2016-06-06 Mon

Joao de Castro, also called Castro Forte (Stronghold) passed away on 6th June 1548.

Joao de Castro was a Portuguese noble and the fourth Governor and Viceroy of the Portuguese India. He helped in preserving the Portuguese commercial settlement in India and his contribution to the science of navigation is compiled in three roteiros (pilot books).

On his arrival in India Joao de Castro overthrew Mahmud, king of Gujarat and went on to defeat the army of Adil Khan of Bijapur. After these victories, Joao de Castro diverted his attention to the rebuilding of Diu.

On 6 June 1548, he died in the arms of his friend Saint Francis Xavier, and was buried in Goa and later exhumed and reburied in Portugal.

This Portuguese “Stronghold” or “Strong Castle” in India is honoured on a 1948 definitive stamp of 3 Portuguese Indian Reals.

A 10 dollar stamp issued by Portugal in 1994 depicts Joao De Castro on it. A 1000 ESCUDOS commemorative silver 27 g coin issued in 2000 by the Portugal Republic depicts the portrait of Joao de Castro on its reverse facing right, holding a quill pen in right hand and a sword in left hand.

Portugal 20 Escudos banknote issued in 1919 has the portrait of Joao de Castro on its obverse.