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Advent Of EuropeansAdvent Of Europeans

The advent of European trading companies in India transformed the subcontinent's commercial landscape and eventually led to British colonial hegemony. For Allahabad High Court RO/ARO and UPPSC examinations, this chapter holds critical weight, frequently featuring chronological...The advent of European trading companies in India transformed the subcontinent's commercial landscape and eventually led to British colonial hegemony. For Allahabad High Court RO/ARO and UPPSC examinations, this chapter holds critical weight, frequently featuring chronological...

Mediumमध्यम 60 min totalकुल 60 मिनट

Chronological Evolution of Advent Of Europeans

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Advent Of Europeans Core Study Notes

Portuguese in India

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in India and the last to leave. Their expansion was driven by religious zeal and commercial monopoly.

Vasco da Gama's Voyage: Arrived at Calicut on May 17, 1498, guided by the Gujarati pilot Abdul Majid. He was received by the Hindu ruler Zamorin.
Francisco de Almeida: First Portuguese Viceroy in India (1505-1609). Introduced the 'Blue Water Policy' (Cartaz system) to establish naval supremacy in the Indian Ocean.
Alfonso de Albuquerque: Real founder of Portuguese power in India (1509-1515). Captured Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur in 1510 and encouraged intermarriages with local women.
Nino da Cunha: Shifted the Portuguese headquarters from Cochin to Goa in 1530 and acquired Bassein (1534) and Hughli in Bengal.

Governor / Viceroy		Major Achievement / Policy
Francisco de Almeida		Blue Water Policy & Naval Supremacy
Alfonso de Albuquerque		Capture of Goa (1510), ending sati in Goa
Nino da Cunha		Shifted HQ to Goa, acquired Bassein

Dutch and English East India Companies

Following the Portuguese, the Dutch and English entered the Indian trade arena, heavily competing for dominance over the spice-rich islands and textile markets.

Dutch Settlements: Established their first factory at Masulipatnam in 1605. Their main commercial interest was in the Indonesian archipelago (Spice Islands) rather than India.
Battle of Bedara: Fought in 1759, the English decisively defeated the Dutch, ending Dutch ambitions in India.
English Charter & Early Missions: Captain William Hawkins visited Jahangir's court in 1608 to secure trading concessions. Sir Thomas Roe arrived later (1615) as an ambassador of King James I.
Foundation of Calcutta: Job Charnock established a factory at Sutanati in 1690, which later grew into the city of Calcutta after the fortification of Fort William (1700).

French and Danish Companies

The French were the last major European power to enter India, setting the stage for intense Anglo-French rivalry in the Carnatic wars.

Foundation of French Company: François Caron established the first French factory at Surat in 1668, followed by another at Masulipatnam in 1669.
Pondicherry: François Martin founded Pondicherry in 1674, which later served as the headquarters of the French possessions in India.
Carnatic Wars: Three Carnatic Wars (1746-1763) were fought between the English and French. The Battle of Wandiwash (1760) ended French political influence in India.
Danish Settlement: The Danish East India Company was formed in 1616. Their principal settlement was at Tranquebar (Tamil Nadu) and Serampore (Bengal), later sold to the British in 1845.