8, 1962, military rule was replaced by civilian rule.

Why did India take Goa?

India’s stance toward the Goa Liberation Movement was violent as a result of a number of incidents.

• Portuguese forces violently put down nonviolent Satyagrahis attempts to expel the Portuguese from Goa beginning in 1954. Many uprisings were put down by force, with leaders being killed or imprisoned.
• Portuguese forces also opened fire on innocent villagers. As a result, India severed diplomatic ties with Portugal and shut down its general consulate in Panjim.
• Additionally, India put an economic blockade on Portuguese Goa’s possessions.
• The Portuguese government refused to abide by international resolutions after the Indian government brought the problems before international forums.
• When the then PM Nehru discovered that the patience and devotion to international principles had not worked, he decided to liberate Goa through force.

Also read about: HSRA, Hindustan Socialist Republican Association.

Goa Liberation Day

Every year on December 19, Goa Liberation Day is observed to commemorate the accomplishment of “Operation Vijay,” a 36-hour military operation carried out by the Indian Armed Forces that freed Goa from Portuguese domination.

• The accomplishments of Goa in the tourism industry are honoured. In Goa, the day is commemorated with a lot of festivities. The celebration includes a torchlight parade that travels through three different Goa locations.
• At the Azad Maidan, the three marches eventually congregate. The march participants honour the independence fighters at this spot.
• Even cultural events like Sugam Sangeet are held to celebrate the occasion. Goa Liberation Day marked the final step in India’s independence when the British left the country permanently at that time, leaving only Goa under their rule.
• The people of Goa commemorate Goa Liberation Day with great fervour and excitement. The governor and the chief minister send their best wishes and pay tribute to the heroic souls who gave their lives to ensure the state’s freedom. To commemorate the day, torchlight processions are staged at various locations, and the state hosts several cultural activities.
• In Goa, it is observed with great fervour. The martyrs are also honoured by the participants.

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Fruits of Liberation Goa Then and Now

• Goa currently holds India's highest per-capita Net State Domestic Product (NSDP), surpassing the national average by 2.5 times.
• From 2011–12 to 2017–18, Goa's GSDP at current prices saw a consistent annual growth rate of 10.65%.
• It boasts the highest number of automobiles per person in the country and has a highly literate younger population.
• Goa is renowned for having one of the nation's best public healthcare systems.
• According to the Public Affairs Index 2020, published by the Public Affairs Centre, Goa was ranked as the best-run small state in India.
• The state has well-developed social, physical, and industrial infrastructure, including strong online connectivity, two main rail lines, major thoroughfares, and an upcoming international airport in Mopa.
• It also has a significant port.
• Goa's tourism industry has been steadily growing, with a substantial number of domestic (over 70 lakh) and overseas visitors (over 9 lakh) in 2018.
• The state's economy has historically relied on the pharmaceutical industry and iron ore mining, although mining has faced recent challenges, prompting recovery efforts by the state government.

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Aftermath of the Liberation of Goa

• Upon learning of Goa's fall, the Portuguese government severed diplomatic ties with India and refused to acknowledge the incorporation of seized territories into the Indian Republic.
• Lisbon mourned, with subdued Christmas celebrations, closed cinemas, and theatres, and a silent parade honoring the relics of St. Francis Xavier.
• After Portuguese rule ended in 1961, Goa was under military administration led by Kunhiraman Palat Candeth. In 1962, a civilian government took over with a Consultative Council of 29 nominated members.
• The liberation of Goa was supported by the Soviet Union and the Non-Aligned Movement and inspired by anti-colonial movements in other Portuguese colonies.
• The United Nations and NATO viewed India's action negatively, considering it rash and inconsistent with India's non-violent principles.
• India-Portugal relations improved in 1974 when Goa was officially recognized as part of India, leading to the signing of a treaty in 1974 acknowledging India's sovereignty over Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra, and Nagar Haveli.
• In 1992, Portuguese President Mário Soares visited Goa, marking a significant step in diplomatic relations.
• Goa Liberation Day is celebrated on December 19 every year to honor India's armed forces' role in Goa's liberation.

Concluding Remarks

The Portuguese, who governed the area for more than four and a half centuries, used Goa as a key port for both military and economic operations. Although the region did fight against the Portuguese, as is known, in the 18th and 19th centuries, it wasn’t until June 18, 1946, when socialist Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia joined Goans in their struggle, that the movement for the freedom of Goa really began to take off. As a result, June 18 is recognised as Goa Revolution Day throughout the state.

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