:: HERITAGE JAZZ ::

Though at this stage the history of the naming of this road from Rua Dom Joao Castro, near Mermaid Garden to the Fonte Phoenix is not clear. This road runs from the main arterial road Dom Joao de Castro Road near Navigation Department up to the Fonte Phoenix via the rear of Mary Immaculate Girls High School. The date commemorates the liberation of Portuguese from Spain on 31 st January 1640.
The original name of this road was “Rua Quatro de Abril or 4 th April Road”. This was so named because the then Governor Jose Joaquim Lopes de Lima (1840 – 42) had got this street illuminated through Street Lighting from 4 th April.
Presently part of the road from near Mushtifund Primary School till the Fonte Phoenix is named as “ Dr. Ramchandra Naik Road”.

Hailing from the Goan village of Candolim, in Bardez Taluka, Abade Faria was born on 30 th May 1756. Studying in Rome, as a priest, his original name was Fr. Jose Custodio de Faria. He played an important part by providing spiritual leadership, in the historically famed “Conspiracy of the Pinto’s”, in 1787 (the revolt of the Goan priests against the Portuguese regime).
He took active part in the French Revolution in 1789. While in France he became a Professor of Philosophy, and dedicated himself to the study of Hypnotism.
Excelling in this art, he was hailed as the “Father of Hypnotism”, throughout the world. He died on 20 th September 1819, at Paris.
The present day statue of Abade Faria was inaugurated on 20 th September 1945, during the Portuguese rule over Goa. The Sculpture was carved by another great Goan, Sculptor Ramchandra Pandurang Kamat

(Based on an article in PANJIM PLUS dated 1-15 April 2002, authored by BHAIRAVI)

Panaji, the capital city of Goa, is bestowed with two beautifully constructed fountains or natural springs. When the Portuguese decided to shift their administrative capital to Panaji, this area on the bank of the rivulet of River Mandovi was just another hamlet, with a handful of houses to name.
It is a historical fact that the so-called Latin Quarters of Panaji or Fontainhas, was named after the prevalent fountain / spring near the Maruti Temple below the Altinho hillock.
The Portuguese, gave due importance to the natural springs, in this developing township and with an intention to preserve these two water-holes, constructed the enveloping structures around them, and which have been preserved till date.

BOCA DA VACA FOUNTAIN:
Sitting silent and pretty for more than 400 years, the fountain of Boca da Vaca, in Panaji has been restored by the Department of Tourism and opened to public on 30 th March 2002 by the Chief Minister Shri. Manohar Parrikar, with the active assistance of several individual landscape and interior-designing architects.
The area, behind Mahalaxmi Temple, has long since been called as ‘Boca da Vaca’ or in literal Portuguese meant “mouth of a cow”. It was so called because the exit of the water from the fountain, was through a conduit, whose end was shaped to look like the mouth of a cow. One can see such conduits in the temples.
There seems to be no factual records as to who built the monument and when. However, it has been informed by the senior citizenry, that it had been built somewhere in mid 16 th Century. Samples of the structure have been sent to Lucknow, for Carbon Dating, as no records of this structure are found.
The 93 meters long tunnel, channels the water from the source, which lies in the Altinho hill, in its background. The module structure bears a resemblance to the Kadamba dynasty architecture and does not show much of Portuguese influence. It also shows resemblance to the Mahadev Temple of Tambdi Surla. The lotus on the doorway also gives an insight that it may have been built by the Kadamba Rulers. The restoration and beautification has been given a touch of modernism with the interiors having been made attractive with internal neon lighting and slabs of toughened glass laid on the floor, above the running water. As per the official justification of laying the glass, this was to identify when there is any sort of contamination. This total project of beautification has cost the public exchequer an amount of Rs.30 Lakhs. The completed project shall consist of an Herbal Garden, colourful artificial fountains and an artificial waterfall.
The Boca da Vaca Fountain shall be open to the public between September and May, every year and shall remain closed during monsoons, as the water reaches neck level.

CAMPAL AVENUE:
This is a beautiful, cool and a pleasant precinct of our capital city, lined with the samania samans, casuarinas – down the sandy asopolavs and the rustic shields, creating for you the Avenida Craviera Lopes in the late 20’s and the early 30’s.
From Palacio de Maquenezes (old GMC) of 1702 to the La Campala Colony, runs this lovely promenade like precinct, laced with the Mandovi in the backdrop - this precinct is a historians and heritage lovers delight.
Nature bestowed her choicest gifts since time immemorial with sand dunes, its vegetation and the marshy landscape and water everywhere.
The years 1827 – 35, saw Goa under the governance of the far-sighted PortugueseViceroy Campo do Manuel Portugal e Castro, who initiated the programme of reclamation and leveling the area. In 1829, the Viceroy ordered the construction of a culvert and a bridge called “The Minerva Bridge”, (recently renovated by the Panjim Municipal Council under its Beautification of Panjim campaign & still existing behind the GMC Complex) with a Roman style arched masonry work and ornamental columns. He also built another bridge, on the Military Hospital side, leading to the St. Inez area. In fact, both these bridges are welcome arches to Campal. These culverts and the one after Bal Bhavan, speak of the original marshy character of the precinct.
The first three decades of the 20 th Century saw the beautification of Campal, and that is when the ‘Rain tree Avenue’ came into existence, during the tenure of Craviera Lopes (1929 –36).
In the cool evenings, the spread of the tiny yellow flowers at the Campal avenue, lanes, and by-lanes create a yellow carpet, which is extremely beautiful to look at.
In 1929, the centenary year of the famous Goan patriot and 1 st Goan ParliamentarianFrancisco Luis Gomes, saw the completion of the “F. L. Gomes Jardin”, where his statue was installed in a ceremonial manner. This garden has a pergola band stand, with a distinct Graeco-Roman style (Ionic Columns).
In the backdrop of this garden area lined the beautiful 20 Indo-Portuguese style villas viz. residences of the Rebello’s, Barros (Villa Savitri), the Pinto’s, the Sequeira’s, The Leao Fernandes, Mesquita’s, Gonsalves, Afonso, Peregrino da Costa, Zizinha Costa,
The oldest resident of the area, Mrs. Ermina Carvalho Fernandes (Birth: 23 rd November 1902) turned a centenarian and her birthday was recently celebrated in the F. L. Gomes Garden, in a befitting manner by all the residents of the Campal area.

THE CANNON AT CAMPAL (Cannon de Banastarim):
The cannon, mounted here, opposite the F. L. Gomes Garden and facing the Reis Magos Fort was brought here from the Adilshahi Fort of Banastarim. This cannon played a major role in history and was used in the famous ‘Battle of Banastarim’ fought in 1512 between the Portuguese and the Adilshahi garrison, following the Portuguese Conquest of the Tiswadi island in 1510 by Afonso de Albuquerque.

THE PRINCE HENRY NAVIGATION MEMORIAL:
The Prince Henry Navigation Memorial, constructed in 1960, during the tenure of Vassalo da Silva, to mark the 500 th Death Anniversary of the Portuguese Prince Henry, who revolutionized the arena of exploration, by starting the ‘Sagres School of Navigation’, which ultimately led to the discovery of the sea-route to India by Vasco da Gama in 1498, and opened up colonization in Asia & Africa.

THE CAMPAL PROMENADE:
The Campal Promenade, running along the river-front with a balustraded esplanade and the Pergola, with a boat shaped structure (motif) with the Reis Magos in the background, especially at sunset, is a treat to the eyes. Similarly the Campal stretch facing the river front and the mouth of the River Mandovi, at Verem, gradually merging with the sea, with two forts – Reis Magos & Aguada, the line of swaying casuarinas and the tall light-house on the beach is a feast to the eyes.

CHILDREN’S PARK:
The Children’s Park, managed by the Forest Department at Campal on the banks of River Mandovi was originally called as ‘Jardim Dr. Oliveira Salazar’ and was inaugurated on 3 rd May 1952 by Saramento Rodrigues, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Portugal.

OTHER PROMINANT STRUCTURES IN CAMPAL:
Campal has a Military Hospital, the prestigious Kala Academy Complex, a composite annexure for sports lovers comprising the Bandodkar Football Stadium, an international standard indoor badminton stadium and swimming pools, a cricket ground & an athletic track of the Sports Authority of Goa.

MEU DE LARANJ:
An aesthetic canopy, seen outside the Bandodkar Football Stadium, was constructed in 1967 by the Indian Heritage Society led by Percival Noronha, as a leisure evening sit-out.

EMINENT PERSONALITIES:
Campal has had the fortune of having as its resident many a great personalities, who have at some time have played an important part in the shaping of the history of not only . To name a few of these personalities, we have the late Dr. Jack de Sequeira (1 st Opposition Leader of free Goan Assembly and an architect of the Opinion Poll for a separate identity of the GoanState), Late. Dr. Pacheco Figuereido (1 st Dean of GoaMedicalCollege), Late Erasmo Sequeira (Industrialist), Dr. Emidio Afonso, Dr. Alvaro de Noronha, Mrs. Patricia Pinto (Civic & Environment Activist).

The St. Inez Cemetery constituted at its present place in 1879, boasts of an illustrious historical past.

LIGHT-HOUSE IN PANJIM:
Panaji town is graced with a ridge running north-west-south direction. The height of the ridge ranges from 40 to 54 mtrs. Its only landmark, during the Mohammedan era was a signal tower located on a height, above the present “FAZENDA” (Accounts Department).
It was from this height that luminous signals were then flashed for the entry of trading ships, inside the Mandovi Bar. In the middle of the XVI century, the Portuguese substituted the old signal tower by a light-house, which was aligned with that of Aguada. By the end of the XVIII century, this lighthouse too was discarded. This height is still known till today as “Bairro Alto de Pilotos” (Higher located ward of Pilots), perhaps because of ships demanding the Panjim port, were residing around the slopes of the old signal tower.
On this ridge, just behind on the western side, the Portuguese Government prior to 1541, had built a hermitage dedicated to Our Lady of Conception. From then onwards, the whole ridge was named “Outeiro de Concecao” (Hillock of Conception).

HERMITAGE ATOP THE HILLOCK OF CONCEPTION:
In 1584, the Friars of the Dominican Order moved to Panjim, close to the existing hermitage and set up their college of St. Thomas de Aquinas, just where presently lies the Parochial House of the Panjim Church. This College was however, soon shifted in 1596, behind the Church of St. Peter in Panvel (S. Pedro). The reason being, the constant appearance of venomous Naga (Cobra) snakes, which played havoc among the ranks of that Order.

THE ORIGINAL CEMETERY :
At that time, the Dominican Friars, during their short stay in Panjim, had set up a burial ground on the top of the Conceicao Hillock, exactly & presently where now runs the Corte de Outeiro road, between the Lyceum and the Panjim Church. Even after the Dominicans left Panjim, the cemetery opened by them continued to be in use as the burial ground for the inhabitants of Panjim.

MAKING OF THE “CORTE DE OUTEIRO”:
The energetic Governor Caetano Alexandre Almeida de Albuquerque, as soon as he took charge in 1878, started a series of developmental works to bring Panjim to a level of a decent city. Since the Conceicao Hill was acting as a barrier between Fontainhas and the Central Zone of the city, it was decided to open a link road between the Church and the Lyceum. There came into existence the “ Corte de Outeiro Road”. With these works, the existing cemetery, which was located at the top of the ridge and in alignment of the new road, had to be shifted.

SHIFTING OF CEMETERY TO ST. INEZ:
Hence, before the works of the link road started, a new cemetery was constructed in St. Inez, and was inaugurated on 1 st January 1879. The first burial took place on the next day, when the deceased, Jose Messias Gomes da Silva, was laid to rest at the new cemetery. Incidentally, the last body to be interred in the old cemetery was that of Antonio Paulo, a European soldier of the 2 nd Battalion of Infantry unit stationed in Panjim and who had committed suicide on 26 th December 1878.

FUNCTIONING AT ST. INEZ CEMETERY:
The St. Inez Cemetery is used for the burial of Catholics from Panjim & St. Inez, so also for the burial of anonymous people or unclaimed bodies. The Catholic residents of St. Inez are usually buried in one part of the Cemetery, which is owned by the Confraria of St. Inez. The Cemetery is usually spruced up before the 2 nd November, which is celebrated by Christians all over as ALL SOULS DAY, and on which day it is a practice to celebrate the mass in the cemetery.

BEAUTIFICATION PLANS FOR ST. INEZ CEMETERY:
A decent place for burial is the desire of any dignified Christian. The St. Inez Cemetery used by the Catholics, for burial, and managed by the Panjim Municipal Council (PMC) is going to have a sea change, if the prestigious plan for its facelift gets the approval, of the concerned. Usually the PMC earmarks a quota of Rs. 5 Lakhs annually for the maintenance of the Cemetery.
A Committee consisting of the Parish Priests of St. Inez & Panjim, the respective PMC Councillors, representatives of the citizens have chalked out an ambitious plan of landscaping the cemetery. The plan envisages building the graves with concrete, each estimated to cost approx. Rs. 3,000/-. Initially an area of 300 sq. metres is to be taken up on an experimental basis. The plan also seeks to beautify the cemetery give it an aesthetic look. The funds are proposed to be collected through the funds of the PMC and the generosity of the residents.
As the inscription on many the cemeteries reads, “AIZ MHAKA, FALEAM TUKA” (What for me is today, will be for you tomorrow), if the plan goes through for this beautification, the final sojourn on earth, for any future users, will be a little more comfortable.

(Based on an article in PANJIM PLUS dated 1-15 April 2002, authored by BHAIRAVI)

Panaji, the capital city of Goa, is bestowed with two beautifully constructed fountains or natural springs. When the Portuguese decided to shift their administrative capital to Panaji, this area on the bank of the rivulet of River Mandovi was just another hamlet, with a handful of houses to name.
It is a historical fact that the so-called Latin Quarters of Panaji or Fontainhas, was named after the prevalent fountain / spring near the Maruti Temple below the Altinho hillock.
The Portuguese, gave due importance to the natural springs, in this developing township and with an intention to preserve these two water-holes, constructed the enveloping structures around them, and which have been preserved till date.

FONTE PHOENIX (Mala Spring) - Prajal Sakhardande:
“Mala” actually means an open field or ground. The development of Fontainhas – Mala took place between the years 1810 to 1839. The facades of the houses in the entire precinct had the traditional colours – ochre, maroon and indigo – used during the Portuguese regime. The Fontainhas area is styled as “the Latin Quarter” of the capital city. Mala may be called as the Hindu residential area of this precinct. The precinct in its entirety may be classified as a perfect example of communal harmony since its inception stage.
While the distinguished families like Mirandas, Lopes, Saldanhas, Costas, Gonsalves, Dias, Rego, Menezes, Machados, Ribeiros and many others have made Fontainhas their home. Similarly the Mala area is home to well known Hindu families like Agshikars, Hodarkars, Pissurlenkars, Shirodkars, Shankwalkars, etc who have lived here since the Portuguese times.
The historic precinct gets its name from the famous “ Fonte Phoenix” (fountain or Zhor) in Mala at the foot of Marutigad of the Altinho Hillock. The spring is ancient, but the structure around the natural spring was constructed during the tenure of the Portuguese Governor, Viscount of Ourem, Joaquim Jose Januario Lapa (1851-55).

Goa ’s long and chequered history flows through her secular, military and ecclesiastical architecture that has withstood the ravages of time. Her heritage, built and unbuilt, has to be preserved for posterity. Goa ’s tryst with history has left a rich legacy in the form of a traditional Goan House or a Palace, a fort or a temple, a church or a mosque.
Preservation and conservation, protection of our built and unbuilt heritage, is a sacred duty. From 1842, until recently, the Goa Medical College was housed in the Palace of Maquinezes or Palacio Dos Maquinezes that was built in 1702 and which today houses the government department of Food and Drugs Administration.
The Goa Medical College and Hospital, Panjim , then known as Escola Medico Cirurgica De Nova Goa, was Asia ’s oldest medical institution. The Military Hospital of Panelim was also transferred here in 1842. This institution, which produced eminent surgeons and catered to the needs of thousands of patients, is close to the Goan heart.
The building facing the Mandovi River and the main road was built in 1927. The period look of this building is evident from its Roman, Neo-classical and Gothic style, semi-circular arched windows, wooden ceilings, cast iron railings, ornamental tiles with rose motifs on the walls of the wards, beautiful green tiles, long corridors, balustrades, pilasters, mouldings, ornamental grills, occluses, stained glass windows of Gothic style window panes, porches and pillars resembling the Doric Order.
The Palace of Maquinezes also has an 18 th century Chapel attached to it. This Palace, painted in ochre yellow, is simple in architectural style with a storey, wooden ceilings, a stairway with beautiful wooden balustrades, Roman arches, Portuguese windows, and halls like Sala de Reanimacao Queimados, or Trauma Center for burn victims.
The well-known historian of Panjim Antonio Menezes, informs me that the Chapel built in 1720, was dedicated to Nossa Senhora das Dorisor Our Lady of Sorrows. It was thus a private chapel of the Maquinezes Palace . Subsequently, in 1781, this was chapel repaired and re-constructed, was dedicated to Nossa Senhora de Victoria or Our Lady of Victory. The statue of Our Lady was brought from Betim House of Catechuments to Panjim, in the same year. Within this Chapel, there is a beautiful teak wood altar dedicated to Christ. It is exquisitely decorated with gilded work and belongs to the early 18 th Century. The Palace of Maquinezes originally belonged to two brothers Diago da Costa de Ataide e Tieve, a Squadron Leader and Cristovam da Costa de Ataide e Tieve, known by the name of Maquinezes.
The first batch of graduates, of this medical school, were Augustino Vincente Lourenco, Antonio Moriera, Francisco Lourenco, Luis de Conceicao – all from Margao. Bernado Silva from Divar, Felicardo Quadros and Pedro Gonzaga Augusto de Melo from Raia and Joaquim Lourenco de Araujo of Lotoulim. These eight male students completed their medical course in the year 1846. Jeonna Lucinda Pinto was the first Goan girl to become a Doctor in 1910 to 1914. Yamunabai Mulgaonkar became the first Goan Hindu girl to become a Doctor in 1952.
The medical school required entrants to be over 16 years of age and to have good knowledge of Latin, grammer, Philosophy and Drawing. It is important to note here that the Portuguese gave utmost importance to these subjects of humanities or arts before they ventured into their subjects on medicine, in addition one was required to p[ass their first year of mathematics school. History of medicine was also part of the course. The medium of instruction was Portuguese and the degree given was MEDICO CIRURGIAO . Internship of six months was compulsory.
The first Pharmacy course student was Cosme Damiao Peres, to pass out in 1846.
Thus the old GMC building complex, set along the Campal Promenade, which housed Asia’s first Medical Institution , is of heritage value and needs to be preserved for posterity.

In the beginning of the 20 th century, the Panjim city was dotted with a neo-gothic building especially constructed to house the historic Santa Casa da Misericordia de Goa. Today, the building goes under the name of ProvedoriaBuilding.
The Santa Casa de Misericordia was an institution founded a little after the conquest by the Portuguese, between 1511 – 1513. It was then a simple secular association devoted for social welfare. As soon as it started functioning, they built the hospital of St. Lazarus and the hospital of All Saints. Also, it administered the charity organization known as Our Lady of Piety.
In the beginning of the 17 th Century, the Santa Casa started administering the houses of Serra and Magdalena. By Royal Charter of 27 th September 1827, which was later confirmed by the Ministerial order, enabled them to support a larger number of widows and orphans.
When the building in Old Goa started crumbling, the Santa Casa was shifted in 1841 to Panjim where it has housed in many places and finally in their own structure, which was built in Neo-Gothic style at the old Largo de Bocage, today known as the 18 th June Road.
As can be seen from the copper plate affixed at the entrance of the building, it was completed on 31 st December 1903 and it inaugurated by the then Governor General A. R. Galhardo in the presence of all the members of Governing Council of the then Santa Casa.
In 1938, the Santa Casa built another large extension close to the old building on the 18 th June Road, to be used for drawing of the lotteries. This structure presents a unique imprint of neo-classic architecture. Today the building is housing the Health Office.

DRAW OF THE LOTTERY
The Lottery draws were held every week, with a rigid system of Supervision and assisted by two specially imported random number selecting machines, which are now on display at the Goa State Museum at Patto Complex.
These twin buildings of the Provedoria were built in 1903 & 1938. Behind these twin buildings, is an open space or ground named as the Massano de Amorim Ground, so-called after the Massano de Amorim School, which was built in 1950’s.
These heritage buildings are fine examples of our very own Goan craftsmen and, need to be preserved.

ETYMOLOGY OF PANAJI (Sanjeev V Sardesai)

Panaji – the capital city of Goa, has a blurred history before the beginning of the 1800’s. Before the shifting of the capital from Old Goa to Panaji, majority of the land around the present city, as the records go, was a marshy saline land, with hardly any prominent landmark except the Palace of Adilshah (the present Secretariat).
There were hardly any houses to name. The prime occupation through this area was the handling of the customs (Alfana) of the incoming & outgoing ships. It was in front of the Palace of Adilshah, that the ship of Afonso de Albuquerque moored, when it attacked and won the land of Goa from the ruler of Bijapur.
Panaji was connected to Old Goa, the then capital, via the Ponte de Linhares or the Bridge of Linhares (named after the Count of Linhares), built by the architectural designs by the Jesuit Priests, over the marshy land.
Panaji’ or ‘Panjim’ or locally called as ‘Panji’ is supposed to have derived its name due to the degeneration of the word “Pahajani Kali”. This is said was due to the custom of collecting a waterway tax, by the Portuguese. In Konkani language “Paaz” means “path”. There is also a konkani saying which goes as “fuul na pakali” (literal translation ‘if not the flower, than at least a petal’, meaning if not much, than at least a little- basically referred to donations). This may have meant the modest tax collected as royalty for use of the waterways.
The writer opines that the name of this place may have derived due to reasons of family relations, combined with the transportation system.“Panji” in Konkani means great grandmother. There is every possibility that as in olden times, there may have been a large joint family whose siblings may have been married off to families staying in the far corners of Goa. It is also an opined theory that there may have been a loving great grand mother in that family.
During the post liberation period (1961), the elders were known to be traveling from area’s such as Pernem, Valpoi, Sanvordem, Canacona, etc, by carts, machilas (palanquins) or where there were waterways, by sail boats.
Such type of commuting required a travel time of anywhere between a day to three days. During these travels, the travellers were forced to rest and then to continue their journey. As is the age old habit of elders, there would be a barrage of questions ranging from family health to the situation in the respective villages. Gossip being a favourite subject. In such circumstances, it was natural for those inquisitive people to find out where the travelers were headed.
There is every possibility that among these travelers, were those people who were related to the joint family and were going to visit the great grandmother thus leading to a reply that ‘they were going to (their) “Panji” (great grandmother)’. Based on this theory, it is opined that the local villagers, in different areas of Goa, identified this destination as “Panji” in view of the above.
The above is but a personal opinion of the author, and there exist many versions about the derivation of the name “Panaji”.

THE HISTORIC CHURCH OF PANJIM

(By Mr. Prajal Sakhardande – Panjim Plus, 1-15 April 2002)

COMPILED BY:- SANJEEV V. SARDESAI – sanscritic@sify.com

Standing tall and elegant in the heart of the capital, is the famous Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception of Panaji (Igreja Maria Immaculada Conceicao). With the flight of steps adding to the exquisite charm and the majestic look of the immaculate & white façade, the Panjim Church is rooted in Goa ’s historic past and culture for more than four and a half centuries.
Built originally, before1540, that is between 1510-1540, by the Portuguese, the Shrine of Nossa Senhora da Immaculada Conceicao, was raised to a Parish Church in 1600. It is one of the oldest Catholic ecclesiastical structures of Panaji. It was built from its foundations in 1612, but historian-scholar from Panaji Antonio de Menezes writes that it was built in 1619 (‘ Goa- Historical Notes’ – Vol. I by Antonio de Menezes).
He further states that the flight of steps , which leads up to the Church, date back to 1870. The Church was originally a Chapel and stood on a small hillock called “Conceicao Hill” and hence the necessity was felt to build the majestic steps.
The bell , at the top of the Church is the second largest in Goa , the first being that of Se Cathedral, at Old Goa. The bell was cast in 1749.
It was in this Church, that in the year1619, the Portuguese Governor of Goa , Ferrao Albuquerque took charge of his office. It was the same Church that on the 8 th September 1641, the royal proclamation of Dom Joao IV (Braganca royal family), as the 21 st King of Portugal, was read out by a 9-year old boy, Andre , writes Antonio de Menezes and C. M. Estibeiro.
Mr. Estibeiro in his book ‘Goa – Yesterday & Today’, writes that the Church of Mary Immaculate Conception has its own pristine historic splendour, apart from its architectural beauty of a majestic façade with two balustraded towers and an imposing central gable, which holds the famous bell, whose rings resounds throughout Panaji.
The majestic stairway of the Church, set in a zigzag pattern rising in angled platforms, has at the center, a beautiful pulpit with the image of Our Lady, in standing position raised on a pedestal, with an inscription dated 8 th December 1954. The stairway has balustrade pattern dotted with posts. The façade has other architectural features like pediments and a Roman arch entrance, pilasters, niches, belfry and above all a Red Cross set on the King’s Crown, at the apex of this charming Church.
Its illuminated view is a visual feast to the eyes. During the Portuguese period, the Church was located at the St. Thomas Aguinas College .
Antonio Menezes mentions that it was one of the six shrines mentioned in the Covencao of June 30 th, 1541 . The other shrines being those at Cabo, Carambolim, Batim, Divar and Banastarim. The Altar of the Church is in the Baroque- renaissance style. The side altars are that of Mother Mary and Jesus lying on her lap. Another altar is dedicated to St. Francis Xavier.
In the Church there are many Portuguese inscriptions of 1866, 1871 and 1955, etc. According to one of these inscriptions in Portuguese, in one corner of the Church, Governor Senhor Dom Luis Caetano de Almeida ordered the sails of the Baptismal font in which he was baptized in the year 1708 and they were executed in the year 1742.
8 th December Feast is celebrated here in a grand way, since the Portuguese days, till date.

PANJIM MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

(Mr. Percival Noronha, Secy., Indian Heritage Society ( Goa Chapter) –

For souvenir of PMC commemorating Labour Day, 2002)

COMPILED BY:- SANJEEV V. SARDESAI – sanscritic@sify.com

The history of municipalities in Goa is perhaps unique not only in India, but also in the entire east. It is a fact that the first municipal SENADO (Senate) in this part of the world had its origin in Old Goa, in the 16 th century. The SENADO was a city council established in Rome to run the affairs of that city. This system introduced in Portugal in the 3 rd century BC, by the Romans, took deep roots in that country and got spread in its turn to Portuguese colonies.
The date of establishment of the 1 SENADO in Old Goa is still under investigation as some historians place it on April 1511, while the others try to fix it in October of that year i.e, prior to Albuquerque’s voyage to Malaca, when he conquered that city. The fact however remains that Albuquerque, as soon as he took over the city from the Mohammedans, established the SENADO in the city of Old Goa.
For this purpose, he appointed Diogo Fernandes to work on its organization and ordered the construction of a building with its private chapel that came up later by the side of the present day Cathedral, towards the north. The Royal assent for the establishment of the Senado and the charter bestowing upon the citizens of Old Goa, promulgated on March 2, 1518.
Both these historical documents as well as other provisions, edits, orders, etc are recorded and copied in a book, bound in red velvet and having on its front cover in pure silver, the arms of the old “SENADO”. The arms are presented by a shield topped by a crown in relief over the wheel of the martyrdom of. St. Catherine of Alexandria on which date Afonso de Albuquerque entered the city on 25 th November 1510. The title of the SENADO was “ Nobre e Leal Senado de Camara de Goa” (Noble & Loyal Senate of the City of Goa). This historic velvet covered book is presently in the custody of the Panjim Municipal Council.
The ‘SENADO’ was originally composed of six Senators viz. One Fidalgo (grandee); two “nobres” (noblemen); two ordinary judges and one representative of the city (Procurador de cidade). Besides there were four representatives of works guild (Mesteirais). The first six Senators were Pedro Godinho, Joao Rois Pais, Ruy Gonsalves, Ruy Dias, Jorge Ribeiro and B. Irineu. All these were Europeans and were directly involved in administration of the city.
The SENADO could deal directly with the Crown. This fact, however, brought the SENADO many a time in confrontation with the State authorities. The important undertaking of the Senado was the construction of the Linhares (Patto) bridge (1633-34), in a length of 3026 metres and bringing an alluvial area of nearly 24 Sq. kms into cultivation, pisciculture and under salt pans.
The SENADO had also their representatives or their attorneys in the Court of Lisbon. The first attorneys in Lisbon were Manuel de Sampaio and Damiao Bernardes (1517) who were responsible to send to Goa the first two documents i.e, of the creation of the SENADO and that of bestowing upon the citizens of Old Goa the privileges enjoyed by their counterparts in Lisbon.
Some changes in the internal administration of these councils were introduced in 1832. As laid down under the constitution of 1822 the SENADO was replaced by ‘Camara Municipal de Goa’. Under Provisional Government, a municipality was substituted by a committee in 1835, but was again re-established as ‘Camara Municipal’ in 1836. According to the Administrative Code of 1842, the ‘Camara’ was composed of 7 members (Vereadores). This number was further raised to nine by the Charter on 1917.
Prior to the liberation of the territory, there were 11 municipalities in the district covering all the talukas in the district. The jurisdiction of these municipalities was extended over the entire taluka. They were maintained from their own resources built up by way of taxation and Government grants, which were in proportion to the taxes levied by them on selected items. These grants were meant to meet the expenditure of the development schemes of the municipal area.
The legislation called the “Reforma Administrativa Ultramarina” which was a uniform legislation covering not only Goa, but also other Portuguese colonies, regulated the working and functioning of the municipalities during the pre-liberation period and also in the post liberation period, till the enforcement of the Goa, Daman and Diu Municipalities Act, 1968.
Now, coming to the shifting of the SENADO from Old Goa to Panjim, it may be recalled that in view of crescent epidemics in the city of Old Goa, the SENADO appealed to the Crown on 11 th December 1819, for shifting the headquarters to Panjim. Here, it was housed in several private buildings and again in 1845 shifted to S.Pedro (Panvel). From here, soon it was transferred to Panjim. Finally, the “Camara Municipal de Goa” (Goa Municipal Council), the successor of the old “SENADO” constructed its own building which was quite imposing in front of the “Jardim Garcia da Orta”. This building was demolished in 1957.
With the enforcement of the Goa, Daman and Diu Municipalities Act, 1968, the old pre-liberation legislation was repealed and the jurisdiction of the Municipal area, which earlier was covering the entire talukas was restricted only to the urban area.
The first step taken by the Government, after the enforcement of this Act, was to hold general elections for constitution of the Municipal Councils with duly elected representatives of the urban area.

PATTO BRIDGE : A Symbol of History

( Prajal Sakhardande – Heritage Point, Panjim Plus)

COMPILED BY:- SANJEEV V. SARDESAI – sanscritic@sify.com

The silvery waters of the river Gomati (Mandovi) flow gently below a small bridge, which has withstood the ravages of time, standing silently to welcome every visitor that comes to the capital city of Goa – Panjim. This small bridge popularly known as “PattoBridge” is a historic monument, a mute spectator to the Portuguese rule over Goa, its ouster and the post-liberation period.
The Patto Bridge, a marvel of civil engineering and architecture, was designed along the bridges of the ancient Roman period, by the Portuguese, thus creating an everlasting monument which stands till date, unfettered by time’s ravages, while the bridges built in the post liberation period have gone down a number of times. The classic examples are the Mandovi & Zuari Bridges.
Without sounding eulogistic of the colonial rule, one cannot fail to admire the strong foundations and structures the Portuguese created in Goa, which have withstood a number of rough weathers.
The Patto Bridge, known as “Ponte de Linhares” (‘Ponte’ in Portuguese means Bridge) is a continuation of the long causeway again known as Ponte de Linhares, that links Panjim to Ribandar.
Let us flash back to the 17 th Century, when the three talukas of Goa – Tiswadi, Bardez and Salcete (then Marmagoa was part of Salcete), were under the control of the Portuguese. It was the period of the Portuguese Viceroy Conde de Linhares Dom Miguel de Noronha, who ruled the three talukas from the capital city Velha Goa or Ela (today known as Old Goa).
Prominent scholar and historian, Percival Noronha gives an interesting historical account of the bridge. He elucidates that it was the Viceroy, Count of Linhares, Dom Miguel de Noronha, who linked Panjim with Ribandar village by a 3.2 Km long causeway, known as “Ponte de Linhares” (LinharesBridge).
The expertise of the Jesuits of the College of St. Paul (Collegio de Sao Paulo) in Old Goa was availed of in 1632 and the massive bridge, the longest and oldest in the whole East, was built on alluvial soil after stabilizing it with solid trunks of local timber known as “zambo” or “jambo” (benth). The super structure of the bridge was constructed exclusively in laterite stone.
Percival Noronha further states that it is indeed surprising that this bridge originally designed for light traffic of horse driven carriages, coming from Old Goa, today defies heavy vehicular traffic, concludes Noronha.
The entire bridge on the Panjim side and the Ribandar side was formerly 3,026 metres long, supported by 40 Roman style arches built of locally available laterite stone. Great historian – writer Antonio Menezes in his article ‘ ExploringPanajiCity’ says “in the course of time, these arches, except those on the Panjim side of the bridge were closed on the right side as rice fields emerged. The two arches of the Patto Bridge were broken when Rua de Ourem was enlarged. The Rua de Ourem creek lies below the Patto Bridge.
After Liberation of Goa, the Ponte de Linhares Bridge, on the Panjim side, was known as the “PattoBridge” and the area around this bridge came to be known as Patto, after the bridge. On the Ribandar side too, it is known as Patto.
As you move from Panjim to Ribandar, the Roman style laterite stone arches are still visible, and when the Mandovi waves dash against these historic arches, the scene appears very romantic and beautiful.
The Panjim side Patto Bridge is also a beautiful piece of architecture. A curved balustraded structure, which is paved on both sides supported by massive thick Roman style arches from the vicinity of the Rua de Ourem creek, looks extremely beautiful. The Patto Bridge is painted in white, which again adds to its beauty.
Antonio Menezes in his articles says “a column of the Panjim side of the bridge (Sancoddeo) had a Portuguese inscription indicating the date of construction and the name of the Viceroy, the Conde de Linhares. This column with the inscription came down in 1973, when a bus heading towards Ribandar dashed against it and the inscription fell into the river. Some arches were repaired in 1859. The entire bridge was built between the years 1632 – 34. The bridge is named after the Portuguese Viceroy Conde de Linhares, during whose tenure this major developmental activity was carried out, which till date serves the people of Goa”.
Thus the PattoBridge has become a symbol of our heritage and one of the positive legacies left by the Portuguese who ruled Goa from 1510 – 1961, for a period of 451 years, with her varying boundaries.