It is not known by what name the majority of Goans of original Goa ( Salcete peninsula, Tiswadi and Bardez ) were known to the Portuguese for the first two and half centuries they ruled in Goa i.e. from 1510 to 1760, Perhaps they were known as CANARINS. The minority of mestissos, families having exclusive privilege of donating their sons to the Catholic Church and a few bhatkar families here and there were exceptions to this nomenclature.
Towards the end of the eighteen century by a Royal Edict, Portuguese citizsnship was conferred upon Goans, but I wonder of what use could that be to the vast majority of illiterate Goans. So Goans were technically Portuguese citizens from 1760 to 1940 that is for nearly two centuries. A bright star appeared in the Portuguese political firmament. " O grande economista da Universidade de Coimbra " became the dictator of Portugal. and in 1940 passed a legislation called "Acto Colonial " by which Goans were reverted to their original satatus of INDIGENAS. " Os mais portugueses do que os proprios portugueses de Portugal" or otherwise also known as " os grandes homens no pequena terra " protested vehemently at the loss of their status as Portuguese citizens. The beneficial dictator however, relented and met them half way. Portuguese citizenship was not fully restored but accordig to Mr. Mario Cabral e Sa in his article 'Etnografia - An Archaeological Relic " which appeared in Navhind Times June, 1 they were upgraded to the category of - ASSIMILADOS - meaning those who had assimilated the culture and customs of metropolitan Portugal. Antonio
