# List of peers and fidalgos in Portuguese India

The Kingdom of Portugal gave titles and created coats of arms for its fellow Portuguese citizens of Goan origin from the early 1700s, both Goan Hindu and Goan Catholics. However, these titles lost their recognition after the 5 October 1910 revolution and start of the First Portuguese Republic in 1910.

## Peerages
#### Extant

* Baron and Viscount of Perném.The Viscount of Pernem was the highest ranked Asian in European nobility, Hindu or Christian. The title of Baron was given to the ruler of Pernem, Vassudeva Deshprabhu, a nobleman with office in the Palace, perhaps the wealthiest zamindar of Portuguese India, residing in his Palace in Pernem, by decree of 14/6 /1878 (Luís I of Portugal), His son Atmaram Vassudeva Deshprabhu, Commander of the Order of Christ (1891), was elevated to Viscount by decree of 19/8/1893 (Carlos I of Portugal). There is succession from the first Viscount to the present day. MLA Jitendra Deshprabhu and Pernem Municipal Council member and politician Vasudeva Deshprabhu are a direct descendants. Jitendra Deshprabhu had the title re-affirmed by Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza heir to the throne of Portugal in the 21st Century. While this was also given to Viscount Deshprabhu in his life (comparable to the British Life peer as the Portuguese royal family made few hereditary peerages) his heir Jitendra had it renewed by Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza in the 21st century therefore making it the one of three titles in Goa, the other being the Conde of Maem a Mestiço and the Count of Coculim, created for a noblemen from Portugal, that are still active in Goa. Their realm included the villages of Morjim and Mandrem amongst others.
* Baron Dempo. Created in 1873 for Krishna Govinda Rayú Sinai Dempo, 1st Baron Dempo, a wealthy zamindar and trader. His descendant Vaikuntrao Dempo was the last member of parliament in Portugal prior to the independence of Portuguese India. His brother Vasantrao S. Dempo was the founder of Dempo Mining Corporation and owner of football club Dempo S.C.. While the family is extant, the title is considered as extinct as it was given for his life and has not been renewed. The Dempo family continues to be involved in politics and business. Being considered Goa's wealthiest family. owners of Goa Carbon Limited, Hindustan Foods, The Navhind Times and owners of Siridao, Agaçaim, Zuare, Pale, Goa and Goa Velha villages since the 1700s. The Dempo family was among the 10 richest in India post independence
* Baron Kenkre of Calapor. given to the wealthy capitalist, and trader Purshottam Sinai Kenkre, Hindu zamindar, residing in Diu, Knight of the Order of the Tower and Sword, by decree of 3/2/1853. Decree of 26/6/1873 Luis I, in his life. While the family is extant, the title is considered as extinct as it was given for his life and has not been renewed.

#### Extinct

* Viscount of Bardez. Inácio Caetano de Carvalho, lawyer and journalist, was born in Camurlim, Bardez, on 9/5/1843 and died on 9/15/1907, of an ancient Brahmin family from Salcette. At the beginning of the 19th century, when a plague broke out, the Carvalho family settled in the beginning of the 19th century in the village of Camurlim. He was the son of Joaquim Salvador de Carvalho, one of the most eminent jurists of his time. He obtained a lawyer's license at just 20 years old, occupying various positions in the local administration and in Diu. As a journalist, he was editor-in-chief of the newspaper O Mensageiro and later of O Oriente, a newspaper that later merged into Gazeta de Bardez. In 1877 he founded A Pátria, which for many years occupied a distinguished place in the local press. As a politician, he was head of a large party that, for many years, dominated the councils of Bardez, affiliated to the “dynastic-left” association, founded in Portugal by Baron Freitas; and then in the Regenerator Party, then under the leadership of António de Serpa Pimentel. On 8/19/1893 he was awarded the title of Viscount of Bardez.

## Fidalgos

The fidalgo is a Portuguese noble distinction granted to certain Goans who were lawyers, merchants and diplomats. These Christians were considered to be included in the Portuguese nobility. The fidalgos detailed here are only those whose distinction was hereditary. This distinction ranks above baronet as they form part of the nobility similar to the Spanish Hidalgo (nobility) while the baronet is a commoner despite it being a hereditary title. However fidalgo ranks below Baron.

#### Extant

* Pinto of Candolim. Created in 1770 for Antonio and Ignacio Pinto, the first and till date the only family to have multiple members granted with a hereditary honour of nobility, the Sasoon's receiving a hereditary baronetcy after them. The Pintos descended from Salvador Pinto alias Santu Sinay a historic figure in the village of Candolim, a Brahmin who belonged to the nobility. They were a military family first in support of the Portuguese government before fighting a revolt for Independence, the famous Conspiracy of the Pintos, the earliest Independence revolt in Colonial India whose members included Abbé Faria, the inspiration of the mad monk in The Count of Monte Cristo. This was to fight for equal rights for Non European citizens of Portuguese India in the Catholic Church and government. The Pinto family were defeated in their revolt but went on to assist in the French Revolution and fight for the Maratha Empire before returning to Goa. The house of the Pintos today stands as Bosio Hospital in Candolim which was donated to he Sisters of Charity of Sts. Bartolomea Capitanio and Vincenza Gerosa by heirs of Ignacio Pinto in Pinto Vaddo. These arms and position of nobility could be bequeathed to their heirs.
* Alvares of Margao. Created in 1798 for Pedro Antonio Alvares a descendant of Vincent Alvares a medical practitioner and chemist of his Majesty John V of Portugal. His descendant Jose Filipe Alvares was a confidant of Swami Vivekananda and assisted him in his studies about Christianity.These arms and position of nobility could be bequeathed to their heirs.
* Braganca of Chandor. Created in 1877 for Francisco Xavier de Braganca of Chandor. His heir Luís de Menezes Bragança was a prominent journalist, writer, politician and anti-colonial activist. During his lifetime, Menezes Bragança was widely hailed around the Lusosphere (Portuguese speaking world) as "O Maior de todos" ("The Greatest of all Goans") and in the Indian mainland as "The Tilak of Goa". At his 25th death anniversary in 1963, the Instituto Vasco da Gama was renamed by its management to Institute Menezes Braganza in honour of his memory. These arms and position of nobility could be bequeathed to their heirs.
* Miranda of Loutolim. Created in 1872 for Constâncio do Rosário de Miranda of Loutolim. A soldier and warrior, his father Pedro Joaquim de Miranda was the Fiscal Administrador of the Novas Conquistas. His descendant is the famous cartoonist Mario Miranda. These arms and position of nobility could be bequeathed to their heirs.