Advent of Muslim
Though the advent of Muslims in Goa took place much later in history, there are old Arab geographers, referring to Goa as Sindabur. The Arabs held the opinion that Goa had one of the best ports in Western India. In AD 554, Sidi Ali Kodupon wrote the Turkish book "Mohit". In the book Goa is referred to as Guvah-Sindabur - an amalgamation of the names Guvah (Goa) and Sindabur (Chandrapur). The Arab voyager, Al-Masudi, too held the opinion that Sindabur was the leading coastal city in Malabar.
Goa after independence
Lot of action has happened in Goa after independence. Goa, initially, straight after Independence was included into India as a Union Territory along with other the other Portuguese colonies of Daman and Diu. However, Goa has come a long way since then. It has had its first election, then its statehood. The Statehood of Goa finally delivered its actual independence. In 1963, the first assembly elections took place in Goa making Dayanand Bandodkar, of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), the first Chief Minister.
After the Liberation and the elections, the most important concern that came to the front was the issue whether Goa should remain a political unit in itself or whether it should merge itself with the existent Indian state of Maharashtra. This concern was steered by the two principal parties of the state of Goa at that time - the Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and the United Goans Party (UGP). The ruling party - the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party - wanted to merge Goa with the neighboring state of Maharastra because of the similarities of culture. The United Goans Party, led by Dr. Jack Sequeira, held an opposite view; they wanted to maintain and preserve Goa's distinctive identity.
After the British Left India, Goa remained the only part of India under foreign control. The Portuguese, not willing to give up so soon, held on to its last but bountiful colony, Goa, despite repeated requests from India.
The struggle for Goa's liberty was two fold - from within Goa and from the outside Goa - which was conducted by the Indian Government. In late 1961, several failed negotiations later, the Indian government deployed armed forces. However, there were some problems as it was suspected that the Portuguese possessed supersonic interceptors. The unavailability of the strength of their air-force posed a big fear as well. As a result of this the Indian Air Force was requested to provide reinforced support to the ground force.
Last Updated on : 20th March 2013