Quepem

Quepem is a town with a municipal council in South Goa district in the Indian state of Goa. The town is the administrative headquarters of the Quepem sub-district.HistoryThe town was established by a Portuguese noble man Deão Jose Paulo, the dean of the church in AD 1787 after he moved there just five years after the conquest of Quepem sub-district by the Portuguese. He built his famous Palácio do Deão, followed by a public market, hospital, a church and other facilities for the benefit of the inhabitants through his own expense. He was later awarded the unofficial title of Barão de Quepem by the then viceroy D. Manuel Francisco Zacarias de Portugal e Castro.Quepem city before AD 1787 was a scattered settlement surrounded by thick jungle. It was situated in the princely state ruled by the Soonda's. When Hyder Ali began raiding and annexing the state,the princely family turned to the Portuguese who immediately took on Hyder Ali's forces and repelled them back, as well as financed the administration of the state.Having no heir to succeed, the then ruler gave complete control of the provinces to the Portuguese for their generosity in 1783.In AD 1787, Deaõ. Jose Paulo de Almeida transferred his residence from Old Goa to Quepem and founded a hamlet. Quepem was, in those days, covered with forest. He ordered the planting of rice, coconut palms and other fruit trees.He established a public market, hospital and other facilities for the benefit of the inhabitants.He also founded the Santa Cruz church, at his own cost, as inscribed on the pyramidal structure in the churchyard.