Red apple learning at 20:30, 6 May 2026

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{{Short description|Heritage building in Goa, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2026}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Adil Shah Palace
| image = Adil Shah Palace, Panaji 01.jpg
| image_size =
| image_alt = 
| image_caption = Front of the Adil Shah Palace
| coordinates = {{coord|15.5007546|73.829868|format=dms|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| architectural_style =
| address = [[Panjim]], Goa, India
| years_built = 1500s
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| floor_count = 2
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'''Adil Shah Palace''', also known as the '''Idalcao Palace''' or the '''Old Secretariat''', is a historic landmark located in [[Panaji]], [[Goa]]. It is the oldest surviving colonial-era building in the city.<ref name="TOI_OldestIcon">{{Cite news |last=Sayed |first=Nida |date=2024-11-23 |title=Panaji’s oldest icon, Adil Shah Palace, set to get makeover |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/panajis-oldest-icon-adil-shah-palace-set-to-get-makeover/articleshow/120628613.cms |access-date=2024-05-06 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> Originally built as a summer palace for the ruler of the [[Adil Shahi dynasty]], it has served various administrative roles under Portuguese and Indian governance over five centuries.<ref name="TOI_PremierSeat">{{Cite news |last=Sayed |first=Nida |date=2017-12-17 |title=The story of Goa’s premier political seat |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/the-story-of-goas-premier-political-seat/articleshow/62102323.cms |access-date=2024-05-06 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>

==History==
===Pre-Colonial and Portuguese Era===
[[File:Adil Shah Palace, c. 1930s.png|thumb|Adil Shah Palace, c. 1930s]]
The palace was constructed around 1500 by [[Yusuf Adil Shah]] of the [[Bijapur Sultanate]] to serve as his summer residence.<ref name="TOI_Travel_Secretariat">{{Cite web |first=Abhijeet |last=Deshpande |date=Jun 2, 2016 |title=Secretariat Building |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/secretariat-building/articleshow/52500021.cms |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=Times of India Travel}}</ref> It was strategically fortified with numerous cannons to defend the mouth of the [[Mandovi River]].<ref name="GT_Ages">{{Cite web |first=Roxanne |last=D'Silva |date=12 May 2024 |title=Goa through the ages under one roof |url=https://www.gomantaktimes.com/my-goa/art-culture/goa-through-the-ages-under-one-roof |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=Gomantak Times}}</ref> In 1510, the [[Portuguese Empire]] captured the structure after defeating the Bijapur forces.<ref name="TOI_PremierSeat" />

Following the conquest, the Portuguese modified the building significantly around 1615.<ref>{{Cite book |last=McCulloch |first=Victoria |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Goa_with_Mumbai_Footprint_Focus_Guide/Hj_-AgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Idalcao+Palace&pg=PA55&printsec=frontcover |title=Goa (with Mumbai) Footprint Focus Guide |last2=Stott |first2=David |date=2013-10-30 |publisher=Footprint Travel Guides |isbn=978-1-909268-42-5 |page=55}}</ref> It initially served as a residence for the [[Portuguese India#The_Governors_and_Viceroys|Viceroys]] when they stayed in Panaji, which was then a small village.<ref name="TOI_Travel_Secretariat" /> In 1759, the residence of the Viceroy was officially shifted from [[Old Goa]] to this palace as the former capital suffered from epidemics.<ref name="GT_Preserve">{{Cite web |first=Abigail |last=Crasto |date=2024-02-10 |title=Preserve this piece of Goan heritage before it’s too late |url=https://www.gomantaktimes.com/opinion/preserve-this-piece-of-goan-heritage-before-its-too-late |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=Gomantak Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Lonely_Planet_Goa_Mumbai/u2enCgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Idalcao+Palace&pg=PT145&printsec=frontcover |title=Lonely Planet Goa & Mumbai |last1=Harding |first1=Paul |last2=Blasi |first2=Abigail |last3=Holden |first3=Trent |last4=Stewart |first4=Iain |date=2015-09-01 |publisher=Lonely Planet |isbn=978-1-74360-974-3 |page=145}}</ref> It continued to serve as the official seat of the Portuguese government in Goa until 1918, after which the governors moved to [[Cabo Raj Bhavan]].<ref name="TOI_PremierSeat" />

===Post-Liberation===
After the [[annexation of Goa]] by India in 1961, the building became the site of the first session of the [[Goa Legislative Assembly]] in 1963.<ref name="GT_Ages" /> It functioned as the Goa State Secretariat and the legislative assembly until the early 21st century, when these offices were moved to a new complex in [[Porvorim]].<ref name="TOI_PremierSeat" /><ref name="TOI_Travel_Secretariat" />

==Architecture==
The building is a two-story structure characterized by its white-washed exterior and large windows. Its design reflects a blend of local and colonial architectural influences, though little remains of the original Adil Shahi "palace" aesthetic due to numerous Portuguese renovations.<ref name="GT_Ages" /><ref name="GT_Preserve" />

==Current status==
In recent years, the palace has been repurposed as a cultural center. It has hosted various exhibitions, including the [[Serendipity Arts Festival]], and housed the [[Goa State Museum]].<ref name="GT_Ages" /><ref name="TOI_OldestIcon" /> Plans for a major restoration project were initiated in 2024 to address structural issues such as roof leaks and timber decay, with the aim of preserving the site as a premier heritage landmark.<ref name="TOI_OldestIcon" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category inline}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Culture of Goa]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Panaji]]
[[Category:Adil Shahi dynasty]]

Adil Shah Palace - Revision history

Red apple learning at 20:30, 6 May 2026