This is the tale of a 16th century county [mahal], consisting of 66 villages, each playing its own part in the history of the region. In the process the Salcete developed a good harbour, an emporium-port, early in its times, and helped Goa establish trade contacts with the East and West.
These trade contacts helped import glazed ceramics and silks from distant Cathay, as also exotic Port Wine from Europe to quench the lips of an Indian sadhu. It led to the printing of a Marathi-Konkani classic book, the Crista Purana, for literature-thirsty people, assisted the miscegenation of Westerners with Indians, provided neighbouring kingdoms with secretaries, and finally brought a new art and architecture to co-mingle with the artistry of the region.
The result: an intercontinental cross-culture.