Vitória da Conquista was founded in 1783, after several battles against the native Imboré and Mongoió tribes, by the Portuguese hero João Gonçalves da Costa, born in Chaves, Trás-os-Montes, Portugal. Da Costa had been sent to Brazil by the king of Portugal, Dom José I, to fight against the natives, seize their land, and then convert them to Christianity. He founded The Arraial da Conquista ("Conquest Town") on the site of the last battle and began the building of a church in honour of the Holy Mother of Victory.