The relic state: St Francis Xavier and the politics of ritual in Portuguese India (Studies in Imperialism, 111)

This book is a study of the complex nature of colonial and missionary power in Portuguese India. Written as a historical ethnography, it explores the evolving shape of a series of Catholic festivals that took place throughout the duration of Portuguese colonial rule in Goa (1510-1961), and for which the centrepiece was the 'incorrupt' corpse of São Francisco Xavier (1506-52), a Spanish Basque Jesuit missionary-turned-saint. Using distinct genres of source materials produced over the long duree of Portuguese colonialism, the book documents the historical and visual transformation of Xavier's corporeal ritualisation in death through six events staged at critical junctures between 1554 and 1961. Xavier's very mutability as a religious, political and cultural symbol in Portuguese India will also suggest his continuing role as a symbol of Goa's shared past (for both Catholics and Hindus) and in shaping Goa's culturally distinct representation within the larger Indian nation-state. This Book Is A Study Of The Complex Nature Of Colonial And Missionary Power In Portuguese India. Written As A Historical Ethnography, It Explores The Evolving Shape Of A Series Of Catholic Festivals That Took Place Throughout The Duration Of Portuguese Colonial Rule In Goa (1510-1961), And For Which The Centrepiece Was The 'incorrupt' Corpse Of Sao Francisco Xavier (1506-52), A Spanish Basque Jesuit Missionary-turned-saint. Machine Generated Contents Note: 1. Introduction: The Relic State -- 2. Incorruption (1554) -- 3. Canonization (1624) -- 4. Secularization (1782) -- 5. Resurrection (1859) -- 6. Commemoration (1952) -- 7. Conclusion: Xavier And The Portuguese Colonial Legacy. Pamila Gupta. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 234-254) And Index. Cover 1 Half Title Page 2 Title Page 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 CONTENTS 8 LIST OF FIGURES 9 GENERAL EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION 10 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 13 CHAPTER ONE: Introduction: the relic state 16 CHAPTER TWO: Incorruption (1554) 42 CHAPTER THREE: Canonization (1624) 93 CHAPTER FOUR: Secularization (1782) 140 CHAPTER FIVE: Resurrection (1859) 166 CHAPTER SIX: Commemoration (1952) 205 CHAPTER SEVEN: Conclusion: Xavier and the Portuguese colonial legacy 242 BIBLIOGRAPHY 249 INDEX 270