The Caste System Under Portuguese Colonial Rule in Goa

In this episode of The Rise of Colonialism, Lucas and Luna examine how Portuguese colonial rule in Goa reshaped and hardened caste hierarchies. Drawing on the 1567 Goa Provincial Council decrees, they explore how Portuguese authorities codified caste distinctions in law, separating Brahmins from Sudras in church and court. The conversation covers the role of the Inquisition in policing caste purity, the unique position of Goan Brahmins who became priests and intermediaries, and the story of the Gauda and Kunbi communities who were pushed into slave labor. They also discuss the impact of the Portuguese on existing Hindu caste structures, the phenomenon of 'caste mobility' through conversion, and the legacy of these policies in modern India. Key figures include Archbishop Gaspar Jorge de Leão and the Brahmin priest Miguel Rodrigues. The episode uses primary sources from the Conselho do Estado to show how colonial power and local hierarchy intertwined. #Portugal #Goa #CasteSystem #Colonialism #Inquisition #Brahmins #Gauda #Kunbi #GoaProvincialCouncil #GasparJorgeDeLeão #MiguelRodrigues #EstadoDaÍndia #Varna #Jati #CasteMobility #ColonialLegacy #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo