CUNCOLIM: It was a long-pending demand of Cuncolim Chieftains Memorial Trust, nationalist Cuncolkars and Goans, to include Cuncolim’s first revolt of 1583 in the school curriculum. Finally, the Goa Board has agreed to include Cuncolim’s first revolt in history textbooks and the education department has constituted a committee of historians and experts, to draft various chapters on Goa’s history to include it in Std IX textbooks. After getting a nod from the Board of Studies and Governing Council it will feature in the history textbooks from the academic year 2019-20. Cuncolkars had fought a battle against Portuguese in 1583 and this was the first revolt against any foreign rule. Sixteen chieftains of Cuncolim had initiated a war against Portuguese for swarajya. In fact, this long battle against the Portuguese rule continued till liberation. Cuncolim Chieftains Memorial Trust had earlier demanded the inclusion of Cuncolim’s first revolt in history books. In fact, this issue had been discussed in the last Assembly, when former MLA Vishnu Wagh had asked the government to include Cuncolim’s revolt in history textbooks. Former Rajya Sabha member Shantaram Naik had even raised the issue in Rajya Sabha. Two years ago, the Trust had given a memorandum to the then Chairman of Goa Board Rebello to include Cuncolim revolt in history textbooks.
Finally, Goa Board agreed to include it in the history book and eight various chapters on Goan history will be included, along with the Cuncolim revolt. Pinto Revolt, Opinion Poll history, formation of Goa Assembly, freedom movement and other chapters will also be included in the history book. Meanwhile, Cuncolim Trust has expressed satisfaction over the Board’s decision. President Oscar Martins told Herald that “finally our history will get due recognition.”
