Ribandar was anciently called Ribandar or the royal landing place.
It was at first corrupted into Rabandar, then Rebandar, and finally into Ribandar.* In 1510 the Muhammadans, having retaken the city from Albuquerque, built here a redoubt.
After the second entry into Goa by the Portuguese, a house was built at Ribandar for a Thanadhar at a cost of £1.
This officer was enjoined to keep watch on the goods which passed through the river on that side and to collect taxes, and had in 1554 under him one naique and nine peons. In 1572 he was allowed his share in sundry articles which he had to inspect.+
Ribandar has been the residence of many Portuguese noblemen ever since the city and the suburb of São Pedro became unhealthy. The Christian population of Ribandar was estimated in 1775 at 3,092 souls, which number in 1828 was reduced to 2,434, and is at present about 2,200.