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CONSCIOUS Journal of Planning, Architecture and Design July–December 2021 Vol. 1(1), pp. 78–83 URBANISM https://www.jpad.copalpublishing.com An initiative of Copal Publishing Group

The Architectural Evolution of the Shared Heritage and the Portuguese Influence: Case of Old

aUzma Khan and bSarmistha Chatterjee aAssistant Professor, School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Bhopal bAssistant Professor (senior scale), Manipal School of Architecture and Planning (MSAP), MAHE

ARTICLE DETAILS Abstract: Goa, the Indian state located in the southwestern region of the country across the Arabian sea, inhibits a unique cultural heritage owing to the vast layers of history it manifests. Peer-Reviewed on June 10, 2021 It has resulted in the transfusion of various architectural styles over time for the evolution of Accepted on June 14, 2021 shared heritage, an amalgamation of local and the foreign. It can be defined as the marker of Published online on August 12, 2021 its diverse and varied native community knitted together through space, time and the common heritage; to be passed on to future generations. The study area for this research focuses upon the architectural heritage of the Portuguese capital, Velha Goa. The historic site consists of Key words: more than fifty archaeological and state-protected monuments. The intangible and tangible Shared heritage, Architectural heritage, heritage is knitted together through the past four centuries, celebrating itself as a living heritage blended with the local culture. The study analyses the influences of local culture and indigenous knowledge systems through the built typology of churches situated in Old Goa through archival Corresponding author email: research, documentation, stakeholder analysis and surveys. The study is significant to draw inferences from the traces of distinct architectural heritage prevalent at the regional level to ensure the sustenance of its legacy and knowledge systems.

1.1 Introduction knowledge systems blended into one. With over centuries is a country with a long-standing documented history of history and many overlays in architectural paradigms, of approximately 5000 years and oral narratives dating ‘Imageability’ (Lynch 1960) of the Indian cities can be studied almost 10,000 years. The various daily life practices, social to understand the complex network of patterns, influences, and cultural engagements, food, dance, music, traditional borrowed traditions, collective memories and shared knowledge systems have seen many transformations owing cultures stirred together, creating a syncretic architectural to its rich cultural diversity. The term ‘shared’ is almost evolvement. The spice route along the Malabar Coast of the synonymous as indicative of a period of these adaptations Indian subcontinent, connecting it to various global capitals, and transformations. It would be rightfully agreed amongst drew significantly in the cultural exchange of ideas and many professionals, discussants, scholars, researchers and knowledge. Its impact was implied in architectural heritage non-researchers that varied influences have been gradual as well. The influence of temple architecture of the Cholas but have shown a clear progressive development in the built was noticeable to the far extent of the temple of Angkor heritage. Wat located in Cambodia; and consecutively, the tradition of influence in regional architectural styles is carried out People since time immemorial have been subject to throughout the medieval ages to the colonial times where migration and changes in occupation due to various reasons the influence of Dutch architecture in , Portuguese such as war, famine, lack of natural resources or provision architecture in Goa, French architecture in Bengal, and the of better opportunities in a foreign land (Karsten 2012). British architecture in Delhi can be seen in many instances Thus, they also carried a new cultural ethos into a new land, across the Indian subcontinent. Each of these styles had much ensuring their cultural legacy. Various architectural styles in to borrow and contribute to the evolution of architectural different regions of the country have unique characteristics styles of later period or shared heritage study. that evolved over time due to various cultures, traditions, and

1The term was introduced by Kevin Lynch in his book ‘The Image of the City’ where he discusses the mental image invoked by a physical object and its environment in the observer’s mind. The same has been an important method of evaluation of the urban.

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The study discusses the architectural heritage of Old of various architectural styles over time for the evolution of Goa, also known as Velha Goa, which gained prominence in shared heritage, an amalgamation of local and foreign. the 15th–18th century under Portuguese rule and resulted in Table 1.1 Timeline of various dynasties of Goa the Indo-Portuguese style of architecture. Structures in Velha Goa that remain today are markers of their former occupation Time Period Dynasty of a place by the various rulers. With each successive layer, 3rd Century BC Mauryas people exchanged and ‘shared’ their differing cultures, skills 2nd Century BC to 6th Century AD Bhojas and experience to create a built expression that has become distinctive to a particular place (Shared Built heritage, 578 AD to 753 AD Chalukyas ICOMOS). The Portuguese rule, which spanned over 450 753 AD to 963 AD Rashtrakutas years, is prominent in the state’s architectural heritage, 1312 AD Delhi Sultanate traditions, cultural practices, and cuisine till date. 1370 AD Vijayanagara 1469 AD Bahmani Sultanate 1.2 Shared Heritage 1489 AD Adil Shahi Heritage is defined as “the combined creations and products 1511 AD Portuguese of nature and man, in their entirety that make up the 1961 AD Annexation into India environment in which we live in space and time (Petti, Trillo and Makore 2019). Heritage is a reality, a possession of the community, and a rich inheritance that may be passed on, 1.4 Estado da India’s Built Cultural Heritage which invites our recognition and our participation” (ICOMOS and Its Evolution 2008). Thus, shared heritage is essentially the prime identity The state of Goa, an erstwhile group of islands ruled by the formed by layers of memory of the place. It is constantly Bijapur sultanate and Vijayanagara Empire (Pandit 2008) subjected to changes as the main driver and marker of before the Portuguese arrival, was an important landmark its diverse and varied native community knitted together under the spice route. The beginning of the 15th century through space, time and the common heritage to be passed marked an era of colonial development under the Portuguese, on to future generations (Elizabeth 2010). the first imperial power in Asia (Pearson 1988) with emerging catholic institutions, chapels, basilicas and churches in what This is the case in many instances of cultural heritage came to be known as Estado da India (Portuguese Indian throughout the vast geographical expanse of the Indian state). The exchange of trade and ideas took place across subcontinent. The cultural vibrancy and architectural built the maritime spice route (Figure 1), expanding west into the heritage of Goa are a resultant of this phenomenon of cultural Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal along the Malabar Coast in the exchanges reaching its zenith under various monarchies Indian subcontinent (Disney 2009). Discovered by Vasco da and rulers who always brought with them a foreign culture Gama in the year 1497, the capital was developed under the subsequently to amalgamate with the local and create an influence of art and architecture from the native land to be identity of its own by involving a wide range of community developed into earmarks of Venice and Rome in the context (Silberman, 2006). of trade and religious prospects, respectively (Chakrabarti 1.3 The Context of Old Goa 2001). The study area for this research focuses upon the The architectural developments in the 16th century in architectural heritage of the Portuguese capital, Velha Goa were inspired on the lines of the urban character of Goa. It was established in the 16th century across the River Lisbon. The grand development scheme consisted of several Mandovi and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in distinct projects being envisioned, namely the largest church 1986 (WHC UNESCO 1986). The testimony to the glorious and convent supported with other significant institutions heritage, presently a historic site, consists of more than 50 such as the first medical college, printing press and public archaeological and state-protected monuments, and seven library in Asia. The – lingua franca – of prominent churches out of the sixty built by the Portuguese Indian Ocean trade from the 16th century onwards remained remain today in the former capital. Thus, the intangible the medium of communication between many South Asian and tangible heritage is knitted together through the past states till it was replaced by English in the 19th century. 450 years, celebrating itself as a living heritage thoroughly (Kanekar 2018) blended with the local culture. With the establishment of the capital at Velha Goa, also Goa, the Indian state located in the southwestern region of called as Rome of the orient, there was a need for physical the country across the Arabian Sea, exhibits various instances infrastructure to accommodate the administrative, cultural of shared heritage owing to the vast layers of history from the and religious institutions. Thus, the site across River Mandovi, 3rd century onwards under the reign of Mauryas followed by preceded by backwaters and mangrove forest, was chosen the Vijayanagara dynasty, Bahmani Sultanate, Ahmad Shah, for the behest where the architectural remains from the Portuguese and eventually its integration with the country of earlier dynasties were also located. It consists of prominent India in 1961 (Santos 2016). This resulted in the transfusion structures inspired by the Renaissance and the Manueline²

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Figure 1.1 Spice Route (© Khan, Uzma) style of architecture, such as (Fig. 2), Basilica Interestingly, the extent of the culture was not imposed of Bom Jesus, St. Augustine towers and St. Francis Convent but rather influx with the local traditions and is still being and the church are believed to be built on the remains of a practiced today, such as St. Francis Festival (Santos 2016). The Bijapur Mosque (Walter 2011). Thus, the imageability of the manifestation of the intangible practices, rituals and traditions cultural and administrative capital (Cidade de Goa3) was to can be seen in the built character and spatial annotations. It a large extent marked by these religious buildings and their can be noted that the traditional Hindu courtyard house in distinct style. Goa (Silveira et al 2008) and the site planning of the church complex of St. Francis Assisi bear common characteristics. The otherwise linear symmetry and proportions inspired from the Renaissance and are transfused with the organic and asymmetrical pathways. Based on the traditional Portuguese street systems, Rua Derita4 formed the nodal point and the commercial spline of the Portuguese settlement. The earlier ruins of what remained from the Bijapur sultanate in fortifications and residences were transformed and adapted as per the European context. The vocabulary of the built structures of the religious typology of the cathedrals, churches, basilicas and convents of the different religious orders of Franciscans, Carmelites, Augustinians, Dominicans, Jesuits, and Theatines resonated with the Manueline, Mannerist5 and Baroque6 style of architecture from the 15th–18th century (Pereira 1995). Earlier structures in the old capital, such as Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount in the east at the highest point, Our Lady of Rosary Church, Santa Monica Convent (1606), are Figure 1.2 Se Cathedral (© Chatterjee, Sarmistha) some notable built structures of the era. Following structures 1.5 The Urban Character and Lisbon’s such as the Se Cathedral, formerly known as St. Catharina, is Influence rebuilt several times. The use of the local material laterite can also be seen in the construction of the barrel vault, a unique The urban character of Estado da India, consisting of baroque experimentation in itself. The present structure dating back architectural features of the built, invoked a sense of the to 1564–1652 was notable for being the largest church medieval Portuguese capital of the Misericórdia Square. outside Portugal built by them. The church square, earlier

2Architectural style named after the Portugal king Manuel I in the 16th century developed under the Portuguese Renaissance movement 3Portuguese term translating to Capital of Goa 4Portuguese term for street 5Mannerism style originated as a result to the Renaissance in the 16th century as a reaction against the strict and linear symmetrical forms of the latter 6Architectural style that reached its peak in the High Renaissance Age in the 17th century based on Roman classical elements and high ornamentation.

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Figure 1.3 East street elevation to understand the architectural character, building heights and usage (Chatterjee, et al., 2020) called Terrerio7 do Sabaio (Adilshah’s square), had the Velha The architecture of the St. Francis Assissi has distinct Goa and the important Indo-Portuguese built structures elements such as the Flemish vault, Bijapur influence in Viceroy’s palace, Theatines convent and fortress built in the the intersecting arches and cross vaulting system of the vicinity (Fig. 3). domes, corner towers invoking a fusion with the former architectural style of the sultanate. The overall composition 1.6 Architectural Synthesis: Churches of is a reminiscence of the European built character assimilating Velha Goa and Stylistic Analysis into the collective memory of what came to be known as The cultural landscape of Old Goa is formative of the Goan Catholic, Indo-Portuguese or Indian Baroque (Pereira churches inspired from the Renaissance style from Europe 1995). The traditions and rituals associated with the built and is uniform across the early churches of the era (Guido extend in the intangible heritage and practices till date, thus 2008); the interiors are influenced by the Baroque and making it a living heritage (Borges and Feldmann 1997). Rococo styles being made with the local material of stones and timber on the exterior. Basilica of Bom Jesus (also called Borea Jezuchem Bajilika in the local Konkani dialect) located on the south side of the Cidade is distinct as the cultural influx is noticeable through the exposed masonry of the local materials: laterite and basalt stone (Gomes 2011) (Fig. 4). The gothic influences of the flying buttresses add to the imposing facade of principle renaissance elements such as Ionic, Doric and Corinthian columns on the respective floors. The interior comprises the altar, belfry, sacristy and two chapels. The two- storeyed structure draws heavily from the Baroque such as the coffered barrel-vaulted roof, heavy ornamentation and installation of the classical orders topped by Corinthian capitals. The superstructure in the altar is supported with the hammer-beam truss superstructure built in timber. In addition, the strings of the Italian Renaissance influence can also be connected with the sacred marble tomb of the saint being commissioned by the Duke of Tuscany, the last Medici ruler of Florence. Eminent artisans, such as Italian sculptor Giovanni Foginni, were also involved in designing the tomb Figure 1.4 Basilica of Bom Jesus (© Chatterjee, Sarmistha) with precious stones infusing a holistic cultural ethos.

7Open public spaces connected to religious buildings, residences etc. 8Age of learning in the 14th–16th century Europe where classical architecture was revived, developed and inspired from the Greek and Roman

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The churches, being the institution of various religious Borges, C. J., and Feldmann, H. (1997). Goa and Portugal – orders, have their customs and practices such as weddings, Their Cultural Links. Concept Publishing Company. prayers, funerals, and special occasions such as St. Francis Chakrabarti, D. K. (2001). A History of Indian Archaeology Xavier’s feast. from the Beginning to 1947. New Delhi: Munshiram The surviving churches and convents in Goa are the Manoharlal. Chapel of St. Catherine (1510), which was raised to the Disney, A.R. (2009). A History of Portugal and the Portuguese status of a cathedral by Pope Paul III in 1534; the Church Empire: From Beginnings to 1807. Cambridge: Cambridge and Convent of St. Francis of Assisi (1517; rebuilt in 1521 University Press. and 1661), with elements in the Manueline, Gothic and Baroque styles; the Church of Our Lady of Rosary (1549), the Elizabeth, Y. (2010) Promoting Understanding of Shared earliest of the existing churches built in the Manueline style. Heritage (PUSH), Museum International, 62:1–2, 9–13, Sé Cathedral (1652) has a Tuscan style exterior supported DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0033.2010.01721.x by Classical orders; the Basilica of Bom Jesus (1605), with Gomes, P. V. (2011). Whitewash, Red Stone. New Delhi: Yoda its prominent Classical orders and Renaissance influence and Press. the Chapel of St. Cajetan (1661), modelled on the original Guido, R. (2008). A Companion to the worlds of the design of St. Peter’s Church in Rome (WHC UNESCO 1986). Renaissance. John Wiley & Sons. The architectural continuum of the Indo-Portuguese style (Pereira and Pal 2001) can further be seen in the Archbishop’s ICOMOS (2008). ICOMOS Charter for the Interpretation and palace, near the St. Francis Church. Presentation of Cultural Heritage Sites: Prepared under the Auspices of the ICOMOS International Scientific In addition, the residential typology of Goa made use of Committee on Interpretation and Presentation of the vernacular material timber, laterite, oyster shells, iron and Cultural Heritage Sites. Ratified by the 16th General tiles for the architectural elements of the façade and roofing. Assembly of ICOMOS, Québec (Canada), on 4 October The planning as an extension and a gradual modification of 2008. International Journal of Cultural Property 15 the traditional form comprised of a front and rear courtyard (4). Cambridge University Press: 377–83. doi:10.1017/ owing to the earlier customs and the climatic aspects. S0940739108080417 1.7 Conclusion Kanekar, A. (2018). Old Goa: An Introduction. Sahapedia. https://www.sahapedia.org/old-goa-introduction. Going by all the remarks and notable observations in the Retrieved on May 21 built heritage, a famous saying, “Quem viu Goa excusa de ver Lisboa” translates to “he who has seen Goa need not Karsten, L. (2012). Globalization and Time. Routledge. see Lisbon”. Nevertheless, the geographical context of the Lynch, K. (1960). The Image Of The City. Cambridge, riverine and the hillocks provided a similarity to that of Massachusetts: The MIT Press Lisbon, of the former Terriero do Paco square with several Pandit, H. (2008). In and around Old Goa. Mumbai: Marg built structures such as a market, bastions and dock area. Publications Thus, the shared heritage of India and Portugal and the Pearson, M. N. (1988). The New Cambridge History of India: Indo-Portuguese architecture provide distinct narratives with The Portuguese in India. NY: Cambridge University Press. a blend of historical contexts. 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