The oldest structure in Panaji, the capital of Goa, was once the sultan's palace, and now it houses the state legislature – the Assembly. Over the five centuries of its existence, the historic building has changed its status and purpose more than once.
The palace was built under Goa's Muslim ruler Yusuf Adil Shah. At the very beginning of the XVI century, the sultan surrendered to the Portuguese, and the building automatically passed into the possession of the colonizers.
During the “Portuguese period,” the traditional Islamic structure was rebuilt: its distinguishing features became wooden verandas and a tiled roof. Utility buildings and a pier for vessels were also added to it.
In 1760, after the capital was moved to Panaji, the building became the residence of the colony's rulers - the viceroys. Since 1843, they had to make room: the Secretariat of the Portuguese colony was also located on this same site. At the beginning of the XX century, the residence of the viceroys was moved to Palacio do Cabo, 8 kilometers from Panaji.
