Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Goa’s Adil Shah Palace Faces Neglect Despite Heritage Importance
The Adil Shah Palace is a very old and important building in Panjim, Goa.
It is also called the Old Secretariat.
The building was linked to Yusuf Adil Shah before the Portuguese ruled Goa.
Over the centuries, it became a residence, government office, and assembly building.
It has many different architectural styles, which makes it special.
The article says the palace was repaired before a 2016 arts festival.
Since then, it has reportedly been allowed to become run-down.
The writer worries that neglect could lead to plans to replace or redevelop the building.
The article asks people and authorities to protect this shared piece of history.
The Adil Shah Palace, also known as Panjim’s Old Secretariat, is described as Goa’s oldest surviving royal building and Panjim’s oldest surviving structure.
The building existed in some form when the Portuguese arrived in 1510 and was associated with Yusuf Adil Shah’s summer residence and defensive fortifications.
It was reconstructed in 1759, remodelled in the Pombaline style, and later served as a residence, government offices, and the Legislative Assembly.
The palace reportedly received an expensive makeover before the 2016 Serendipity Arts Festival, but has visibly deteriorated since then.
The article blames public ignorance, bureaucratic decisions, corruption, and greed for threatening Goa’s heritage, despite the Goa State Heritage Policy 2025.
- Who
- The article focuses on the Goa government, heritage authorities, and residents concerned about the Adil Shah Palace, also known as the Old Secretariat.
- What
- A heritage article criticizes the reported neglect and deterioration of the 500-year-old Adil Shah Palace and urges its conservation.
- When
- The building’s history spans from before 1510 to the present; it was reconstructed in 1759, converted to government offices in 1918, and reportedly renovated before 2016.
- Where
- Panjim, Goa, beside the Mandovi River.
- Why
- The writer argues that public ignorance, bureaucratic decisions, corruption, greed, and possible redevelopment pressures are putting the heritage building at risk.
- Also known as
- The Old Secretariat and Palácio de Idalcão
- Historical association
- The building was linked to Yusuf Adil Shah’s summer residence and a fortified site.
- Portuguese reconstruction
- It was reconstructed and remodelled in 1759 in the Pombaline style.
- Government use
- It became public administration offices in 1918 and later housed the Legislative Assembly after 1961.
- Recent renovation
- The palace reportedly received an expensive makeover before the first Serendipity Arts Festival in 2016.
- Heritage policy
- The Goa State Heritage Policy 2025 provides a five-year phased framework for protecting heritage assets.
- Reported concern
- The article says the building has visibly deteriorated since its renovation and could face redevelopment pressure.