A wrong videoclip link was sent in earlier post. This one is the correct one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brh6WfrfMEg
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Dr.Nandkumar Kamat <nandka...@gmail.com> Date: Tue, Sep 7, 2010 at 2:36 PM Subject: What the Portuguese did in 1632 to compete with Taj Mahal and impress the Moghuls? To: goanet <goanet@lists.goanet.org> “Eka vatin, eke ratin…..” View the You Tube clip Along the 375 years old Ponte de Linhares causeway-a crumbling architectural marvel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjKUnmfQ9YU What the Portuguese did to compete with Taj Mahal and impress the Moghuls? It is not a coincidence that construction of Taj ( actually MumTaz mahal) Mahal and Ponte de Linhares causeway began in the same year-1632 When the news of construction of Taj Mahal at Agra by emperor Shahjahan reached Goa-the Portuguese decided to impress the Moghuls with something great, so great that it would not have any parallel in Asia during 17 th century They surveyed the Mandovi waterfront. Two creeks-Chimbel and Ourem were separating Ribander, the suburb populated by Fidalgoes. The whole are was swamy crisscrossed by creeks and rivulets interspersed with salt pans and large tracts of Khazan lands. They felt that a land bridge, a causeway could connect old Goa to Panjim. They commissioned the best of the Jesuit minds from the city of old Goa. The Count of Linhares (1629-1635) meant business. He was a ruler full of ideas. He wanted to show to the world that the Portuguese are not less than the Moghuls in architectural or engineering feat. It was not an easy task. The base rock in Mandovi is 15 metres below the sediment. So the superstructure had to be raised on a strong wooden pile. The Portuguese had scrutinized the local techniques of Khazan bundh construction and repairs. The engineering work involved-driving large areca poles in the mud. Dig foundation pits in mud. Transport logs of Jambho to the site. Bury the 5-6 metres long logs deep, vertically. Erect pile foundation on the assembly of logs. Construct 40 Roman arches. More than a million dressed laterites. Then lay a stable stone carpet over the bridge for 3026 metres. Followed by compacted soil. Locals could not believe what they were watching-fishermen, salt producers, farmers… The legend says that the Jesuits built the Ponte de Linhares causeway with a single candle (eke vatin) and in a single night (eke ratin). When the causeway was completed- it was then the longest in whole of Asia. It was a multipurpose bridge. It allowed controlled intake of saline water for the 10 large salt pans fisheries near the stakes (khutavani), normal cross drainage from higher grounds, berthing places for the small canoes. It could also be used for the defense of the entrance to city of Old Goa by mounting cannons. It fulfilled both the civil and military purposes. The foundation of the city of Panaji would not have been possible as the new capital of Portuguese Goa without this asset. Despite repairs, the causeway shows wear and tear. Many arches are collapsing or sinking. It qualifies for world heritage status as a 17 th century architectural and engineering wonder. No doubt , moghuls and foreign travelers must have been impressed with the sight as they entered Old Goa from river Mandovi. When you stand in the middle of the Mandovi bridge, the causeway shows how important it is for the ecological security, transport, communication, trade, commerce and prosperity of Island of Tiswadi which today accounts for 50 percent of the wealth of the state of Goa. The problem is nobody cares for it. It is as important for Goans as Taj Mahal. -- Dr. Nandkumar Kamat, GOA -- Dr. Nandkumar Kamat, GOA