Re: [GRN] Review of The Portuguese Empire buttressed from Within

'Carvalho' via Goa-Research-Net Wed, 29 Jul 2026 14:09:02 -0700

Since we are on the topic of original sources, this review of my book on Asian 
Review of Books, by Mahitosh Gopal, lecturer in history and research, Odisha, 
talks of the use of original sources in my work.
“Guts, Glory and Empire” by Selma Carvalho

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“Guts, Glory and Empire” by Selma Carvalho

Mahitosh Gopal

Selma Carvalho's new work is a compelling and unprecedented work of history set
against the backdrop of Europe’s...
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Selma CarvalhoAuthor of Guts, Glory & Empire: The Epic Story of Goans in
Zanzibar, 1865-1910 published by Speaking Tiger.

On Wednesday, 29 July 2026 at 02:08:44 BST, alan machado
<[email protected]> wrote:

My book 1510: The Taking of Goa is under publication by Frederick. It lists a
number of Indians who allied with the Portuguese in various capacities. It uses
original sources.Hope it will be out soon
On Wed, 29 Jul, 2026, 06:07 John de Figueiredo, <[email protected]> wrote:

Dear Selma,Actually I enjoyed reading your review. It is an excellent review
and the book is an important addition to the literature on this topic.I
probably read too much into the word “complicity.” Sounded like Timoja and
others were committing some kind of crime.It is now well established that the
Portuguese Empire would not have survived for as long as it did had it not been
for the willing and active collaboration of the Goans, particularly Goan Hindus
(collaboration with the Portuguese from day one). This was well established by
Pissurlencar.Again, thank you for your excellent Review and to Sharmila for her
excellent book.JohnSent from my iPhone

On Jul 28, 2026, at 1:24 PM, 'Carvalho' via Goa-Research-Net
<[email protected]> wrote:

Dear John,I searched for the word traitor in my review, I couldn't find it. I
have not used the word traitor nor has Sharmila Pais. This is a story of
collusion and collaboration.
I have not read what Pissurlencar has written about this using original
sources. Although Pais uses secondarly sources extensively throughout the book,
in this respect she has used primary sources and since I have not read
Pissurlencar, I can not compare who has used them more effectively but in any
case such a comparison is not necessary from my end.
All best,Selma CarvalhoAuthor of Guts, Glory & Empire: The Epic Story of Goans
in Zanzibar, 1865-1910 published by Speaking Tiger.

On Tuesday, 28 July 2026 at 18:20:40 BST, John de Figueiredo
<[email protected]> wrote:

Selma,This has all been well documented by Panduronga Pissurlencar using
original sources. Timoja and the Goan leaders invited Albuquerque to take over
Goa and get rid of Bijapur. When Albuquerque succeeded at occupying Goa after
one failed attempt, he was taken in triumph by the Goans. We should not use our
contemporary ideas on nationalism and colonialism to call the Goans who
supported Albuquerque “traitors.” They were trying to get rid of Bijapur and
Goa was a crucial spot because it was the only opening to the ocean to the
Empire of Vijayanagara. After that, many Goan Hindus continued to cooperate
with Portuguese for many years and the Portuguese rewarded them handsomely.
John M. de Figueiredo
Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 27, 2026, at 12:47 PM, 'Carvalho' via Goa-Research-Net
<[email protected]> wrote:

Dear members,
I ordered this book from the link given in the review and within 8 days it had
arrived in London. There is no reason at all for readers worldwide not to enjoy
books published in Goa.
TikTok reels may lie but the archives don’t. The truth has been right under our
noses residing at the Historical Archives of Goa department, Panjim, which Pais
investigates with great scholarly rigour. Right from the onset the Hindu
brahmin hand is evident. As Afonso de Albuquerque, after laying siege to
Calicut, nears Honavar, the Admiral of the Honavar fleet Timoja lies in
wait—not to confront the aggressor but to present him with tribute. In the
bounty he will lay at Albuquerque’s feet are “sheep, cows, chicken and
refreshments”. Then Timoja soothingly assures Albuquerque that “he would lead
him to a city that could easily be taken with the strength of his fleet.” These
are not Pais’ words, they form part of a speech by Marquis of Vallad in 1873
exulting Timoja nearly two centuries later. Timoja had knowledge of
Portuguese. He described himself as a brahmin and a “vassal of the King of
Portugal”. The complicity is not restricted to Timoja, there were others
involved, their names live on, perhaps not commonly known to us Goans because
we like to bury inconvenient truths, but their names are evidenced in the
archives as Malurau, Menaique, Mang, Dolvi, Raulu Camotim from Divar—all richly
rewarded by the Portuguese with distinguished positions. The letters of
Albuquerque reveal at least sixteen other upper-caste Hindu names who rendered
invaluable service in the opening decades of Portugal’s imperial ambitions in
Goa. Thereby began a dance between the Hindu elite and the Portuguese which
endured through the centuries.

Read full review here:Religion, lies and videotape — Joao-Roque Literary
Journal est. 2017

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Religion, lies and videotape — Joao-Roque Literary Journal est. 2017

Review by Selma Carvalho The tragedy of human societies is that we are only
capable of accessing recent memory ...
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Selma CarvalhoAuthor of Guts, Glory & Empire: The Epic Story of Goans in
Zanzibar, 1865-1910 published by Speaking Tiger.

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Re: [GRN] Review of The Portuguese Empire buttressed from Within

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