Political History of Goa | Goa State PSC (GPSC) Preparation - GPSC (Goa) PDF Download

 Page 1


 
POLITICAL HISTORY 
Before taking up the study of the cultural history of 
the region it is essential to survey briefly the political 
history as well. Political history has been called the back-
bone of history.' It is stated that if Political history is 
the skeleton, Cultural history is the flesh and blood which 
cover the skeleton. Cultural history gives beauty and 
complexion. Hence an attempt is made to survey briefly the 
'Political history of Goa from the Bhojas to the Vijayanagara. 
The Bhojas  
r)C;N --  
During the pre-Bhoja period Goa wasef Satavahana empire. 
It was on the peripheral region of Kuntala province. 2  It seems 
that up to the beginning of the Bhoja period, the coast of Goa 
was known for piracy. 3  But so far no epigraphs belonging to 
the Satavahana period have been discovered from Goa. Till 
1938, it was assumed that the history of Goa region commenced 
with the Southern Silaharas and with the Goa Kadambas. The 
discovery of the Siroda copper plate took back the history of 
Goa to c. 400 A.D. Then it was believed that the Devaraja of 
to 
Siroda plate belonged 
A
Gomin dynasty. 4  However in 1942 it was 
clarified that Devaraja was of Bhoja dynasty. 5  
The references to Bhojas are found in the edicts of 
Asoka. 6  Bhojas were ruling in Vidarbha region. But the 
Page 2


 
POLITICAL HISTORY 
Before taking up the study of the cultural history of 
the region it is essential to survey briefly the political 
history as well. Political history has been called the back-
bone of history.' It is stated that if Political history is 
the skeleton, Cultural history is the flesh and blood which 
cover the skeleton. Cultural history gives beauty and 
complexion. Hence an attempt is made to survey briefly the 
'Political history of Goa from the Bhojas to the Vijayanagara. 
The Bhojas  
r)C;N --  
During the pre-Bhoja period Goa wasef Satavahana empire. 
It was on the peripheral region of Kuntala province. 2  It seems 
that up to the beginning of the Bhoja period, the coast of Goa 
was known for piracy. 3  But so far no epigraphs belonging to 
the Satavahana period have been discovered from Goa. Till 
1938, it was assumed that the history of Goa region commenced 
with the Southern Silaharas and with the Goa Kadambas. The 
discovery of the Siroda copper plate took back the history of 
Goa to c. 400 A.D. Then it was believed that the Devaraja of 
to 
Siroda plate belonged 
A
Gomin dynasty. 4  However in 1942 it was 
clarified that Devaraja was of Bhoja dynasty. 5  
The references to Bhojas are found in the edicts of 
Asoka. 6  Bhojas were ruling in Vidarbha region. But the 
relation of the Konkan and Vidarbha Bhojas is not known. The 
Bhojas are mentioned in BhavishyapurTina. It seems Bhojas as 
well as Maghas came from Sakadvipa (Iran) to India. Both were 
the worshippers of Surya. Maghas were instrumental in 
V- 
 
spreading sun worship in ancient India . Maghas did not 
assimilate themselves in Indian society. However, the Bhojas 
were absorbed in Indian society and in some regions of India 
they became rulers. ?  In Bhoja copper plates, three epithet of 
Surya are found namely Prabhilkar. 8  Adityashresthi and 
Div-Akar. 9  This clearly indicates the popularity of the sun 
worship. The inscriptional evidence of the Sun worship in 
Aravalem is an aniconic representation of Sun himself." 
Out of six copper plates of the Bhoja, three are found 
in Goa. The aforesaid copper plate of Devarlija from Siroda and 
the two copper plates of Prithvimallavarman. 11  Two copper 
plates of Bhojas are from Uttar Kannada namely Arga 
of Kap.alivarman12  and 
of Asamkita. 13  Only one 
copper 
Hiregutti (Kumta taluka) copper 
copper plate was found in Kopoli 
plate 
plate 
village of Khanapur taluka of Belgaum district. 14  From the 
find spots of the copper plates and the localities mentioned 
in the inscriptions it is evident that the Bhojas were ruling 
in parts of Goa. Uttar Kannada, Belgaum and Dharwad districts. 
But no genealogy is furnished in any of the six copper plates. 
All the six copper plates are silent about the genealogy 
and hence it is not possible to state whether the kings 
Page 3


 
POLITICAL HISTORY 
Before taking up the study of the cultural history of 
the region it is essential to survey briefly the political 
history as well. Political history has been called the back-
bone of history.' It is stated that if Political history is 
the skeleton, Cultural history is the flesh and blood which 
cover the skeleton. Cultural history gives beauty and 
complexion. Hence an attempt is made to survey briefly the 
'Political history of Goa from the Bhojas to the Vijayanagara. 
The Bhojas  
r)C;N --  
During the pre-Bhoja period Goa wasef Satavahana empire. 
It was on the peripheral region of Kuntala province. 2  It seems 
that up to the beginning of the Bhoja period, the coast of Goa 
was known for piracy. 3  But so far no epigraphs belonging to 
the Satavahana period have been discovered from Goa. Till 
1938, it was assumed that the history of Goa region commenced 
with the Southern Silaharas and with the Goa Kadambas. The 
discovery of the Siroda copper plate took back the history of 
Goa to c. 400 A.D. Then it was believed that the Devaraja of 
to 
Siroda plate belonged 
A
Gomin dynasty. 4  However in 1942 it was 
clarified that Devaraja was of Bhoja dynasty. 5  
The references to Bhojas are found in the edicts of 
Asoka. 6  Bhojas were ruling in Vidarbha region. But the 
relation of the Konkan and Vidarbha Bhojas is not known. The 
Bhojas are mentioned in BhavishyapurTina. It seems Bhojas as 
well as Maghas came from Sakadvipa (Iran) to India. Both were 
the worshippers of Surya. Maghas were instrumental in 
V- 
 
spreading sun worship in ancient India . Maghas did not 
assimilate themselves in Indian society. However, the Bhojas 
were absorbed in Indian society and in some regions of India 
they became rulers. ?  In Bhoja copper plates, three epithet of 
Surya are found namely Prabhilkar. 8  Adityashresthi and 
Div-Akar. 9  This clearly indicates the popularity of the sun 
worship. The inscriptional evidence of the Sun worship in 
Aravalem is an aniconic representation of Sun himself." 
Out of six copper plates of the Bhoja, three are found 
in Goa. The aforesaid copper plate of Devarlija from Siroda and 
the two copper plates of Prithvimallavarman. 11  Two copper 
plates of Bhojas are from Uttar Kannada namely Arga 
of Kap.alivarman12  and 
of Asamkita. 13  Only one 
copper 
Hiregutti (Kumta taluka) copper 
copper plate was found in Kopoli 
plate 
plate 
village of Khanapur taluka of Belgaum district. 14  From the 
find spots of the copper plates and the localities mentioned 
in the inscriptions it is evident that the Bhojas were ruling 
in parts of Goa. Uttar Kannada, Belgaum and Dharwad districts. 
But no genealogy is furnished in any of the six copper plates. 
All the six copper plates are silent about the genealogy 
and hence it is not possible to state whether the kings 
belonged to one and the same family. Devaraja of Siroda copper 
plates and Asamkita of Hiregutti copper plates probably belong 
to different families. Kapalivarman of Arga copper plate was 
Dharmamah;raja. Prithvimallavarman and Kapalivarman probably 
belonged to the same line and it is evident from common name 
ending. However, no title of Dharmamaharaja has been used for 
Prithvimallavarman." 
As far the Bhojas of Goa are concerned their capital was 
Chandrapur. Sivapura was the capital of the Bhojas who ruled 
in Uttar Kannada region and it is 20 kms. away on the north 
east of Sunkeri." It seems that Devartija of Siroda copper 
plate was contemporary of Banavasi Kadamba ruler Mayuravarman. 
However, no epigraphs mentioning their relations have been 
found. The Banavasi Kadamba king Ravivarman could establish 
influence in the region of Halsi which was under Bhojas of 
Uttar Kannada after two centuries. 17  This might have caused 
conflict between the Banavasi Kadamba and the Bhojas. The 
Bhoja ruler Kapalivarman gave a measure of land to the chief 
named Svamikaraja. He may be Svamikaraja mentioned in the 
Badami Chalukya plates. He was made chief of Iridige Vishaya 
by Kirtivarman. But he was killed by Mangalesa in a war. From 
this it is evident that Kapalivarman, and Sliamikaraja were 
contemporary or Mangalesa. 18  
During the reign of Asamkitavarman the territory of the 
Bhojas extended upto Dharwad district. Kaikeyas who were 
Page 4


 
POLITICAL HISTORY 
Before taking up the study of the cultural history of 
the region it is essential to survey briefly the political 
history as well. Political history has been called the back-
bone of history.' It is stated that if Political history is 
the skeleton, Cultural history is the flesh and blood which 
cover the skeleton. Cultural history gives beauty and 
complexion. Hence an attempt is made to survey briefly the 
'Political history of Goa from the Bhojas to the Vijayanagara. 
The Bhojas  
r)C;N --  
During the pre-Bhoja period Goa wasef Satavahana empire. 
It was on the peripheral region of Kuntala province. 2  It seems 
that up to the beginning of the Bhoja period, the coast of Goa 
was known for piracy. 3  But so far no epigraphs belonging to 
the Satavahana period have been discovered from Goa. Till 
1938, it was assumed that the history of Goa region commenced 
with the Southern Silaharas and with the Goa Kadambas. The 
discovery of the Siroda copper plate took back the history of 
Goa to c. 400 A.D. Then it was believed that the Devaraja of 
to 
Siroda plate belonged 
A
Gomin dynasty. 4  However in 1942 it was 
clarified that Devaraja was of Bhoja dynasty. 5  
The references to Bhojas are found in the edicts of 
Asoka. 6  Bhojas were ruling in Vidarbha region. But the 
relation of the Konkan and Vidarbha Bhojas is not known. The 
Bhojas are mentioned in BhavishyapurTina. It seems Bhojas as 
well as Maghas came from Sakadvipa (Iran) to India. Both were 
the worshippers of Surya. Maghas were instrumental in 
V- 
 
spreading sun worship in ancient India . Maghas did not 
assimilate themselves in Indian society. However, the Bhojas 
were absorbed in Indian society and in some regions of India 
they became rulers. ?  In Bhoja copper plates, three epithet of 
Surya are found namely Prabhilkar. 8  Adityashresthi and 
Div-Akar. 9  This clearly indicates the popularity of the sun 
worship. The inscriptional evidence of the Sun worship in 
Aravalem is an aniconic representation of Sun himself." 
Out of six copper plates of the Bhoja, three are found 
in Goa. The aforesaid copper plate of Devarlija from Siroda and 
the two copper plates of Prithvimallavarman. 11  Two copper 
plates of Bhojas are from Uttar Kannada namely Arga 
of Kap.alivarman12  and 
of Asamkita. 13  Only one 
copper 
Hiregutti (Kumta taluka) copper 
copper plate was found in Kopoli 
plate 
plate 
village of Khanapur taluka of Belgaum district. 14  From the 
find spots of the copper plates and the localities mentioned 
in the inscriptions it is evident that the Bhojas were ruling 
in parts of Goa. Uttar Kannada, Belgaum and Dharwad districts. 
But no genealogy is furnished in any of the six copper plates. 
All the six copper plates are silent about the genealogy 
and hence it is not possible to state whether the kings 
belonged to one and the same family. Devaraja of Siroda copper 
plates and Asamkita of Hiregutti copper plates probably belong 
to different families. Kapalivarman of Arga copper plate was 
Dharmamah;raja. Prithvimallavarman and Kapalivarman probably 
belonged to the same line and it is evident from common name 
ending. However, no title of Dharmamaharaja has been used for 
Prithvimallavarman." 
As far the Bhojas of Goa are concerned their capital was 
Chandrapur. Sivapura was the capital of the Bhojas who ruled 
in Uttar Kannada region and it is 20 kms. away on the north 
east of Sunkeri." It seems that Devartija of Siroda copper 
plate was contemporary of Banavasi Kadamba ruler Mayuravarman. 
However, no epigraphs mentioning their relations have been 
found. The Banavasi Kadamba king Ravivarman could establish 
influence in the region of Halsi which was under Bhojas of 
Uttar Kannada after two centuries. 17  This might have caused 
conflict between the Banavasi Kadamba and the Bhojas. The 
Bhoja ruler Kapalivarman gave a measure of land to the chief 
named Svamikaraja. He may be Svamikaraja mentioned in the 
Badami Chalukya plates. He was made chief of Iridige Vishaya 
by Kirtivarman. But he was killed by Mangalesa in a war. From 
this it is evident that Kapalivarman, and Sliamikaraja were 
contemporary or Mangalesa. 18  
During the reign of Asamkitavarman the territory of the 
Bhojas extended upto Dharwad district. Kaikeyas who were 
ruling in Hanagal region of Dharwad district were the vassals 
or Kapalivarman. Kaikeyas had matrimonial relations with the 
Bhojas. The elephant is depicted on the seal of the copper 
plate or Kapalivarman. The coins discovered in Gujigatti of 
Kalaghatagi taluka of Dharwad district bear elephant symbol. 
Buddhist consider elephant as an auspicious symbol. 19  The 
epigraphs of the early Chalukyas do not mention about the 
defeat of the Bhojas. Hence some scholars believe that they 
became the feudatories of the former. However, it is mentioned 
that the Bhojas were defeated by in Konkan Mauryas. 
20  As the 
evidences for this suggestion are lacking, it is still an open 
question. 
Many gaps have to be filled in the history of the Bhojas. 
But certainly the Bhojas period marks beginning of the public 
administration as far as Goa is concerned. The references to 
the officials like Private Secretary (Rahasyidhikrita), 
Superintendent of all the departments (Sarvatantradhikrita). 
Ayuktits and Sth-iyins are mentioned in the epigraphs 
of the Bhojas. 21  These clearly indicate that during the rule 
of the Bhojas the foundation of an unified administrative 
system was laid in the region of Goa. What Satavahanas did for 
the Deccan Plateau was done by the Bhojas for the region of 
Goa. 22  The establishment of the administrative system and the 
control of piracy ushered in the growth of trade and commerce. 
Page 5


 
POLITICAL HISTORY 
Before taking up the study of the cultural history of 
the region it is essential to survey briefly the political 
history as well. Political history has been called the back-
bone of history.' It is stated that if Political history is 
the skeleton, Cultural history is the flesh and blood which 
cover the skeleton. Cultural history gives beauty and 
complexion. Hence an attempt is made to survey briefly the 
'Political history of Goa from the Bhojas to the Vijayanagara. 
The Bhojas  
r)C;N --  
During the pre-Bhoja period Goa wasef Satavahana empire. 
It was on the peripheral region of Kuntala province. 2  It seems 
that up to the beginning of the Bhoja period, the coast of Goa 
was known for piracy. 3  But so far no epigraphs belonging to 
the Satavahana period have been discovered from Goa. Till 
1938, it was assumed that the history of Goa region commenced 
with the Southern Silaharas and with the Goa Kadambas. The 
discovery of the Siroda copper plate took back the history of 
Goa to c. 400 A.D. Then it was believed that the Devaraja of 
to 
Siroda plate belonged 
A
Gomin dynasty. 4  However in 1942 it was 
clarified that Devaraja was of Bhoja dynasty. 5  
The references to Bhojas are found in the edicts of 
Asoka. 6  Bhojas were ruling in Vidarbha region. But the 
relation of the Konkan and Vidarbha Bhojas is not known. The 
Bhojas are mentioned in BhavishyapurTina. It seems Bhojas as 
well as Maghas came from Sakadvipa (Iran) to India. Both were 
the worshippers of Surya. Maghas were instrumental in 
V- 
 
spreading sun worship in ancient India . Maghas did not 
assimilate themselves in Indian society. However, the Bhojas 
were absorbed in Indian society and in some regions of India 
they became rulers. ?  In Bhoja copper plates, three epithet of 
Surya are found namely Prabhilkar. 8  Adityashresthi and 
Div-Akar. 9  This clearly indicates the popularity of the sun 
worship. The inscriptional evidence of the Sun worship in 
Aravalem is an aniconic representation of Sun himself." 
Out of six copper plates of the Bhoja, three are found 
in Goa. The aforesaid copper plate of Devarlija from Siroda and 
the two copper plates of Prithvimallavarman. 11  Two copper 
plates of Bhojas are from Uttar Kannada namely Arga 
of Kap.alivarman12  and 
of Asamkita. 13  Only one 
copper 
Hiregutti (Kumta taluka) copper 
copper plate was found in Kopoli 
plate 
plate 
village of Khanapur taluka of Belgaum district. 14  From the 
find spots of the copper plates and the localities mentioned 
in the inscriptions it is evident that the Bhojas were ruling 
in parts of Goa. Uttar Kannada, Belgaum and Dharwad districts. 
But no genealogy is furnished in any of the six copper plates. 
All the six copper plates are silent about the genealogy 
and hence it is not possible to state whether the kings 
belonged to one and the same family. Devaraja of Siroda copper 
plates and Asamkita of Hiregutti copper plates probably belong 
to different families. Kapalivarman of Arga copper plate was 
Dharmamah;raja. Prithvimallavarman and Kapalivarman probably 
belonged to the same line and it is evident from common name 
ending. However, no title of Dharmamaharaja has been used for 
Prithvimallavarman." 
As far the Bhojas of Goa are concerned their capital was 
Chandrapur. Sivapura was the capital of the Bhojas who ruled 
in Uttar Kannada region and it is 20 kms. away on the north 
east of Sunkeri." It seems that Devartija of Siroda copper 
plate was contemporary of Banavasi Kadamba ruler Mayuravarman. 
However, no epigraphs mentioning their relations have been 
found. The Banavasi Kadamba king Ravivarman could establish 
influence in the region of Halsi which was under Bhojas of 
Uttar Kannada after two centuries. 17  This might have caused 
conflict between the Banavasi Kadamba and the Bhojas. The 
Bhoja ruler Kapalivarman gave a measure of land to the chief 
named Svamikaraja. He may be Svamikaraja mentioned in the 
Badami Chalukya plates. He was made chief of Iridige Vishaya 
by Kirtivarman. But he was killed by Mangalesa in a war. From 
this it is evident that Kapalivarman, and Sliamikaraja were 
contemporary or Mangalesa. 18  
During the reign of Asamkitavarman the territory of the 
Bhojas extended upto Dharwad district. Kaikeyas who were 
ruling in Hanagal region of Dharwad district were the vassals 
or Kapalivarman. Kaikeyas had matrimonial relations with the 
Bhojas. The elephant is depicted on the seal of the copper 
plate or Kapalivarman. The coins discovered in Gujigatti of 
Kalaghatagi taluka of Dharwad district bear elephant symbol. 
Buddhist consider elephant as an auspicious symbol. 19  The 
epigraphs of the early Chalukyas do not mention about the 
defeat of the Bhojas. Hence some scholars believe that they 
became the feudatories of the former. However, it is mentioned 
that the Bhojas were defeated by in Konkan Mauryas. 
20  As the 
evidences for this suggestion are lacking, it is still an open 
question. 
Many gaps have to be filled in the history of the Bhojas. 
But certainly the Bhojas period marks beginning of the public 
administration as far as Goa is concerned. The references to 
the officials like Private Secretary (Rahasyidhikrita), 
Superintendent of all the departments (Sarvatantradhikrita). 
Ayuktits and Sth-iyins are mentioned in the epigraphs 
of the Bhojas. 21  These clearly indicate that during the rule 
of the Bhojas the foundation of an unified administrative 
system was laid in the region of Goa. What Satavahanas did for 
the Deccan Plateau was done by the Bhojas for the region of 
Goa. 22  The establishment of the administrative system and the 
control of piracy ushered in the growth of trade and commerce. 
Konkan Mauryas  
The branches of Maurya dynasties have ruled Rajputana and 
Konkan. These Mauryas claimed descent from the Kumar viceroys 
of Ujjain and Suvarnagiri. On the West coast, three epigraphs 
of Konkan Mauryas have been discovered so far. The first 
copper of Konkan Mauryas is that of Chandravarman and it was 
incorrectly ascribed to Kadambas earlier. 23  This record on 
palaeographic grounds can be dated to c. 5th century A.D. and 
it registers .the donation to Buddhist Mahavihara of Siroda. 
The second copper plate of the Konkan Mauryas is Bandora 
plates of Anir;jitavarman. This refers to the Khajan land. 
(rice field made by erecting embankment preventing sea-water 
entering the field). On palaeographic group' the copper plate 
belongs to 5th or 6th century A.D. 24  In addition to the two 
aforesaid copper plates from Goa, a stone inscription was 
found at Vada to the north of Thana near Bombay and it is in 
the custody of Prince of Wales Museum Bombay. This stone 
inscription refers to Suketavarman of the Maurya dynasty. 25 
 Suketavarman might have been a contemporary Chandravarman. 
Konkan Mauryas were defeated by Chalukyas of Badami.
26 
 
Chalukyas of Badami  
After the rule of the minor dynasties namely of the 
Bhojas and the Konkan Mauryas, the first major dynasty, to 
establish themselves on the coast was the Chalukyas of Badami.