Constantino de Bragança

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Constantino de Braganca, Viceroy of Portuguese India, 1558–1561.

Dom Constantino de Brangança , Duque (Duke) de Bragança, (* 1528 in Portugal , † June 14, 1575 in Portugal) was a Portuguese nobleman and the seventh viceroy of the Estado da India . He was viceroy from 1558 to 1561.

Constantino de Brangança was born as the son of the fourth Duque de Bragança, Dom Jaime, and belonged to the high nobility of Portugal. He was also a royal councilor. At the age of twenty he became the official ambassador of Portugal to the French court, appointed by King Dom João III. and took part in the baptism of a son of King Henry II of France as a guest of honor.

In 1558 he was appointed viceroy of the Estado da India by the queen widow and regent Dona Catarina . In 1559 he succeeded in conquering the city of Daman in India with only four ships and without bloodshed . Only 2000 men were subordinate to him during the conquest, but they were not used because the artillery and the viceroy's appearance so intimidated the rajah of the city that it gave up. He was considered to be extremely correct and tough on corruption and stood by the Portuguese crown in a devoted and loyal manner as one of the best viceroys. He also arranged the administration and finances. Because of his harshness and accuracy, he was recalled to Lisbon in 1561 for other tasks , where an intrigue was woven against him: he had forgotten to tax precious stones, which he was resented and which made him useless for further activities in the administration of the empire.

During his time in India he also protected and promoted the world-famous poet Dom Luis Vaz de Camões , who worked as a simple soldier in his regiment and whose literary work he admired.

He was later rehabilitated and the young King Dom Sebastian wanted to make the loyal servant of the state again viceroy in 1571, which he refused due to the intrigue. He was married to his cousin, Dona Maria de Melo, since 1552.

A street in Lisbon is named after him.

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personal data
SURNAME Constantino de Bragança
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Portuguese nobleman, the seventh viceroy of the Estado da India
DATE OF BIRTH 1528
PLACE OF BIRTH Portugal
DATE OF DEATH June 14, 1575
Place of death Portugal