Chandrapura Chandor

 

Chandor, known in ancient times as Chandrapura, is one of Goa's most historically significant sites. Located in South Goa along the Kushavati River, it served as the fortified seat of power for multiple early dynasties. [1, 2, 3]

Today, all that remains of the ancient fortress are a few sections of external walls and archaeological relics. The history of Chandor Fort spans several key eras: [1, 2]

1. The Early Dynasties (Bhojas and Mauryas)

• Origins: Archaeological evidence, including Satavahana-era pottery dating back to 200 BCE, suggests the area was inhabited long before the better-known empires took over.
• The Bhojas: Chandrapura served as the prominent capital of the Bhoja kings, who ruled from the 4th century CE. [1, 2, 3]

2. The Kadamba Era (6th to 14th Century)

• Seat of Power: The Kadamba dynasty established Chandrapura as their capital, turning it into a prosperous center of trade, Hindu culture, and commerce. [1, 2, 3]
• Shiva Temple & Nandi: During this time, they built a grand Shiva temple. Today, visitors can still see remnants of the temple alongside a headless, 11th-century statue of the sacred bull, Nandi. [1, 2]
• Destruction: After attacks by Muslim invaders in 1312 and subsequent sacks in 1327, the Kadambas eventually relocated their capital. [1]

3. The Portuguese Period (16th Century Onward)

• Decline: When the Portuguese arrived in the 16th century, they shifted their primary capital and trading hub north to Ela (Old Goa). [1]
• Religious Conversion: The Portuguese subsequently destroyed many of the original Hindu structures and temples, and many local families converted to Roman Catholicism. [1, 2]
• Colonial Mansions: To reward converted families, the Portuguese granted them trade rights, leading to the construction of grand mansions. The Menezes Braganza House and the Fernandes Heritage House still stand today as towering examples of Portuguese-Goan architecture. [1, 2, 3]

4. The Legend of the Queen's Curse

• The Suicide: Local folklore recounts a tragic battle in which local residents failed to defend their king against invaders. The queen, enraged by her subjects' cowardice, committed suicide. [1]
• The Curse: Before dying, she stamped her footprint onto a stone and cursed the village, pronouncing that all its women would become widows. This stone footprint is still preserved in Chandor today. [1, 2]