I first encountered the Basilica of Bom Jesus through photographs, as many do. However, Vishvesh Prabhakar Kandolkar’s new book reveals how these images served colonial power – a revelation that transforms our understanding of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Before diving into this study, I recommend readers explore the recent interview conducted by R. Benedito Ferrão with Kandolkar, which charts the basilica’s journey from the pride of the Portuguese to a symbol of Goan cultural identity and heritage.

Commissioned by the Jesuits and constructed between 1594 and 1605, the basilica is one of Goa’s most significant colonial-era churches and houses the remains of St Francis Xavier, a key figure in early Jesuit missionary work. Its Baroque architecture, laterite stone construction, and religious importance have made it a focal point of both Goan Catholic devotion and ongoing debates over heritage conservation practices.

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