A History of the Mahrattas v1.c17.43

v1.c17.43

⁴ Orme says, they were burnt by the Inquisition; but although many barbarities are alleged against the Portuguese by the Mahrattas, they nowhere assert this. [The Inquisition was established in Goa in 1560, and held seventy-one autos-da-fé, at which 4,046 Indians perished. The provincial council of the Court of Inquisition at Goa issued the most stringent decrees throughout Portuguese India against infidels and heathen. The Christians in Bassein were forbidden to employ them, lend them money, or give them shelter under pain of transportation. (Da Cunha, J.B.B.R.A.S., x.) This is corroborated by Ovington (Voyage to Surat), who writes that the Portuguese ‘proselyte the children of all persons deceased among them, whether their parents are Moors or Pagans, and seize their estates into the Church.’]