Old Goa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| State Party |  India |
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| Type | Cultural | |
| Criteria | ii, iv, vi | |
| Identification | #234 | |
| Region2 | Asia-Pacific | |
| Inscription History | ||
| Formal Inscription: | 1986 10th WH Committee Session |
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| WH link: | http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/234 | |
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1 Name as officially inscribed on the WH List |
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Velha Goa ("Velha" means old in Portuguese) was founded in the 15th century as a port for the Vijayanagar and Bahamni kings. Old Goa was the second capitol of Bijapur under the rule of Adil Shah. The city was surrounded by a moat and contained the Shah's palace, and his mosques and temples. The city of Goa in south-western India was under Portuguese rule from 1510 and became the capital of Portuguese India until its incorporation in the Republic of India in 1961.
At its peak it was as large as London or Paris. Malaria and cholera epidemics ravaged the city in the 17th century and it was largely abandoned only having a remaining population of 1,500 in 1775. The viceroy then moved the palace of Adil Shah to Panaji. In 1835 after religious suppression the city was virtually deserted. The population was roughly 200,000 by 1543. It was the administrative seat of Portuguese India until 1843, although the Viceroy's residence was transferred in 1759 to the future capital, Panaji.
Old Goa contains churches affiliated to various congregations, including the Se Cathedral (the seat of the Archbishop of Goa), the church of St Francis of Assisi, the church of S. Caetano, and notably, the Basilica of Bom Jesus which contains the incorruptible body of Saint Francis Xavier
[edit] See also
[edit] External link
Agra Fort | Ajanta Caves | Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park | Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus | Churches and Convents of Goa | Elephanta Caves | Ellora Caves | Fatehpur Sikri | Great Living Chola Temples | Hampi | Humayun's Tomb | Kaziranga | Keoladeo | Khajuraho | Mahabalipuram | Mahabodhi Temple | Manas Wildlife Sanctuary | Mountain Railways of India | Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers | Pattadakal | Qutub Minar | Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka | Sanchi | Sun Temple, Konarak | Sundarbans | Taj Mahal
