Sarah Mitchell
Mangalorean Catholics are an ethno-religious community of Latin Christians from the Diocese of Mangalore and the erstwhile South Canara area, by the southern coast of present-day Karnataka, India. They are descended from the Indo-Aryans who lived on the banks of the now-extinct Saraswati River. Many Mangalorean Catholics are believed to be descendants of Catholics who fled religious persecution during the Goa Inquisition in the 16th century. It is estimated that almost 95% of Mangalorean Catholics have origins in Goa. While it is unclear what percentage of Mangalorean Catholics are GSBs or Brahmin converts, some sources suggest that a significant number of them may be, as GSBs were present in Mangalore as early as the 16th century, and Brahmins were engaged in various occupations such as agriculture and trade.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Mangalorean Catholics with origins in Goa | 95% |
| Number of waves of migration to Mangalore | 3 |
| Time period of migration waves | Between 1500 and 1700 |
| Reasons for migration | Maratha invasions of Goa, the Inquisition, epidemics, disease, famines, natural calamities, overpopulation, poor living conditions, heavy tax burdens, and social discrimination by the Portuguese |
| Language retained by Mangalorean Catholics | Konkani |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Caste | Brahmin |
| Genetic closeness with Goan Catholic Bamonns & Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins | 0.8 to 1.5 |
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What You'll Learn
- Mangalorean Catholics are an ethno-religious community of Latin Christians
- They descend from Goan Catholics who migrated to Mangalore in three waves
- Many Mangalorean Catholics are descendants of Brahmins
- They are referred to as OBCs, not the General category
- They have a unique culture and identity distinct from Goans and Bombay East Indians
Mangalorean Catholics are an ethno-religious community of Latin Christians
Mangalorean Catholics (Konkani: Kōdiyālcheñ Kathōlikā) are an ethno-religious community of Latin Christians from the Diocese of Mangalore and the erstwhile South Canara area, on the southern coast of present-day Karnataka, India. They are descendants of the New Christians of Portuguese Goa, who migrated to the Keladi Kingdom between 1560 and 1763, during the Goa Inquisition, the Portuguese-Adil Shahi Wars, and the Mahratta Invasions of Goa and Bombay. The migration occurred in three major waves, with the first wave leaving due to the Goa Inquisition, which aimed to eradicate all Hindu practices from the lives of native converts. The Inquisition banned Christian converts from using Hindu names, attending Hindu ceremonies, and practicing Hindu customs, with those who refused to comply forced to leave Goa and settle outside the Portuguese dominion.
During their time in Canara, the Mangalorean Catholics learned the local languages of Tulu and Kanarese while also retaining their mother tongue, Konkani, and their Konkani way of life, which had undergone Christianisation in Goa. The mass was celebrated in Latin, but the sermon and explication of the mysteries were delivered in Konkani. The parishes were grouped into deaneries called varados, and every parish was divided into wards, with parish councils present in most parishes. The few priests who accompanied the Christian emigrants to South Canara were unable to properly care for them, leading to the creation of the gurkar system. Gurkars were Mangalorean Catholic men of good moral character who were selected as headmen in Christian settlements and entrusted with the social and religious supervision of the community.
Following their migration, the primary occupation of the Mangalorean Catholics was agriculture, as they were skilled farmers. Every farmer practised carpentry, but it was quite primitive and unskilled, and other crafts and industries were non-existent. The community grew wealthy and came to own vast lands, with their hard work and involvement in various trades admired by Tippu Sultan. However, their fortunes changed when Tippu Sultan gained control of Canara in 1784 and issued orders to seize the Christians, confiscate their estates, and deport them to Seringapatam. The Mangalorean Catholics suffered a 15-year-long captivity at Seringapatam, where they endured extreme hardships, torture, death, and forced conversion to Sunni Islam. It is estimated that of the 60,000-80,000 Christians taken captive, only 15,000-20,000 returned alive as Christians.
After the defeat and death of Tippu Sultan at the Siege of Seringapatam in 1799 by the English East India Company and its allies, most of the Mangalorean Catholics resettled in and around South Canara. Over time, migrations led to the formation of a Mangalorean diaspora in the Persian Gulf countries and the Anglosphere. Intermarriages with non-Mangaloreans have caused a decline in the culture of Mangalorean Catholic cuisine and practices. While the community has spread across the world, their hometowns remain primarily in the civil districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi in Karnataka, as well as Kassergode in Kerala.
While it is not known what percentage of Mangalorean Catholics are GSBs, it is believed that many Mangalorean Catholics are descendants of GSBs who migrated to the South Canara region during the 16th century to escape religious persecution during the Inquisition in Goa. GSBs, or Saraswat Brahmins, were present in Mangalore as traders before the arrival of the Portuguese, and some converted to Roman Catholicism during the Inquisition. However, there is no proof of the mass conversion of GSBs, and the community is quite diverse, with individuals tracing their origins to various Brahmin groups and other castes.
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They descend from Goan Catholics who migrated to Mangalore in three waves
Mangalorean Catholics are an ethno-religious community of Latin Christians from the Diocese of Mangalore and the erstwhile South Canara area; by the southern coast of present-day Karnataka, India. They are largely descended from Goan Catholics who migrated to Mangalore in three waves.
The first wave of migration occurred in 1560 due to the Goan Inquisition, which aimed to eradicate all Hindu practices from the lives of native converts. The use of Konknni was made punishable for converts to Western Christianity, and Christian converts were banned from using Hindu names, attending Hindu ceremonies, and practising Hindu customs. Those who refused to comply were forced to leave Goa and settle outside the Portuguese dominion.
The second wave of migration happened between 1570 and 1579 during the Portuguese-Adil Shahi Wars. In 1571, the Sultan of Bijapur, Ali Adil Shah I, attacked Goa and ended Portuguese influence in the region. Fearing persecution, many Goan Catholics fled to South Canara and settled in Barcoor, Kallianpur, Cundapore, and Basroor.
The third wave of migration occurred between 1667 and 1683 during the Portuguese-Maratha Wars. In 1664, Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire, attacked Kudal, a town north of Goa, and began his campaign for Goa. After his death in 1680, his son Sambhaji continued the onslaught, driving nearly all Christians from their homelands. Most of them migrated to South Canara, and this migration is referred to as the "Third Wave of Migration".
During their captivity at Seringapatam (1784-1799), many Mangalorean Catholics died or were killed, and some were forcibly converted to Sunni Islam. After Tippu Sultan's defeat and death at the Siege of Seringapatam in 1799, most resettled in and around South Canara and developed a separate and common cultural identity distinct from Goans. According to genealogist Michael Lobo, the present Mangalorean Catholic community is descended almost entirely from a small group of survivors.
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Many Mangalorean Catholics are descendants of Brahmins
Mangalorean Catholics are an ethno-religious community of Latin Christians from the Diocese of Mangalore and the erstwhile South Canara area, on the southern coast of present-day Karnataka, India. The history of the Mangalorean Catholics begins with the Christianisation of Goa and Bombay by the Portuguese in the 16th and 17th centuries. The community was formed by the migration of New Christians from Portuguese Goa to the Canara subregion, which was then under the Kingdom of Bednore, from the mid-16th to the mid-18th centuries.
Many Mangalorean Catholics are indeed descendants of Brahmins, specifically the Saraswat Brahmins. The Saraswat Brahmins are said to have originated from present-day Bengal, brought to South India by Lord Parashuram. The Christianisation of Goa by the Portuguese led to the conversion of a sizeable population to Roman Catholicism. The Brahmins who converted to Christianity are known as Roman Catholic Brahmins or Christian Brahmins. They retained some of the ethno-social values and customs of their ancestors and exhibited a hybrid Latino-Concanic culture.
The migration of Mangalorean Catholics occurred in three major waves, from 1560 onwards, coinciding with periods of great unrest in Goa. The first wave of migrants fled due to the Goa Inquisition, which aimed to eradicate all culturally Hindu practices from the lives of native converts. The Inquisition characterised any vestige of Hindu culture or Indian culture as heretical, and those who refused to abandon their ancient Hindu customs lived in constant danger. The second wave of migration occurred during the Portuguese-Adil Shahi Wars (1570-1579), and the third wave during the Portuguese-Maratha Wars (1667-83 and 1737-40). Other factors contributing to the mass migrations included disease epidemics, famines, natural calamities, overpopulation, poor living conditions, heavy taxation, and social discrimination by the Portuguese.
The Mangalorean Catholics who migrated were mostly from the lower economic strata, as their lands had been confiscated due to heavy taxation under the Portuguese rule in Goa. They were skilled farmers and were welcomed by the Alupas in Kanara for their agricultural expertise. After migration, agriculture was the only possible occupation for the Mangalorean Catholics, and they continued to practice their Latin Christianity while preserving their Konkani language and way of life.
It is important to note that not all Mangalorean Catholics are descendants of Brahmins. The community is quite diverse, with individuals tracing their origins to various groups, including Brahmins, Mogaveeras, Billavas, and other caste groups.
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They are referred to as OBCs, not the General category
Mangalorean Catholics are an ethno-religious community of Latin Christians from the Diocese of Mangalore and the erstwhile South Canara area; by the southern coast of present-day Karnataka, India. They are also known as Kōdiyālcheñ Kathōlikā in the Konkani language. The community gets its name from the Mangalore Diocesean adherents of the Latin Church in India.
The history of the Mangalorean Catholics begins with the legacy of Lusitanian culture or the Christianisation of the Portuguese in Goa and Bombay. This was followed by the migration of the New Christians of Portuguese Goa to the Canara subregion under the Kingdom of Bednore from the mid-16th to mid-18th centuries. This migration occurred in three major waves, with the first wave leaving due to the Goa Inquisition that made the use of Konknni a punishable offence for converts to Western Christianity. The Goa Inquisition was introduced by the Portuguese in 1560 to eradicate all culturally Hindu practices from the lives of native converts. The Inquisition characterised any vestige of Hindu culture or Indian culture as heretical and banned Christian converts from engaging in Hindu customs. Many Mangalorean Catholics are descendants of Catholics who fled this religious persecution. They were welcomed by the Alupas in Kanara for their skills in agriculture.
The formation of a unique Mangalorean Catholic community and identity was shaped by four centuries of living in South Canara, giving these Catholic Christians an identity distinct from Goans and Bombay East Indians. They learned Tulu and Kanarese whilst in Canara, but retained the Konkani language and preserved much of their Konkani way of life, which had undergone Christianisation in Goa. The mass was celebrated in Latin, but the sermon, the catechism, and the explication of the mysteries were delivered to the congregation in Konkani.
The caste system has been a point of discussion among Mangalorean Catholics, with some questioning whether they are referred to as General Category or OBC (Other Backward Class). While there are varying opinions, sources suggest that Mangalorean Catholics, including those descended from Roman Catholic Brahmins, are considered OBC. This classification is based on historical and ethnological evidence of their relationship with other Brahmin groups.
In conclusion, Mangalorean Catholics are a distinct ethno-religious community with a rich history and cultural heritage. They are referred to as OBCs, not the General category, reflecting their caste classification within the Indian social system.
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They have a unique culture and identity distinct from Goans and Bombay East Indians
Mangalorean Catholics have a unique culture and identity distinct from Goans and Bombay East Indians. Their community was formed over centuries, with the migration of Catholic Christians from Goa to Mangalore and its neighbouring areas occurring in three major waves. The first wave of migrants left Goa due to the Goan Inquisition, which aimed to eradicate all culturally Hindu practices from the lives of native converts. The second wave of migration occurred during the Portuguese-Adil Shahi wars between 1570 and 1579, and the third during the Portuguese-Maratha wars between 1667-83 and 1737-40. Other factors that led to mass migrations included disease epidemics, famines, natural calamities, overpopulation, poor living conditions, heavy tax burdens, and social discrimination by the Portuguese.
The distinct identity of Mangalorean Catholics is shaped by their retention of many Indian customs and traditions, which are especially visible during marriage celebrations. Their culture is more traditional and Indian, and they have preserved much of their Konkani way of life, including the Konkani language. The Konkani dialect of Mangalorean Catholics has 350-400 Portuguese lexical items, and their literature and music also reflect their unique cultural blend. The origin of their literature dates to 1883, with the publication of the first English-Konkani dictionary in Mangalore, and Konkani hymns and pop music are an integral part of their cultural heritage.
The community's identity is also shaped by their historical occupation as farmers and skilled agriculturalists. They were welcomed by the Alupas in Kanara for their agricultural skills, and this occupation provided the only possible source of livelihood for many Mangalorean Catholics. Their skill in agriculture also led to social and economic privileges in Mangalore, which contributed to a sense of superiority over their landless kindred in Goa.
The shared experience of captivity and persecution further united the community and contributed to their distinct identity. During the Mahratta Invasion of Goa and Bombay, Tippu Sultan seized the Christians in Canara, confiscating their estates and deporting them to Seringapatam, where they suffered extreme hardships, torture, death, and forced conversion to Sunni Islam. This tragic period in their history, which lasted from 1784 to 1799, resulted in the formation of a separate and common cultural identity among the Mangalorean Catholics, who no longer self-identified as Goan Catholics.
While it is estimated that almost 95% of Mangalorean Catholics have origins in Goa, the community is quite diverse, with individuals tracing their origins to various Brahmin and non-Brahmin groups. Intermarriage with non-Mangaloreans has also contributed to the evolution of their culture and identity. Over time, migrations to bigger cities like Bombay, Pune, and Bangalore, as well as the formation of a diaspora in the Persian Gulf countries and the Anglosphere, have led to the development of an English-speaking Anglo-Americanised sub-culture within the younger generation.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear what percentage of Mangalorean Catholics are GSB. However, Mangalorean Catholics are largely descended from Goan Catholics, who migrated to Mangalore in three waves between 1500 and 1700, fleeing the Maratha invasions of Goa, the Inquisition, and epidemics. Many Mangalorean Catholics are descended from Brahmins, but some sources dispute this.
GSB stands for Goud Saraswat Brahmins, who are a sub-caste of Brahmins.
The Goa Inquisition was introduced by the Portuguese in 1545 to eradicate all Hindu practices from the lives of native converts to Christianity. This caused many Goan Catholics to flee to Mangalore.
The GSBs migrated to the South Canara region during the 16th century, seeking refuge from the religious persecution during the peak of the Inquisition in Goa.
The Mangalorean Catholic community has a unique identity and culture that is distinct from Goans and Bombay East Indians. They have retained their Konkani language and way of life, while also adopting some Latin Christian traditions.
