Politica dos Casmentos - Fact or Fiction? Please read with an open mind! My first point of contention is the repeated claims that Admiral Alfonso de Albuquerque (AA) after his second victory for Goa(third battle for) had a big ceremony with his soldiers marrying widows of slain Muslim soldiers (reportedly 6000) using his “enacted Politica dos Casmentos.” This ‘mass marriage ceremony’ was supposedly preceded by a ‘mass baptism ceremony’ of the Muslim widows.
As stated previously, I am equally guilty of taking the safe route of paraphrasing this and other reported facts. I am uncertain if the ORIGINAL ‘Politica dos Casmentos’ document has been seen by current historians and the record of NUMBER of soldados who underwent the ceremony or paid for ‘Politica dos Casmentos’ certificate. My uncertainties about this event are based on several factors which are outlined in the series of events prior to December 1510. 1. AA really did not have many soldiers under his command in November 1510. Much of his sailor / soldier regiments were decimated in the earlier failed naval battle at Calicut. After this battle, AA went to Hormuz, where also victory eluded him. 2. With this lack of successes and likely significant losses, AA succumbed to Timoja’s advice to go after a soft-target - the small inland port on Isle of Goa. Despite natural and expected bias of Goans, Isle of Goa / Tiswadi was a small and mainly transit port for the Deccanrulers in Bijapur (Muslim) or Hampi (Hindu). Goa's port resources were limited. This is unlike Calicutand Cochinwhich had native resources to finance the building of defenses and a navy to protect their ports. Their native resources were abundant quantities of much sought-after "black gold" black pepper, cinnamon and other spices from Malabar and those imported from Ceylon/ Sri Lanka, Southeast Asiaand elsewhere. 3. AA first attack on Goaagainst Ismail Adil Shah (March 4 -May 20, 1510), was a success given his medium-range ship cannons; against wooden defenses with lacked a defending navy. 4. But the son, Yusuf Adil Shah mobilized a large army and marched from Bijapur to Goadefeating AA three months later in August. 5. It is reported from the original 23 ships and 1200 men, AA was left with few and damaged ships at the mouth of the MandoviRiversandwiched between Adil Shah’s forces and the oncoming monsoon. AA and his surviving forces barely made it to AnjadevaIsland. Further sequence of events to follow. Stay tuned patiently.:=)) Now that we have enjoyed Chinese New Year (Year of Rabbit) and Superbowl, lets us enjoy the freedom gained by the Egyptian people. Happy Valentine Day to all goanetters! For me it is now off to Valentine Day dance. Regards, supurlo Goenkar, GL
