Raj Bhavan (''Government House'') is a residential palace and fort situated in
Dona Paula
Dona Paula is a village and tourist destination in the neighborhood of Panaji, Goa, India. It is today home to the National Institute of Oceanography and the International Centre Goa.
History
The place is named after ''Dona'' Paula Amaral ...
, Goa which serves as the
official residence
An official residence is the House, residence of a head of state, head of government, governor, Clergy, religious leader, leaders of international organizations, or other senior figure. It may be the same place where they conduct their work-relate ...
of the
governor of Goa
The governor of Goa is a nominal head and representative of the president of India in the state of Goa. The governor is appointed by the president for a term of five years. P. S. Sreedharan Pillai became governor on 7 July 2021.
Powers and func ...
. The sprawling 88 acres estate is located on a cape in the
Goa
Goa () is a state on the southwestern coast of India within the Konkan region, geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats. It is located between the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the ...
n capital,
Panjim
Panaji (; also known as Panjim) is the capital of the Indian state of Goa and the headquarters of North Goa district. Previously, it was the territorial capital of the former Portuguese India. It lies on the banks of the Mandovi river estuary ...
. Known by the name "''Palácio do Cabo''" (
Portuguese
Portuguese may refer to:
* anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal
** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods
** Portuguese language, a Romance language
*** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language
** Portu ...
for "Palace of the Cape") until it gained official status as the residence of the governor of Goa, this palace is said to be built between the 16th and 17th century in the erstwhile
Portuguese India
The State of India ( pt, Estado da Índia), also referred as the Portuguese State of India (''Estado Português da Índia'', EPI) or simply Portuguese India (), was a state of the Portuguese Empire founded six years after the discovery of a se ...
. The fort is strategically positioned facing the Arabian sea opposite the well-preserved 17th century
Forte Aguada.
History
In 1540, the eighth governor of
Portuguese India
The State of India ( pt, Estado da Índia), also referred as the Portuguese State of India (''Estado Português da Índia'', EPI) or simply Portuguese India (), was a state of the Portuguese Empire founded six years after the discovery of a se ...
,
Estêvão de Gama, proposed the idea of constructing some fortifications to guard the entrance to the Goa harbor.
As per their long-established defense strategy they quickly built a
church
Church may refer to:
Religion
* Church (building), a building for Christian religious activities
* Church (congregation), a local congregation of a Christian denomination
* Church service, a formalized period of Christian communal worship
* Chris ...
and
fort
A fortification is a military construction or building designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is also used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from Latin ''fortis'' ("strong") and ''facere'' ...
and subsequently attached a
convent
A convent is a community of monks, nuns, religious brothers or, sisters or priests. Alternatively, ''convent'' means the building used by the community. The word is particularly used in the Catholic Church, Lutheran churches, and the Anglican ...
. The ''Cabo'' (Portuguese for "cape") was converted into one of the best equipped and important fortresses over the years, although these days nothing remains of the old citadel that served as the Franciscan Convent. Since the canons were not often used, the buildings at some point of time were also used as temporary accommodation for the
archbishop
In Christian denominations, an archbishop is a bishop of higher rank or office. In most cases, such as the Catholic Church, there are many archbishops who either have jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province in addition to their own archdi ...
. Over course of time it became the official residence of the
Portuguese Governor of Goa.
It is said to be a strategically designed fort, not just holding panoramic views of the meeting of three water bodies, the Mandovi and Zuari rivers with the Arabian sea, but also of the river bay,
Fort Aguada
Fort Aguada is a well-preserved seventeenth-century Portuguese fort, along with a lighthouse, standing in Goa, India, on Sinquerim Beach, overlooking the Arabian Sea. It is an ASI protected Monument of National Importance in Goa.
Origins and ...
and the busy port of
Mormugao
Mormugao is a seaport city situated in the eponymous Mormugao taluka (municipality) of the South Goa district, South district, in the Goa state, India. It has a deep natural harbour and remains Goa's chief port.
Towards the end of the Indo-Po ...
. The scenic beauty and solitude combined with its uniqueness and planning are some of the attractions that remain at the ''Palacio do Cabo''. The small Church founded in 1541
at the very end of the mansion is dedicated to Our Lady of The Cape (''Nossa Senhora do Cabo''). This church also served as a landmark for the seafarers and celebrates its annual ''fest'' (feast) on 15 August.
The ''Palácio do Cabo'' is now known as the ''Raj Bhavan'', the official name given to the residence of the
Governors
A governor is an politician, administrative leader and head of a polity or Region#Political_regions, political region, ranking under the Head of State, head of state and in some cases, such as governor-general, governors-general, as the head of ...
of the States in India. It is also said to be among the finest residences of Indian Governors owing to its location and display of
Portuguese
Portuguese may refer to:
* anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal
** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods
** Portuguese language, a Romance language
*** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language
** Portu ...
-Goan Architecture. Indeed, it is said to hold the title as the oldest as no other residence of a Governor of India has its origin over four hundred years ago.
Architecture and antiques
![Raj bhavan gate - goa](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/Raj_bhavan_gate_-_goa.jpg)
The palace is a double-storey structure of great dimensions and architectural significance. While the ground level consists of the office chamber and residence of the Governor in addition to few guest suites. The upper level holds halls for gatherings (Durbar hall), conferences and banquets along with the main Kitchen and additional guest suites or rooms.
A row of ''varandas (''Verandahs'')'' elevated on pillars on the rear side of the mansion overlook the Mandovi river to the right, the Zuari river to the left, and the Arabian sea ahead.
Bohemian
chandelier
A chandelier (; also known as girandole, candelabra lamp, or least commonly suspended lights) is a branched ornamental light fixture designed to be mounted on ceilings or walls. Chandeliers are often ornate, and normally use incandescent li ...
s, Chinese porcelain,
silver
Silver is a chemical element with the Symbol (chemistry), symbol Ag (from the Latin ', derived from the Proto-Indo-European wikt:Reconstruction:Proto-Indo-European/h₂erǵ-, ''h₂erǵ'': "shiny" or "white") and atomic number 47. A soft, whi ...
and
wooden furniture form the assets of this palace. The pieces of antique Chinese porcelain are said to be presumably manufactured in Canton. A worn-out set of crockery having a similar design with
Portuguese coat of arms were specially ordered for the use of the Portuguese Governor General. An excellent collection of high quality solid wooden furniture with exquisite workmanship adorn some of the spaces in this palatial mansion. A set of intricately carved chairs with figurines of Hindu Gods and Temples indicate the complete harmony between Christians and Hindus that existed in Goa. Five tall Cantonese vases believed to be over 300 years old as well as two large-sized Cantonese bowls, all of which hold the Portuguese coat of arms are among the prized antique items at the palace. So are two wooden
Ormolu
Ormolu (; from French ''or moulu'', "ground/pounded gold") is the gilding technique of applying finely ground, high-carat gold– mercury amalgam to an object of bronze, and for objects finished in this way. The mercury is driven off in a kiln le ...
mounted chests with veneer wood inlay and carara marble tops. On the walls of the Durbar Hall are large mirrors and a painting of a Fisherman by ''Francisco Jose Rezende'' (1866). Carved furniture of ingenious and rare workmanship form part of the collections of the palace - the quality of which has not diminished even after use for centuries, owing to the up-keep.
Renovation
During the years 1999 and 2000, the palace underwent a major renovation. In order to strengthen the structure as per expert advice, old wooden beams that held the upper level were replaced with steel beams. The beams are said to have been decayed over the years. The process was carried out in phases to allow for careful alterations and avoid any damages to the historically significant structure. In areas behind the palace facing the Arabian sea, considerable distress had been faced over the last few years in turn calling for major remedial steps to protect and preserve this historical building.
Landmarks
Our Lady of The Cape Church
The over 500 year old Catholic church also known as ''Nossa Senhora do Cabo'' occupies a corner on the site with views of the bay and sea. It is open for morning
masses on all Sundays as well as on special occasions like
Christmas
Christmas is an annual festival commemorating Nativity of Jesus, the birth of Jesus, Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people Observance of Christmas by country, around t ...
,
Easter
Easter,Traditional names for the feast in English are "Easter Day", as in the '' Book of Common Prayer''; "Easter Sunday", used by James Ussher''The Whole Works of the Most Rev. James Ussher, Volume 4'') and Samuel Pepys''The Diary of Samuel ...
and the annual church feast. The Feast is celebrated on the morning of 15 August which also coincides with the
Independence Day of India
Independence Day is celebrated annually on 15 August as a public holiday in India commemorating the nation's independence from the United Kingdom on 15 August 1947, the day when the provisions of the Indian Independence Act, which trans ...
. Thousands of devotees, cutting across religious lines, attend the special prayers held on this occasion. A '
''fest'
'' and ''
'mela is held annually on this day on the premises.
Grotto
A small distance away from the main Church located on the slope, after descending through steps is the Grotto dedicated to
St. Paula. The Altar in this Grotto is installed in a cut-out of the cape rock and holds the saint's sculpture in a recumbent position. Behind it lies the image of Jesus on a
trefoil
A trefoil () is a graphic form composed of the outline of three overlapping rings, used in architecture and Christian symbolism, among other areas. The term is also applied to other symbols with a threefold shape. A similar shape with four rin ...
cross. There is a common belief that those who offer prayers here will have their wishes fulfilled. The history associated with it as written on a board hung at the place, states as follows:
''"St. Paula (347 - 404 A.D.), a Roman Senator's widow and her daughter
Eustochium
Eustochium (c. 368 – September 28, 419 or 420), born ''Eustochium Julia'' at Rome, is also venerated as a saint and was an early Desert Mother. Eustochium was the daughter of Paula of Rome and the third of four daughters of the Roman Senator To ...
were living an austere life in
Rome
, established_title = Founded
, established_date = 753 BC
, founder = King Romulus (legendary)
, image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg
, map_caption ...
when
St. Jerome
Jerome (; la, Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus; grc-gre, Εὐσέβιος Σωφρόνιος Ἱερώνυμος; – 30 September 420), also known as Jerome of Stridon, was a Christian priest, confessor, theologian, and historian; he is com ...
(341 - 420 A.D.) came there from Palestine in 383 A.D. Four years later, mother and daughter followed the great doctor to Palestine and went with him to Egypt to visit the hermits in the
Nitrain desert. Upon returning to the
Holy Land
The Holy Land; Arabic: or is an area roughly located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Eastern Bank of the Jordan River, traditionally synonymous both with the biblical Land of Israel and with the region of Palestine. The term "Holy ...
, they settled at
Bethlehem
Bethlehem (; ar, بيت لحم ; he, בֵּית לֶחֶם '' '') is a city in the central West Bank, Palestine, about south of Jerusalem. Its population is approximately 25,000,Amara, 1999p. 18.Brynen, 2000p. 202. and it is the capital o ...
. Here, they erected a
monastery
A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in communities or alone (hermits). A monastery generally includes a place reserved for prayer which ...
under St. Jerome's direction and three convents ruled by St. Paula".''
The Feast of the Grotto is celebrated in the evening on 2 August. A large number of faithful living on the estate as well as the nearby areas attend this annual tradition.
The Estate
The ''Palácio do Cabo'' estate is surrounded on three sides by sea and has a total area of about 80 acres. One massive laterite stone wall exists to the East which serves as the estate's boundary on that side. On the sea-shore side there are masonry walls which have withstood the onslaught of time for over four centuries. The flat table land in the middle of the estate covers about 3/4th of the total land but it has steep side slopes towards the water bodies. About 5 hectares of the flat table land is occupied by buildings, gardens, lawns, and the remaining is full of vegetation consisting of large number of species of trees, plants, shrubs, creepers, etc. Adding new species of trees in large number has been an annual phenomenon at the palatial estate. The premises also have a kitchen garden where seasonal vegetables are grown.
The main garden in front of the Palace consists of three lawns enclosed by seasonal flower beds. The Palacio estate has got the best prize for its well maintained gardens in year 2000 (State of Goa) and also bagged the second prize the following year. Various species of birds flock to the estate taking advantage of its location and vegetation. These include peacocks, eagles, kingfishers, tree-pies, doves, bee-eaters, etc. There are also a variety of reptiles like pythons, cobras, rat-snakes, chameleons and monitor-lizards. Smaller animals like mongoose, hare, jackals, squirrels and porcupines also reside on the estate. There have been no known cases over the years of any harm causes to residents or visitors alike. However the estate foot fall is also limited to the main buildings and surrounding areas. Special care is taken to protect, preserve and enrich the flora and fauna of the Palacio Estate. In its form, the estate seems to serve as a treasure-house of bio-diversity incorporating the diverse flora and fauna of the
Western Ghats.
The Estate Beach
Another tourist spot in the Palacio estate is a narrow strip of beach only accessible by a series of steps. There is a natural spring with sweet water about 20 meters away from the sea water towards the property. From here one can get a view of the Mormugão harbor. However it is not safe for diving.
Cannon Point
On the western side just a 3 minutes drive from the main palace through the dense vegetation is a spot named "Cannon Point". A small park complete with pathways and lighting have been provided at this location owing to its scenic nature. Two old Portuguese era cannons were retrieved from the shore below and placed on pedestals here.
The Jetty
There is also a non-operational jetty located where the Mandovi river joins the sea. It is presumed to have been in active use in the yesteryear's. Near the Portuguese era jetty is a flat area bound with scores of trees particularly the coconut tree, that gives enchanting Goa its paradise charm. This is an deal place to relax and let time pass in the typical ''Sussegado'' style. There is also a small narrow sandy strip but the place is not practical for swimming. Customary to Goan way of life, an old well daunts the estate at a comfortable 30 meters away from the sea coast.
British Cemetery
Just outside the gates of ''Palacio do Cabo'', there is a
180-year-old cemetery which is the only remaining evidence of the presence of the British forces in the Fortress. The
British occupied Goa for a mere 14 years from 1799 to 1813. During the period they also constructed several edifices in the
Forte Aguada, Gasper Dias and Mormugão areas but most of them were demolished by the Portuguese in 1848 leaving little presence, if any, of their arrival. The Cemetery was built sometime in 1802 to serve the purpose of British Garrisons stationed at
Forte Mormugão, Palacio do Cabo and
Forte Aguada. Mr. W. Walker, a traveler once described the cemetery in 1855. He stated:
''"I visited the burial ground at Cabo built and used by the British force of 10,000 (sic) men when they held possession of the seaboard points of Goa, to prevent the French entering India by this route in 1805. The massive laterite stone wall which surrounds it is as perfect as the day it was built, the laterite in this neighborhood being the best I have anywhere seen, but the lofty arched entrance gates have long been despoiled of every particle of wood. The burial ground is used for rice cultivation and the very tombstones are worn down from the sharpening of native tools on them; where not cultivated, it is overgrown with high rank grass said to be alive with deadly cobras de capello. If it be true, as I have heard, that the Collector of Belgaum allows an annual sum to keep in order, I can assure him that not a piece worth of care is bestowed on it."''
On 19 May 1869 a request was made by the then
Government of British India
A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a state.
In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive, and judiciary. Government is a ...
to the
Governor-General of Portuguese India to repair and maintain the cemetery, which was considered by the Portuguese Government in Goa. Sr. Gerson da Cunha described the cemetery in 1878 as an oblong area about 180 yards by 145 yards long with an enclosed wall all around and a massive ornamental gate of teak wood. The key to this door was with the
Chaplain
A chaplain is, traditionally, a cleric (such as a Minister (Christianity), minister, priest, pastor, rabbi, purohit, or imam), or a laity, lay representative of a religious tradition, attached to a secularity, secular institution (such as a hosp ...
of a neighboring convent. There are 47 tombstones and 56 gravestones in the cemetery.
The cemetery which was repaired by the British Consul in 1941 is now in good condition. The old wooden gate has since been replaced by a metal one. Out of the six mango trees which were there in the past, two have survived. There is a well inside the cemetery which is dry. The earliest burial according to the tomb plates was on 19 December 1808 and the latest on 10 August 1912.
References
External links
Raj Bhavan website
{{Goa Topics
Government of Goa
Governors' houses in India
Buildings and structures in Panaji
Forts in Goa