Everyone from the field of history, sociology, academia and politics understands that the life and times of Shivaji is a significant and impactful subject of deep research, historical significance and scholarship.
That is why we must read, understand and incorporate the words of the Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant from a historical perspective. And once all the data and empirical evidence of what the CM significantly said is with us very shortly, scholars, historians, writers and academics, must study them and update their knowledge based on data that they will have, as soon as the CM shares it.
While inaugurating a 21-foot statue of Shivaji in Porvorim attended by the BJP Goa top brass and the Congress MLA from Aldona Carlos Ferreira, the Chief Minister reiterated what he said often before, “The Portuguese demolished most of the temples in Goa and their acts ceased only after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj intervened. He signed a pact with the Portuguese that no temple would be demolished in Goa. He gave the order for the Saptakoteshwar temple at Narve to be rebuilt and the linga installed in its proper place.”
When the CM gives facts, they are the ultimate. The data on these facts will come soon
When the Chief Minister of State, with absolute responsibility, states an important aspect of history, scholars, historians and ordinary Goans interested in facts, will await all data and information on the specifics of the temples destroyed, the places where they were destroyed, as well as information on if and when they were restored (with exact dates of their restoration).
This information will be vital not only to students of history and Shivaji and his times but those who are in the middle of historical research on the Portuguese presence in Goa for over five centuries.
Let us study the CM's important historical information “The Portuguese demolished most of the temples in Goa”
This would mean that there is clear data on the number of temples that existed during the 500-plus years of the Portuguese existence, including ones that were added during that time. Then there will be data on the number of temples that were destroyed because the CM has said so. Based on the ratio of the number destroyed to the number that existed, the CM would have responsibly used the phrase “most were destroyed”.
This will be an information goldmine to fill any gaps in history
Since history needs numbers, the exact data on this will surely be provided by the CM and the government based on what the Chief Minster concluded that “most temples were destroyed”.
This data will be significant addition to Goa’s historical treasure of information. As soon as this data is released, O Herald O will publish them as an important part of Goa’s history.
The pact between Shivaji and the Portuguese should be presented and displayed in Universities & institutions
Let’s now go to his second information, “Their acts (of destroying temples) ceased only after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj intervened. He signed a pact with the Portuguese that no temple will be demolished in Goa.”
Budding historians, scholars and academics will greatly benefit when different sources, articles, references, research papers and documents are shared, about this pact, including from historical and academic institutions in Goa and Portugal. Academic papers will help to do a deep study of the actual pact and its exact wordings in whatever form or shape that was prevalent. It’s only a matter of a short time.
The documentation in any form of this pact must be treated as key historical material displayed in educational institutions and universities, as scholarly evidence.
The departments and institutions that have undoubtedly helped the CM with all the evidence and historical facts, must release all the data, sources and key information links since the CMS fact-finding should be taken seriously and presented. Goans, especially the young, who have a keen interest in history should not be denied this and they are sure that they will not be denied.
History, unlike politics, is all about facts and evidence. And the Chief Minister presenting history, makes it even more so.