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The Liberation of Goa: The End of Portuguese India in 1961
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In December 1961, a significant event unfolded in the history of South Asia as the Republic of India, under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, launched a military operation to annex the Portuguese territories of Goa, Daman, and Diu. This marked the end of over 450 years of Portuguese colonial rule in the region, a remnant of European imperialism that had persisted even after India gained independence from Britain in 1947.
The Portuguese first arrived in India in 1498 when Vasco da Gama landed in Calicut. Over the next few decades, they established a stronghold in Goa, which became the capital of their eastern empire. Despite the decline of Portuguese power globally, they clung to their Indian territories, refusing to relinquish control even as other European powers withdrew from the subcontinent.
After India's independence in 1947, the Indian government began diplomatic efforts to persuade Portugal to cede its territories. However, Portugal, under the authoritarian Estado Novo regime of António Salazar, insisted that Goa and its other enclaves were not colonies but integral parts of Portugal. This stance led to a diplomatic stalemate.
By the late 1950s, tensions escalated. The Indian government, supported by the local Goan population, which largely favored integration with India, grew increasingly impatient. Peaceful protests and civil disobedience movements in Goa were met with harsh repression by Portuguese authorities. In 1955, Indian satyagrahis (non-violent protesters) attempted to enter Goa but were met with violence, further straining relations.
On December 18, 1961, India launched Operation Vijay (Operation Victory), a military campaign involving air, sea, and land forces. The operation was swift and decisive. The Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force overwhelmed the vastly outnumbered and outgunned Portuguese forces. Within 36 hours, Goa, Daman, and Diu were under Indian control. The Portuguese governor-general, Manuel António Vassalo e Silva, surrendered on December 19, 1961.
The annexation of Goa was met with mixed reactions globally. While many newly independent nations supported India's actions, Western powers, including the United States and the United Kingdom, criticized the move as a violation of international law. Portugal, under Salazar, severed diplomatic relations with India and refused to recognize Indian sovereignty over Goa until the Carnation Revolution of 1974, which overthrew the Estado Novo regime.
The integration of Goa into India was formalized in 1962, and it became a Union Territory. In 1987, Goa was granted statehood, becoming the 25th state of the Indian Union. The liberation of Goa is celebrated annually on December 19 as Goa Liberation Day, commemorating the end of colonial rule and the region's integration into India.
The event marked a significant moment in the decolonization of Asia and underscored India's determination to unify its territories, even by force if necessary. It also highlighted the complexities of post-colonial nation-building and the challenges of reconciling historical legacies with modern aspirations.
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