Notes Class 12 Chapter 3 History Maharashtra Board

India and European Colonialism

3.1 Portuguese in India

Arrival and Establishment

• Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer, reached Calicut (Kozhikode) in 1498, marking the start of Portuguese presence in India.
• By the early 16th century, the Portuguese controlled significant parts of India’s western coast.
• They built forts to protect their colonies and used their strong navy to dominate the Indian Ocean.

Key Colonies

• Western Coast: Diu, Daman, Chaul, Goa (capital, including Sashti and Bardesh), Honnavar, Gangoli, Basrur, Mangalore, Kannur, Kodungallur, Cochi, Kollam.
• Eastern Coast: Nagpattinam, Mylapore (Sao Tome/San Thom), Hugli (Bengal).
• The Portuguese Empire stretched from the Cape of Good Hope (Africa) to Macau (China), called Estado da India (Indian Empire).

Naval Power and Cartaz System

• The Portuguese had a powerful navy, launching surprise sea attacks to defeat enemies.
• Indian rulers lacked strong naval forces, making it hard to challenge the Portuguese (except Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who built his own navy).
• They introduced the Cartaz system:
• Indian rulers needed a Portuguese license (Cartaz) to sail in the Indian Ocean.
• The Cartaz included details like the ship’s name, captain, ports, and weapons for self-defense.
• Ships without a Cartaz were seized or sunk.
• Even powerful rulers like the Mughals and Sultanates had to follow this rule.

Administration

• The Portuguese king appointed a Vice-rei (Viceroy) and Capitaon-i-jaral (General of the Army) for a 3-year term.
• An advisory board assisted the Vice-rei, including:
• Archbishop of Goa
• Chancellor (Judge)
• Vedore da Fazenda (In-charge of Company’s possessions)
• Capitaon (Captain)
• A few Portuguese aristocrats.
• Goa was the administrative capital and a free port, attracting traders from many countries.

Trade and Economy

• The Portuguese traded spices (cloves, ginger, black pepper) and precious stones for gold, silver, and corals.
• Vasco da Gama earned 60 times his expedition cost by selling Indian goods in Portugal.
• They built ships in Goa, Diu, and Daman using high-quality teakwood from India.
• Five ships arrived annually, equipped with cannons.

Cultural and Religious Impact

• The Portuguese banned non-Christian religious monuments, festivals, and weddings in their territories.
• They suppressed local languages and encouraged Christianity by offering jobs to converts.
• This caused tension with local communities.

Decline

• In the 17th century, the Dutch and British defeated the Portuguese in sea battles, weakening their control.

Activity: Research the church in Kerala named after Vasco da Gama using the internet.

3.2 British in India

Establishment of East India Company

• The British East India Company was formed on December 31, 1600, with permission from Queen Elizabeth to trade in eastern countries.
• Initially, the company focused on:
• Selling British goods in eastern countries.
• Buying spices with profits and cash from England.
• Selling spices in England for profit.

Operations and Factories

• British ships sailed from England between December and April, staying in India for 9-13 months to trade.
• They built factories (emporiums for storing and selling goods) in India to store spices bought at low prices.
• Factories included warehouses, offices, and residences for staff, called factors.
• Key early factories were in Surat and Chennai (Madras).
• Factories had staff like accountants, store in-charges, treasurers, clerks, priests, surgeons, cooks, and even a trumpet blower.

Administrative Powers

• In 1623, the British government allowed the company to punish erring staff under civil and military law.
• The company had a monopoly on trade in eastern countries.
• In 1661, King Charles II issued a charter allowing the company to:
• Build forts.
• Maintain an army.
• Make treaties with non-Christian rulers.

Key Developments

Surat Factory:

• Controlled factories in Rajapur (Maharashtra), Mokha (Yemen), and Basra (Persian Gulf).
• Had beautiful gardens for staff.

Chennai:

The British built Fort St. George and a mint, issuing coins in gold, silver, alloys, and copper.

Mumbai:

• In 1661, King Charles II married Princess Braganza of Portugal, who gifted Mumbai (seven islands: Mumbai, Mahim, Paral, Wadala, Worli, Sion, Mazgaon) to him.
• In 1665, Mumbai came under British control.
• Charles II leased Mumbai to the East India Company as its maintenance was costly.
• In 1669, Sir George Oxenden became Governor of Surat and Commander-in-Chief of Mumbai.
• A mint was set up in Mumbai, issuing silver, copper, and zinc coins, attracting merchants and artisans.

Lifestyle in Factories

• Factories had large plots with warehouses, residences, and offices, marked by the Union Jack flag.
• Staff, from the President to apprentices, lived together and ate in a company mess.
• Meals included bread, meat, rice, khichadi, and pickles.
• Staff could trade non-restricted goods (e.g., not textiles, spices, or indigo).

Activity: Make a list of shipbuilding facilities in pre-independence and post-independence India and study their development.
Activity: Prepare a list of countries and their currencies.

3.3 Dutch in India

Formation of United East India Company

• In 1602, several Dutch companies merged to form the United East India Company.
• The Dutch government granted a license to:
• Trade with eastern countries.
• Appoint staff, build factories, and forts.
• Fight battles and sign treaties.

Colonies and Factories

• By the mid-17th century, Dutch colonies spanned from East Africa to Japan, including Mozambique, South Africa, Yemen, India, Indonesia, and more.
• In India, their first factory was at Petapuli (Coromandel coast) in 1602.
• Other factories: Machilipatnam, Pulicat, Thirupapuliyur, Port Nova, Karikal, Agra, Ahmedabad, Bharuch, Chinsura, Thatta, Khambayat, Surat, Nagapattan.
• Forts were built in Pulicat and Nagapattan with permission from the Vijaynagara court.
• They captured Portuguese forts in Kochi, Kodunglur, Kannur, and Kollam.

Naval Power

• The Dutch had a strong navy with 20 warships and 3,000–4,000 soldiers.
• Mughal, Adilshahi, and Qutubshahi ships needed Dutch licenses to sail, or they were seized.

Trade and Treaties

• The Dutch signed a treaty with the King of Kochi for a monopoly on black pepper trade.
• Their first colony was at Machilipatnam, a port city from the 3rd century BCE.

Factory Setup

• Factories had fortification walls with cannons for security.
• They employed native staff alongside Dutch workers.

3.4 French in India

Formation of French East India Company

• In 1664, Jean Baptiste Colbert, finance minister to King Louis XIV, established the French East India Company.
• The company had authority to:
• Trade with eastern countries.
• Maintain an army and navy.
• Be exempt from taxes.
• Declare war or sign treaties.

Factories and Operations

• In 1666, the French got permission from Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb to establish a factory in Surat (built in 1668).
• Other factories: Pondicherry (main center), Chandranagar, Mahe, Karikal, Machilipatnam.
• Pondicherry was under the Nawab of Karnataka, whose family disputes allowed British and French interference.

Carnatic Wars

• Between 1744 and 1763, the British and French fought three battles called the Carnatic Wars.
• The French lost the third battle, leaving the British with no major European rivals in India.

Impact of European Colonialism

Economic Impact:

• Europeans controlled trade routes and imposed licenses, limiting Indian rulers’ freedom.
• They exploited India’s spices, textiles, and precious stones, earning huge profits.

Cultural Impact:

• The Portuguese suppressed local languages and religions, promoting Christianity.
• The British and Dutch built fortified factories, altering local landscapes.

Political Impact:

• Europeans took advantage of conflicts among Indian rulers to expand their control.
• The British eventually dominated India after defeating the French.