Historic facts are often short lived in memory, history and relics highlighting an era are often lost, and only a few historians keep up the fascination and respect.  Our modern cultural  concerns are such that there is little commitment, and frequent revival is essential.  Authorities and leaders seem to give little attention these days to History and Relics. 

 

Understandably,  in times when the only considerations are power, money/wealth, influence, commercialism and popularity; things that do not gain such key returns are relegated to the garbage.  No doubt that such relics and monuments  indicate without deceit human origins and the directions that they have moved through and the future of our folk.  It is only fitting and adventurous to now and again refresh our lives with some thoughts of such that bring us deeply our roots and directions. 

 

 

The local church has yet to set up a History cell to monitor and promote such values..  Early Portuguese Fort in Bolar, at the Southern tip of Mangalore,  unseen now  is an important memorial for the catholic church historically. Every Canarite everywhere must be aware and appreciative of history, monuments, traditions and so on,  in their vicinity at least.   A review, renewal is desirable to enable younger generations everywhere to grasp and treasure. Without connecting history, a society shares no common memory of where it has been, where it can move to, what its core values are. No doubt Christianity came to South India (South Kerala precisely) in very early times (53AD), even before it reached Europe through St.Thomas the doubting apostle. Yet, it reached Canara and Mangalore through the Portuguese after Goa in the mid 1500s.   Daijiworld.com has been a robust vehicle to afford this time and again in multi spheres and manners; all interested people must recognise, appreciate  and applaud.  

Portuguese tombstone of 1629 AD found in 2009:  A  large fairly well preserved inscribed tomb stone at a spot opposite the confluence (aluve bagilu) of the two rivers and the Arabian Sea, (see old Portuguese drawings) was rediscovered in March 2009, by a history scout,  along the Netravati river at ’Haleya Kote - Bolar’, in the compound housing cement godowns, between then Joy Land English School  and Mukhyaprana Temple.  

The responsible  finder brought it to the notice of community historians, media and others.  Decoding the clear inscription with the help of experts; the stone turned out to be the tombstone of "Domingos de Mourao Coutinho, the captain of the Portuguese Fort of Mangalore, who died on April 30, 1629". It would have been installed over his grave which in all probability located within the  fort church, the ’Nossa Senhora de Rosario’, known as the ‘poyeda igerji’ or factory church, which was pulled down in early 1784 AD at the start of the  captivity of local Catholics by Tipu Sultan.”  It is seen as an existing relic of the first church and fort mapped as opposite the estuary; which  existed since 1568 AD and forms part of Mangalore Rosario Church history and brings it to perspective. An expert  assessment of this stone, which could not have moved far from its original spot,  is that  it  bears the court of arms of the  Mourão Coutinho family,  prominent nobles of 17th century Northern Portugal.  The new stone found in 2021, inscription too bears a coat of arms, which resembles the same, now perhaps in the custody of the local fisheries authority. The tombs seem to have once lay within the fort  of 'Sao Sebastiao'  many would have seen it but no attention was paid. Later the 1629 tombstone was brought to the Rosario Cathedral premises  with a view of preserving it and it lies in a remote corner now in 2025, unknown.

Second Portuguese Tombstone found in 2021: Two stones bearing inscriptions found were brought to public notice by authorities through the press on March 15, 2021.  They were found while excavating the land at  College of Fisheries, Hoige Bazar Campus, Bolar, a few yards from the 1629 tombstone. It is observed,  one has  Portuguese inscriptions.  The Director General ASI (Archaeological Survey of India), directed  a team from Mysore to look into the historicity. and an 'estampage' to obtain the exact replica of inscriptions using maplitho paper and special ink (note picture),  the copy is  preserved and  published in the annual report of 'Indian Epigraphy' for attention of experts worldwide.  The other one was in Kannada and not relevant to our study. 

More relevant here regarding the second stone, was examined by  well known historian, researcher and author on this subject, Alan Machado Prabhu, who gave a preliminary report;  he opined that it is difficult to decipher, hopefully some restoration/build up could help.  Translated basically it is said to read, “This tomb is of Antonio Pereira (or Texeira) de Macedo nobleman of the house of the King our lord, captain of this fortress who was killed by the Moors in the siege ... present the 28 April...”  Further, date and so on..unfortunately is chipped off and not visible. Perhaps the matter will get enlightened if an expert interest is exerted. The emblem and inscription are seriously eroded. The emblem, compared with the previous tombstone (Mauro) of 1629, has significant differences, it may indicate that the dynasty of the people are different.  It is of rare interest that the area is part of ancient Mangalore and close to the Mangaladevi Temple (from which early Kudla got the name of Mangala-Uru)  ’Allupa Dynasty' and Tuluvas held sway here for a while. Also according to historians this area is prominent from early 1500 AD for a Portuguese settlement and small fort. There is a need for proper study, research and documentation and protection of these types of  relics for a better and meaningful understanding and history records.