Building Old Goa: Identity, Patronage and Labour in Early Modern Colonial Construction Sites.

Old Goa, a bustling 16th-century capital and Indian Ocean emporium, saw the rise of grand Christian religious buildings that reflected its diverse society. This study challenges Eurocentric narratives by focusing on the 'voiceless actors'—labourers, including women, who lived in segregated 'challes' and worked across construction sites, quarries, and lime kilns. It reveals how caste stratification persisted among both Christian and Hindu Goans, shaping urban life and architectural practices. Despite limited archival documentation, the research reconstructs early modern building technologies, labour dynamics, and knowledge transfer, offering a nuanced perspective on colonial-era construction in South Asia.

Losa Mendiratta, S. D., Resta, G., & Gomes Duarte, C. (2025). Building Old Goa: Identity, Patronage and Labour in Early Modern Colonial Construction Sites. IASTE. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.22897669