The Portuguese Inquisition in Goa: Faith, Fear, and Empire

In 1560, the Portuguese Inquisition arrived in Goa, transforming the vibrant multicultural port into a crucible of religious persecution. This episode explores how the Inquisition targeted Hindus, Muslims, and even newly-converted Christians, destroying temples, burning books, and using public autos-da-fé to enforce Catholic orthodoxy. We examine the role of the Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier, who called for the Inquisition before his death, and the political calculations of the Portuguese crown, which saw religious uniformity as essential to colonial control. Through the stories of victims like the Brahmin scribe Camotim and the mystic Cunha, we reveal the human cost of this campaign. We also discuss how the Inquisition shaped Goan society, creating a legacy of secrecy, syncretism, and resistance that echoes today. Drawing on Inquisition records and contemporary accounts, we uncover a dark chapter in the history of European colonialism that is often overshadowed by the Spanish Inquisition. #GoaInquisition #PortugueseEmpire #FrancisXavier #ColonialReligiousViolence #AutoDaFe #HinduPersecution #GoaHistory #EstadoDaIndia #16thCentury #CounterReformation #CatholicInquisition #TempleDestruction #GoanConverts #CryptoJudaism #Syncretism #Colonialism #History #FexingoHistory #EuropeanImperialism #AgeOfExploration Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo