at a glance

descendant of the family of the casa da torre de garcia d'ávila, joaquim pires de carvalho and albuquerque, known in bahia as colonel santinho, was among the first to rebel against the portuguese military rule of madeira de melo.

due to his demonstration of patriotism and immense contribution to brazil's struggles against portugal, in forming the newly proclaimed empire of brazil, he was awarded the gold medal of independence and the noble title of viscount pirajá in 1825 by emperor dom pedro i.