Why T B Cunha's legacy still matters in modern Goa

REMEMBERING CUNHA

Every revolution begins with an idea. In Goa, that idea had a name: Dr Tristão de Braganca Cunha, better known as TB Cunha, whose footprints still mark the land he helped set free.

ANCESTRAL GROUNDS

Revered as the ‘Father of Goan Nationalism,’ his story began in the village of Cuelim, near Cansaulim, where a statue honours his role in Goa’s liberation. His home, known as ‘The Postcard Cuelim,’ reflects a rich heritage.

FREEDOM BEHIND BARS

The fight for liberation was tough. Cunha was imprisoned for 8 years in Aguad jail which today features an interactive museum on Goa's freedom struggle. A statue honouring him stands in the very cell where he was held.

HISTORY REMEMBERS

Another statue of T B Cunha is at Vaddem, Vasco, that marks a powerful shift from colonisation to liberation. Once the site of a Portuguese soldier’s statue, it now honours Cunha, a key figure in Goa’s fight for freedom.

A HERO'S URN

If you visit Azad Maidan in Panjim, you’ll find it's more than just a busy landmark on Mahatma Gandhi Road — it has the mortal remains of the late freedom fighter.

A ROAD, A TRIBUTE

Panjim, the capital city, also has a road named after T B Cunha. It stands as a reminder of his contribution to Goa's liberation struggle.

STORIES BEYOND PAGES

From Margao to Panjim, schools and institutes bearing his name keep Cunha's legacy of courage, identity and freedom alive.

ENDURING LEGACY

Cunha’s legacy lives across Goa. To truly understand Goa’s history, visit the Aguad Port and Jail Complex and other landmarks named after him. This isn’t just history; it’s a trail worth exploring.

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