George M. Moraes

George Mark Moraes (11 May 1905 – April 1994)[1] popularly known by his pen name, George M. Moraes, was an Indian historian, author, writer and professor. He has over 29 historical and research works to his name which were published in 74 publications and 542 library holdings. He is considered as one of the greatest Goan intellectuals and historians. Moraes is best known for his book, The Kadamba Kula (1931).[2][3][4]

Not to be confused with George Moraes (field hockey).
George M. Moraes
Portrait of Moraes
Born
George Mark Moraes

(1905-05-11)11 May 1905
Cuncolim, Goa, Portuguese India
DiedApril 1994
(aged 88)
Goa, India
EducationPh.D (English)
Occupations
Years active1927–1994
Employers
Notable workThe Kadamba Kula: A History of Ancient and Mediaeval Karnataka (1931)

Early life and education

George Mark Moraes was born on 11 May 1905 at Bencleamvaddo (ward) at Cuncolim, Portuguese India during the Portuguese Empire (now part of India). He had completed his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in English.[5]

Career

Moraes was a professor of history at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. His book, The Kadamba Kula (1931) is his research on the Kadamba dynasty. According to Google Books, his work was chosen by the scholars for being culturally important and is now part of the conceptualisation of civilization. He has also authored books, History of Christians in India, Historiography of Indian Languages, and many other published in several editions.[2]

Moraes was also employed in top-tier institutions like, Royal Asiatic Society and the Indian Historical Research Commission.[2]

Legacy

Some locals attempted to set up a library in honor of Moraes, and on July 18, 2020, they demanded that the newly constructed Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) building be named after him.[2]

2020 Heritage house incident

On 17 July 2020, Moraes's heritage house at Bencleamvaddo, Cuncolim, collapsed due to continuous rains. The house had been in a run-down condition for many years, and its state had worsened over time. The ceiling of the house had already crumbled during the monsoons in 2019, and the remainder of the house fell apart.[6]

Prior to the crumbling of the house, the distant relatives of Moraes were in the process of claiming ownership of the property to sell it. However, the locals of Cuncolim had made an appeal to the Cuncolim Municipal Council to acquire the land and the heritage house to build a children's park in Moraes's name.[2]

The locals then questioned why the state administration and local government had not taken any initiative to preserve Moraes's home as a historical heritage site.[2]

References
  1. Vaz, J. Clement (1997). Profiles of Eminent Goans, Past and Present. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 978-81-7022-619-2.
  2. "House of great historian, George Mark Moraes collapses". oHeraldo. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  3. Moraes, George Mark (1931). The Kadamba Kula. A History of Ancient and Mediaeval Karnataka, Etc. [With Maps.].
  4. Ṭikekara, Aruṇa (2006). The Cloister's Pale: A Biography of the University of Mumbai. Popular Prakashan. ISBN 978-81-7991-293-5.
  5. Desk, N. T. "Another part of historian's house collapses in Cuncolim – The Navhind Times". Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  6. M., Johnny (18 July 2020). "Goa: Part of historian's house in Cuncolim collapses in rain". The Times of India. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
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