📌 Conquest of Goa (1510) by Alfonso de Albuquerque
🗓️ Date of Conquest:
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Initial attempt: March 1510 (brief success, later lost)
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Final conquest: November 1510
👑 From Whom Was Goa Taken?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Ruled by | Sultanate of Bijapur |
| Sultan at the time | Yusuf Adil Shah (also called Adil Khan or Adil Shahi I) |
| Commander in Goa | Malik Yusuf (Governor of Goa under Adil Shah) |
⚔️ Background of the Conquest:
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Goa was a strategic port on the west coast, important for the Arab-Muslim spice and horse trade.
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Albuquerque sought a permanent base on the Indian mainland to:
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Control spice trade
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Launch further expeditions in the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf
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🔥 Course of the Conquest:
| Phase | Description |
|---|---|
| March 1510 | Albuquerque initially captured Goa with the help of a local Hindu chieftain (Timoja), but was forced to retreat due to monsoon and Bijapuri counterattack. |
| November 1510 | Albuquerque launched a successful second assault, captured Goa permanently. |
🏰 Aftermath and Impact:
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Goa became the headquarters of Portuguese India in 1530 (moved from Cochin).
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Albuquerque encouraged intermarriage with local women, abolished sati, and promoted settlement and administration.
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Goa became a strong commercial, naval, and religious base of Portuguese empire in Asia.
🧠 MCQ for Practice:
Q. Goa was captured by the Portuguese in 1510 from which of the following rulers?
A. Bahadur Shah of Gujarat
B. Yusuf Adil Shah of Bijapur
C. Ismail Adil Shah of Bijapur
D. Quli Qutb Shah of Golconda
✅ Answer: B
(Note: Yusuf Adil Shah was the founder of the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur)