History of Goa
Goa’s history extends back to the third century BC when it formed a portion of the Mauryan Empire.
It was later ruled by Satvahanas of Kolhapur around two thousand years ago and later by the Chalukyas of Badami, who controlled it between 580 and 750 AD. Over the next several centuries, Goa was ruled by Silharas, the Kadambas and the Chalukyas of Kalyani.
In 1312, Goa came under the government of the Delhi Sultanate but by 1370, the sultanate was forced to surrender Goa to Harihara I of the Vijayangara Empire.
In 1498, Vasco da Gama was the first European to set foot in India by means of a sea route. He eventually came to Old Goa. The Portuguese arrived and set about seizing the colony and controlling the spice trade in India.
India gained independence from Britain in 1947 but Portugal refused to accede to India’s demand that they release control of Goa. Finally, in 1961, the Indian army took over and moved the Portuguese out of Goa.