Goan author Alan Machado, who recently published Slaves of Sultans which looks at a history of conversions in Goa and the migration of Goan Christians to Kanara, will deliver a preseentation cum discussion on Haider Ali, Tipus Sultan, Goa and the Kanara Christians at the Xavier Centre of Historical Research today. Haidar kept his channels to Goa open as a means of obtaining supplies and expertise from Goa to build up his army and navy while Goa depended on Kanara’s rice and placated Haidar with limited compliance of his requests.
Tipu’s policy toward Goa and his Christain subjects on the other hand was very antagonistic with Christians, Konkani, Tamil, and Kannada speaking, throughout the deported to Srirangapatna, and deprived of their right to live as Christians. While many superficial and bias reasons have been offered with regards to this harsh treatment, Machado will attempt to provide a more plausible explanation through his presentation.
