Portuguese India
Quick reference
General issues: Portuguese colony 1871-1946, Portuguese province 1946-1961
Country name on general issues: India Port, India Portugueza, India Portuguesa, Estado da India
Currency: 1 Milreis = 1000 Reis 1871-1882, 1 Tanga =12 Reis, 1 Rupee = 12 Tanga 1882-1959, 1 Escudo = 100 Centavos 1959-1961
Population: 624 000 in 1940
Political history Portuguese India
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Portuguese India consists of a number of enclaves in India in southern Asia. The Portuguese first settle in India in the 16th century. When the struggle between the colonial powers for power in India is decided in the 18th century, in favor of Great Britain, Portugal retains the enclaves of Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Darran, Diu and Goa. Goa was the largest of the Portuguese possessions and served as the capital of the Estado da India, the State of India, as the Portuguese possessions were formally called. Portuguese India, in 1946, becomes a Portuguese province. When India gains independence in 1947, it requests Portugal to cede the enclaves to India, which Portugal refuses. In 1954, the Portuguese are ousted from Dadra & Nagar Haveli by local Indian nationalists that establish a form of self government until 1961, when India annexes the territory. Also, in 1961, India invades the other Portuguese possessions by force. All former Portuguese settlements have become union territories of India.
Postal history Portuguese India
1956 – 450th Anniversary of Portuguese India
Portuguese India has issued stamps from 1871 until 1961. Somewhat special are the 1911 issues: previous issues that are diagonally or vertically halved, both halves overprinted with a new face value.
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