Portuguese

Portuguese
● The Portuguese presence in India lasted for over 400 years and left a lasting
impact on Indian society.
● The Portuguese introduced new technologies, architectural styles, and cooking
techniques to India.
● However, their legacy in India is also marked by violence and exploitation.

● The Arrival Of Portuguese In India

● By the late 15th century, Portugal was a dominant naval force in Europe, eager to
establish trade routes with India, known for its wealth and luxury goods.

● In 1497, Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama embarked on a journey to find a sea

route to India. After a long voyage, he reached Calicut (modern-day Kozhikode) on
India’s southwest coast in May 1498.

● The Portuguese arrival in India was met with mixed responses. Some Indian rulers saw
them as potential allies, while others perceived them as a threat.

● Realizing that force was necessary to establish a foothold, Vasco da Gama led a military
expedition against Calicut in 1502, burning the city and destroying its fleet.

● In 1503, the Portuguese set up their first trading post in India at Cochin (now
Kochi), marking the beginning of their dominance in the region.

● Over the following decades, the Portuguese expanded their presence, establishing
trading posts along India's west coast, including Goa, which became the capital of
Portuguese India.

● Although the Portuguese attempted to establish footholds on the east coast of India,
they faced strong resistance from local rulers.

● The rise of the Portuguese in India was a significant milestone in the early phase of
European colonization, reflecting the interconnectedness of world history during this era.
 ● Timeline of Portugese

Year Event

1498 Vasco da Gama lands in Calicut

1503 The first Portuguese fort was established at Cochin

1505 The second Portuguese fort was built at Cannanore

The Portuguese defeated the combined fleet of Egyptians, Arabs, and Zamorins at the
1509
Battle of Diu

1510 Goa was captured by Alfonso de Albuquerque

1530 Goa was declared the capital of Portuguese India

1535 Diu completely subjugated

1539 Portuguese victory in the Siege of Diu

1559 Daman was captured by the Portuguese

1596 Dutch establish dominance in the spice trade in South-East Asia

1612 Surat lost to the English

1661 Bombay handed over to the English

1663 The Portuguese lost all Malabar Coast forts to the Dutch

1779 Acquisition of Dadra and Nagar Haveli

1843 Panjim becomes the capital of Portuguese India

1961 Indian military operation liberates Goa, Daman, and Diu

● Portuguese with the leader Vasco da Gama arrived with three ships at Calicut in 1498
AD.
 ● In 1503 AD, the first Portuguese fort at Cochin was established.
● It was the period which witnessed the spice trade.

● Colonies of Portuguese:
○ Calicut, Cochin, Goa, San Thome, Diu, Daman.

● Bartholomeu Diaz-[FIRST ATTEMPT]

○ In 1487 AD, he became the first Portuguese sailor to
embark on a voyage to explore new trade routes.
○ He reached the southernmost tip of Africa during his
journey.
○ Due to a storm encountered at this point, he initially
named it the Cape of Storms.
○ Later, the cape was renamed the Cape of Good Hope,
symbolizing the optimism of discovering a sea route to India.

● Vasco da Gama:
● First Portuguese to visit India.
● His visit is considered as the ‘start of the
new era of the world’.
● He first landed at Calicut in 1498 AD.
● He later built factories at Cochin and
Cannanore.
● During his time, Calicut, Cochin, and
Cannanore became potential trade centres for the Portuguese.
 ● During his time, the Portuguese got permission to fortify their trade centres.
● Francisco Almeida:
● He came to India to consolidate the position of the Portuguese
and destroy the Muslim trade centres.
● Also, he wanted to destroy the Muslim trade by seizing Aden,
Hormuz, and Malacca straits.
● Hence, he started the blue water policy to become a master of
the Indian Ocean trade.

Point To Remember:

Bluewater policy:

● The policy, aimed to control the Indian

Ocean region and establish dominance
over sea.

● Alfonso de Albuquerque:
○ He was called the real founder of Portuguese power in the
East.
○ He built up many ship industries in India.
○ He controlled almost all the Indian Ocean trade regions.
○ He captured Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur in 1510 AD.
○ He was very bitter to the Muslims.
○ He abolished the Sati system.
○ He encouraged Portuguese men to have Indian wives.
○ In Goa, he built new roads and irrigated works.
○ He introduced new crops like tobacco, cashew nuts, and
various varieties of coconut.

● Nino da Cunha:
○ He shifted the capital from Cochin to Goa in 1530 AD.
○ Diu and Bassein were captured by the Gujarat king
named Bahadur Shah.
 ○ He also attempted to increase Portuguese influence in Bengal by settling many
Portuguese nationals with Hugli as their headquarters.
○ He allowed religious teachers called Jesuits to encourage local people to convert to
Christianity.
○ His reign was marked by the emergence of Naval power.
○ The speciality of his military administration was there was a system of drill for groups
of infantry.

Decline of Portugese :
● By the end of the 17th century, the Portuguese in India lost their commercial
influence.
● Portuguese were completely ousted by the Dutch and one of all the ports on the
Malabar coast in 1663 AD.
● Portuguese dominated Surat in the 16th century till 1530 AD. Later other trading
groups like French, Armenians, English, Dutch and Turks were sharing the space
until the first trading factory by the English was set up in 1612 AD.
● Their religious policy like the activities of Jesuits and antagonism against Muslims
and Hindus made Hindus and Muslims resentful against them.

● Piracy at various places encouraged by the Portuguese antagonized Mughal rulers

like Shajahan. This led to several wars against the Portuguese.