Advent of Europeans in India — TNPSC Group 4 History Notes

Overview

The European arrival in India from the late 15th century permanently transformed Indian history. What began as a search for the spice trade route turned into colonial conquest. The Portuguese came first, followed by the Dutch, British, French, and Danes — all competing for trade and territory. By the mid-18th century, the British and French had emerged as the two main rivals, with the British ultimately prevailing.

Sequence of European Arrivals

The Portuguese

Vasco da Gama reached Calicut (Kozhikode, Kerala) on May 20, 1498 — the first European to arrive in India by sea. The Zamorin (local ruler) of Calicut initially welcomed him.

Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate in 1510, making it the Portuguese headquarters in Asia. The Portuguese monopolized the spice trade for nearly a century. They also introduced: the printing press (to India), tobacco, potato, chillies, and tomatoes.

Portuguese power in India declined after their defeat by the Marathas and the rising power of the British and Dutch.

The British East India Company

The British East India Company (EIC) was founded on December 31, 1600 and received its first factory at Surat in 1608. Key milestones:

• 1639: Fort St. George established at Madras (Chennai)
• 1668: Bombay received (from Portugal as dowry in Charles II's marriage)
• 1690: Calcutta founded by Job Charnock
• 1757: Battle of Plassey — began British political dominance

The French in India

The French East India Company established Pondicherry in 1674. Under Dupleix (Governor of Pondicherry, 1742–1754), France nearly achieved political dominance in south India. Dupleix intervened in succession disputes of Indian rulers, pioneering the idea of using Indian soldiers (sepoys) trained in European methods — a strategy the British later perfected.

The Carnatic Wars (Three Wars)

The Battle of Wandiwash (1760) marked the end of French imperial ambitions in India. General Eyre Coote defeated the French commander Lally. By the Treaty of Paris (1763), France returned all its Indian territories to Britain, retaining only nominal settlements.

Important for Exam - Vasco da Gama reached Calicut in 1498 - Goa captured by Alfonso de Albuquerque in 1510 - British EIC founded December 31, 1600 - French settled at Pondicherry (1674) - Battle of Wandiwash 1760 = British defeated French - Dupleix = French governor who pioneered Indian political interference