Goa, Oct. 7 -- VICTOR FERRAO

In the historic precinct of Old Goa, beneath a mod ern flyover and within sight of the Basilica of Bom Jesus, stands a solitary black basalt pillar mounted on a circular pedestal. For centu ries it has been known as the Pelourinho Novo, the New Pillory. It is one of the few surviv ing civic markers of the once great city that served as the capital of Portuguese India. Structures of this kind were common throughout the Portuguese world. From the towns of mainland Portugal to settlements in Africa, Bra zil and Asia, the pelourinho marked the centre of munici pal authority. It was the place where decrees were pro claimed, where the power of the camara was made visible, and where offenders against civic order wer...