India - Goa
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The 131km long coastline of Goa on the golden Konkan coast of the Western Ghats
is along the Arabian Sea. This small former Portuguese enclave is one of India's
most popular tourist spots, both for the domestic and international traveller. The
name Goa is derived from the Konkani word `Goyan', which means a patch of tall grass.
Once a great Hindu stronghold, Goa was a part of the grand Mauryan empire, around
the 3rd century BC.
The Satvahanas of Kolhapur and later the Chalukyas of Badami, took over the governance.
Other dynasties followed, including a short-lived Muslim invasion, until the Vijayanagar
Empire established itself for almost a century.
This era, too, ended with the arrival of the Sultans of Gulbarga, around 1469AD,
from whom the rule passed on to the Adil Shah of Bijapur.
Goa soon became a bone of
contention between the Dutch, English, French and Portuguese, all vying for its
possession. Ultimately, in 1510, the Portuguese conquered Goa, with Alfonso de Albuquerque
leading the invasion.
After ruling for four centuries, in 1961, fourteen years after the country's independence,
the Portuguese handed over possession of this colony to India.
Goa combines old Portuguese architecture, flavour and lifestyle to it's history.
Its unending beaches, the pristine beauty of the seascape, its mystical hills and
groves, the rhythmic pounding of the sea, its swaying palms - all make it a fairytale
land for the traveller.
Region Information - Goa