The Kadambas in Goa

During the reign of the Kadambas who ruled from early 11th century for 300 years, Goa took shape as a district political entity for the first time and it was a time of unprecedented stability and wealth known as Goa’s First Golden Age.

Under Jayakeshi II the Kadamba rule reached its peak and this is testified by the gold coins that are stamped with their lion crest. Until 1310 Chandrapur was made their capital and after that it was shifted on the banks of the Zuari River to a new port – city called Govepure or Gopakapattanam today’s Goa Velha where the ruins of their port still exists.

There was a construction boom in Goa and it became a center of Hindu pilgrimage as the Kadambas built many Shiva temples. However, besides the temple of Tambdi Surla which is the only surviving Kadamba structure that remained hidden in dense jungle and is now a tourist spot inside the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary, all these temples were destroyed by the Portuguese and the Muslims.

The Kadamba rule known for their religious tolerance was on the wane by early 14th century. During this time the first mosque on the West Coast of India was built. As the capital’s Governor, an Arab merchant was even appointed.