His most famous published work was A Índia Portuguesa (1886) with many engravings made by Francisco Pastor (1850-1922).

Mendes was born in a rural family in Vila Real in northern Trás-os-Montes on January 30, 1835.

His aptitude for drawing was noted and his broad training led him to be chosen by the Ministry of the Navy and Overseas of Portugal for a mission to India that began in August 1862.

He published a note in 1864 Apontamentos sobre a província de Satari do Estado da Índia Portuguesa.

[1] Mendes' books have been of use to historians of Goa as many of the buildings illustrated are now partly or fully destroyed[2] and his notes are sources for the lifestyle of the period.