India got independence in 1947 but for the state of Goa, it took 14 more  years after India's independence to be finally independent of Portuguese rule.

The Portuguese came to Goa in 1510 when Afonso de Albuquerque defeated the ruling Bijapur king with the help of a local ally, Timayya, and subsequently established a permanent settlement in Velha Goa (or Old Goa).

Since 1510 the Portuguese has been ruling in Goa.  The Portuguese fought frequent battles with the Marathas and the Deccan sultanates over following centuries and kept a hold of the state.

It was the most prized possession of the Portuguese in India and the biggest territory in Estado da India Portuguesa or the Portuguese empire in India.

Though for a very brief while Goa was under British rule between 1812 and 1815.

Portuguese rule saw Christanity growing in Goa. Over time, the Portuguese lost most of the territories in the Estado but retained Goa.

By the 20 century, as a feeling of nationalism was there in the whole country, Goa had also started to witness an upsurge of nationalist sentiment opposed to Portugal’s colonial rule. Leaders such Tristão de Bragança Cunha, celebrated as the father of Goan nationalism, founded the Goa National Congress at the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress in 1928.

On December 19, 1961, Jawaharlal Nehru sent armed forces to the coastal state. The Portuguese surrendered & the state was liberated. As a result, Goa, Daman, and Diu became Union Territories of India.

Goa continued to be a Union Territory till 1987 and then was given statehood by becoming the 25th state of India.

Every year, 'Goa Liberation Day' is celebrated on December 19 to commemorate the state's liberation from Portuguese rule in 1961. As part of Operation Vijay, the Indian armed forces used the armed forces trifecta with the help of local resistance movements to eradicate European rule from the country.

Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia led the Goa liberation movement on June 18, 1946, with the aim of liberating Goa by gathering young Goans. Hence, Goa Revolution Day celebrated on this day.

 

 Source: Indian Express and India Today