Arrival of Europeans

1. Portuguese

Arrival

• Arrival in India: 1498 by Francisco De Almeida, landing at Calicut (Kozhikode).
• Key Events:
  • 1499: Portuguese established a base at Calicut.
  • 1502: Albuquerque captured Goa, establishing the first Portuguese stronghold in India.
  • 1510: Capture of Diu by Afonso de Albuquerque.

Expansions

• Key Ports Controlled:
  • Goa (1510)
  • Diu (1510)
  • Daman (1522)
  • Chaul (1534)
  • Malacca (1511)
  • Malacca Strait (1511)
• Trade Networks:
  • Established trade routes between Europe, Africa, and Asia.
  • Focused on spice trade (pepper, cloves, nutmeg).

Governors

• Afonso de Albuquerque (1503–1515): Expanded Portuguese holdings in India and Southeast Asia.
• Francisco de Almeida (1505–1509): First Viceroy of India, established the Portuguese East India Company.

Conflict with Britishers

• Main Points of Conflict:
  • Competition for control over trade routes and ports.
  • British vs. Portuguese in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.
  • British sought to undermine Portuguese dominance through alliances with local rulers.
• Key Events:
  • 1612: British captured Goa from the Portuguese.
  • 1613: Treaty of Sirmaur (British secured access to the Ganges).
  • 1749: British captured the Portuguese fort at Chinsurah.
  • 1759: British captured the Portuguese fort at Chandernagore.

2. Dutch

Arrival

• Arrival in India: 1605 by Jan Pieterszoon Coen, landing at Pulicat.
• Key Events:
  • 1605: Established a factory at Pulicat.
  • 1619: Established a factory at Nagapatnam.
  • 1633: Established a factory at Surat.
  • 1639: Established a factory at Masulipatnam.

Expansions

• Key Ports Controlled:
  • Pulicat
  • Nagapatnam
  • Surat
  • Masulipatnam
  • Malacca (1641)
• Trade Networks:
  • Focused on spices, textiles, and later on opium.
  • Established the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in 1602.

Achievements

• Key Achievements:
  • Established a strong naval presence in the Indian Ocean.
  • Controlled key spice trade routes.
  • Introduced new agricultural practices and crops.
  • Built the Dutch East India Company (VOC), one of the most powerful trading companies in the world.

Conflict with Britishers

• Main Points of Conflict:
  • Competition for control over trade routes and ports.
  • British vs. Dutch in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.
  • British sought to undermine Dutch dominance through alliances and military action.
• Key Events:
  • 1639: British captured the Dutch factory at Masulipatnam.
  • 1661: Treaty of London (British married Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza, leading to Portuguese ceding Bombay to the British).
  • 1740s: British and Dutch fought over control of the Bay of Bengal.
  • 1750s: British gradually displaced Dutch influence in India.

3. English/British

Arrival

• Arrival in India: 1608 by the British East India Company (EIC), landing at Surat.
• Key Events:
  • 1608: First British factory established at Surat.
  • 1612: British captured Goa from the Portuguese.
  • 1613: Treaty of Sirmaur (British secured access to the Ganges).
  • 1639: British captured the Dutch factory at Masulipatnam.

Early Trade

• Key Trade Products:
  • Textiles (calico, muslin)
  • Spices (pepper, cloves)
  • Precious metals
• Trade Centers:
  • Surat
  • Masulipatnam
  • Bombay (1668)
  • Calcutta (1690)

Conflicts with Other Europeans

• Main Points of Conflict:
  • British vs. Portuguese: British captured Goa (1612), Chandernagore (1759), and Chinsurah (1749).
  • British vs. Dutch: British captured Masulipatnam (1639), and gradually displaced Dutch influence.
  • British vs. French: Competition in the Indian Ocean and for trade dominance.
• Key Events:
  • 1661: Treaty of London (British married Portuguese princess, leading to cession of Bombay).
  • 1740s–1750s: Anglo-French rivalry in India (e.g., Battle of Plassey, 1757).
  • 1757: Battle of Plassey – British victory over Nawab of Bengal, marking the start of British dominance in India.

Key Facts for Competitive Exams (SSC, RRB)

Important Terms and Definitions

Differences Between Portuguese, Dutch, and British