Ministers, organization and Proceedings: The Goa Inquisition in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Abstract

The research grant currently in place in the country supports a master's project that aims to study the relationship between the ministers (deputies, prosecutors, and inquisitors) who worked at the Goan Inquisition and the evolution of the tribunal's internal organization and prossecuting procedures. The timespan this research covers extends from 1707, when D. Nuno da Cunha assumed control of the institution as the Inquisitor-General, until 1812, when the goan tribunal was permanently abolished. During this period, the institution dealt with significant changes both locally, in the Estado da Índia, and more broadly, such as the pombaline reforms that affected the entire Holy Office. In summary, we aim to better understand the activity of the Goa Inquisition in its final century of existence, examining internal changes, including minister profiles, procedures for handling inquisitorial offenses, and the overall structure and organization of the tribunal. One of our primary sources is the correspondence sent by the General Council of the Portuguese Inquisition to the Holy Office of Goa, preserved in the National Library of Rio de Janeiro. This current project proposes a grant for Research Abroad to explore additional documentation existing in Portugal, particularly many of the letters sent from Goa to Lisbon, which are not yet digitized and therefore cannot be accessed from brazil.