2017-10-02 Mon

The colonial period in Indian history is a saga of struggle for freedom. It was not only from Britishers that we achieved our independence, but also from French and Portuguese.

In 1510, Afonso de Albuquerque conquered Goa. He was the Portuguese general also known as "great conqueror". A mint was established in Goa immediately after this conquest.

The above shown silver half Pardao belongs to Goa’s coinage during Portuguese rule. The obverse of this coin depicts the dual conjoined bust of King Pedro III and Queen Maria I, date 1786 AD is inscribed in the exergue within the toothed rime. The reverse of this coin depicts crowned arms within the toothed rime.

The mint of Goa was closed by British in 1869 and coins were struck in Calcutta (Kolkata) and Bombay (Mumbai). In 1962, Goa was annexed by India and was merged into the Indian Union.