Modern India — The Advent of Europeans
1. The Portuguese
Context: The Portuguese were the first Europeans to discover a sea route to India, marking the beginning of European colonisation in the subcontinent.
- First to reach India: Prince Henry the Navigator received a Papal Bull in 1454 from Pope Nicholas V, granting rights to explore the oriental shores.
- Vasco Da Gama: Visited India three times — 1498, 1501, and 1524. First voyage reached Calicut on May 20, 1498.
- Pedro Alvarez Cabral: Established a factory in Calicut in September 1500.
- Francisco De Almeida (1505): First Portuguese Governor in India. Introduced the Blue Water Policy (Cartaze system) — aimed at making Portugal master of the Indian Ocean.
- Alfonso de Albuquerque (1509-1515): Real founder of Portuguese power in the East. Introduced the 'permit system' for other ships.
Key Achievements of Albuquerque:
- Acquired Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur in 1510 — first Indian territory under European control since Alexander the Great.
- Introduced new crops: Tobacco, Cashew nut, and better varieties of coconut.
- Abolished Sati and encouraged Portuguese men to marry locals.
- Acquired Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur in 1510 — first Indian territory under European control since Alexander the Great.
- Introduced new crops: Tobacco, Cashew nut, and better varieties of coconut.
- Abolished Sati and encouraged Portuguese men to marry locals.
Knowledge Nugget: Vasco Da Gama's Voyages
- Vasco da Gama's first voyage (1498) was funded by King Manuel I of Portugal.
- He was accompanied by a pilot named Ibn Majid, who guided him from East Africa to Calicut.
- His second voyage (1501) was more aggressive, establishing Portuguese dominance in the Indian Ocean.
- Vasco da Gama's first voyage (1498) was funded by King Manuel I of Portugal.
- He was accompanied by a pilot named Ibn Majid, who guided him from East Africa to Calicut.
- His second voyage (1501) was more aggressive, establishing Portuguese dominance in the Indian Ocean.
2. The Dutch
Context: The Dutch entered the Indian Ocean trade in the late 16th century, competing with the Portuguese for control of the spice trade.
- Cornelis de Houtman: First Dutchman to reach Sumatra and Bantam in 1596.
- First Factory: Masulipatnam (Andhra) in 1605.
- Important Dutch Factories: Surat (1616), Bimlipatam (1641), Karaikal (1645), Chinsura (1653), Baranagar, Kasimbazar, Balasore, Patna, Nagapatam (1658), Cochin (1663).
- Trade Monopoly: Black pepper and spices; also traded in silk, cotton, indigo, rice, and opium.
Knowledge Nugget: Dutch East India Company (VOC)
- The VOC was established in 1602 and was the first multinational corporation.
- It was granted a monopoly on Dutch trade in Asia and had quasi-governmental powers, including the ability to wage war, negotiate treaties, and establish colonies.
- The VOC was established in 1602 and was the first multinational corporation.
- It was granted a monopoly on Dutch trade in Asia and had quasi-governmental powers, including the ability to wage war, negotiate treaties, and establish colonies.
3. The English
Context: The English East India Company was formed in 1600 and gradually established dominance over other European powers in India.
- Queen Elizabeth I: Granted formal charter to London merchants trading with the East Indies.
- Captain Hawkins (1609): Came to Jahangir's court to establish a factory and gain trade concessions.
- First English Factory: Masulipatnam (1611), with a factory established there in 1616.
- Captain Thomas Best (1612): Defeated Portuguese off Surat coast; Jahangir granted permission to establish factory at Surat in 1613.
- Sir Thomas Roe (1615-1619): Secured privileges to set up factories at Agra, Ahmedabad, and Broach.
- Fort St. George (1639): Permission from ruler of Chandragiri (Vijayanagara) to build a fortified factory at Madras — replaced Masulipatnam as English headquarters in South India.
Key Events in Early English Expansion:
- 1611: First English factory at Masulipatnam.
- 1613: Factory at Surat after Captain Best's victory.
- 1639: Fort St. George at Madras — the first English fortress in India.
- 1668: Bombay was transferred to the East India Company by Charles II.
- 1611: First English factory at Masulipatnam.
- 1613: Factory at Surat after Captain Best's victory.
- 1639: Fort St. George at Madras — the first English fortress in India.
- 1668: Bombay was transferred to the East India Company by Charles II.
4. The Danes
Context: The Danish East India Company was established in 1616, but they focused more on missionary work than on political or commercial expansion.
- Danish East India Company: Established in 1616.
- First Factory: Tranquebar near Tanjore in 1620.
- Most Important Settlement: Serampore near Calcutta.
- Danes were more interested in missionary activities rather than commercial or political interests.
Knowledge Nugget: Serampore Mission
- The Serampore Mission was established in 1800 by Baptist missionaries William Carey, Joshua Marshman, and William Ward.
- They translated the Bible into several Indian languages and contributed significantly to Indian linguistics and education.
- The Serampore Mission was established in 1800 by Baptist missionaries William Carey, Joshua Marshman, and William Ward.
- They translated the Bible into several Indian languages and contributed significantly to Indian linguistics and education.
5. The French
Context: The French were the last Europeans to arrive in India for trade. They established their presence in the 17th century and competed with the English for dominance.
- Last Europeans to arrive: For trade purposes.
- French East India Company: Established by Minister Colbert in 1664 during Louis XIV's reign.
- First French Factory: Surat by Francois Caron in 1667.
- Second Factory: Masulipatnam (1669) by Mercara.
- Important French Centres: Mahe, Karaikal, Balasore, Chandernagore (near Calcutta), Pondicherry.
French Settlements in India:
- Pondicherry: Established in 1674, became the capital of French India.
- Chandernagore: Established in 1673, located near Calcutta.
- Mahe: Established in 1725, on the Malabar Coast.
- Karaikal: Established in 1739, on the Coromandel Coast.
- Pondicherry: Established in 1674, became the capital of French India.
- Chandernagore: Established in 1673, located near Calcutta.
- Mahe: Established in 1725, on the Malabar Coast.
- Karaikal: Established in 1739, on the Coromandel Coast.
6. The Carnatic Wars
Context: The Carnatic Wars were a series of military conflicts between the English and the French in the 18th century, fought primarily in the Carnatic region of South India.
First Carnatic War (1740-48)
- Extension of the Anglo-French War in Europe caused by the Austrian War of Succession.
- Ended with the Treaty of Aix-La Chapelle (1748).
Second Carnatic War (1749-54)
- Caused by succession struggles after the death of Nizam-ul-Mulk.
- French supported Muzaffar Jang and Chanda Sahib; English sided with Nasir Jang and Anwaruddin.
- Ended with the Treaty of Pondicherry (1754) — Muhammad Ali Khan Walajah recognized as Nawab of Carnatic.
Third Carnatic War (1756-63)
- Result of the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) in Europe.
- Battle of Wandiwash (1760): Decisive English victory under General Eyre Coote on January 22, 1760, at Wandiwash (Vandavasi, Tamil Nadu).
- French army under Count Thomas Arthur de Lally was routed.
- Treaty of Peace of Paris (1763): French factories restored, but their political influence in India disappeared.
Knowledge Nugget: Significance of the Carnatic Wars
- The Carnatic Wars established English supremacy over the French in India.
- The Battle of Wandiwash (1760) was a turning point that ended French ambitions for political dominance in India.
- The Treaty of Paris (1763) marked the end of French political influence in India, though they retained trading posts.
- The Carnatic Wars established English supremacy over the French in India.
- The Battle of Wandiwash (1760) was a turning point that ended French ambitions for political dominance in India.
- The Treaty of Paris (1763) marked the end of French political influence in India, though they retained trading posts.
7. Summary: European Powers in India
| Power | Arrival | First Factory | Key Figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portuguese | 1498 | Calicut (1500) | Vasco da Gama, Albuquerque |
| Dutch | 1596 | Masulipatnam (1605) | Cornelis de Houtman |
| English | 1600 | Masulipatnam (1611) | Sir Thomas Roe |
| Danes | 1616 | Tranquebar (1620) | — |
| French | 1664 | Surat (1667) | Francois Caron |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Portuguese (1498) — First to arrive; Vasco da Gama; Blue Water Policy; Goa captured (1510)
- Dutch (1602) — VOC; Masulipatnam (1605); focused on spice trade
- English (1600) — East India Company; Surat (1613); Fort St. George (1639)
- Danes (1616) — Serampore; focused on missionary work
- French (1664) — Last to arrive; Pondicherry (1674); defeated in Carnatic Wars
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Chapter 1 Focus)
Q1. With reference to the Portuguese in India, consider the following statements:
1. Vasco da Gama visited India three times — 1498, 1501, and 1524.
2. Francisco de Almeida introduced the Blue Water Policy.
3. Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Goa in 1510.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer: D. All three statements are correct. Vasco da Gama visited India three times, Almeida introduced the Blue Water Policy, and Albuquerque captured Goa in 1510.
Q2. Consider the following pairs of European powers and their first factory in India:
1. Portuguese — Calicut
2. Dutch — Masulipatnam
3. English — Surat
4. French — Pondicherry
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Correct Answer: C. Portuguese (Calicut), Dutch (Masulipatnam), and English (Surat) are correctly matched. The French first factory was at Surat (1667), not Pondicherry.
Q3. With reference to the Carnatic Wars, consider the following statements:
1. The First Carnatic War ended with the Treaty of Aix-La Chapelle (1748).
2. The Second Carnatic War ended with the Treaty of Pondicherry (1754).
3. The Battle of Wandiwash was fought during the Third Carnatic War.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer: D. All three statements are correct. The First Carnatic War ended with the Treaty of Aix-La Chapelle (1748), the Second with the Treaty of Pondicherry (1754), and the Battle of Wandiwash was fought during the Third Carnatic War.
Q4. Consider the following statements about the English East India Company:
1. The first English factory in India was established at Masulipatnam in 1611.
2. Sir Thomas Roe secured privileges to set up factories at Agra, Ahmedabad, and Broach.
3. Fort St. George at Madras was established in 1639.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer: D. All three statements are correct. The first English factory was at Masulipatnam (1611), Sir Thomas Roe secured privileges in 1615-19, and Fort St. George was established in 1639.
Q5. Which European power was the last to arrive in India for trade?
Correct Answer: D. The French were the last Europeans to arrive in India for trade. The French East India Company was established in 1664, and the first factory was set up in Surat in 1667.