The Goa Inquisition: Cruelty and Consequences of Forced Religious Conversion

In the history of Europe, inquisitions have been a dark chapter, associated with the persecution of individuals deemed heretical or non-conformist. However, the Goa Inquisition stands out as one of the greatest atrocities in the name of religion, an operation ordered by Saint Francis Xavier to convert individuals in Goa to Christianity through extreme torture and persecution.

From Saint Francis Xavier to Portuguese Royal Request

The saga began in 1545 when Saint Francis Xavier, a key figure in the promotion of Christianity, petitioned King Manuel I of Portugal from Ambon, an island in the Moluccas, to initiate the Goa Inquisition. The primary aim was to root out heresy against Christianity, a form of spiritual cleansing that would bring Goa under the strict dogmas of the Catholic Church.

The Underlying Focus and Torture Methods

The Goa Inquisition focused on punishing those accused of heresy. Initial punishments were harsh, with individuals who confessed facing relatively lighter sentences; those who refused to acknowledge their heresy faced severe torture until they either admitted their guilt or died under the sustained agony. This led to the creation of the Manual of Regulations of the Inquisition, which served as the guidebook for inquisitors, detailing not only the process of confession and torture but also the sophisticated methods to inflict pain.

The Polé pulley was one of the first methods of torture recommended for Indians. This horribly elaborate device tied the victim's hands behind their back, passing a rope over a pulley and pulling them until they were hanging from their arms, causing excruciating pain and potentially leading to nerve damage or death. The Later Rota torture, which involved laying the victim on their back and securing them to a board, then pouring water into their mouth to simulate drowning, was another grim example of these methods.

Targeting Specific Groups and Gender Discrimination

Women, particularly Hindu women, were targeted with extreme cruelty. Beautiful women who refused to be molested by the inquisitors were imprisoned, subjected to torture, including the famous breast rippers, and finally burnt at the stake. The Goa Inquisition did not spare women, as the discretion of the Tribunal often meant women faced the same brutal torture as men.

Traditional Torture Methods

Traditional methods such as stretching the victim's body on a rack or using a wheel were also employed. These techniques not only focused on inflicting immediate bodily harm but also aimed to cause long-term disability. For instance, using a rack stretched the victim's tendons and ligaments, often causing them to snap loudly, leading to paralysis.

Nail beds, boiling oil, and lighted candles were other ways of torment. Victims were strapped to these devices, subjected to pain unimaginable, with boiling oil being poured on their bodies, and lighted candles being held beneath their armpits to cause further agony.

Conclusion and Legacy

The legacy of the Goa Inquisition is one of unspeakable cruelty, religious intolerance, and the dark chapter of forced religious conversion. It serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of the merging of religious and political power, leading to the subjugation of entire populations. Its brutality and the targeted persecution against specific groups offer a grim lesson in the history of inquisitions and their enduring impact.

References:

The Goa Inquisition - Anant Kakba Priolkar A Life of Saint Francis Xavier - M.T. Kelly The Life of St. Francis Xavier - From the Italian of D. Bartoli, J.P. Maffei Images - History Collection - Torture devices of the Inquisition