Work has kept me rather busy and counts for my absence from Goanet. Yet being
Sunday, I had some free-time and interest to review some writings about Goa.
I came across the following in a recent writing. While the author of the
article may be important, his identity for this discussion is not. Sufficient
to note that he is a Goan. He is merely a messenger and a good example of what
ails much about this topic of "Regurgitating References" (my pet peeve)
especially as it refers to Goa. I have not checked the reference simply because
the facts quoted from the reference are incorrect and not worth wasting my
time. Inaccuracies are also not worth the time and print-space for serious
writers. To quote slipshod facts (irrespective of when, where and who wrote
them) is poor writing; unless the new author elect to use reckless facts /
quotes / references to support their own hit-or-miss rambling views.
To quote the recent (Feb, 2012) article: "Boise Penrose in his 'Sea Fights in
the East Indies in the years 1602-1639'. Penrose wrote ... the date of the
arrival of St. Francis Xavier in India marked the beginning of the decline of
the Portuguese power in the East."
The historical facts are:
Francis Xavier arrived in Goa on May 6, 1542 and left India in 1545. He died in
1552.
The period of 1550-1650 is widely labeled as Golden Goa; with both Goa and its
colonial masters at the peak of their economic, military and naval power.
Portuguese won a major battle against the combined forces of the Indian
Sultanates in 1570.
The beginning of the decline of the Portuguese in Goa is generally believed to
have started with the Dutch blockade of Goa (1636-1639) and the end of the
monopoly of Portuguese shipping lanes; with also the presence of the English
and French navies which 'crowded' both the Indian Ocean as well as the
European commercial markets for spices.
The discovery of gold in Brazil led to greater Portuguese emphasis on South
America rather than Asia.
The time when Goan authors can quote foreigners regarding Goa and pretend to
be intelligent is over. It may be likely; but not always, that a one-eyed
person is leading another; and both are trying to fool the Goans.
Regards, GL
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