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.
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