The beautiful village of Cuncolim, bordering various areas of Quepem and Salcette taluka of the South Goa, is predominantly agricultural and supporting a variety of artisans and craftsmen involved in traditional occupations, since the ages.A perennial tributary of the river Sal that flows from the foothill of the pre-historic settlement of the cave of Moulanginim,was earlier providing the necessary irrigation water to the agricultural fields.Like many villages of Goa, Cuncolim was the self-sufficient and people were living happy life.Various forms of the folk arts and folk songs prevailed in the village,was displaying the rich facets of socio-cultural heritage of the land.
The presiding deity Shantadurga's temple was existed at the locality where the chapel dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is built.Shantadurga, today though worshipped iconographically in the form of Mahishasurmardini holding the sword, trident,in the past aniconically in the form of ant-hill,as Santer,was inspiring the villagers, irrespective of the caste, creed to toil hard in the soil by remaining faithful to the land.
The climatic condition of Cuncolim was favourable and was attracting people from the various areas to take shelter. The people who were engaged in agriculture, horticulture and traditional arts and crafts were enjoying the peace of mind.
The Gaunkari system was smoothly and efficiently looking after the village administration and management of cultivable lands as well as providing impetus to the religious and socio-cultural activities.
Shantadurga, Acarudeguy, Mahadev,/Golcho-Paik, Sat-purusha, Sidha-Purusha, Rama, Krishna, Goddeamata, Narayan, Ramnath, Santeri and Durgadevi were worshipped by the villagers, who were brave, hard working and tough by the nature.
In 1510, when the Portuguese conquered Tiswadi and later on Salcette talukas alongwith Cuncolim, they began to interfere in religious principles and traditions,that were cherished from the ages by the locals, unnecessarily. Due to the decrees of 1559, people were threatened by forced conversions. Viceroy Constancio Braganza, introduced various repressive measures to harass the peasantry. In association with the Archbishop and the Jesuit Provincial.the captain of the fort of Rachol, obtained permissions to demolish all the temples in Salcette. On December 11,1573, several restrictions were imposed on the Gaunkari system and took steps to insult the dignity and respect as the human beings. Many temples were razed, fairs and festivals were banned and the conversation campaign of the Jesuits were further intensified. Exorbitant taxes were imposed on the farmers.When the repressive policies became the order of the day, also in Cuncolim, they determined to avenge the repeated insults launched by the Jesuit clergy and the Portuguese soldiers. The villagers took the decision of no taxation without cessation of religious persecution. However, the collector of Revenue for Salcett, Estevao Rodrigues began to terrorize them for the prompt payment of taxes, which eventually resulted in putting he and his companions to death at Assolna. They refused to pay taxes and Police outposts were attacked and the fort of Reachol was threatened.The Portuguese government stationed around 200 soldiers to protect the local Christians. During this time the forces of Adilshah of Bijapur attacked Salcette by demolishing the churches and killed several Christians.
Villagers of Cuncolim who were terrorised by the inhuman treatment meted out to them by the Portuguese government were dissatisfied and continued to erect temples and adhere the age old traditions and customs.As a result, the chief captain of the Malabar coast Gil Eanes Mascarenhas with the territorial armed force from Rachol, entered Cuncolim with fleet through the river Sal and set fire and destroyed everything they could find. Many temples and shrines were demolished by the Vicars of Orlim and Colva. However, the villagers again repaired the temples which were repeatedly destroyed by Fr. Manuel Texeira and his companions. He also killed a cow and with the intestines defiled the sacred tank revered by the locals.
At this, a conspiracy was hatched to teach the lesson to the Portuguese government. When the revenue officials came to Cuncolim, the villagers paid taxes and pretended to be loyal to the Portuguese Crown.
On July 14,1583, Fr. Acquaviva and other Jesuits priests alongwith the local Christian converts, discussing the construction of the Church. Finding their religion threatened, the villagers of Cuncolim murdered the priests and companions.
This incident of killing the priests took place on July, 15. The main persons involved in the plan took refuge in Adilshahi territories.
The Portuguese government sent the troops to crush the opposition and at other sides invited the influential villagers for the parleys at the fort of Assolna by giving them assurance of the safe return passage. However, as soon as sixteen Gaunkars entered the fort, the gates were closed down and they were treacherously killed, except Kalgo Naik who efficiently managed to escape by jumping into the river Sal, entering safely in Honnavar.
On July, 15, 1583, villagers of Cuncolim who wanted to protect their religion and culture demonstrated bravely the courage to taught the lesson to the Portuguese government and the Jesuit priests involved in launching the reign of the terror. It was the struggle initiated by the villagers who were cherishing the freedom and honour of the religion against the Europeans engaged in giving the death blow to their identity.
Though the attempt was foiled brutely by the Portuguese government, villagers were successful in taking their deities to Fatarpa in Quepem. For the Goans, irrespective of the caste, creed and religion the revolt of Cuncolim, is the moment of the pride that should be cherished for the ages.
Moluku, Vithoba,Yessu, Guno, Jivlo, Aga, Ramgado, Khampru, Shabu, Topi, Jhang, Polputto, Bochro belonging to Naik families along with Santu Chatim and Shanta Shet from Cuncolim had sacrificed their lives for protecting the religion, culture and dignity. Goa government after the period of more than six decades of its liberation from the yoke of Portuguese rule, have taken apt decision to recognise July 15, 1583, as the day of national importance and the first struggle in India against the Europeans colonialism.
In 2003, the Cuncolim Chieftains Memorial Trust took the initiative in construction of the memorial in remembrance of the chieftains who sacrificed their lives in Assolna with the support of the Hindu -Christian villagers. On July 15, every year, the government of Goa, has decided to pay tributes to these fifteen chieftains at the National War Memorial, New Delhi.
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