Apart from its verdant landscape, inviting beaches and invigorating air, its long and varied history makes this short stretch of land very interesting.In the 3rd century it formed a part of the Mauryan Empire. Later on it was ruled by the Shan of Kolhapur and eventually passed on to the Chalukya dynasty from 580 to 750 A.D. Goa fell to the Muslims in 1312 but Harihara I of the Vijayanagar Empire forced them out. Over the next 100 years, Goa’s harbors were important landing places for ships carrying Arabian horses.
With its beautiful natural harbor and wide rivers, Goa was the natural choice of the Portuguese who wanted to control the spice trade route from the east. They arrived in 1510 and soon permeated the little state with their presence and missionary zeal. The Jesuit missionaries led by St Francis Zavier arrived in 1542 and soon Portuguese control extended to Brandez and Salcere. Portuguese rule continued until 1961, when Goa became an Indian Union territory.
