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ENCYCLOPAEDIA of Rebellions

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Madoba Dessai rebellion 1765

Synopsis
This rebellion occurred during the early stages of the occupation of the territories that would later become known as the “New Conquests”, annexed into Goa in the late 18th century. The rebellion took place two years after the annexation of the provinces of Pondá, Zambaulim, and Canácona and was headed by Madoba Dessai, a local petty ruler and military leader, and his relatives. A former captain of a sepoy company in the service of the Estado da Índia, Madoba Dessai led his armed retainers into the woodlands of Zambaulim province, launching attacks on the neighboring areas and ordering the villages to pay tribute. The rebels successfully fought off the troops sent by the Portuguese, until they were finally defeated and captured by the forces of another dessai allied with the Portuguese, Narba Naique (who would subsequently also lead a rebellion against the Estado). The Portuguese authorities later claimed that the rebellion was part of a larger attempt to rouse the newly conquered provinces to revolt, orchestrated by two Saraswat Brahmins, Sambagi Sinai and Apagi Sinai Ramani, who were accused of instigating the rebellion in collusion with a neighboring Maratha military chief.
Additional info

Starting date: . Ending: . Duration: 2 years. Name in sources: Rebelião do dessai Madoba. Location: Embarbacem, Goa Country (current): India-Goa. Monarchy: Portuguese. Main participants: Indigenous, Local elites. Number of participants: 50-100. Main reasons & motivations: Anti-colonial, Political. Leadership: Madoba Dessai, Gondoba Dessai and Mort Saunt Agoltecar. Relevance: medium.

Further reading
AHU, Conselho Ultramarino, Índia, cx. 89, "Carta dos Governadores do Estado da Índia" (28-3-1767) and "Devassa sobre a Rebelião de Madobá Dessai" (5-3-1767)
Cite this entry

Ferreira, José Miguel (2020). "Madoba Dessai rebellion 1765", in J. V. Serrão and M. S. Cunha (coord), Encyclopaedia of Rebellions in the Early Modern Iberian World. https://mappingrebellions.com/revolt/madoba-dessai-rebellion-1765/ (accessed on 12 March 2026).