>>3844434 Portuguese citizens were free to marry any citizen of the land, however, conversion to Catholicism would be expected from the non-Catholic spouse. Some converted but continued to practice their faith on the side to be later found out, but many fully converted and stayed Catholics. Per Papal edict in the XVII century, should any Indian convert, they were allowed to keep their social status/ castes, which would springboard them towards high positions and jobs of responsibility under the Portuguese administration. For example, in Goa if you were a Brahmin under Portuguese rule, you would keep your superior caste, and that would give you access to the highest local cabinets in colonial government or within the clergy. If you were a Shudra, you would be relegated to the work in the fields, or to simply do any type of arm labor. So …no …we did not establish a caste system as we had none, but Portugal allowed Goans to keep their castes should they convert to Catholicism, then award them positions based on your Indian caste.
