Afonso de Albuquerque was persuaded by Timmayya and Mhall Pai Vernekar to launch an attack on Goa rather than undertake a protracted journey to the Red Sea to dismantle the fleet of the Sultan of Egypt. Portuguese historians referred to Timmayya as Timoja. At that time, Goa was governed by Yusuf Adil Shah, the Sultan of Bijapur, and was a crucial site for the Turks and Egyptians who were building ships. Previously, Timmayya had served as a mediator during peace negotiations involving D Francisco de Almeida, the first Portuguese Viceroy, who was in conflict with the King of Gersoppa in 1505. Timmayya was instrumental in assisting the Portuguese during the capture of Goa on February 17, 1510, and its subsequent recapture on November 25, 1510. Timoja and Mall Pai Vernekar extended an invitation to the Portuguese to come to Goa, as the Hindu population was facing imminent extinction under the prevailing Muslim empire. At that time, no local Goan leaders were capable of opposing these Muslim rulers.
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The allegations of torture and forced conversions in the past are undeniable historical facts, as Vernekar and Timoja compromised their integrity by aligning with the Portuguese to safeguard their business interests. This transpired over many years, all while their affluent families remained silent. There is no agreement on Timmayya’s nationality; V T Gune argues that he was a Maratha, although his name may indicate a potential Kannadiga heritage.
