Test: Beginning of European Commerce- 1 - UPSC MCQ

• A. Francis Caron – II. Set up a factory at Masulipatam: Francis Caron was a French officer who was instrumental in establishing the French presence in India, including the factory at Masulipatam.
• B. Marcara – I. Set up a French factory at Surat: Marcara Avanchintz was involved in establishing the French factory at Surat, one of the important trading ports in India at that time.
• C. Francois Martin – III. Acquired the site of Pondicherry from the Muslim Governor of Valikondapuram and was its first French governor: Francois Martin is famous for acquiring Pondicherry (now Puducherry) from the local Muslim ruler and becoming its first governor.
• D. Lenoir – IV. The second French governor: Lenoir succeeded Francois Martin and became the second French governor of Pondicherry.

Sir Charles Eyre was the first President of the Council of Fort William. Fort William, located in Calcutta (now Kolkata), became the seat of the British East India Company's administration in Bengal. The creation of the council and its presidency marked the increasing administrative and political control that the Company began to exert in the region during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

In 1845, the Danes sold all their settlements in India to the British. The Danish colonial settlements in India, including Tranquebar (in Tamil Nadu) and Serampore (in West Bengal), were part of the Danish East India Company's efforts to engage in trade and commerce in the region. However, by the mid-19th century, the Danish presence in India had diminished, and they decided to sell their Indian territories to the British.

The historical sequence of the establishment of French factories in India is as follows:

• Surat (1668): The French established their first factory in Surat, which was a key trading hub for various European powers.
• Masulipatnam (1669): The French set up their second factory at Masulipatnam on the Coromandel Coast.
• Pondichery (1674): The French acquired Pondichery (now Puducherry) from a local ruler, which became their most important settlement in India.
• Mahe (1721): Mahe, located on the Malabar Coast, was the last of these settlements to be established as a French trading post.

Thus, the correct sequence is II, III, IV, I.

• Francois Martin (I): The first governor of Pondicherry, who played a key role in establishing French presence in India. He served from 1674 to 1694.
• Lenoir (II): He succeeded Francois Martin and was the second French governor of Pondicherry, serving from 1726 to 1735.
• Dumas (III): He became the French governor after Lenoir and held the position from 1735 to 1741.
• Dupleix (IV): A significant figure in French colonial history, Dupleix was the governor from 1742 to 1754, playing a major role in French expansionist policies in India.
• Count de Lally (V): He arrived later as a French military commander and led the French forces in India during the Seven Years' War. He was active in India around 1756 to 1761.

Thus, the correct chronological order is: I, II, III, IV, V.

The English East India Company had established factories and trading posts at several locations on the West Coast of India, which were important for their trade activities. These include:

• Ahmedabad (I): A key inland trading center where the English had a factory.
• Bassein (II): A coastal town near Mumbai, where the English engaged in trade.
• Salsette (III): An island near Mumbai, also an important trading post.
• Broach (IV): Another important port on the West Coast, where the English had trading interests.

Baroda (V) was not a significant trading post for the English during this period. Hence, the correct combination is I, II, III, IV.

General Gerald Aungier (often spelled Augier) was appointed the first Governor of Bombay in 1669. He is credited with laying the foundation for Bombay (now Mumbai) to become an important trading center and one of the most significant cities under British control in India. Aungier's tenure is noted for administrative reforms and efforts to improve the infrastructure and defense of Bombay, which led to its growth in importance during the British colonial period.

In the 15th century, it became essential for European powers to find an alternative route to India due to the following reasons:

• II: Most trade routes were blocked because the Turks controlled them – The Ottoman Turks had taken control of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) in 1453, which gave them dominance over traditional overland trade routes between Europe and Asia, including the Silk Road. This made it difficult and expensive for European traders to access goods from the East.
• III: They bought goods from the Turks by paying several times the original prices – The Turks imposed heavy taxes and increased prices on goods passing through their territories. European traders were forced to buy spices, silks, and other valuable goods at highly inflated prices, which reduced their profits.
• I: Mercantilist policies were an economic practice of the 16th and 17th centuries but were not the primary driver for finding an alternative route to India in the 15th century.

Thus, II and III are the main reasons why European nations sought alternative sea routes to India, making Option D the correct answer.

Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer, established friendly relations with the Zamorin, who was the ruler of Calicut (now Kozhikode) in 1498. Calicut was a key port city on the Malabar Coast and an important center for the spice trade. The Zamorin initially welcomed Vasco da Gama and allowed the Portuguese to engage in trade, marking the beginning of Portuguese influence in India.

The answer is (C) Cape of Good Hope, because the European came to India by land from Iraq, Saudi Arabia then Saudi Arabia and Iraq are wanted to European by this land to India then the Vasco The Gama came to India from Portugal by water way from Cape of Good Hope so all European come from this way to India.

The Portuguese built their first fort on Indian soil in Cochin in 1503. This was after establishing friendly relations with the Raja of Cochin. The fort, known as Fort Manuel, was the first European fort in India and played a significant role in solidifying Portuguese influence on the Malabar Coast. Cochin became an important base for the Portuguese in their early years of trading and conquest in India.

Francisco de Almeida was appointed as the first Viceroy of the Portuguese possessions in India in 1505. He was given the responsibility to protect and expand Portuguese influence in the Indian Ocean region. Almeida is known for implementing the "Blue Water Policy," which focused on naval supremacy to control trade routes and dominate maritime power. His tenure laid the foundation for Portuguese expansion in the region before Albuquerque succeeded him and further consolidated Portuguese rule in India.

When the Portuguese arrived in India, much of the Indian trade, especially in spices, was controlled by Arab traders. The Arabs saw the Portuguese as a threat to their long-established trade dominance. As a result, they instigated the Zamorin, the ruler of Calicut, against the Portuguese to protect their commercial interests. This led to conflicts between the Portuguese and the local rulers, as well as tension between the Portuguese and the Arab traders who wanted to maintain control over the lucrative spice trade.

Afonso de Albuquerque, the second Viceroy of Portuguese India, played a key role in crushing the resistance from Arab traders. Albuquerque was known for his military strategies and efforts to establish Portuguese dominance over key trade routes and ports in the Indian Ocean. By capturing key locations such as Goa in 1510 and Malacca in 1511, Albuquerque severely weakened the Arab traders' control over Indian Ocean trade, allowing the Portuguese to dominate the spice trade and maritime commerce in the region.

In the sixteenth century, the bulk of Portuguese trade in India was with the Vijayanagar Empire, one of the most powerful and prosperous kingdoms in southern India at the time. The Portuguese established strong trading ties with Vijayanagar, particularly for horses and other goods, in exchange for spices, textiles, and other valuable commodities. The Portuguese presence in Goa and along the western coast facilitated this trade.

Afonso de Albuquerque, the Portuguese viceroy and a key figure in establishing Portuguese dominance in India, died in 1515 and was buried in Goa. Albuquerque played a crucial role in expanding Portuguese control in the Indian Ocean, including the capture of Goa in 1510, which became the center of Portuguese India. His leadership and conquests were instrumental in establishing Portugal as a dominant maritime and colonial power in the region.

The true foundation of the Portuguese maritime empire in India was laid under Afonso de Albuquerque when he successfully conquered Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate in 1510. This victory was crucial as Goa became the administrative and commercial center of the Portuguese in India, establishing a stronghold that allowed them to control maritime trade routes and expand their influence in the region. Goa remained the most important Portuguese colony in India for centuries.

During the period when the Portuguese had commercial links with India, the Indian rulers enjoyed a monopoly over indigo. Indigo was a valuable dye used in Europe, and India was one of the major producers of indigo, particularly in regions like Bengal. The dye was highly sought after in the European textile industry, and it became a key export product from India. The Portuguese, along with other European powers, were involved in trading indigo as part of their commercial activities in India.

With the arrival of the Portuguese in India, the complexion of Indian trade changed in several ways:

• India was opened to the New World (A): The Portuguese played a key role in establishing direct sea routes between Europe and India, and also indirectly opened up trade between India and the New World (the Americas), as European powers began global exploration and colonization.
• Bulkier goods could now be traded (B): The Portuguese introduced large, ocean-going ships that could carry bulkier goods like textiles, cotton, and other commodities in larger quantities compared to the smaller, traditional trading vessels previously used.

Thus, both statements (a) and (b) are correct, making Option D the right answer.

The Portuguese attempt to control seaborne trade in the Indian subcontinent became ineffective over time due to the corruption and inefficiency of their officials. The Portuguese had established a strong foothold in India and other parts of Asia, but the administration in these colonies became corrupt and complacent. This led to mismanagement of their trading operations, weakening their hold on maritime commerce and enabling other European powers, like the Dutch and English, to challenge and eventually surpass them in influence.

While Dutch naval power did play a role, it was the internal corruption and laxity of Portuguese officials that significantly contributed to the decline of Portuguese control over Indian trade.

All of the following statements illustrate why the Portuguese landing in India was fortunate both in terms of place and time:

• The Malabar Coast was divided between petty chiefs (A): The region was politically fragmented, with many small rulers who were weak and embroiled in internal conflicts, making it easier for the Portuguese to establish their foothold without facing unified resistance.
• Strategic location (B): The Malabar coast was strategically located as a midpoint between key trading centers such as Sri Lanka, Malacca, the Spice Islands, and regions like the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and East Africa, facilitating maritime trade across Asia and Africa.
• Zamorin of Calicut’s tolerance (C): The Zamorin of Calicut, the ruler at the time of Vasco da Gama's arrival, was known for being tolerant toward merchants of all backgrounds and religions, and he did not interfere in mercantile activities. This allowed the Portuguese to establish trade relations easily.

Thus, all the statements are correct, making D: All of the above the right answer.

Alfonso de Albuquerque who replaced Almeida as the governor in 1509 AD, and captured Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur in 1510 AD is considered the real founder of the Portuguese power in India. Goa subsequently became the headquarters of the Portuguese settlements in India.

The Portuguese in India were known for their religious intolerance, particularly under their colonial rule in Goa. They actively pursued a policy of converting the local population to Christianity, often through forceful means, including the Goa Inquisition, which was aimed at suppressing non-Christian beliefs and practices. While they tolerated some Hindu practices for economic and political reasons, they were generally intolerant of both Muslims and Hindus, especially when it came to religious freedom.

Thus, the correct statement is that the Portuguese were essentially intolerant toward religious diversity in India.

Coffee was not introduced to India by the Portuguese. It was introduced to India by an Indian saint, Baba Budan, who is said to have brought coffee beans from Yemen in the 17th century and planted them in the hills of Chikmagalur, Karnataka.

However, the Portuguese did introduce several other crops, such as: Chilli plant, Tobacco, Groundnut

So, the crop not introduced by the Portuguese is Coffee.

The Dutch took direct control of the Spice Islands and captured Malacca (1641), Colombo (1656), and Cochin (1663). By controlling the source of the spices, the Dutch could now impose their own terms on the global spice trade and import to Europe three times the quantities of spices the Portuguese could transport. 

Dutch East India Company, byname of United East India Company, Dutch Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, trading company founded in the Dutch Republic (present-day Netherlands) in 1602 to protect that state's trade in the Indian Ocean and to assist in the Dutch war of independence from Spain.

The Dutch established themselves at Masulipatam in 1606 after obtaining a farman (royal decree) from the ruler of Golconda. This allowed the Dutch to set up a factory and conduct trade in Masulipatam, which was a key port on the Coromandel Coast. The Dutch East India Company aimed to expand its trade presence in India, and securing Masulipatam was an important step in their strategy.

Despite having a stronger navy than the Portuguese, the Dutch soon realized that to trade profitably in pepper and spices from the East, they needed the support of:

1. Cotton textiles from India (d): Indian cotton textiles were highly valued in the Southeast Asian spice markets, and trading these textiles helped the Dutch acquire spices in exchange. Without access to Indian cotton, it was difficult to trade profitably in spices.
2. The prevailing regional Indian power in the Deccan (c): The Dutch also needed the cooperation of regional powers, such as the rulers in the Deccan, to secure access to ports and trading routes, as well as to ensure safe passage for their goods.

Thus, both (d) and (c) were crucial for the Dutch to maintain profitable trade in the region.

Masulipatam was the main center of Dutch trade on the Coromandel Coast until the headquarters were shifted to Negapatam in 1690. The Dutch established their presence in Masulipatam in the early 17th century, and it became a crucial hub for their trade in textiles and spices. The strategic location of Masulipatam facilitated Dutch trade activities until they moved their headquarters to Negapatam, which offered better advantages for their shipping routes and trade operations.

The discovery of the Cape Route to India by Vasco da Gama in 1498 was a pivotal moment that marked the beginning of European commercial expansion into Asia. This route allowed the Portuguese to establish direct sea trade with India, bypassing overland routes dominated by Middle Eastern and North African traders.

This discovery enabled the Portuguese to gain control over lucrative spice trade and establish a colonial presence in various parts of Asia. It set the stage for further European exploration and competition in the Indian Ocean, leading to the eventual establishment of other trading empires, such as the Dutch and British, in the region.