In the context of modern Indian history, Goa finally attained freedom in 1961 from the rule of which colonial power?

Introduction / Context:
This question deals with the decolonisation of Goa, which is an important episode in post independence Indian history. While most of India gained freedom from British rule in 1947, some territories remained under other European powers. Goa was one of the most prominent of these, and its liberation in 1961 completed a significant part of the process of ending colonial rule on the Indian west coast.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The territory in question is Goa on the western coast of India.
- The time frame is post independence India, with Goa becoming free in 1961.
- The options list different colonial powers: Portuguese, Romans, British, French and Dutch.
- We assume awareness that not all parts of India were under British rule; some were under other European powers for centuries.

Concept / Approach:
Goa was a Portuguese colony from the early sixteenth century until 1961. Even after India became independent from Britain in 1947, Portugal refused to give up its enclaves like Goa, Daman and Diu. After years of diplomatic effort and growing Goan resistance, the Government of India launched Operation Vijay in December 1961 and integrated Goa into the Indian Union. Thus, when we speak of Goa getting freedom in 1961, it is freedom from Portuguese rule, not from British rule or any ancient empire.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that while most of India was under British control, Goa was historically controlled by Portugal. Step 2: Remember that India became independent from Britain in 1947, but Goa remained under Portuguese control for more than a decade afterwards. Step 3: Note that in 1961 the Indian government undertook military action, Operation Vijay, to end Portuguese rule in Goa, Daman and Diu. Step 4: Recognise that neither the Romans, the French nor the Dutch held Goa as a long term colony in the modern period in the way the Portuguese did. Step 5: Match this information with the options and select Portuguese colonial rule as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, you can think of the familiar phrase Indo Portuguese history which is commonly used for Goa. History books and school textbooks explicitly state that Goa was a Portuguese colony and that its liberation in 1961 ended that rule. British rule is associated with the rest of India, while French rule is associated with enclaves like Pondicherry. The Romans and Dutch did not control Goa in the modern period. This widely known association confirms the answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Ancient Roman rule from the Mediterranean empire: The Roman Empire did not control Goa; its influence did not extend that far east in a colonial sense.
British rule as part of British India: Goa did not form part of British India; it remained under the Portuguese even when the British ruled much of the subcontinent.
French colonial rule from Pondicherry: The French controlled territories like Pondicherry, Chandernagore and others, not Goa.
Dutch colonial rule based in Batavia: The Dutch had trading posts and colonies in other parts of Asia, such as Indonesia, but not Goa as a long term possession.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is to assume that all of India, including Goa, was under British rule simply because British India was so large. Another error is to mix up European colonial powers and assume that any coastal colony could have been British or French. Remembering that Goa is specifically associated with Portuguese culture, architecture and history, and that its liberation in 1961 is described as ending Portuguese rule, helps you avoid these confusions.

Final Answer:
Goa got freedom in 1961 from Portuguese colonial rule.