1. Arrival of Europeans

• 1498: Vasco da Gama reached Calicut, opening a direct sea route between Europe and India.
• Led to competition among the Portuguese, Dutch, English, French, and Danes.
• Marked the beginning of European trade dominance and eventual colonial rule.

2. Causes Behind the Portuguese Voyage

• Fall of Constantinople (1453): Arabs controlled routes; Europeans lost direct access to Indian goods.
• Renaissance spirit: Desire for sea exploration.
• Advancements in navigation & shipbuilding.
• Treaty of Tordesillas (1494): Non-Christian world divided → Portugal got the eastern sphere.

3. Important Portuguese Governors & Policies

Vasco da Gama

• Reached Calicut (1498); welcomed by Zamorin.
• Arab merchants opposed Portuguese entry.
• Portuguese aimed to monopolise eastern trade.

Francisco de Almeida (1505-09)

• First Governor of Portuguese India.
• Policy: Blue Water Policy (Cartaze system) → naval dominance through the issue of passes.
• Defeated Egyptians/Mamluks; targeted Muslim trade.

Alfonso de Albuquerque (1509-15)

• Expanded Portuguese power; seized Goa (1510).
• Permit system, control of shipbuilding centres.
• Encouraged intermarriage, abolished sati.

Nino da Cunha (1529-38)

• Shifted HQ from Cochin to Goa.
• Acquired Bassein (1534); conflict with Bahadur Shah.

4. Decline of the Portuguese

• Rise of powerful states in Egypt, Persia, and India.
• Marathas captured Salsette & Bassein (1739).
• Harsh religious policies, Jesuit activities, Inquisition at Goa.
• Loss of naval/military superiority.

5. Significance of Portuguese

• Introduced naval warfare, heavy ships, and advanced artillery.
• Strong organisational skills, mapping, and dockyards.
• Introduced crops: chilli, potato, tomato, cashew, papaya, pineapple.
• Began the era of European colonialism in India.

6. Advent of the Dutch

• Dutch East India Company (VOC), 1602.
• Authority to wage war, conclude treaties.
• Centres: Masulipatnam (1605); Pulicat (1610).

7. Advent of English

Formation

• 1599: Merchant Adventurers formed an English company.
• 1600: Queen Elizabeth I granted a charter → exclusive trading rights.

Establishing Foothold

• 1609: Hawkins failed to secure Surat due to Portuguese opposition.
• 1611–16: Factory at Masulipatnam.
• 1612: Thomas Best defeated the Portuguese → Jahangir allowed the factory at Surat (1613).

Expansion

• Bombay (1662): Gift to Charles II → leased to Company (1668).
• Madras (1639): Fortified factory; HQ of the English in South.
• Bengal:
  • 1651: Shah Shuja permitted trade.
  • 1686–1690: Conflict → settlement at Sutanuti.
  • 1700: Fort William established; became Bengal presidency.

8. Advent of French

• French East India Company (1664); 50-year monopoly.
• Reorganisation as Perpetual Company of the Indies (1720).
• Faced Dutch rivalry; lost several early factories.
• Pondicherry (1674): Main French base.

9. Advent of Danes

• Danish East India Company (1616).
• Factories at Tranquebar and Serampore.
• Focused more on missionary activity.
• Sold settlements to the British in 1845.

10. Why English Succeeded Over Others

• Efficient company structure with an elected board.
• Naval superiority of the Royal Navy.
• Industrial Revolution
• Highly disciplined & skilled military.
• Stable government back home.
• Less aggressive religious zeal.
• Effective use of debt markets (Bank of England).