This site was discovered by Dr P.P.Shirodkar. An anthropomorphic figure of Mother goddess and tectiforms resembling tree-like motifs have been found. The perennial stream in the vicinity which might have served Stone Age man for centuries as a source of water. The rock shelter at Usgalimal has enough space for 25 to 30 people. The discovery of rock art engravings on lateritic platforms and granite boulders from Usgalimal on the banks of west-flowing river Kushavati River, has shed light on the prehistory of Goa. Until 1993 the existence of humans in Goa during the Paleolithic and Mesolithic period was highly debated. Prehistory Paleolithic and Mesolithic era At the decline of the intensity of pluviation in the last Pleistocenic age around 10000 BC, the bottom of Deccan plateau was lifted up and out of sea-waters by the tectonic movements, formed the West-coast of India, Goa being a part thereof. Thus the geologists concluded that Goa has risen from the seabed as a result of violence tectonic movements. The evidence provided by the conch shells at Surla village, fossilized marine conch shells discovered in 1863, petrified roots, fossilized branches have been found later in many villages on the foothills of the Sahyadri dating back more than 10,000 BC. There is evidence to support this theory as indicated by the presence of marine fossils, buried seashells, and other features of reclaimed topography in the coastal belt. Some parts of present-day Goa appear to have been uplifted from the sea due to geological tectonic plate movement. However, evidence suggesting the region's ancient foundation is obscured by the legend of Goa's creation by the Hindu sage Parashurama. Further, evidence of human occupation of Goa dates back at least to the Lower Paleolithic Age, indicated by the archaeological findings of Acheulean bifaces in the Mandovi- Zuari basin.
There is evidence of the tectonic origins of Goa dating back to 10,000 BC. 5.6 Estado da India: 18th & 19th centuries.4.5 Vijayanagar Empire (14th century to 15th).4.3.1 Port of Goapakapattna (10th century to 1345).4.1 Table of dynasties (to 16th century).4 Kingdoms to Late Medieval period (1st century CE to 16th).3.1 The Formations of Gaumkaris and the self rule.Goa has one of the highest GDP per capita and Human Development Index among Indian states.
The region was incorporated as a union territory of Goa, Daman and Diu. In 1961, India invaded and annexed Goa after a 36 hour battle. The Portuguese rule lasted for about 450 years, and heavily influenced Goan culture, cuisine, and architecture. The Portuguese invaded Goa in 1510, defeating the Bijapur Sultanate. The Mauryan and Satavahana Empires ruled modern-day Goa during the Iron Age.ĭuring the medieval period, Goa was ruled by the Kadamba kingdom, Vijayanagara Empire, Bahmani Sultanate and Bijapur Sultanate. The Usgalimal rock engravings, belonging to the upper paleolithic or mesolithic periods, exhibit some of the earliest traces of human settlement in India. It shares a lot of similarities with Indian history, especially with regard to colonial influences and a multi-cultural aesthetic. In spite of being India's smallest state by area, Goa's history is both long and diverse. The history of Goa dates back to prehistoric times, though the present-day state of Goa was only established as recently as 1987.