Thread by @dhavalkulkarni

#Goa was liberated from over four centuries of #Portuguese rule in 1961. But the Portuguese occupation saw anti-colonial uprisings including the #PintoRevolt or the #ConspiracyofthePintos. It is claimed that the rebels had colluded with #TipuSultan of #Mysore
#history

The Pinto revolt at Candolim was the 1st such serious attempt by the people of #Goa to overthrow the #Portuguese. It was a protest against the racial discrimination by the Portuguese.

The conspiracy was hatched largely by the clergy, which was upset at the discrimination ingrained in the Catholic Church against native Goan Christians and a system where the Portuguese were supreme.

Those involved in the plot were inspired by the American War of Independence. It was hatched at the Pinto family residence at Candolim and gradually covered more people, including disgruntled army officers, businessmen and civilians.

The non-clergy element of this revolt was formed by Goans upset at their exclusion from high-ranking posts. Vicars were to ring church bells to unite their parishioners, there were plans to poison Portuguese soldiers or drug them, various units of the army were to join in.

The rebellion was to take place in August 1787, but the plot was uncovered by the Portuguese authorities after an act of betrayal.

A total of 47 conspirators, including 17 priests and seven army officers were arrested. Some were executed, rest were imprisoned or deported to Portugal.

#AbbeFaria, the priest who is described as the father of the scientific study of #hypnotism, was among the leaders of the revolt. He later left for #France.

It is claimed that the rebels colluded with #TipuSultan to stage the revolt. On 30 September 1787, Naraina Sinai Dhume, the Portuguese diplomat agent at #Pune, informed the Goa authorities about a pact between Tipu & the #French to conquer #Goa.

In another letter dated 15 October 1787, Dhume writes that he was informed about a letter from a French general Lally, in which he mentions the instructions from Tipu to dispatch his forces to Goa after the conquest of Kittur.

But historians claim it is "hardly reasonable" to expect a Tipu-French involvement in a nativist attempt to shake off Portuguese rule. This is because the relations between the French & the Portuguese remained cordial.

Though the French were Tipu's allies, they were neutral while dealing with the Portuguese. Dhume's letters were also based on hearsay.

The French records at Pondicherry and in Europe are silent on the Tipu- French involvement in the #ConspiracyofthePintos and plans for conquering #Goa at that point.

#history #heritage #GoaHistory #GoanHistory