The Advent Of The Europeans In India - NCERT Notes

NCERT notes ( Study Material ) on important topics for the UPSC civil services exam. These notes will also be useful for other competitive exams like, UPSC Civil Services, State Civil Services exams, AFCAT, CDS, NDA, Bank PO, SSC and so on. ( Check Other NCERT Notes Here )

The sea route via the Cape of Good Hope was discovered by Vasco da Gama in 1498 and thereafter, many trading companies came to India and established their trading centres. Also Read : Governor Generals in Bengal

PORTUGUESE IN INDIA

1. Vasco-da-Gama reached Calicut via Cape Of Good Hope in 1498 + Was warmly welcomed by Zamorin ( Ruler of Calicut ).
2. In 1505, Francis-De-Almeida became 1st Portuguese governor in India - Established trading centres at Calicut, Cannanore and Cochin.
3. In 1509, Albuquerque became governor - Captured Goa from the ruler of Bijapur in 1510 - Made Goa, the capital of the Portuguese settlements in India.
4. Albuquerque died in 1515 leaving Portuguese as strongest Naval power in India.
5. Albuquerque’s successors established Portuguese settlements at Daman, Salsette and Bombay on the west coast and at Santhome near Madras and Hugli in Bengal on the east coast.
6. Portuguese power declined in India by the end of the sixteenth century - They lost all their possessions in India except Goa, Daman and Diu.

DUTCH IN INDIA

1. In 1602, Dutch East India Company was formed - Dutch parliament have powers to make wars.
2. Subsequently they won over Portuguese - First factory at Masulipatnam in 1605.
3. Pulicat was their main center from 1616 - Later replaced by Nagapattinam.
4. Dutch power began to decline and finally collapsed in the Battle of Bedara in 1759 - Where Dutch was defeated by British.

BRITISH IN INDIA

1. In 1600, English east India Company was established.
2. In 1662 the Portuguese gave the Island of Bombay to King Charles II of England as dowry for marrying a Portuguese Princess.
3. Bombay, Madras and Calcutta became 3 presidency towns of English by 1700.

DANES IN INDIA

1. Danish East India Company was founded in 1616 - Established trade settlements in India at Tranquebar ( Tamil Nadu ) in 1620.
2. Failed to strengthen themselves in India - Forced to sell all their settlements to British in 1845.

FRENCH IN INDIA

1. French East India Company was founded in 1664 by Colbert.
2. First French factory was established at Surat by Francois Caron in 1668.
3. Francis Martin founded and became 1st Governor of Pondicherry in 1673 - Later, Pondicherry became headquarter of French.
4. The French power in India declined between 1706 and 1720 - Revived under Lenoir and Dumas ( governors ) between 1720 and 1742.
5. The arrival of Dupleix as French governor in India in 1742 saw the beginning of Anglo French conflict ( Carnatic wars ).
6. After 3 Carnatic wars, French were crushed and limited to Pondicherry by the British.

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