Manuel Silva

Background

He was the only son of Manuel Caetano da Silva (1870–1926) and of his wife Maria da Encarnação Vassalo (1869–1922) and brother of Maria da Conceição, married with issue, Joana and Aurora.

Career

He was the 128th and the last Governor-General of Portuguese India. In 1958, he was nominated to replace Paulo Bénard Guedes, as the 128th Governor-General of the Portuguese State of India, of which office he would be the last holder. At the same time, he was also appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Portuguese Armed Forces in India.

After that he fell into disgrace at the eyes of Salazar, who never accepted the fait accompli of the annexation.

Vassalo e Silva was greeted with a hostile reception when he returned to Portugal. He was subsequently court martialed for failing to follow orders, expelled from the military and was sent into exile.

His rank and freedom was restored only in 1974, after the fall of the regime, and was given back his military status. He was later able to conduct a state visit to Goa, where he was given a warm reception.

Recently it was said by the Goan-Portuguese politician Narana Coissoró that Salazar sent him a cyanide capsule for use in case of defeat.

Maria Fernanda Pereira Monteiro Vassalo e Silva, married to Rui António da Cunha Bernardino, and had issue, eight children, six married and had issue.

Connections

enemy:

Manuel Vassalo