By Marco Lobo — Winner of the 2012 Contest: “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading”
Though much has been written about the Inquisition in its various forms–Spanish, Portuguese and Roman; it is not well known that Portugal extended the Inquisition to its overseas territories. In the book The Witch Hunter’s Amulet, I use the Inquisition in Goa as a backdrop to the story of the Witch Hunter, Manuel Andrade, who is sent to Portuguese India to assist the Grand Inquisitor.
The Witch Hunter’s Amulet — Historical Novel
In 1536, the Inquisition was established in Portugal. It was started primarily to investigate the practices of those newly converted to Catholicism, including their descendants, to ensure that they were not continuing to practice their old religions. The initial focus of these investigations was directed at Jews.
Francis Xavier, co-founder of the Jesuit order, suspecting that many newly converted Christians in India continued to practice their old religions, requested that the Inquisition be extended to Goa. It was not until 1560, eight years after Xavier’s death that the Inquisition was established in Portuguese India. In the two and a half centuries that it endured there, it was responsible for the deaths and misery of tens of thousands of people, most of whom were Indian. Over seventy autos da fé were recorded, with many victims burned alive at the stake or burned in effigy.
Old Map of Goa
In India, the Inquisition turned its attention to Indian converts from Hinduism or Islam. The brutal methods used, served as a way to control society and culture. It was also used as a method of confiscating victims’ properties and enriching the Inquisitors.
In Goa, Hindu temples and idols were ordered to be destroyed. The inquisition was finally abolished in 1812.
If you’d like a copy of the Witch Hunter’s Amulet, please click on the following links.
The Witch Hunter’s Amulet, Christopher Matthews Publishing
The Witch Hunter’s Amulet, Amazon.com
Please feel free to leave your comments. I will update this page from time to time.
Marco Lobo 
I am very curious to read your book. I am writing a paper on the Portuguese Inquisiton and its various autos da fe. I wasn’t aware of Goa…
Many thanks in advance.
Maria Raquel de Almeida.
Cambridge, England.
Thanks for visiting my blog and your interest in my book. Best of luck and good wishes on your writing.
Hi Marco,
I am also preparing an illustrative presentation on Portuguese colonialism in Goa, let me know if you require any art works for illustrations on history.
Bornav,
India