The Portuguese Inquisition in Goa: Fear and Faith in the Estado da India

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the dark legacy of the Goa Inquisition, established in 1560 by Portuguese authorities in their Indian colony. They trace its origins to the Padroado—the royal patronage of the Church—and the fear of 'crypto-Judaism' among converted Sephardic Jews, known as cristãos-novos, who had fled Iberia. The conversation examines the Inquisition's brutal methods: secret denunciations, torture, and public autos-da-fé where heretics were burned at the stake. Lucas explains how the Inquisition targeted not only Jewish converts but also Hindus, Muslims, and even 'New Christians' suspected of backsliding. They discuss the infamous Edict of Faith, which compelled denunciations under threat of excommunication, and the role of the Inquisitor-General, often a Dominican friar. The episode highlights key figures like Dom Gaspar de Leão Pereira, the first Inquisitor, and Dom Constantino de Bragança, the viceroy who clashed with the tribunal. Lucas details the decline of the Inquisition under the Marquis of Pombal in the 18th century, who saw it as an obstacle to commerce and power. They end by reflecting on the long-term impact: the destruction of Goa's multicultural society, the flight of merchants, and the cultural scars that remain visible in Goan architecture and memory. #GoaInquisition #PortugueseIndia #CristOsNovos #Padroado #AutoDaF #EstadoDaIndia #DomGasparDeLeOPereira #MarquisOfPombal #InquisitorGeneral #EdictOfFaith #OldGoa #SephardicJews #Hinduism #Islam #PortugueseEmpire #Colonialism #History #FexingoHistory #Portugal #AgeOfDiscovery Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo