Originally New Goa (in Portuguese, Nova Goa), It replaced the city of Goa (now Old Goa) as the administrative seat of Portuguese India in 1843, though the viceroy had already moved there in 1759.
Incorporated into India in December 1961, Panaji became a state capital on Goa's elevation to statehood in May 1987. A new Legislative Assembly complex was inaugurated in March 2000.