The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish a trading presence in India. Their arrival marked the beginning of European colonialism in India.
1. Arrival of the Portuguese in India
- 1498: Vasco da Gama reached Calicut (Kerala), with the help of an Arab navigator, Abdur Razzaq.
- 1500: Pedro Álvares Cabral established the first Portuguese factory at Cochin.
- 1505: Francisco de Almeida became the first Portuguese Viceroy of India.
- 1510: Afonso de Albuquerque captured Goa, making it the center of Portuguese power in India.
2. Key Portuguese Settlements in India
| Year | Place Captured/Settled | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| 1498 | Calicut | Vasco da Gama’s first landing site |
| 1500 | Cochin | First Portuguese factory |
| 1510 | Goa | Became the headquarters of Portuguese India |
| 1530 | Diu | Strategic naval base |
| 1534 | Bassein (Vasai) | Important trading center near Mumbai |
| 1559 | Daman | Strengthened Portuguese presence in western India |
3. Administration & Expansion
- Francisco de Almeida (1505-1509):
- Introduced the “Blue Water Policy” to strengthen naval power.
- Focused on controlling the Indian Ocean trade.
- Afonso de Albuquerque (1509-1515):
- Captured Goa (1510) from the Bijapur Sultanate.
- Encouraged marriages between Portuguese men and Indian women.
- Built fortresses at Goa, Diu, and Cochin.
4. Portuguese Decline in India
- The Dutch defeated the Portuguese in the Battle of Cochin (1663).
- Marathas captured Vasai and Salsette (1739).
- India took over Goa, Daman, and Diu in 1961, ending Portuguese rule in India.
5. Impact of the Portuguese in India
✅ Introduction of new crops: Potato, tomato, chili, cashew, pineapple, and tobacco.
✅ Spread of Christianity: Built many churches, including the Basilica of Bom Jesus (Goa).
✅ Introduction of European naval warfare and shipbuilding techniques.
✅ Influence on Indian architecture (forts, churches, and Indo-Portuguese houses).
✅ Expansion of trade in spices, textiles, and precious stones.
6. MCQs on the Portuguese in India
- Who was the first Portuguese to reach India?
- (a) Vasco da Gama
- (b) Pedro Álvares Cabral
- (c) Francisco de Almeida
- (d) Afonso de Albuquerque
- Answer: (a) Vasco da Gama
- Which city was the headquarters of Portuguese rule in India?
- (a) Calicut
- (b) Cochin
- (c) Goa
- (d) Daman
- Answer: (c) Goa
- Which Portuguese Viceroy is known for the “Blue Water Policy”?
- (a) Vasco da Gama
- (b) Afonso de Albuquerque
- (c) Francisco de Almeida
- (d) Nuno da Cunha
- Answer: (c) Francisco de Almeida
- Which Indian ruler lost Goa to the Portuguese in 1510?
- (a) Adil Shah of Bijapur
- (b) Krishnadevaraya
- (c) Babur
- (d) Shivaji
- Answer: (a) Adil Shah of Bijapur
- When did the Portuguese finally lose Goa to India?
- (a) 1739
- (b) 1818
- (c) 1947
- (d) 1961
- Answer: (d) 1961
This is a concise yet fact-based resource for competitive exams. Let me know if you need a timeline or mind map! 🚀