The Instituto Vasco da Gama was established on 24 November 1871 by
Tomás Ribeiro under Portuguese colonial patronage to promote science and
Lusophone literature in Goa. After publishing its monthly
Boletim do Instituto Vasco da Gama and fostering the
Indo‑Portuguese literary renaissance, the institute lapsed into inactivity by 1875 and was reconstituted by legislative decree in March 1925. Around that time, there was a need for an institute focusing on literary, scientific, and cultural themes, and a new
Portaria (provincial order 105 dated 10 February 1925 and
Legislative Diploma or enactment No.144 of 26 March 1925) was passed, with an annual grant of Rs.10,000. Later, in March 1925 it was attached to the
Biblioteca Pública de Goa (public library of Goa). In 1952 it was honoured as a Commander of the
Order of Saint James of the Sword (Comendador da Ordem Militar de Sant'Iago da Espada) for its scientific and cultural contributions. In 1997, in a step which was questioned by some, the Government of Goa took over the institution, and re-established it as a society. The Bombay High Court dismissed the petition against the takeover of the institute, but expressed "a hope that the respondent- State [Government of Goa] shall maintain artifacts and/or paintings and/or coins and/or other valuable articles and shall make all attempts to preserve Portuguese culture for future generations." == Architecture ==