Context:
A farmer in Goa unearthed a pot that contained 832 copper coins from Portuguese era (around the 16th or 17th Century) in Goa.
Features of Portuguese Currency in India:
- Issued coins in gold, silver, copper, tin, and lead
- Mints include – Goa, Cochin, Diu, and Damão
- Gold Coins –
- Called as ‘Cruzado’ or ‘Manoel’
- Issued in the same size, value, and weight.
- Bears cross and royal arms on either sides.
- Silver coins – Called ‘Meia-espera’ and ‘Espera’.
- Copper coins –
- Denominations of copper coins – ‘Bazaruco’, ‘Leal’, ‘Tanga’, ‘Pardau’, and ‘Real’.
- Symbols used – castle, a lion, a crown, a cross, and the king’s name.
- Tin and lead coins –
- Called ‘Dinheiro’
- Mainly issued from Diu and Malacca
- Had a crude design and were often irregular in shape and size.
- King’s name or initials and a cross or a flower on either sides.
Source: Indian Express
Previous Year Question
With reference to Pondicherry (now Puducherry), consider the following statements:
1. The first European power to occupy Pondicherry were the Portuguese.
2. The second European power to occupy Pondicherry were the French.
3. The English never occupied Pondicherry.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2010 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
