Goans had begun to protest against the alien, brutal occupation of the Portuguese within half a century of their arrival. The imposition of exorbitant land revenue was resisted by the inhabitants of Cuncolim in 1555. The residents of Cuncolim, Velim, Ambelim and Assolna rebelled against forced conversions to Christianity in 1583. Mathew Castro, a Goan Roman Catholic Priest of Divar raised the banner of revolt in 1654 for the rights of the native Christian.

In 1787 the famous Pinto Rebellion or Pinto Revolt, a well organized plan broke out. The conspiracy was hatched in the house of one Father Pinto after whom it was named. Father Caitano Francisco Couto and Father Jose Antonio Gonsalves, some prominent native priests spearheaded it as they were upset at racial discrimination against native Goan Christians and white supremacy in the church hierarchy. The main objective was to establish a new republic and over - throw the Portuguese rule. (The Pinto mansion that came to be called as the 'Palace of Conspiracy' still exists at Candolim).

Unfortunately, forty seven investigators were captured and executed after a conspirator turned informant, and the revolt was crushed. The leaders were dragged through the streets after being tied to a horse. Then they were hanged and their hands were chopped off. Later fixed on stakes, their heads were put for display in public places as a warning to others.