Coming of Europeans to Tamil Nadu | Tamil Nadu State PSC (TNPSC): Preparation - TNPSC (Tamil Nadu) PDF Download

 Page 1


Tamil Nadu,  a state of India,  is also a land of great culture. It was
ruled by many famous kings during the Sangam age. Their contribution
to T amilnadu’ s culture and civilisation are very significant.   The ancient
Tamils had trade links with Greeks and the Romans.  More over, the
V enician traveller, Marco-Polo during the reign of II Pandian Empire
visited the then Tamilnadu. He gave a good account about the
commercial goods like  spices, cotton, silk etc. This encouraged the
other Europeans to have trade relations with T amilnadu.
In 1453, the Turks captured Constantinople and closed the
Mediterranian sea route. So the Europeans had to discover a new
sea route to Eastern Countries. Dicoveries of 15
th
 and the 16
th
centuries paved the way for the Europeans to have trade relations
with the Eastern countries, particularly with India. Portugal and  Spain
encouraged their navigators to undertake sea voyages.
1. Coming of the Portuguese:
The Portuguese were first among the Europeans to discover a sea
route to India.  The king of Portugal, Henry- the navigator encouraged
the sailors to undertake the sea voyages. Consequently , a portuguese
1
HISTORY
Page 2


Tamil Nadu,  a state of India,  is also a land of great culture. It was
ruled by many famous kings during the Sangam age. Their contribution
to T amilnadu’ s culture and civilisation are very significant.   The ancient
Tamils had trade links with Greeks and the Romans.  More over, the
V enician traveller, Marco-Polo during the reign of II Pandian Empire
visited the then Tamilnadu. He gave a good account about the
commercial goods like  spices, cotton, silk etc. This encouraged the
other Europeans to have trade relations with T amilnadu.
In 1453, the Turks captured Constantinople and closed the
Mediterranian sea route. So the Europeans had to discover a new
sea route to Eastern Countries. Dicoveries of 15
th
 and the 16
th
centuries paved the way for the Europeans to have trade relations
with the Eastern countries, particularly with India. Portugal and  Spain
encouraged their navigators to undertake sea voyages.
1. Coming of the Portuguese:
The Portuguese were first among the Europeans to discover a sea
route to India.  The king of Portugal, Henry- the navigator encouraged
the sailors to undertake the sea voyages. Consequently , a portuguese
1
HISTORY
sailor,V asco-da-gama reached  Calicut on the
western coast of India,  in 1498.   He was received
by Zamorin, the ruler of  Calicut. This paved the
way for establishing their settlement.
The sea route discovered by Vasco-da-gama is a
turning point in the history of  India
Vasco-da-Gama
Francisco-de-Almeida  (1505-1509) was appointed as the first
governor for the Portuguese settlements in India. He wanted to make
the portuguese, the masters of  Indian Ocean . This policy is known
as the “Blue Water Policy”.
Alfonso de Albuquerque (1509-1515) was appointed as the
second governor . He laid the real foundation for the portuguese power
in India. In 1510, he captured Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur, which
became their headquaters in India.
Growth of the Portuguese:  Over the time, the Portuguese obtained
trading rights at  Nagapattinam from the  Sevappa Nayak of T anjore.
A  Portuguese  fleet arrived in 1533 and  occupied the port towns like
Nagapattinam, and Tuticorin. Santhome in Chennai  was also one of
the Portuguese settlements.  Madurai  Nayak attempted to send the
Portuguese away from India, but failed.
Causes for the decline of the Portuguese Power in India:
a. Portugal was a small country.  It could not control a big
country like India.
b. The Portuguese merchants were rarely honest.
c. The Dutch and the English became the strong rivals to
the Portuguese in India.
2. Coming of the Dutch:
The Dutch traders came from Holland. They set up a factory at
Devanampatnam in 1608.  Towns such as Karaikal, Pulicat and
Nagapattinam on the East coast were captured by them. They also
obtained Santhome from the French.  They fortified  all their settlements.
In 1689 Nagapattinam was made the seat of Dutch Government.
Causes for the failure of the Dutch:
a.The Dutch indulged in slave trade and entered into intrigues
in the courts.  These activities made them unpopular .
b.The Dutch had to yield their position in India to the English
because of the British naval supremacy.  They developed
trading contacts with Indonesia rather than with India.
3. Coming of the English:
The English East India Company obtained Royal Charter from queen
Elizabeth on 31
st
  December 1600 to trade with India.  In 1639 Francis
Dey obtained the site of Madras from the Governor of Chandragiri.
the British possessions in the East.  In 1681, the new settlements were
opened in Cuddalore and Portonova. Fort St.David was built at
Cuddalore.
4. Coming of the Danes:
The Danish East India Company was established in 1616 in Denmark.
They founded a settlement at Tranquebar in Nagapattinam in 1620.
Their merchants were not prominent.  In the 19
th
 century they sold
2
3
For the site the company was
to pay a small amount as annual
rent.
In 1640, Fort St.George was
built at Madras.  It was made
the Headquarters of English in
the East.In 1654, Madras
became the headquarters of all
Fort St.George
Page 3


Tamil Nadu,  a state of India,  is also a land of great culture. It was
ruled by many famous kings during the Sangam age. Their contribution
to T amilnadu’ s culture and civilisation are very significant.   The ancient
Tamils had trade links with Greeks and the Romans.  More over, the
V enician traveller, Marco-Polo during the reign of II Pandian Empire
visited the then Tamilnadu. He gave a good account about the
commercial goods like  spices, cotton, silk etc. This encouraged the
other Europeans to have trade relations with T amilnadu.
In 1453, the Turks captured Constantinople and closed the
Mediterranian sea route. So the Europeans had to discover a new
sea route to Eastern Countries. Dicoveries of 15
th
 and the 16
th
centuries paved the way for the Europeans to have trade relations
with the Eastern countries, particularly with India. Portugal and  Spain
encouraged their navigators to undertake sea voyages.
1. Coming of the Portuguese:
The Portuguese were first among the Europeans to discover a sea
route to India.  The king of Portugal, Henry- the navigator encouraged
the sailors to undertake the sea voyages. Consequently , a portuguese
1
HISTORY
sailor,V asco-da-gama reached  Calicut on the
western coast of India,  in 1498.   He was received
by Zamorin, the ruler of  Calicut. This paved the
way for establishing their settlement.
The sea route discovered by Vasco-da-gama is a
turning point in the history of  India
Vasco-da-Gama
Francisco-de-Almeida  (1505-1509) was appointed as the first
governor for the Portuguese settlements in India. He wanted to make
the portuguese, the masters of  Indian Ocean . This policy is known
as the “Blue Water Policy”.
Alfonso de Albuquerque (1509-1515) was appointed as the
second governor . He laid the real foundation for the portuguese power
in India. In 1510, he captured Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur, which
became their headquaters in India.
Growth of the Portuguese:  Over the time, the Portuguese obtained
trading rights at  Nagapattinam from the  Sevappa Nayak of T anjore.
A  Portuguese  fleet arrived in 1533 and  occupied the port towns like
Nagapattinam, and Tuticorin. Santhome in Chennai  was also one of
the Portuguese settlements.  Madurai  Nayak attempted to send the
Portuguese away from India, but failed.
Causes for the decline of the Portuguese Power in India:
a. Portugal was a small country.  It could not control a big
country like India.
b. The Portuguese merchants were rarely honest.
c. The Dutch and the English became the strong rivals to
the Portuguese in India.
2. Coming of the Dutch:
The Dutch traders came from Holland. They set up a factory at
Devanampatnam in 1608.  Towns such as Karaikal, Pulicat and
Nagapattinam on the East coast were captured by them. They also
obtained Santhome from the French.  They fortified  all their settlements.
In 1689 Nagapattinam was made the seat of Dutch Government.
Causes for the failure of the Dutch:
a.The Dutch indulged in slave trade and entered into intrigues
in the courts.  These activities made them unpopular .
b.The Dutch had to yield their position in India to the English
because of the British naval supremacy.  They developed
trading contacts with Indonesia rather than with India.
3. Coming of the English:
The English East India Company obtained Royal Charter from queen
Elizabeth on 31
st
  December 1600 to trade with India.  In 1639 Francis
Dey obtained the site of Madras from the Governor of Chandragiri.
the British possessions in the East.  In 1681, the new settlements were
opened in Cuddalore and Portonova. Fort St.David was built at
Cuddalore.
4. Coming of the Danes:
The Danish East India Company was established in 1616 in Denmark.
They founded a settlement at Tranquebar in Nagapattinam in 1620.
Their merchants were not prominent.  In the 19
th
 century they sold
2
3
For the site the company was
to pay a small amount as annual
rent.
In 1640, Fort St.George was
built at Madras.  It was made
the Headquarters of English in
the East.In 1654, Madras
became the headquarters of all
Fort St.George
sailor,V asco-da-gama reached  Calicut on the
western coast of India,  in 1498.   He was received
by Zamorin, the ruler of  Calicut. This paved the
way for establishing their settlement.
The sea route discovered by Vasco-da-gama is a
turning point in the history of  India
Vasco-da-Gama
Francisco-de-Almeida  (1505-1509) was appointed as the first
governor for the Portuguese settlements in India. He wanted to make
the portuguese, the masters of  Indian Ocean . This policy is known
as the “Blue Water Policy”.
Alfonso de Albuquerque (1509-1515) was appointed as the
second governor . He laid the real foundation for the portuguese power
in India. In 1510, he captured Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur, which
became their headquaters in India.
Growth of the Portuguese:  Over the time, the Portuguese obtained
trading rights at  Nagapattinam from the  Sevappa Nayak of T anjore.
A  Portuguese  fleet arrived in 1533 and  occupied the port towns like
Nagapattinam, and Tuticorin. Santhome in Chennai  was also one of
the Portuguese settlements.  Madurai  Nayak attempted to send the
Portuguese away from India, but failed.
Causes for the decline of the Portuguese Power in India:
a. Portugal was a small country.  It could not control a big
country like India.
b. The Portuguese merchants were rarely honest.
c. The Dutch and the English became the strong rivals to
the Portuguese in India.
2. Coming of the Dutch:
The Dutch traders came from Holland. They set up a factory at
Devanampatnam in 1608.  Towns such as Karaikal, Pulicat and
Nagapattinam on the East coast were captured by them. They also
obtained Santhome from the French.  They fortified  all their settlements.
In 1689 Nagapattinam was made the seat of Dutch Government.
Causes for the failure of the Dutch:
a.The Dutch indulged in slave trade and entered into intrigues
in the courts.  These activities made them unpopular .
b.The Dutch had to yield their position in India to the English
because of the British naval supremacy.  They developed
trading contacts with Indonesia rather than with India.
3. Coming of the English:
The English East India Company obtained Royal Charter from queen
Elizabeth on 31
st
  December 1600 to trade with India.  In 1639 Francis
Dey obtained the site of Madras from the Governor of Chandragiri.
the British possessions in the East.  In 1681, the new settlements were
opened in Cuddalore and Portonova. Fort St.David was built at
Cuddalore.
4. Coming of the Danes:
The Danish East India Company was established in 1616 in Denmark.
They founded a settlement at Tranquebar in Nagapattinam in 1620.
Their merchants were not prominent.  In the 19
th
 century they sold
2
3
For the site the company was
to pay a small amount as annual
rent.
In 1640, Fort St.George was
built at Madras.  It was made
the Headquarters of English in
the East.In 1654, Madras
became the headquarters of all
Fort St.George
Page 4


Tamil Nadu,  a state of India,  is also a land of great culture. It was
ruled by many famous kings during the Sangam age. Their contribution
to T amilnadu’ s culture and civilisation are very significant.   The ancient
Tamils had trade links with Greeks and the Romans.  More over, the
V enician traveller, Marco-Polo during the reign of II Pandian Empire
visited the then Tamilnadu. He gave a good account about the
commercial goods like  spices, cotton, silk etc. This encouraged the
other Europeans to have trade relations with T amilnadu.
In 1453, the Turks captured Constantinople and closed the
Mediterranian sea route. So the Europeans had to discover a new
sea route to Eastern Countries. Dicoveries of 15
th
 and the 16
th
centuries paved the way for the Europeans to have trade relations
with the Eastern countries, particularly with India. Portugal and  Spain
encouraged their navigators to undertake sea voyages.
1. Coming of the Portuguese:
The Portuguese were first among the Europeans to discover a sea
route to India.  The king of Portugal, Henry- the navigator encouraged
the sailors to undertake the sea voyages. Consequently , a portuguese
1
HISTORY
sailor,V asco-da-gama reached  Calicut on the
western coast of India,  in 1498.   He was received
by Zamorin, the ruler of  Calicut. This paved the
way for establishing their settlement.
The sea route discovered by Vasco-da-gama is a
turning point in the history of  India
Vasco-da-Gama
Francisco-de-Almeida  (1505-1509) was appointed as the first
governor for the Portuguese settlements in India. He wanted to make
the portuguese, the masters of  Indian Ocean . This policy is known
as the “Blue Water Policy”.
Alfonso de Albuquerque (1509-1515) was appointed as the
second governor . He laid the real foundation for the portuguese power
in India. In 1510, he captured Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur, which
became their headquaters in India.
Growth of the Portuguese:  Over the time, the Portuguese obtained
trading rights at  Nagapattinam from the  Sevappa Nayak of T anjore.
A  Portuguese  fleet arrived in 1533 and  occupied the port towns like
Nagapattinam, and Tuticorin. Santhome in Chennai  was also one of
the Portuguese settlements.  Madurai  Nayak attempted to send the
Portuguese away from India, but failed.
Causes for the decline of the Portuguese Power in India:
a. Portugal was a small country.  It could not control a big
country like India.
b. The Portuguese merchants were rarely honest.
c. The Dutch and the English became the strong rivals to
the Portuguese in India.
2. Coming of the Dutch:
The Dutch traders came from Holland. They set up a factory at
Devanampatnam in 1608.  Towns such as Karaikal, Pulicat and
Nagapattinam on the East coast were captured by them. They also
obtained Santhome from the French.  They fortified  all their settlements.
In 1689 Nagapattinam was made the seat of Dutch Government.
Causes for the failure of the Dutch:
a.The Dutch indulged in slave trade and entered into intrigues
in the courts.  These activities made them unpopular .
b.The Dutch had to yield their position in India to the English
because of the British naval supremacy.  They developed
trading contacts with Indonesia rather than with India.
3. Coming of the English:
The English East India Company obtained Royal Charter from queen
Elizabeth on 31
st
  December 1600 to trade with India.  In 1639 Francis
Dey obtained the site of Madras from the Governor of Chandragiri.
the British possessions in the East.  In 1681, the new settlements were
opened in Cuddalore and Portonova. Fort St.David was built at
Cuddalore.
4. Coming of the Danes:
The Danish East India Company was established in 1616 in Denmark.
They founded a settlement at Tranquebar in Nagapattinam in 1620.
Their merchants were not prominent.  In the 19
th
 century they sold
2
3
For the site the company was
to pay a small amount as annual
rent.
In 1640, Fort St.George was
built at Madras.  It was made
the Headquarters of English in
the East.In 1654, Madras
became the headquarters of all
Fort St.George
sailor,V asco-da-gama reached  Calicut on the
western coast of India,  in 1498.   He was received
by Zamorin, the ruler of  Calicut. This paved the
way for establishing their settlement.
The sea route discovered by Vasco-da-gama is a
turning point in the history of  India
Vasco-da-Gama
Francisco-de-Almeida  (1505-1509) was appointed as the first
governor for the Portuguese settlements in India. He wanted to make
the portuguese, the masters of  Indian Ocean . This policy is known
as the “Blue Water Policy”.
Alfonso de Albuquerque (1509-1515) was appointed as the
second governor . He laid the real foundation for the portuguese power
in India. In 1510, he captured Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur, which
became their headquaters in India.
Growth of the Portuguese:  Over the time, the Portuguese obtained
trading rights at  Nagapattinam from the  Sevappa Nayak of T anjore.
A  Portuguese  fleet arrived in 1533 and  occupied the port towns like
Nagapattinam, and Tuticorin. Santhome in Chennai  was also one of
the Portuguese settlements.  Madurai  Nayak attempted to send the
Portuguese away from India, but failed.
Causes for the decline of the Portuguese Power in India:
a. Portugal was a small country.  It could not control a big
country like India.
b. The Portuguese merchants were rarely honest.
c. The Dutch and the English became the strong rivals to
the Portuguese in India.
2. Coming of the Dutch:
The Dutch traders came from Holland. They set up a factory at
Devanampatnam in 1608.  Towns such as Karaikal, Pulicat and
Nagapattinam on the East coast were captured by them. They also
obtained Santhome from the French.  They fortified  all their settlements.
In 1689 Nagapattinam was made the seat of Dutch Government.
Causes for the failure of the Dutch:
a.The Dutch indulged in slave trade and entered into intrigues
in the courts.  These activities made them unpopular .
b.The Dutch had to yield their position in India to the English
because of the British naval supremacy.  They developed
trading contacts with Indonesia rather than with India.
3. Coming of the English:
The English East India Company obtained Royal Charter from queen
Elizabeth on 31
st
  December 1600 to trade with India.  In 1639 Francis
Dey obtained the site of Madras from the Governor of Chandragiri.
the British possessions in the East.  In 1681, the new settlements were
opened in Cuddalore and Portonova. Fort St.David was built at
Cuddalore.
4. Coming of the Danes:
The Danish East India Company was established in 1616 in Denmark.
They founded a settlement at Tranquebar in Nagapattinam in 1620.
Their merchants were not prominent.  In the 19
th
 century they sold
2
3
For the site the company was
to pay a small amount as annual
rent.
In 1640, Fort St.George was
built at Madras.  It was made
the Headquarters of English in
the East.In 1654, Madras
became the headquarters of all
Fort St.George
their factories to the English due to the irregular supply of money and
arrival of ships from their home country. They lost their influence as
well as interest.
5. Coming of the French :
The French East India Company was founded in the year 1664.
The French seized Santhome near Madras, but surrendered the same
to the Dutch.  In 1674, Francis Martin obtained a small village of
Pondicherry from the Sultan of Bijapur.  In 1699, the French lost
Pondicherry to the Dutch.  But it was restored by the Treaty of R yswick.
In 1701 it became the headquarters of the French possessions in India.
The French occupied Mahe on the Malabar coast in 1725 and Karaikal
in 1739, from the Marathas of Tanjore .
ENGLISH - FRENCH COLONIAL RIV ALRY
In the beginning of the 18
th
 century the French and the English were
powerful in India.  The English established their supremacy in Madras,
Calcutta, and Bombay .  The French had their settlement at Pondicherry .
Both of them wanted to establish their authority in India.  This resulted
in the outbreak of  Carnatic wars.
The first carnatic war (1746 - 1748):
Causes: In 1744 the war of Austrian succession broke out in Europe
between Austria and Prussia.  While the French supported Prussia,
the English stood by the side of Austria.  Both of them were eager to
extend their trade relations in India.  Dupleix the French governor of
Pondicherry wanted to drive away the English from India.
Course of the war: Dupleix marched towards Madras  where he
defeated the English naval fleet and captured Madras.  The English
made a  complaint to Anwar-ud-din the Nawab of Carnatic.  The
Nawab ordered Dupleix to return Fort St.George to the British.  But
Dupleix did not obey.  Anwar-ud-din sent a large army to recover
Madras (Chennai) from Dupleix.  But the Nawab’s  forces were
defeated by the French at Santhome near Adayar in 1746.  The French
forces plundered Madras.
The French tried to capture Fort St.David at Cuddalore.  But Major
Lawrence, the British general defended it.  Though the French failed
to capture the fort, the war proved the might of the French and the
ability of Dupleix.
Result: The first carnatic war came to an end by the treaty of Aile-
La-chappelle in 1748 and settlement was reached between English
and French in the Carnatic Coast.  The French left and the English got
back Madras.
The Second Carnatic war  (1749 - 1754):
Causes: The Nizam of Hyderabad  died in 1748. His son Nazir
Jung became the Nizam.  Muzzafur Jung his nephew opposed him.
Anwar-ud-din , the Nawab of Arcot opposed his uncle, Chanda Sahib.
Muzzafur Jung and Chanda Sahib joined together and sought the help
of the French.  The dispute for the throne of Hyderabad and Arcot
were the causes for the war.
Course of the war:The French army joined the army of Chanda
Sahib and Muzzafur  Jung near Arcot in 1749.  Anwar-ud-din was
defeated and killed in the war.  Chanda Sahib became the Nawab of
Carnatic.  He rewarded Dupleix by giving the villages of V aludavoor,
Villianoor and Bahur near Pondicherry ..
Anwar-ud-din’s son Mohammed Ali escaped to Tiruchirapalli and
took refuge in the Fort of Tiruchirapalli.   It was beseiged by Chanda
Sahib.  Mohammed Ali sought the help of the English to save him and
attack Arcot.
Robert Clive an army officer of the English attacked Arcot.  Chanda
Sahib sent an army from Tiruchirapalli to capture Arcot.  But Robert
4
5
Page 5


Tamil Nadu,  a state of India,  is also a land of great culture. It was
ruled by many famous kings during the Sangam age. Their contribution
to T amilnadu’ s culture and civilisation are very significant.   The ancient
Tamils had trade links with Greeks and the Romans.  More over, the
V enician traveller, Marco-Polo during the reign of II Pandian Empire
visited the then Tamilnadu. He gave a good account about the
commercial goods like  spices, cotton, silk etc. This encouraged the
other Europeans to have trade relations with T amilnadu.
In 1453, the Turks captured Constantinople and closed the
Mediterranian sea route. So the Europeans had to discover a new
sea route to Eastern Countries. Dicoveries of 15
th
 and the 16
th
centuries paved the way for the Europeans to have trade relations
with the Eastern countries, particularly with India. Portugal and  Spain
encouraged their navigators to undertake sea voyages.
1. Coming of the Portuguese:
The Portuguese were first among the Europeans to discover a sea
route to India.  The king of Portugal, Henry- the navigator encouraged
the sailors to undertake the sea voyages. Consequently , a portuguese
1
HISTORY
sailor,V asco-da-gama reached  Calicut on the
western coast of India,  in 1498.   He was received
by Zamorin, the ruler of  Calicut. This paved the
way for establishing their settlement.
The sea route discovered by Vasco-da-gama is a
turning point in the history of  India
Vasco-da-Gama
Francisco-de-Almeida  (1505-1509) was appointed as the first
governor for the Portuguese settlements in India. He wanted to make
the portuguese, the masters of  Indian Ocean . This policy is known
as the “Blue Water Policy”.
Alfonso de Albuquerque (1509-1515) was appointed as the
second governor . He laid the real foundation for the portuguese power
in India. In 1510, he captured Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur, which
became their headquaters in India.
Growth of the Portuguese:  Over the time, the Portuguese obtained
trading rights at  Nagapattinam from the  Sevappa Nayak of T anjore.
A  Portuguese  fleet arrived in 1533 and  occupied the port towns like
Nagapattinam, and Tuticorin. Santhome in Chennai  was also one of
the Portuguese settlements.  Madurai  Nayak attempted to send the
Portuguese away from India, but failed.
Causes for the decline of the Portuguese Power in India:
a. Portugal was a small country.  It could not control a big
country like India.
b. The Portuguese merchants were rarely honest.
c. The Dutch and the English became the strong rivals to
the Portuguese in India.
2. Coming of the Dutch:
The Dutch traders came from Holland. They set up a factory at
Devanampatnam in 1608.  Towns such as Karaikal, Pulicat and
Nagapattinam on the East coast were captured by them. They also
obtained Santhome from the French.  They fortified  all their settlements.
In 1689 Nagapattinam was made the seat of Dutch Government.
Causes for the failure of the Dutch:
a.The Dutch indulged in slave trade and entered into intrigues
in the courts.  These activities made them unpopular .
b.The Dutch had to yield their position in India to the English
because of the British naval supremacy.  They developed
trading contacts with Indonesia rather than with India.
3. Coming of the English:
The English East India Company obtained Royal Charter from queen
Elizabeth on 31
st
  December 1600 to trade with India.  In 1639 Francis
Dey obtained the site of Madras from the Governor of Chandragiri.
the British possessions in the East.  In 1681, the new settlements were
opened in Cuddalore and Portonova. Fort St.David was built at
Cuddalore.
4. Coming of the Danes:
The Danish East India Company was established in 1616 in Denmark.
They founded a settlement at Tranquebar in Nagapattinam in 1620.
Their merchants were not prominent.  In the 19
th
 century they sold
2
3
For the site the company was
to pay a small amount as annual
rent.
In 1640, Fort St.George was
built at Madras.  It was made
the Headquarters of English in
the East.In 1654, Madras
became the headquarters of all
Fort St.George
sailor,V asco-da-gama reached  Calicut on the
western coast of India,  in 1498.   He was received
by Zamorin, the ruler of  Calicut. This paved the
way for establishing their settlement.
The sea route discovered by Vasco-da-gama is a
turning point in the history of  India
Vasco-da-Gama
Francisco-de-Almeida  (1505-1509) was appointed as the first
governor for the Portuguese settlements in India. He wanted to make
the portuguese, the masters of  Indian Ocean . This policy is known
as the “Blue Water Policy”.
Alfonso de Albuquerque (1509-1515) was appointed as the
second governor . He laid the real foundation for the portuguese power
in India. In 1510, he captured Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur, which
became their headquaters in India.
Growth of the Portuguese:  Over the time, the Portuguese obtained
trading rights at  Nagapattinam from the  Sevappa Nayak of T anjore.
A  Portuguese  fleet arrived in 1533 and  occupied the port towns like
Nagapattinam, and Tuticorin. Santhome in Chennai  was also one of
the Portuguese settlements.  Madurai  Nayak attempted to send the
Portuguese away from India, but failed.
Causes for the decline of the Portuguese Power in India:
a. Portugal was a small country.  It could not control a big
country like India.
b. The Portuguese merchants were rarely honest.
c. The Dutch and the English became the strong rivals to
the Portuguese in India.
2. Coming of the Dutch:
The Dutch traders came from Holland. They set up a factory at
Devanampatnam in 1608.  Towns such as Karaikal, Pulicat and
Nagapattinam on the East coast were captured by them. They also
obtained Santhome from the French.  They fortified  all their settlements.
In 1689 Nagapattinam was made the seat of Dutch Government.
Causes for the failure of the Dutch:
a.The Dutch indulged in slave trade and entered into intrigues
in the courts.  These activities made them unpopular .
b.The Dutch had to yield their position in India to the English
because of the British naval supremacy.  They developed
trading contacts with Indonesia rather than with India.
3. Coming of the English:
The English East India Company obtained Royal Charter from queen
Elizabeth on 31
st
  December 1600 to trade with India.  In 1639 Francis
Dey obtained the site of Madras from the Governor of Chandragiri.
the British possessions in the East.  In 1681, the new settlements were
opened in Cuddalore and Portonova. Fort St.David was built at
Cuddalore.
4. Coming of the Danes:
The Danish East India Company was established in 1616 in Denmark.
They founded a settlement at Tranquebar in Nagapattinam in 1620.
Their merchants were not prominent.  In the 19
th
 century they sold
2
3
For the site the company was
to pay a small amount as annual
rent.
In 1640, Fort St.George was
built at Madras.  It was made
the Headquarters of English in
the East.In 1654, Madras
became the headquarters of all
Fort St.George
their factories to the English due to the irregular supply of money and
arrival of ships from their home country. They lost their influence as
well as interest.
5. Coming of the French :
The French East India Company was founded in the year 1664.
The French seized Santhome near Madras, but surrendered the same
to the Dutch.  In 1674, Francis Martin obtained a small village of
Pondicherry from the Sultan of Bijapur.  In 1699, the French lost
Pondicherry to the Dutch.  But it was restored by the Treaty of R yswick.
In 1701 it became the headquarters of the French possessions in India.
The French occupied Mahe on the Malabar coast in 1725 and Karaikal
in 1739, from the Marathas of Tanjore .
ENGLISH - FRENCH COLONIAL RIV ALRY
In the beginning of the 18
th
 century the French and the English were
powerful in India.  The English established their supremacy in Madras,
Calcutta, and Bombay .  The French had their settlement at Pondicherry .
Both of them wanted to establish their authority in India.  This resulted
in the outbreak of  Carnatic wars.
The first carnatic war (1746 - 1748):
Causes: In 1744 the war of Austrian succession broke out in Europe
between Austria and Prussia.  While the French supported Prussia,
the English stood by the side of Austria.  Both of them were eager to
extend their trade relations in India.  Dupleix the French governor of
Pondicherry wanted to drive away the English from India.
Course of the war: Dupleix marched towards Madras  where he
defeated the English naval fleet and captured Madras.  The English
made a  complaint to Anwar-ud-din the Nawab of Carnatic.  The
Nawab ordered Dupleix to return Fort St.George to the British.  But
Dupleix did not obey.  Anwar-ud-din sent a large army to recover
Madras (Chennai) from Dupleix.  But the Nawab’s  forces were
defeated by the French at Santhome near Adayar in 1746.  The French
forces plundered Madras.
The French tried to capture Fort St.David at Cuddalore.  But Major
Lawrence, the British general defended it.  Though the French failed
to capture the fort, the war proved the might of the French and the
ability of Dupleix.
Result: The first carnatic war came to an end by the treaty of Aile-
La-chappelle in 1748 and settlement was reached between English
and French in the Carnatic Coast.  The French left and the English got
back Madras.
The Second Carnatic war  (1749 - 1754):
Causes: The Nizam of Hyderabad  died in 1748. His son Nazir
Jung became the Nizam.  Muzzafur Jung his nephew opposed him.
Anwar-ud-din , the Nawab of Arcot opposed his uncle, Chanda Sahib.
Muzzafur Jung and Chanda Sahib joined together and sought the help
of the French.  The dispute for the throne of Hyderabad and Arcot
were the causes for the war.
Course of the war:The French army joined the army of Chanda
Sahib and Muzzafur  Jung near Arcot in 1749.  Anwar-ud-din was
defeated and killed in the war.  Chanda Sahib became the Nawab of
Carnatic.  He rewarded Dupleix by giving the villages of V aludavoor,
Villianoor and Bahur near Pondicherry ..
Anwar-ud-din’s son Mohammed Ali escaped to Tiruchirapalli and
took refuge in the Fort of Tiruchirapalli.   It was beseiged by Chanda
Sahib.  Mohammed Ali sought the help of the English to save him and
attack Arcot.
Robert Clive an army officer of the English attacked Arcot.  Chanda
Sahib sent an army from Tiruchirapalli to capture Arcot.  But Robert
4
5
their factories to the English due to the irregular supply of money and
arrival of ships from their home country. They lost their influence as
well as interest.
5. Coming of the French :
The French East India Company was founded in the year 1664.
The French seized Santhome near Madras, but surrendered the same
to the Dutch.  In 1674, Francis Martin obtained a small village of
Pondicherry from the Sultan of Bijapur.  In 1699, the French lost
Pondicherry to the Dutch.  But it was restored by the Treaty of R yswick.
In 1701 it became the headquarters of the French possessions in India.
The French occupied Mahe on the Malabar coast in 1725 and Karaikal
in 1739, from the Marathas of Tanjore .
ENGLISH - FRENCH COLONIAL RIV ALRY
In the beginning of the 18
th
 century the French and the English were
powerful in India.  The English established their supremacy in Madras,
Calcutta, and Bombay .  The French had their settlement at Pondicherry .
Both of them wanted to establish their authority in India.  This resulted
in the outbreak of  Carnatic wars.
The first carnatic war (1746 - 1748):
Causes: In 1744 the war of Austrian succession broke out in Europe
between Austria and Prussia.  While the French supported Prussia,
the English stood by the side of Austria.  Both of them were eager to
extend their trade relations in India.  Dupleix the French governor of
Pondicherry wanted to drive away the English from India.
Course of the war: Dupleix marched towards Madras  where he
defeated the English naval fleet and captured Madras.  The English
made a  complaint to Anwar-ud-din the Nawab of Carnatic.  The
Nawab ordered Dupleix to return Fort St.George to the British.  But
Dupleix did not obey.  Anwar-ud-din sent a large army to recover
Madras (Chennai) from Dupleix.  But the Nawab’s  forces were
defeated by the French at Santhome near Adayar in 1746.  The French
forces plundered Madras.
The French tried to capture Fort St.David at Cuddalore.  But Major
Lawrence, the British general defended it.  Though the French failed
to capture the fort, the war proved the might of the French and the
ability of Dupleix.
Result: The first carnatic war came to an end by the treaty of Aile-
La-chappelle in 1748 and settlement was reached between English
and French in the Carnatic Coast.  The French left and the English got
back Madras.
The Second Carnatic war  (1749 - 1754):
Causes: The Nizam of Hyderabad  died in 1748. His son Nazir
Jung became the Nizam.  Muzzafur Jung his nephew opposed him.
Anwar-ud-din , the Nawab of Arcot opposed his uncle, Chanda Sahib.
Muzzafur Jung and Chanda Sahib joined together and sought the help
of the French.  The dispute for the throne of Hyderabad and Arcot
were the causes for the war.
Course of the war:The French army joined the army of Chanda
Sahib and Muzzafur  Jung near Arcot in 1749.  Anwar-ud-din was
defeated and killed in the war.  Chanda Sahib became the Nawab of
Carnatic.  He rewarded Dupleix by giving the villages of V aludavoor,
V illianoor and Bahur near Pondicherry ..
Anwar-ud-din’s son Mohammed Ali escaped to Tiruchirapalli and
took refuge in the Fort of Tiruchirapalli.   It was beseiged by Chanda
Sahib.  Mohammed Ali sought the help of the English to save him and
attack Arcot.
Robert Clive an army officer of the English attacked Arcot.  Chanda
Sahib sent an army from Tiruchirapalli to capture Arcot.  But Robert
4
5