On Wednesday, the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, laid the foundation stone for the new Raj Bhavan and at the same function, Governor of Goa P.S Sreedharan Pillai announced that once the new Raj Bhavan comes up, the old will become a national monument.
While the issue of the new Raj Bhavan is debatable, the decision to declare the old one a national monument needs to be applauded.
The Raj Bhavan has seen the maximum number of government changes in independent India even though Goa got independence 14 years after India’s independence, which was in 1947.
As Goa completed 60 years of liberation on December 19, the State government decided to construct a new Raj Bhavan as the old building was incuring huge expenses due to the old structure.
Let’s have a brief look at the history of Goa’s Raj Bhavan.
The Goa Raj Bhavan is a residential palace and fort situated in Dona Paula, Goa which serves as the official residence of the Governor of Goa.
The sprawling 88 acres estate is located on a cape in the Goan capital, Panaji. Known by the name “Palacio do Cabo” until it gained official status as the residence of the Governor of Goa, this palace is said to be built between the 16th and 17th century in erstwhile Portuguese India.
The fort is strategically positioned facing the Arabian sea opposite the well-preserved 17th-century Forte Aguada.
In 1540, the eighth governor of Portuguese India, Estêvão de Gama, proposed constructing some fortifications to guard the entrance to the Goa harbour.
As per their long-established defence strategy, they quickly built a church and fort and subsequently attached a convent.
The Cabo (Portuguese for cape) was converted into one of the best equipped and important fortresses over the years, although nothing remains of the old citadel that served as the Franciscan Convent these days.
Since the canons were not often used, the buildings at some point were also used as temporary accommodation for the archbishop.
Over time, it became the official residence of the Portuguese Governor of Goa.
It is said to be a strategically designed fort, not just holding panoramic views of the meeting of three water bodies, the Mandovi and Zuari rivers with the Arabian sea, but also of the river bay, Fort Aguada and the busy port of Mormugao. The scenic beauty and solitude, combined with its uniqueness and planning, are some of the attractions that remain at the Palacio do Cabo.
The small Church founded in 1541 at the very end of the mansion is dedicated to Our Lady of The Cape (Nossa Senhora do Cabo). This Church also served as a landmark for the seafarers and celebrates its annual fest (feast) on August 15.
The Cabo Palace is now known as the Raj Bhavan, the official name given to the residence of the Governors of the States in India.
It is also said to be among the finest residences of Indian Governors owing to its location and display of Portuguese-Goan Architecture.
Indeed, it is said to hold the title as the oldest as no other residence of a Governor of India has its origin over four hundred years ago.
The palace is a double-storey structure of great dimensions and architectural significance. While the ground level consists of the office chamber and residence of the Governor, in addition to a few guest suites. The upper level holds halls for gatherings (Durbar hall), conferences and banquets, along with the main Kitchen and additional guest suites or rooms.
A row of verandas (Verandahs) elevated on pillars on the rear side of the mansion overlooking the Mandovi river to the right, the Zuari river to the left, and the Arabian sea ahead.
Bohemian chandeliers, Chinese porcelain, and silver and wooden furniture form the assets of this palace. The pieces of antique Chinese porcelain are said to be presumably manufactured in Canton. A worn-out set of crockery similar to the Portuguese coat of arms was specially ordered for the use of the Portuguese Governor-General.
An excellent collection of high-quality solid wood furniture with exquisite workmanship adorns some of the spaces in this palatial mansion. A set of intricately carved chairs with figurines of Hindu Gods and Temples indicates the complete harmony between Christians and Hindus in Goa.
Five tall Cantonese vases believed to be over 300 years old and two large-sized Cantonese bowls, all of which hold the Portuguese coat of arms, are among the prized antique items at the palace. So are two wooden Ormolu mounted chests with veneer wood inlay and carara marble tops. On the walls of the Durbar Hall are large mirrors and a painting of a Fisherman by Francisco Jose Rezende (1866). Carved furniture of ingenious and rare workmanship form part of the palace’s collections – the quality of which has not diminished even after use for centuries, owing to the up-keep.
Deteriorating structure of Raj Bhavan
During the years 1999 and 2000, the palace underwent a major renovation. As per expert advice, old wooden beams that held the upper level were replaced with steel beams to strengthen the structure. The beams are said to have been decayed over the years. The process was carried out in phases to allow for careful alterations and avoid damage to the historically significant structure.
In areas behind the palace facing the Arabian sea, considerable distress had been faced over the last few years, in turn calling for major remedial steps to protect and preserve this historical building.
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