Hi Marlon, I think we can have a sensible and factual dialogue if we analyze the data rather than merely opining. I was glad to read your response to Vivek. I am responding to the facts regarding your "Stupa Theory". Please keep them coming, after you have researched them yourself.:=))
As you may or may not know, Stupas are not Hindu temple structures. They are Buddhist structures. And the Buddhist era ended in Goa long-long (many centuries) before the Portuguese even arrived in Goa. After the Delhi Sultanate ended the Kadamba dynasty in 1356, Goa had a series of local and regional HINDU and MUSLIM rulers. This ended with Goa being ruled by the Hindu kingdom of Vijayanagar (from Hampi, 1378-1471) and then finally the Muslims (Deccan) Sultanates, from 1471-1510. So it is very likely the "Stupas" you see in the cemetery wall / durig, if indeed they are that, were long gone before the Portuguese got to Goa. So let's not rely only on others doing the research. Let Goans do our own research. Is it, that a European comes, for a few days to a few weeks, writes a paper or a book, and Goans go Ya...Ya? But when a Goan writes / says something, it is "Tho kitem zano murre?" Temple-destruction did not require the inquisition. As I posted previously, temple-destruction went on long-long time before the Portuguese landed (1510) and continued after the Portuguese landed. It went on pre-1560 and post-1560. Temple destruction in Goa and elsewhere was part of a land-grab strategy practiced by all invading armies. And Goa given its strategic port was being fought over every 3-10 years, by major armies or revolting chieftains (Hindu and Muslim). In fact in 1510 alone, Goa had three battles (February, May, November). That year was not the exception. Also see year 1536. You have not denied your military background. Temple-destruction like home-destruction also occurs if the structures are not maintained especially in the climate of Goa. With population displacements because of wars, famines, epidemics, accidental fires, and other economic factors, many structures in Goa see the end of their era. We vividly observe that in Goa even today. So there are no Stupas left in Goa because there were no Buddhists left in Goa. And there are only a FEW Stupas and Buddhists left in India, because after the Maurya Empire (321-184 BCE) of which Goa was part of, there were no major Buddhist rulers in western India. In North-Eastern India, (Orissa-Bihar) where some Buddhist architectures (mountain temple carvings) are still remaining, the Buddhist dynasties were Satvahanas (28 BCE - 250 AD) and the Palas (750-1150 AD). Buddhism continues to flourish in China and South-east Asia. Kind Regards, GL ----------------- Marlon Menezes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Vivek: The evidence is not hard to find. Some of it still exists even today. As I mentioned, the Stupa of a prexisting Hindu temple still exists within the compounds of the Divar church...... Beyond this, there has been substantial research that has been conducted by others on this topic. Gilbert's states that there was a lot of space available that did not require the destruction of the temples. This certainly is a reasonble statement - except for the fact that we are talking about the era of the Inquisition. This period did not allow for any sort of peaceful coexistence. _______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
