The Portuguese colonised India in 1510, conquering many parts of the western coast and establishing several colonies in the east.
By the end of the 19th century, Portuguese colonies in India were limited to Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra, and Nagar Haveli which were collectively known as Estado da India.
After Indian independence the Britain and Francewhich colonised India started to decolonise and agreed to move back to their respective nations, but Portugal refused to leave its territories.
To end the Portuguese rule a movement was started which was built on the small scale revolts and uprisings and later grew powerful, the moment happened during 1940-1961.
The movement was conducted both inside and outside Goa, and was characterised by a range of tactics including nonviolent demonstrations, revolutionary methods and diplomatic efforts.
Why Portuguese was reluctant to move?
Portugal emphasised that it had been around 450 years in Goa and found Arabian coasts as economic gateways for its global trade.
It also concerned about Goan Catholics who would not be safe if it left.
The nation conveniently overlooked the fact over 60% of Goans were Hindus, and many Goan Christians, had a place of honour in Indian public life.
How India annexed Goa?
In 1961 an armed action code named Operation Vijay by the Indian Armed Forces was carried out to remove Portuguese administration from Goa.
The operation involved air, sea and land strikes for over 36 hours, and was a decisive victory for the Republic of India, ending 451 years of rule of Portugal over its remaining exclaves in India.
In India, the action was seen as a liberation of historically Indian Territory, while Portugal viewed it as an aggression against national soil and its citizens.
What made India to take a violent stand?
A series of events during Goa liberation movement made India to take a violent stand.
From 1954, peaceful Satyagrahis attempts from outside Goa at forcing the Portuguese to leave Goa were brutally suppressed by Portuguese forces.
Many revolts were quelled by the use of force and leaders eliminated or jailed, innocent villagers were also open fired by the Portuguese forces.
As a result, India broke off diplomatic relations with Portugal, closed its Consulate-General in Panjim.
India also imposed an economic embargo against the territories of Portuguese Goa.
The Indian Government had taken the issues to global forums but Portuguese was refuted to abide any international resolutions.
The then PM Nehru found the policy of patience and adherence to international ethics had not yielded results, and he decided to free Goa by force.
