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Goa is referred to with the Sanskrit name GOMANTAK, a word that signifies, a land similar to paradise, fertile land and good waters. Goa was coveted and ruled by a great number of Indian kingdoms and dynasties from the 4th century onwards. The first kingdom to rule Goa and Konkan were Bhojas, who were the feudatories of Ashoka in 4th and 5th centuries AD. Goa was ruled consecutively by Silahara Dynasty, Kadamba Dynasty, and finally Hoysalas from 1022 to 1342 A.D. . The history of Goa tells story of colonial heritage, oppressive rulers, a glorious culture, and uneventful immediate past. Tourism with a Difference The history and the culture of Goa makes it different from other parts of India. Goa was a part of the Mauryan Empire of Emperor Ashoka. It has been known to other cultures by different names. The Indian names were Aparant, Gomant, Govarashtra, Goparastra and so on. The Greeks called it Chersonesus, Nekanidon, Melinda or Tricadiba Insula (Ptolemy), Nincilda (Peutingerian tables), Sibo while the Arab who were trading with the Goans, referred Goa as Sindabur, Chintabur, Cintabor. The Hindus, the Muslims and the Portuguese ruled Goa. The Hindu era lasted for 700 years , the Muslims (Bahamini Kingdom) conquered Goa and destroyed the temples and deities. The only one deity that survives to this day is that of Mahadeva. From the Muslims it was passed on to the Portuguese in the year 1510. It was Alfonso de Albuquerque who captured the land from the Muslims. He had massacred the Muslims. However, he spared the Hindus to a certain extent. Goa has different kinds of tourism to offer the tourist. Today it is popular for its beach tourism Forms of History of Goa – Golden Goa By the end of the 16th century, Goa had already reached its peak and was referred to as "Golden Goa" or "Lisbon of the East". With the Portuguese, came their religion. Albuquerque's interests initially were only commerce but later on in the year 1540 the policy towards the Hindus were reversed .Forced conversions took place continuously, censorship was established on literature, the temples were destroyed, and non-Christian priests, holy men, and teachers were evicted. This led to continuous fleeing of Hindus from Goa to other parts of India. Portuguese also built great churches like the church of St. Cajetan and Bom Jesus basilica in Old Goa, which is a pilgrimage site for the Christians from around the world. One needs to visit the historic places in Goa to experience the culture and tradition of Goa.
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