Afonso de Albuquerque was encouraged by Timmayya to initiate an assault on Goa instead of embarking on a lengthy voyage to the Red Sea to dismantle the fleet of the Sultan of Egypt. Portuguese historians referred to him as Timoja. At that time, Goa was under the control of Yusuf Adil Shah, the Sultan of Bijapur, and served as a strategic location for the Turks and Egyptians who were constructing ships.
Previously, Timmayya had acted as a mediator during peace talks involving D Francisco de Almeida, the first Portuguese Viceroy, who was engaged in conflict with the King of Gersoppa in 1505. Timmayya played a significant role in aiding the Portuguese during the capture and subsequent recapture of Goa in 1510. There is no consensus regarding Timmayya's nationality; V T Gune posits that he was a Maratha, while his name suggests a possible Kannadiga origin.
João de Barros, a noted writer, indicates that Timmayya had a brother named Chidambara residing in Goa, who compelled him to depart from the region, denied him his rightful share of the family estate, took his wife, and even caused the death of his son. The Portuguese chroniclers refer to him as gentio, suggesting that his religious affiliation was likely Hindu or Jain, as inferred from his brother's name and the fact that he was married to the Princess of Gersoppa.
During the 15th century, India was characterized by a multitude of kingdoms and principalities engaged in conflicts for survival and dominance. Among these, some chieftains were Hindus, while others were Jains, Buddhists, or Muslims. The Hindu and Muslim rulers of that era were rarely allies. Timmayya also had personal motivations for assisting Albuquerque in the conquest of Goa; having been stripped of his inheritance by his brother, he anticipated that Albuquerque would restore his rights following the capture of Goa.
Today, November 25, marks the 514th anniversary of a significant historical event: the liberation of Goa from the Muslim Empire of Yusuf Adil Shah. It is noteworthy that contemporary Hindus in Goa do not commemorate this day with the same fervor as their ancestors once did. The rescue of the Hindus in Goa during the 16th century is not merely a legend; it is a thoroughly documented historical event, with records that have been meticulously preserved in the archives of Portugal for centuries.
The most significant 20th Century opposition to Portuguese rule in Goa was led by Dr. Tristão de Bragança Cunha, culminating in the liberation of Goa on December 19, 1961. This movement can be traced back 451 years prior to Goa's annexation into India, when Pai Vernekar and Timoja exhibited a similar resolve as the 20th-century freedom fighters opposing Portuguese dominance.
These two figures were instrumental in initiating resistance against the Adil Shahi Empire, as many Hindus faced severe hardships under that Muslim regime. Given the inability of local Goan leaders to address the dire circumstances, Pai Vernekar and Timoja sought the assistance of Portuguese explorers, inviting them to conquer Goa. Consequently, Goa was first liberated from Muslim rule on November 25, 1510, under the command of the formidable military leader Afonso de Albuquerque.
When examining history from an alternative viewpoint, it can be argued that the Portuguese Military Commander Afonso de Albuquerque played a significant role in preserving the interests of Hindus, Hinduism, and their commercial endeavors. Notably, Albuquerque facilitated the re-establishment of Hindu interests during his tenure. Nevertheless, subsequent events have often been unfavorable to Hindus and, in numerous cases, detrimental to their well-being. It is essential, however, that these historical occurrences are not utilized to foster social divisions in the 21st Century. Had it not been for the invasion of Goa by Commander Afonso de Albuquerque, the Hindu community and their businesses might have faced severe decline extending as far as Kanyakumari.
Since 1510, the Portuguese dominance in Goa ensured stability and security in the area, effectively shielding it from military invasions and conflicts until the Indian government assumed control in 1961. The only significant challenge to the colonial governance in Goa came from the Maratha Empire, despite Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj having established a treaty with the Portuguese in 1667. Meanwhile, external to Goa, various regions experienced ongoing warfare.
The Portuguese played a significant role in the development of Goa, affectionately referring to it as ‘Goa Dourada’ and earning it the title of the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ on the global stage. They transformed Goa into the ‘Rome of the East,’ despite the fact that Christianity originated in India concurrently with its emergence in Europe. The day of their arrival, November 25, 1510, was commemorated as ‘Dia de entrada vitoriosa’ in the city of Goa, a celebration initiated by Afonso de Albuquerque in honor of St. Catherine of Alexandria.
This historic event was the only major government celebration for many years, attracting affluent and influential Hindus who gathered at the Sé Cathedral to celebrate their liberation. This tradition continues in a more modest form as the feast of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, presided over by the Archbishop of Goa and Daman.
The Triumphant Trio is an artwork by Viraj Naik which illustrates the historical event of 1510, during which Alfonso de Albuquerque received an invitation to assume control of Goa from the Adil Shah of Bijapur. Thimmaya and Mhal Pai Vernekar extended this invitation to Albuquerque, aspiring to govern Goa themselves as vassals under Portuguese authority.
In Old Goa, a steep and narrow road lies before the Church of Assisi, leading to the Chapel of St. Catherine. This very road was the site of a fierce battle between the Portuguese forces and the Muslims, culminating in the capture of the city by Albuquerque.
The Chapel of St. Catherine holds the distinction of being the oldest church in Goa, situated within the same compound as the Se Cathedral and the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. This modest chapel was the first religious structure erected in Goa, underscoring its historical importance. It was built shortly after the Portuguese conquest of Goa in 1510, in honor of St. Catherine. Previously, a gate existed at this location, through which the Portuguese army entered to seize control of the city.
Following the conquest, Albuquerque promptly initiated the construction of the chapel. After securing the city, he embraced his fellow soldiers, knelt in gratitude to St. Catherine—whose feast day coincided with his army's victory—and pledged to erect a church dedicated to her at the very site where he stood, by the riverside. This promise was swiftly realized; within a few days, an altar was established, and a depiction of St. Catherine was placed above it. Due to the chapel's limited size and its precarious construction of straw and mud, Mass was celebrated in the expansive corridors of the city castle during this period. The edifice seen today is the third edition of the original.