Life in Goa

The city of ‘Golden Goa’ was at the time seen as a true pearl of the Orient. The city was established in the 15th century by the Adil Shahi dynasty of neighbouring Bijapur, who intended it as their new capital. It was captured by the Portuguese in 1510, after which it rapidly grew in size and importance. Many Portuguese natives settled there and through active government encouragement wed local women. Aside from its use as an administrative centre and trading post, the city also served as a base for the Portuguese Christianization efforts in the region. Van Linschoten would remain on the island for a full five years. He worked as some sort of assistant to the archbishop, though in what capacity is unknown. Information on his actual day-to-day duties are scarce, but his knowledge of Portuguese was most probably insufficient for him to occupy a post that involved much writing. His circle of acquaintances and friends included Portuguese inhabitants of Goa, other foreign members of staff, merchants, and sailors – including others from the Netherlands. These visitors did not only come from areas directly adjacent to Goa, but also from as far away as Japan. One of them, Dirck Gerritsz Pomp (1544-1608), was born in Enkhuizen and was known as ‘Dirck China’ for his extensive knowledge of China and Japan. He too must have supplied Van Linschoten with many interesting titbits on faraway places.

Van Linschoten took a special interest in learning about Goa itself, studying its inhabitants, their habits, their culture and religion, and the local plant and animal life. Although he would not have had much direct contact with the natives, his protracted stay allowed him to learn much by simple observation. Additionally, he must have picked up a great deal of nautical and mercantile information by visiting the docks, both of which provided him with unique insight into the structure of the Portuguese empire in the East. All of this information, the stories, the gossip, and the news he acquired in Goa over time laid the groundwork for the preparation of his greatest achievement.