Bittersweet tales from Portuguese Goa By Chandrakant Keni
"History of Cuncolim" written by the late advocate Lingu Raghuvir Dalvi is one such book. In it he has given vent to his inner subtle feelings with a view to enlighten posterity about the ordeals their forefathers faced. The small territory of Goa has had a long and eventful history, full of bittersweet memories and deep wounds, scars of which are still visible. It was a fight to preserve the socio-cultural unity, communal harmony and above all the Goan identity. The history of Cuncolim was first published in 1908.Dalvi has, in a very objective and impartial style, narrated the history of Cuncolim, a village whose role in the history of Goa has been a saga of patriotism, sacrifices, sufferings and martyrdom. The Dalvis, like a large number of Hindu families, were victims of Portuguese persecution, which compelled them to leave their original hearth and home at Cortalim in the 16th century and take shelter at a safer place, away from the control of the Portuguese rulers in the late 17th and early 18th century. They returned only when the Portuguese relented and allowed the people of Goa who had migrated to return, promising them the restoration of their religious freedom and assuring non-interference in their social life. They opted to settle in Cuncolim and open a new chapter.
Young Lingu on completion of his primary education in Portuguese was appointed "Tabeleão". He was the first Hindu to occupy this post and he also obtained a licence to practice law. As an honest and helpful advocate he helped the poor and the needy to obtain justice and always made an effort to resolve disputes through compromise. He was more interested in the history of Cuncolim and India as a whole. He travelled far and wide and saw places for himself. While on tour he came in contact with national leaders and towering litterateurs like Rabindranath Tagore.
His compilation of "History of Cuncolim" is a curtain raiser. It is a factual narration of the valiant people of Cuncolim who have carved out a place of respect for themselves because of their patriotism and relentless struggle to preserve their religion and culture. These patriots played a role in protecting the idol of Shree Shantadurga, the prime deity of Cuncolim, and providing her with a new abode in Fatorpa. Today Shantadurga continues to rule over the hearts and thoughts of the people of Cuncolim and the surrounding areas irrespective of their caste and religion.
Dalvi had no idea that his work would reach thousands of readers across the country in the 21st century. His descendents have made it possible. It is a tribute to a man of mission whose life should inspire the generation to come. The village of Cuncolim, which has played an important role in the history of Goa, resisted the Portuguese occupation of the village in spite of being aware of their limitations.
Lingu Raghuvir Dalvi born in December 1, 1973 was a multifaceted personality. His knowledge of the Portuguese language was profound and he worked as Notary Public. Hindus in Goa in those days were reluctant and apprehensive about the possible effect on their religion and culture if they tried to draw closer to the Portuguese administration, and were not inclined to accept any office under the Portuguese. Lingu wrote articles of literary and historical importance and travelled far and wide within India.
His intention while collecting data pertaining to Goa's history was not to write a book but to record the events that took place in Goa since its occupation by the Portuguese in the 15th century. Cuncolim is a village, which bravely fought the Portuguese colonial and anti-Hindu rule. He was not sure that these events would be known to posterity and he collected data pertaining to the general history of the Portuguese hold over Goa and the heroic resistance offered by the people of Cuncolim in a very impartial manner. Wherever necessary he has given authentic quotations from official records. It is necessary to make this information, about the services rendered by their valiant ancestors in carving out a place for their village in the history of freedom struggle, available to the sons and daughters of Cuncolim.
Dalvi originally hails from the village Cortalim in the Salcette taluka and they were proud members of the fifth Wangod of the Communidade. After migrating to safer places during the Portuguese onslaught towards the middle of the 16th century the families settled in Cuncolim, which was at one time a very vibrant area along with adjoining villages of Veroda, Assolna and Velim. Cuncolim was under the Muslim wrath, which was hostile towards Hindus, but they did not resort to violent tactics against them. Temples flourished in this area. However, as soon as the territories were captured Portuguese dispossessed the local residents of their idols, banned their festivals, preaching in temples and even in private houses. But the joint efforts of the missionaries and the government did not make inroads in Cuncolim, Veroda, Assolna, Velim, Ambeli and they offered stiff resistance to interference by the rulers in their socio-religious and cultural matters. They started a non-cooperation movement. There were fierce battles between the residents of Cuncolim and the combined force of priests and soldiers, which was perhaps one of the first revolts by the Goans against the Portuguese rulers. Ultimately the Portuguese succeeded in dividing the local population by encouraging issues, which united them and created prominent discords among them. Yet the unity of the people of Cuncolim is still visible and the population is proud to call themselves Cuncolcar or gaunkar.
Mr Dalvi has left behind a rich legacy and has been impartial enough as a historian.
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