Why did Panaji replace Old Goa as the capital of Portuguese Goa?

The Portuguese colonizers moved the capital from Old Goa (Velha Goa) to Panaji primarily due to recurring health crises. The city of Old Goa was devastated by repeated outbreaks of disease, most notably cholera epidemics, which caused the population to dwindle significantly throughout the 18th century.123

As the living conditions in Old Goa deteriorated, the seat of government was initially relocated to Mormugão before being moved to Panaji (then known as Panjim) in 1759. Panaji, which had originally served as a suburb of Old Goa, was officially established as the capital in 1843.213