Related to #72 and onwards:
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Not only do the Portuguese find it impossible to rid the realm of the visible symbols of Hinduism, the temples and idols, but also of the practice of Hinduism itself:
+ A letter from the viceroy written in 1580 reports that:
<!--QuoteBegin--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Hindus set a bad example for new converts by worshipping idols and causing them to return to their old ways and rituals. The Hindus persevere in their idolatry and abominable errors. Anyone who impedes the work of conversion should be seriously punished. They cannot be allowed to have idols nor carry out festivals in their honor.77<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->+ The same decree is issued in 1633!
+ In 1571 and again in 1581 the king passes decrees forbidding temples and Hindu ceremonies.
+ On 25 February 1581, the king states that he bans, as his predecessors did, Gentile (Hindu) temples, ceremonies, rituals and festivals.
Many important government posts were held by Hindus even though this was not royally sanctioned. Repeated attempts to disallow this practice attest to the perseverance of Hindus in these offices, against the king's orders.
+ In 1582 Hindus are once again forbidden from holding public office, noting that Hindus had not met their obligation to convert to Christianity. The king had learned that Brahmans and Gentiles were <i>rendeiros</i> and <i>contratadores</i> (renters or tenants and contractors) of his lands. That is forbidden since it is against canon law. King Sebastiao previously passed a law on 23 March 1559 saying that none of his officers or royal servants could be Brahmans, Gentiles or other infidel.82
+ And later, on 12 January 1591, the king passes an <i>alvara</i> (decree) because he has been informed that his <i>dezembargadores</i> (chief magistrates and privy councilors) and other lettered men serving him in India have generally been Gentile Brahmans, and this must stop.83
Official thinking was to encourage conversion by reserving important posts only for Christians. Enticements to convert came in many other shapes as well:
+In 1583 the king writes that it has come to his attention that many Hindus leave their wealth without heirs. At the request of the Hindus, he allows their widows or other relatives to inherit that wealth provided they convert to Christianity.
Native reactions to conversion policies frequently were in the form of escape to what is referred to in the documents as 'terra firme' or 'a outra banda' or the 'land of the Moors' (the territories beyond the orbit of Portuguese control).
+ In September of 1595 a lengthy missive by the <i>Pai dos Cristaos</i> or Father of the Christians (the appointed official in charge of all catechumens) instructs the priests to learn the days of the Hindu festivals so as to stop them and punish the participants. Similarly he admonishes his priests to anticipate pilgrimages and marriage ceremonies so as to intervene. All orphans must be located because the infidels are taking them to the <i>terra firme</i>.
+ The viceroy Ayres Saldanha proclaims on 23 March 1604 an alvara (decree) that it is forbidden to carry any and all youths, whether Christian or Gentile orphans, to 'the other side.' It is happening too frequently.86
+ In 1609 the king complains that too many new converts are fleeing to the land of the 'Moors.' Ten years later on 15 February 1619 Lorenco de Tavora receives a letter from the king complaining about too many going to the 'outra banda.'87
+ A petition of 17 August 1633 notes that newly converted Christians are enticed by the Hindus to leave the faith and join them on the 'other side:' too many temples are maintained there. Many have left their lands and wealth behind while fleeing to the other side.88 The viceroy Dom Miguel de Noronha writes on 11 January 1633 complaining about those who impede conversion or those who pervert a large number of those already converted or who hide orphans and take them over to <i>terra firme</i> and build temples there.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Not only do the Portuguese find it impossible to rid the realm of the visible symbols of Hinduism, the temples and idols, but also of the practice of Hinduism itself:
+ A letter from the viceroy written in 1580 reports that:
<!--QuoteBegin--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Hindus set a bad example for new converts by worshipping idols and causing them to return to their old ways and rituals. The Hindus persevere in their idolatry and abominable errors. Anyone who impedes the work of conversion should be seriously punished. They cannot be allowed to have idols nor carry out festivals in their honor.77<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->+ The same decree is issued in 1633!
+ In 1571 and again in 1581 the king passes decrees forbidding temples and Hindu ceremonies.
+ On 25 February 1581, the king states that he bans, as his predecessors did, Gentile (Hindu) temples, ceremonies, rituals and festivals.
Many important government posts were held by Hindus even though this was not royally sanctioned. Repeated attempts to disallow this practice attest to the perseverance of Hindus in these offices, against the king's orders.
+ In 1582 Hindus are once again forbidden from holding public office, noting that Hindus had not met their obligation to convert to Christianity. The king had learned that Brahmans and Gentiles were <i>rendeiros</i> and <i>contratadores</i> (renters or tenants and contractors) of his lands. That is forbidden since it is against canon law. King Sebastiao previously passed a law on 23 March 1559 saying that none of his officers or royal servants could be Brahmans, Gentiles or other infidel.82
+ And later, on 12 January 1591, the king passes an <i>alvara</i> (decree) because he has been informed that his <i>dezembargadores</i> (chief magistrates and privy councilors) and other lettered men serving him in India have generally been Gentile Brahmans, and this must stop.83
Official thinking was to encourage conversion by reserving important posts only for Christians. Enticements to convert came in many other shapes as well:
+In 1583 the king writes that it has come to his attention that many Hindus leave their wealth without heirs. At the request of the Hindus, he allows their widows or other relatives to inherit that wealth provided they convert to Christianity.
Native reactions to conversion policies frequently were in the form of escape to what is referred to in the documents as 'terra firme' or 'a outra banda' or the 'land of the Moors' (the territories beyond the orbit of Portuguese control).
+ In September of 1595 a lengthy missive by the <i>Pai dos Cristaos</i> or Father of the Christians (the appointed official in charge of all catechumens) instructs the priests to learn the days of the Hindu festivals so as to stop them and punish the participants. Similarly he admonishes his priests to anticipate pilgrimages and marriage ceremonies so as to intervene. All orphans must be located because the infidels are taking them to the <i>terra firme</i>.
+ The viceroy Ayres Saldanha proclaims on 23 March 1604 an alvara (decree) that it is forbidden to carry any and all youths, whether Christian or Gentile orphans, to 'the other side.' It is happening too frequently.86
+ In 1609 the king complains that too many new converts are fleeing to the land of the 'Moors.' Ten years later on 15 February 1619 Lorenco de Tavora receives a letter from the king complaining about too many going to the 'outra banda.'87
+ A petition of 17 August 1633 notes that newly converted Christians are enticed by the Hindus to leave the faith and join them on the 'other side:' too many temples are maintained there. Many have left their lands and wealth behind while fleeing to the other side.88 The viceroy Dom Miguel de Noronha writes on 11 January 1633 complaining about those who impede conversion or those who pervert a large number of those already converted or who hide orphans and take them over to <i>terra firme</i> and build temples there.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->