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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Coin mint, elephant stable and dockyard – chance discovery of cannonballs in Goa sheds light on Portuguese-era arsenal
The discovery of cannonballs during an excavation process in Goa in March this year has shed more light on a Portuguese-era arsenal, where coins were minted and warships built, a report submitted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to the state's Tourism Department shows. The report, submitted in June, says the 'arsenal' also consisted of a gun foundry, a naval dockyard, and an elephant stable. 'European weaponry and naval equipment were either stored or manufactured on the site,' the report says. In March 2025, the ASI Goa circle directed the state's tourism department to halt the excavation work for a project in Old Goa, to allow 'proper documentation' after some cannonballs were discovered at a site. As per the report, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) had secured a central government grant to upgrade and provide visitor amenities at the Basilica of Bom Jesus. The work was going on west of the church complex to develop a Heritage Interpretation Centre and a parking lot. On March 22, the ASI Goa Circle spotted some cannonballs, following which the GTDC was instructed to stop the work and demarcate the exact location. Citing authors and historians of Portuguese maritime and colonial history, the report concludes that the area of discovery of cannonballs on March 22 is 'analogous with the location of arsenal' identified in the historical accounts over the years. 'This arsenal area lies within the city walls of Old Goa, which was the… capital of Portuguese Estado da India (State of India),' the report says. It says the area bears 'significant archaeological potential, which has also been testified by the spade work carried out' from April 7, 2025, to May 14, 2025. 'The archaeological profile of this area is marked by the presence of cannonballs of various sizes, weights, materials, in addition to… various kinds of pottery and porcelain sherds of distinct ceramic traditions,' the report adds. As per the ASI report, General Afonso de Albuquerque, who led the Portuguese conquest of Goa in the early 16th Century, initiated the complex's development and 'its grandeur was documented by European travellers'. 'Sources suggest that the arsenal may have predated Portuguese conquest and existed during the Adil Shahi period, implying it was a prominent edifice even before Albuquerque's arrival… When Albuquerque entered Goa, he found at the dock 40 large ships, 26 brigs, numerous fustas, and other materials related to warfare,' the report says. The arsenal was subsequently restructured. 'By 1540, about 700 workers were employed and the arsenal reached its zenith by the late 16th century,' it said. The report said that French navigator Francois Pyrard de Laval, during his 1608 visit, described it as 'well-fortified and equipped with stone-built rooms for artisans to reduce fire hazards.' A major fire broke out on June 9, 1753, damaging part of the arsenal. 'It was renovated and expanded in 1773. However, with the decline of Portuguese influence, the arsenal lost its importance and was closed in 1856,' the report adds. A tour guide, who has been conducting heritage tours in Old Goa for the past three decades, said, 'The arsenal was supposedly a walled enclosure within a walled city. Considering the importance of the gun foundry and mint, it was strictly guarded by the Portuguese, and only authorised personnel working at the site were allowed to enter. The naval dockyard was adjacent to it. The mint is believed to have shifted later to Panaji. Many documents were destroyed in a major fire in Lisbon sometime in the 18th Century, so we do not have the exact blueprints of these edifices.' 'To launch an attack on enemy ships or armed troops, the Portuguese, at the time, used stone cannonballs since they splintered into bits upon impact and caused more damage, as opposed to metal cannonballs. Portuguese cannons were typically smaller in size and could be mounted on ships or land. The limitation was that their range was limited. Such cannons were supposedly built at the arsenal here,' he said. In the book, The Portuguese in India [volume 1], British civil servant Frederick Charles Danvers wrote that when Albuquerque entered Goa in 1510, 'accompanied by his captains, about 1,000 Portuguese and 200 Malabarese' and received the keys of the fortress from the Governor and principal Moors of the city, he found 'a large quantity of artillery and stores, besides forty ships and sixteen fustas, quantities of merchandise, and some spacious stables containing 160 horses…'. The book, which the ASI has referred to, records that the arsenals at Goa at the time were 'full of artillery, saddles and horse gear, weapons, and all kinds of munitions and material of war.' It also mentions that soon after the first conquest of Goa, Albuquerque established a mint and gave instructions for the coinage of gold, silver, and copper money… after it was 'represented to him that the people of the city and the merchants were suffering from a great depression consequent on the want of currency.' The ASI report added that 'any future work in this area by an agency is likely to bring to light more such cultural vestiges.' An ASI official, requesting anonymity, said, '(The spot) was an arsenal area, which has been historically documented. During trial trenching, we found several scattered cannonballs and sporadic brick structures.'
NDTV
22-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- NDTV
Langra, Totapuri, Dasheri - Strange Names Of Mango Varieties And Stories Behind Them
One food we are all loving right now is mango! Although every day of summer is a celebration of the deliciously sweet fruit, on July 22, World Mango Day honours the king of fruits- mango. From tropical groves in India to orchards across Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America, mangoes are in every place, in every heart. Among the hundreds of mango varieties found in India, what makes some stand out are their odd, intriguing names, each with a delightful story. You must have heard them, even tried them, but often wondered why this unusual name?! Also Read: 5 Mango Curry Recipes You Need To Try This Summer Season Here Are 6 Unusual Namgo Varieties Names In India 1. Totapuri One of the most common mangoes in South India, Totapuri gets its name from its distinct beak-like tip. Tota means parrot and puri implies shape or form-hence, "parrot-shaped." Its tart flavour and fibrous flesh make it ideal for pickles and juices rather than desserts. Legend says that the shape reminded farmers of a parrot's beak, giving birth to the quirky name. 2. Langra Langra mango from Varanasi has an unusual backstory. As per folklore, a farmer who was physically disabled (langra in Hindi means 'lame') planted this variety in his backyard. When the mango became popular, locals simply referred to it as the Langra wala aam (mango of the lame man), and the name stuck. Despite the unfortunate-sounding name, Langra is prized for its thin skin and unique tangy taste. Also Read: Summer Recipe: How To Make Raw Mango And Vegetable Salad For A Quick Refreshing Meal- (Watch Recipe Video) 3. Sindhri Sindhri, one of Pakistan's top exports, hails from the Sindh province. Though the name isn't strange by itself, the backstory is interesting. Originally grown in the Sindhri village near Mirpur Khas, it became so synonymous with regional identity that locals call it the Queen of Mangoes. Its golden hue and honey-like sweetness earned it worldwide fame. 4. Alphonso Named after Afonso de Albuquerque, a Portuguese general and colonial administrator in India, the Alphonso mango is considered one of the finest in the world. Portuguese horticulturists are believed to have introduced grafting techniques that led to the development of this superior variety. Over time, the local name Aphoos morphed into Alphonso, marking its colonial origin. 5. Dasheri Dasheri originated in the 18th century from a small village named Dasheri near Lucknow. Locals claim the mother tree still exists today. The Nawab of Lucknow was so enamoured by its aroma and flavour that he commissioned its cultivation in the royal orchards. The name carries the simplicity of its roots, tying the fruit to its birthplace. Also Read: We Found The Fastest Way To Peel Mango Without Making A Mess 6. Imam Pasand A rare gem, Imam Pasand (meaning "Imam's Favourite") has an air of mystery. Some believe it was named for a royal imam who adored this variety. Others suggest that "Pasand" (meaning preference) points to its once-exclusive consumption by royals in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Its large size and complex taste keep it a cherished secret among mango lovers. So the next time you bite into a Totapuri or a Langra, think of the parrot's beak and the lame farmer. These names aren't just labels-they're stories carved in pulp and pride. Advertisement About Neha Grover Love for reading roused her writing instincts. Neha is guilty of having a deep-set fixation with anything caffeinated. When she is not pouring out her nest of thoughts onto the screen, you can see her reading while sipping on coffee. For the latest food news, health tips and recipes, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and YouTube. Tags: Mango World Mango Day Fruits Show full article Comments
