Goa

Open main menu Search Goa Language Download PDF Watch Edit For other uses, see Goa (disambiguation). Goa (/ˈɡoʊə/ (About this soundlisten)) is a state on the southwestern coast of India within the region known as the Konkan, and geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats.[7][8] It is surrounded by the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the east and south, with the Arabian Sea forming its western coast. It is India's smallest state by area and its fourth-smallest by population. Goa has the highest GDP per capita among all Indian states,[9] two and a half times as high as the GDP per capita of the country as a whole.[10] The Eleventh Finance Commission of India named Goa the best-placed state because of its infrastructure, and India’s National Commission on Population rated it as having the best quality of life in India (based on the commission’s “12 Indicators”).[10] Goa State Goa beautiful beach.JPG Gallery de Fontainhas.jpg St. Francis Church at Velha Goa.jpg Our lady panjim.jpg Old Goa Church 01.jpg Shantadurga temple.jpg Clockwise from top: Palolem Beach, Church and Convent of St. Francis of Assisi, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Shanta Durga Temple, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Goa and Gallery de Fontainhas Official logo of Goa Emblem Motto(s): Sarve Bhadrāni Paśyantu Mā Kaścid Duhkhabhāg bhavet (May everyone see goodness, may none suffer any pain) Location of Goa in India Location of Goa in India Map of Goa Map of Goa Coordinates (Panaji): 15.50°N 73.83°E Country India Formation of state 30 May 1987 Capital Panaji (Panjim) Largest city Vasco da Gama Districts 2 Government • Body Government of Goa • Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari (BJP) • Chief Minister Pramod Sawant (BJP) • Legislature Unicameral (40 seats) • Parliamentary constituency Rajya Sabha 1 Lok Sabha 2 • Chief Secretary Parimal Rai, IAS[2] Area • Total 3,702 km2 (1,429 sq mi) Area rank 28th Population (2011) • Total 1,458,545[1] • Rank 26th Demonym(s) Goan, Goenkār Time zone UTC+05:30 (IST) PIN 403XXX Area code(s) +91 0832 ISO 3166 code IN-GA Vehicle registration GA- HDI (2018) Increase 0.761[3] (high) · 3rd Sex Ratio 973 ♀/1000 ♂[4] Literacy 88.70% (3rd) Official language Konkani[5] Website www.goa.gov.in Symbols of Goa Emblem emblem of GoaSeal of Goa.png Motto सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु मा कश्चिद् दुःखमाप्नुयात् Sarve bhadrāṇi paśyantu mā kaścid duḥkhamāpnuyāt (May everyone see goodness, may none suffer any pain) Mammal Gaur(Bos gauru)Indian Bison (Gaur) 1 by N. A. Naseer.jpg Bird Flame-throated bulbul (Pycnonotus gularis)Flame-throated bulbul.jpg Fish Grey mullet/Shevtto in Konkani (Mugil cephalus)Mugil cephalus.jpg Flower Jasmine(Plumeria rubra)Fleurs de Frangipanier (Île de la Réunion) (4125134278).jpg Fruit CashewCashew apples.jpg Tree Coconut palm Cocos nucifera Cocos nucifera.jpgMatti Terminalia crenulataTerminalia elliptica NP.JPG ^* Konkani in Devanagari script is the sole official language but Marathi and English are also allowed to be used for any or all official purposes.[5][6] Panaji is the state's capital, while Vasco da Gama is its largest city. The historic city of Margão in Goa still exhibits the cultural influence of the Portuguese, who first voyaged to the subcontinent in the early 16th century as merchants, and conquered it soon thereafter, whereupon Goa became an overseas territory of the Portuguese Empire, part of what was then known as Portuguese India, and remained as such for about 450 years, until it was annexed by India in 1961.[11][12] Goa’s official language, which is spoken by a majority of its inhabitants, is Konkani. Goa is visited by large numbers of international and domestic tourists each year because of its white-sand beaches, active nightlife, places of worship, and World Heritage-listed architecture. It also has rich flora and fauna because it lies on the Western Ghats range, a biodiversity hotspot. Etymology Edit After the Bahmani-Bijapuri city of Goa was captured by Afonso de Albuquerque in 1510, and was made the capital of the Estado da Índia, the city gave its name to the contiguous territories. The origin of the city name Goa is unclear. In ancient literature, Goa was known by many names, such as Gomanchala, Gopakapattana, Gopakapattam, Gopakapuri, Govapuri, Govem, and Gomantak.[13] Other historical names for Goa are Sindapur, Sandabur, and Mahassapatam.[14] History Edit Main article: History of Goa Prehistory Edit Usgalimal rock engravings Rock art engravings found in Goa are the earliest known traces of human life in India.[15] Goa, situated within the Shimoga-Goa Greenstone Belt in the Western Ghats (an area composed of metavolcanics, iron formations and ferruginous quartzite), yields evidence for Acheulean occupation.[16] Rock art engravings (petroglyphs) are present on laterite platforms and granite boulders in Usgalimal near the west flowing Kushavati river and in Kajur.[17] In Kajur, the rock engravings of animals, tectiforms and other designs in granite have been associated with what is considered to be a megalithic stone circle with a round granite stone in the centre.[18] Petroglyphs, cones, stone-axe, and choppers dating to 10,000 years ago have been found in various locations in Goa, including Kazur, Mauxim, and the Mandovi-Zuari basin.[19] Evidence of Palaeolithic life is visible at Dabolim, Adkon, Shigao, Fatorpa, Arli, Maulinguinim, Diwar, Sanguem, Pilerne, and Aquem-Margaon. Difficulty in carbon dating the laterite rock compounds poses a problem for determining the exact time period.[20] Early Goan society underwent radical change when Indo-Aryan and Dravidian migrants amalgamated with the aboriginal locals, forming the base of early Goan culture.[21] Early history Edit In the 3rd century BC, Goa was part of the Maurya Empire, ruled by the Buddhist emperor, Ashoka of Magadha. Buddhist monks laid the foundation of Buddhism in Goa. Between the 2nd century BC and the 6th century AD, Goa was ruled by the Bhojas of Goa. Chutus of Karwar also ruled some parts as feudatories of the Satavahanas of Kolhapur (2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD), Western Kshatrapas (around 150 AD), the Abhiras of Western Maharashtra, Bhojas of the Yadav clans of Gujarat, and the Konkan Mauryas as feudatories of the Kalachuris.[22] The rule later passed to the Chalukyas of Badami, who controlled it between 578 and 753, and later the Rashtrakutas of Malkhed from 753 to 963. From 765 to 1015, the Southern Silharas of Konkan ruled Goa as the feudatories of the Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas.[23] Over the next few centuries, Goa was successively ruled by the Kadambas as the feudatories of the Chalukyas of Kalyani. They patronised Jainism in Goa.[24] In 1312, Goa came under the governance of the Delhi Sultanate. The kingdom's grip on the region was weak, and by 1370 it was forced to surrender it to Harihara I of the Vijayanagara empire. The Vijayanagara monarchs held on to the territory until 1469, when it was appropriated by the Bahmani sultans of Gulbarga. After that dynasty crumbled, the area fell into the hands of the Adil Shahis of Bijapur, who established as their auxiliary capital the city known under the Portuguese as Velha Goa (or Old Goa).[25] The Mahadev Temple, attributed to the Kadambas of Goa; in what is today Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park. Gold coins issued by the Kadamba king of Goa, Shivachitta Paramadideva. Circa 1147–1187 CE. Portuguese period Edit The Se Cathedral at Old Goa, built in 1619, is an example of Portuguese architecture and is one of the largest churches in Asia. In 1510, the Portuguese defeated the ruling Bijapur sultan Yusuf Adil Shah with the help of a local ally, Timoji, a privateer.[26] They set up a permanent settlement in Velha Goa. This was the beginning of Portuguese colonial rule in Goa that would last for four and a half centuries, until its annexation to India in 1961. The Goa Inquisition, a formal tribunal, was established in 1560, and was finally abolished in 1812.[27] From the latter decades of the eighteenth century, the territory of Goa was composed of two segments: the central nucleus of the Velhas Conquistas (Old Conquests) - Bardez, Ilhas of Tiswadi, and Salsete), these territories had been under Portuguese administration since the sixteenth century; and the Novas Conquistas (New Conquests) - Bicholim, Canacona, Pernem, Quepem, Sattari, Sanguem - territories which had been successively added through the eighteenth century. In 1843, the Portuguese moved the capital to the Cidade da Nova Goa, today known as Panaji, from Velha Goa. By the mid-18th century, Portuguese Goa had expanded to most of the present-day state limits. Simultaneously, the Portuguese lost other possessions in India until their borders stabilized and formed the Estado da Índia Portuguesa or State of Portuguese India. Contemporary period Edit See also: Annexation of Goa After India gained independence from British rule in 1947, India requested that Portuguese territories on the Indian subcontinent be ceded to India. Portugal refused to negotiate on the sovereignty of its Indian enclaves. On 19 December 1961, the Indian Army invaded with Operation Vijay resulting in the annexation of Goa, and of Daman and Diu islands into the Indian union. Goa, along with Daman and Diu, was organised as a centrally administered union territory of India.[28] On 30 May 1987, the union territory was split, and Goa was made India's twenty-fifth state, with Daman and Diu remaining a union territory.[29] Geography and climate Edit Geography Edit Goa coastline at Dona Paula Picture of coastline of Vasco da Gama, Goa, taken from an aircraft's window. Goa encompasses an area of 3,702 km2 (1,429 sq mi). It lies between the latitudes 14°53′54″ N and 15°40′00″ N and longitudes 73°40′33″ E and 74°20′13″ E. Goa is a part of the coastal country known as the Konkan, which is an escarpment rising up to the Western Ghats range of mountains, which separate it from the Deccan Plateau. The highest point is the Sonsogor, with an altitude of 1,167 metres (3,829 ft). Goa has a coastline of 160 km (99 mi). Goa's seven major rivers are the Zuari, Mandovi, Terekhol, Chapora, Galgibag, Kumbarjua canal, Talpona and the Sal.[30] The Zuari and the Mandovi are the most important rivers, interspaced by the Kumbarjua canal, forming a major estuarine complex.[30] These rivers are fed by the Southwest monsoon rain and their basin covers 69% of the state's geographical area.[30] These rivers are some of the busiest in India. Goa has more than 40 estuarine, eight marine, and about 90 riverine islands. The total navigable length of Goa's rivers is 253 km (157 mi). Goa has more than 300 ancient water-tanks built during the rule of the Kadamba dynasty and over 100 medicinal springs. The Mormugao harbour on the mouth of the River Zuari is one of the best natural harbours in South Asia. Most of Goa's soil cover is made up of laterites rich in ferric-aluminum oxides and reddish in colour. Further inland and along the riverbanks, the soil is mostly alluvial and loamy. The soil is rich in minerals and humus, thus conducive to agriculture. Some of the oldest rocks in the Indian subcontinent are found in Goa between Molem and Anmod on Goa's border with Karnataka. The rocks are classified as Trondjemeitic Gneiss estimated to be 3,600 million years old, dated by rubidium isotope dating. A specimen of the rock is exhibited at Goa University. Dudhsagar Falls at Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park Dudhsagar Waterfalls in August. Train passing next to the Dudhsagar Falls. Lower half of Dudhsagar Falls. Climate Edit Goa features a tropical monsoon climate under the Köppen climate classification. Goa, being in the tropical zone and near the Arabian Sea, has a hot and humid climate for most of the year. The month of May is usually the hottest, seeing daytime temperatures of over 35 °C (95 °F) coupled with high humidity. The state's three seasons are Southwest monsoon period (June – September), post-monsoon period (October – January), and pre-monsoon period (February – May).[30] Over 90% of the average annual rainfall (120 inches) is received during the monsoon season.[30] Climate data for Goa Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Average high °C (°F) 31.6 (88.9) 31.5 (88.7) 32.0 (89.6) 33.0 (91.4) 33.0 (91.4) 30.3 (86.5) 28.9 (84.0) 28.8 (83.8) 29.5 (85.1) 31.6 (88.9) 32.8 (91.0) 32.4 (90.3) 31.3 (88.3) Daily mean °C (°F) 26.0 (78.8) 26.3 (79.3) 27.7 (81.9) 29.3 (84.7) 30.0 (86.0) 27.6 (81.7) 26.7 (80.1) 26.4 (79.5) 26.9 (80.4) 27.9 (82.2) 27.6 (81.7) 26.6 (79.9) 27.4 (81.4) Average low °C (°F) 19.6 (67.3) 20.5 (68.9) 23.2 (73.8) 25.6 (78.1) 26.3 (79.3) 24.7 (76.5) 24.1 (75.4) 24.0 (75.2) 23.8 (74.8) 23.8 (74.8) 22.3 (72.1) 20.6 (69.1) 23.2 (73.8) Average precipitation mm (inches) 0.2 (0.01) 0.1 (0.00) 1.2 (0.05) 11.8 (0.46) 112.7 (4.44) 868.2 (34.18) 994.8 (39.17) 512.7 (20.19) 251.9 (9.92) 124.8 (4.91) 30.9 (1.22) 16.7 (0.66) 2,926 (115.2) Average precipitation days 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.8 4.2 21.9 27.2 13.3 13.5 6.2 2.5 0.4 90.1 Mean monthly sunshine hours 313.1 293.8 291.4 288.0 297.6 126.0 105.4 120.9 177.0 248.0 273.0 300.7 2,834.9 Source 1: World Meteorological Organization[31] Source 2: Hong Kong Observatory[32] for sunshine and mean temperatures Subdivisions Edit Talukas of Goa. Talukas in green shades belong to North Goa district, and orange denote South Goa district. Main article: Districts of Goa See also: List of cities and towns in Goa The state is divided into two districts: North Goa and South Goa. Each district is administered by a district collector, appointed by the Indian government. Panaji is the headquarters of North Goa district and is also the capital of Goa. North Goa is further divided into three subdivisions – Panaji, Mapusa, and Bicholim; and five talukas (subdistricts) – Tiswadi/Ilhas de Goa (Panaji), Bardez (Mapusa), Pernem, Bicholim, and Sattari (Valpoi). Margao is the headquarters of South Goa district. South Goa is further divided into five subdivisions – Ponda, Mormugao-Vasco, Margao, Quepem, and Dharbandora; and seven talukas – Ponda, Mormugao, Salcete (Margao), Quepem, and Canacona (Chaudi), Sanguem, and Dharbandora. (Ponda taluka was shifted from North Goa to South Goa in January 2015). Goa's major cities include Panaji, Margao, Vasco, Mapusa, Ponda, Bicholim, and Valpoi. Panaji has the only Municipal Corporation in Goa. There are thirteen Municipal Councils: Margao, Mormugao (including Vasco), Pernem, Mapusa, Bicholim, Sanquelim, Valpoi, Ponda, Cuncolim, Quepem, Curchorem, Sanguem, and Canacona. Goa has a total number of 334 villages.[33] Government and politics Edit Main article: Government of Goa Goa Assembly The politics of Goa are a result of the uniqueness of this region due to 450 years of Portuguese rule, in comparison to three centuries of British rule experienced by the rest of India. The Indian National Congress was unable to achieve electoral success in the first two decades after the State's incorporation into India.[34] Instead, the state was dominated by the regional political parties like Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and the United Goans Party.[35] Government Edit In the Parliament of India, Goa has two seats in the Lok Sabha (House of the People) The lower house of the Indian Parliament, one representing each district, and one seat in the Rajya Sabha (Council of the States) The Upper House of the Indian Parliament. Goa's administrative capital is Panaji in English, Panjim also spelt as Pangim in Portuguese, and Ponjê in the local language. It lies on the left bank of the Mandovi river. The seat of the Goa Legislative Assembly is in Porvorim, across the Mandovi from Panaji. As the state comes under the Bombay High Court, Panaji has a bench in it. Unlike other states, which follow the model of civil laws framed for individual religions introduced in the days of Raj, the Portuguese Goa civil code, a uniform code based on the Napoleonic code, has been retained in Goa. Goa has a unicameral legislature, the Goa Legislative Assembly, of 40 members, headed by a speaker. The Chief Minister heads the executive, which is made up of the party or coalition elected with a majority in the legislature. The Governor, the head of the state, is appointed by the President of India. After having stable governance for nearly thirty years up to 1990, Goa is now notorious for its political instability having seen fourteen governments in the span of the fifteen years between 1990 and 2005.[36] In March 2005, the assembly was dissolved by the Governor and President's Rule was declared, which suspended the legislature. A by-election in June 2005 saw the Indian National Congress coming back to power after winning three of the five seats that went to polls. The Congress Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are the two largest parties in the state. In the assembly poll of 2007, the INC-led coalition won and formed the government.[37] In the 2012 Vidhan Sabha Elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party along with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party won a clear majority, forming the new government with Manohar Parrikar as the Chief Minister. Other parties include the United Goans Democratic Party, the Nationalist Congress Party.[38] In the 2017 assembly elections, the Indian National Congress gained the most seats, with the BJP coming in second. However, no party was able to gain a majority in the 40 member house. The BJP was invited to form the Government by Governor Mridula Sinha. The Congress claimed the use of money power on the part of the BJP and took the case to the Supreme Court. However, the Manohar Parikkar led Government was able to prove its majority in the Supreme Court mandated "floor test".[39][40][41] Flora and fauna Edit Main article: Flora and fauna of Goa Coconut Palm Tree Coconut palm trees are a ubiquitous symbol of Goa Equatorial forest cover in Goa stands at 1,424 km2 (549.81 sq mi),[13] most of which is owned by the government. Government-owned forest is estimated at 1,224.38 km2 (472.74 sq mi) whilst private is given as 200 km2 (77.22 sq mi). Most of the forests in the state are located in the interior eastern regions of the state. The Western Ghats, which form most of eastern Goa, have been internationally recognised as one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world. In the February 1999 issue of National Geographic Magazine, Goa was compared with the Amazon and the Congo basins for its rich tropical biodiversity.[citation needed] Goa's wildlife sanctuaries boast of more than 1512 documented species of plants, over 275 species of birds, over 48 kinds of animals and over 60 genera of reptiles.[42] Goa is also known for its coconut cultivation. The coconut tree has been reclassified by the government as a palm (like grass), enabling farmers and real estate developers to clear land with fewer restrictions. Rice is the main food crop, and pulses (legume), Ragi (Finger Millet), and other food crops are also grown. Main cash crops are coconut, cashewnut, areca nut, sugarcane, and fruits like pineapple, mango and banana.[13] Goa's state animal is the Gaur, the state bird is the Ruby Throated Yellow Bulbul, which is a variation of Black-crested Bulbul, and the state tree is the Matti (Asna). Rice paddies are common in rural Goa. The important forest products are bamboo canes, Maratha barks, chillar barks, and the bhirand. Coconut trees are ubiquitous and are present in almost all areas of Goa barring the elevated regions. A variety of deciduous trees, such as teak, Sal tree, cashew, and mango trees are present. Fruits include jackfruit, mango, pineapple, and "black-berry" ("podkoam" in Konkani language). Goa's forests are rich in medicinal plants. Foxes, wild boar and migratory birds are found in the jungles of Goa. The avifauna (bird species) includes kingfisher, myna and parrot. Numerous types of fish are also caught off the coast of Goa and in its rivers. Crab, lobster, shrimp, jellyfish, oysters, and catfish are the basis of the marine fishery. Goa also has a high snake population. Goa has many famous "National Parks", including the renowned Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary on the island of Chorão. Other wildlife sanctuaries include the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Molem Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Madei Wildlife Sanctuary, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, and Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary. Goa has more than 33% of its geographic area under government forests (1224.38 km2) of which about 62% has been brought under Protected Areas (PA) of Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Park. Since there is a substantial area under private forests and a large tract under cashew, mango, coconut, etc. plantations, the total forest and tree cover constitutes 56.6% of the geographic area. Economy Edit Gross State Domestic Product (in millions of Rupees)[43] Year GSDP 1980 3,980 1985 6,550 1990 12,570 1995 33,190 2000 76,980 2010 150,000 Goa's state domestic product for 2017 is estimated at $11 billion at current prices. Goa is India's richest state with the highest GDP per capita – two and a half times that of the country – with one of its fastest growth rates: 8.23% (yearly average 1990–2000).[44] Tourism is Goa's primary industry: it gets 12%[45] of foreign tourist arrivals in India. Goa has two main tourist seasons: winter and summer. In winter, tourists from abroad (mainly Europe) come, and summer (which, in Goa, is the rainy season) sees tourists from across India. Goa's net state domestic product (NSDP) was around US$7.24 billion in 2015–16.[46] The land away from the coast is rich in minerals and ores, and mining forms the second largest industry. Iron, bauxite, manganese, clays, limestone, and silica are mined. The Mormugao port handled 31.69 million tonnes of cargo in 2007, which was 39% of India's total iron ore exports. Sesa Goa (now owned by Vedanta Resources) and Dempo are the lead miners. Rampant mining has been depleting the forest cover as well as posing a health hazard to the local population. Corporations are also mining illegally in some areas. During 2015–16, the total traffic handled by Mormugao port was recorded to be 20.78 million tonnes. Agriculture, while of shrinking importance to the economy over the past four decades, offers part-time employment to a sizeable portion of the populace. Rice is the main agricultural crop, followed by areca, cashew, and coconut. Fishing employs about 40,000 people, though recent official figures indicate a decline of the importance of this sector and also a fall in the catch, due perhaps, to traditional fishing giving way to large-scale mechanised trawling. Medium-scale industries include the manufacturing of pesticides, fertilisers, tyres, tubes, footwear, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, wheat products, steel rolling, fruits and fish canning, cashew nuts, textiles, brewery products. Currently, there are 16 planned SEZs in Goa. The Goa government has recently decided to not allow any more Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Goa after strong opposition to them by political parties and the Goa Catholic Church.[47] Goa is also notable for its low priced beer, wine, and spirits prices due to its very low excise duty on alcohol. Another main source of cash inflow to the state is remittance, from many of its citizens who work abroad, to their families. It is said to have some of the largest bank savings in the country. Goa is the second state in India to achieve a 100 percent automatic telephone system with a solid network of telephone exchanges. As of September 2017, Goa had a total installed power generation capacity of 547.88 MW. Goa is also one of the few states in India to achieve 100 percent rural electrification.[48] Train carrying iron ore to Marmagao Port, Vasco. Commercial area in Panaji. Demographics Edit Population Edit See also: Goans Population growth Census Population %± 1951 547,000 — 1961 590,000 7.9% 1971 795,000 34.7% 1981 1,008,000 26.8% 1991 1,170,000 16.1% 2001 1,347,668 15.2% 2011 1,458,545 8.2% A native of Goa is called a Goan. Goa has a population of 1.459 million residents as of 2011,[49][better source needed] making it India's fourth smallest (after Sikkim, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh). The population has a growth rate of 8.23% per decade. There are 394 people for each square kilometre of land which is higher than national average 382 per km2. Goa is the state with highest proportion of urban population with 62.17% of the population living in urban areas. The sex ratio is 973 females to 1,000 males. The birth rate is 15.70 per 1,000 people in 2007. Goa also is the state with lowest proportion of Scheduled Tribes at 0.04%.[50] A relatively small Goan-Portuguese mixed race population resulted from Portuguese colonisation, one estimate being that less than 100 mestiço families left in 1961 when Portugal lost the colony.[51] Estimates put the migrant, or non-Goan, population at 20% of the population, with a state government study projecting that by 2021 the migrant community will outnumber the native population.[52] Languages Edit See also: Konkani and Marathi Languages Goa (2011)[53][54] Konkani (66.09%) Marathi (10.88%) Hindi (8.64%) Kannada (4.65%) Urdu (2.82%) Others (6.92%) The Goa, Daman and Diu Official Language Act, 1987 makes Konkani in the Devanagari script the sole official language of Goa, but provides that Marathi may also be used "for all or any of the official purposes". Portuguese was the sole official language during Portuguese colonial rule. The government also has a policy of replying in Marathi to correspondence received in Marathi.[55] There have been demands for according Konkani in the Roman script official status in the state. There is widespread support for keeping Konkani as the sole official language of Goa.[56] The entire liturgy and communication of the Catholic church in Goa is done solely in Konkani in the Roman script. Konkani is spoken as a native language by about 66.11% of the people in the state, but almost all Goans can speak and understand Konkani. Other linguistic groups in the state per the 2011 census are speakers of Marathi (10.89%), Hindi (10.29%), Kannada (4.66%) and Urdu (2.83%).[57] Historically, Konkani was neither the official nor the administrative language of the many rulers of the State. Under the Kadambas (c. 960 – 1310), the court language was Kannada. When under Muslim rule (1312 - 1370 and 1469 - 1510), the official and cultural language was Persian. Various stones in the Archaeological Museum and Portrait Gallery from the period are inscribed in Kannada and Persian.[58] During the period in between the two periods of Muslim rule, the Vijayanagara Empire, which had control of the state, mandated the use of Kannada and Telugu.[58] Religion Edit