I have followed the above thread intermittently (like my readings of various Goanet digests). As I am on vacation in sunny San Fran Bay area, and with some time on hand, I thought I would take my turn on this topic; which has gone back and forth as most Goanet threads do. I will refrain from commenting on the off-topics that this thread has generated. Hopefully my insights may help an honest reader make common sense of the conflicting reports one reads about early events in Portuguese-Goa.
Much of my writings is based on my readings and interest about: 1. Goa from various (but definitely not all) sources. 2. A history buff's interest about wars in Asia, Europe and Americas. 3. Social and economic aftermaths on the native population and territory during and following conquests. To really evaluate the topic originally presented, one needs to clarify which Goa one is talking about. 1. There is the Goa of 1510 (Island of Tiswadi). 2. There is the Goa of mid-1530's with the acquisition of three more districts - (Old Conquests) 3. The much later (18th and 19th century) acquisitions of additional districts (New Conquests) which significantly expanded the land mass and population of Portuguese-Goa. I am uncertain which Goa the initial thread referred to. It is most likely that it did not refer to the New Conquests. The history and events of 1510-Goa are very different from the history and events of 1530's-Goa (as we shall see later). I am surprised that individuals, including historians, do not differentiate these two periods. IMO to understand the thread, one needs some background of these two periods and the distinctly different events and dynamics at play. More to follow! Constructive feedback is most welcome! Regards: GL