Inquisitors of Goa's Santo Ofício

Belonging to Catholic Religious Orders and sharing European origins, the men that occupied the rank of inquisitor formed a powerful political and religious group in the Estado da Índia through the 16th and 17th centuries. One of the most important courts of the Portuguese Empire, the Santo Ofício, in regard to Portuguese India, not only it had jurisdiction over Christians, but also over member of others beliefs who tried to oppose to the Catholic Portuguese presence and proselytism. Agents of great importance in such reality, the inquisitors were in the highest ranks of this court, giving their verdicts which included, if the culprit was considered guilty, the capital punishment. The present entry describes the activity of this group between the 16th and 17th century, which was when the Santo Ofício court began its work in Asia.Non UBCUnreviewedFacult