PPT: The Advent of Europeans in India | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

 Page 1


Advent of the Europeans 
in India
Page 2


Advent of the Europeans 
in India
The Quest for and Discovery of a Sea 
Route to India
1
Decline of Roman Empire
Rome's fall in the 7th century led 
to Arab dominance in Egypt and 
Persia, limiting European access to 
Indian spices, textiles, and 
precious stones.
2
Fall of Constantinople
Ottoman Turks captured 
Constantinople (1453), creating an 
Islamic monopoly on the Red Sea 
route. Arabs also controlled land 
routes to India.
3
European Renaissance
The 15th century Renaissance 
increased demand for oriental 
goods. Portugal's Prince Henry the 
'Navigator' led exploration 
initiatives.
4
Treaty of Tordesillas
The 1494 Treaty divided non-
Christian lands between Portugal 
(east) and Spain (west) along an 
Atlantic line.
Page 3


Advent of the Europeans 
in India
The Quest for and Discovery of a Sea 
Route to India
1
Decline of Roman Empire
Rome's fall in the 7th century led 
to Arab dominance in Egypt and 
Persia, limiting European access to 
Indian spices, textiles, and 
precious stones.
2
Fall of Constantinople
Ottoman Turks captured 
Constantinople (1453), creating an 
Islamic monopoly on the Red Sea 
route. Arabs also controlled land 
routes to India.
3
European Renaissance
The 15th century Renaissance 
increased demand for oriental 
goods. Portugal's Prince Henry the 
'Navigator' led exploration 
initiatives.
4
Treaty of Tordesillas
The 1494 Treaty divided non-
Christian lands between Portugal 
(east) and Spain (west) along an 
Atlantic line.
Blue Water Policy
1
Francisco de 
Almeida's Vision
As Viceroy of 
Portuguese India, 
Almeida advocated 
for naval supremacy 
and commercial 
focus rather than 
territorial expansion. 
This became known 
as the Blue Water 
Policy.
2
Portuguese Military 
Support
King Ferdinand I 
appointed a three-
year governor with 
military support in 
1505 to protect 
Portuguese interests 
in India.
3
Strategic 
Objectives
Governor Francisco 
De Almeida was 
tasked with capturing 
Aden, Hormuz, and 
Malacca to 
strengthen Portugal's 
position and 
undermine Muslim 
trade.
4
Arrival at Cochin
Almeida reached Cochin on October 
31, 1505, with only 8 ships remaining 
in his fleet.
5
Quilon Conflict
Upon learning that Portuguese 
traders at Quilon had been 
massacred, he dispatched his son 
Lourenço with six ships to retaliate, 
resulting in the sinking of Calicut 
vessels.
Page 4


Advent of the Europeans 
in India
The Quest for and Discovery of a Sea 
Route to India
1
Decline of Roman Empire
Rome's fall in the 7th century led 
to Arab dominance in Egypt and 
Persia, limiting European access to 
Indian spices, textiles, and 
precious stones.
2
Fall of Constantinople
Ottoman Turks captured 
Constantinople (1453), creating an 
Islamic monopoly on the Red Sea 
route. Arabs also controlled land 
routes to India.
3
European Renaissance
The 15th century Renaissance 
increased demand for oriental 
goods. Portugal's Prince Henry the 
'Navigator' led exploration 
initiatives.
4
Treaty of Tordesillas
The 1494 Treaty divided non-
Christian lands between Portugal 
(east) and Spain (west) along an 
Atlantic line.
Blue Water Policy
1
Francisco de 
Almeida's Vision
As Viceroy of 
Portuguese India, 
Almeida advocated 
for naval supremacy 
and commercial 
focus rather than 
territorial expansion. 
This became known 
as the Blue Water 
Policy.
2
Portuguese Military 
Support
King Ferdinand I 
appointed a three-
year governor with 
military support in 
1505 to protect 
Portuguese interests 
in India.
3
Strategic 
Objectives
Governor Francisco 
De Almeida was 
tasked with capturing 
Aden, Hormuz, and 
Malacca to 
strengthen Portugal's 
position and 
undermine Muslim 
trade.
4
Arrival at Cochin
Almeida reached Cochin on October 
31, 1505, with only 8 ships remaining 
in his fleet.
5
Quilon Conflict
Upon learning that Portuguese 
traders at Quilon had been 
massacred, he dispatched his son 
Lourenço with six ships to retaliate, 
resulting in the sinking of Calicut 
vessels.
Policy of Blue Water 3 
Implications in India
Maritime Dominance Strategy
Francisco de Almeida aimed to establish Portugal as a 
powerful maritime nation in the Indian Ocean region, 
focusing on expanding Portuguese influence and trade.
Control of Goa
He successfully took control of Goa from the Sultan of 
Bijapur in 1510 AD.
Succession
Francisco de Almeida was succeeded by Afonso de 
Albuquerque, who became the Portuguese Viceroy in 
India in 1509.
Strategic Importance
Goa later became the headquarters of Portuguese 
settlements in India, and the Portuguese Navy's 
dominance and control over coastal regions played a 
pivotal role in building Portuguese power in India.
Page 5


Advent of the Europeans 
in India
The Quest for and Discovery of a Sea 
Route to India
1
Decline of Roman Empire
Rome's fall in the 7th century led 
to Arab dominance in Egypt and 
Persia, limiting European access to 
Indian spices, textiles, and 
precious stones.
2
Fall of Constantinople
Ottoman Turks captured 
Constantinople (1453), creating an 
Islamic monopoly on the Red Sea 
route. Arabs also controlled land 
routes to India.
3
European Renaissance
The 15th century Renaissance 
increased demand for oriental 
goods. Portugal's Prince Henry the 
'Navigator' led exploration 
initiatives.
4
Treaty of Tordesillas
The 1494 Treaty divided non-
Christian lands between Portugal 
(east) and Spain (west) along an 
Atlantic line.
Blue Water Policy
1
Francisco de 
Almeida's Vision
As Viceroy of 
Portuguese India, 
Almeida advocated 
for naval supremacy 
and commercial 
focus rather than 
territorial expansion. 
This became known 
as the Blue Water 
Policy.
2
Portuguese Military 
Support
King Ferdinand I 
appointed a three-
year governor with 
military support in 
1505 to protect 
Portuguese interests 
in India.
3
Strategic 
Objectives
Governor Francisco 
De Almeida was 
tasked with capturing 
Aden, Hormuz, and 
Malacca to 
strengthen Portugal's 
position and 
undermine Muslim 
trade.
4
Arrival at Cochin
Almeida reached Cochin on October 
31, 1505, with only 8 ships remaining 
in his fleet.
5
Quilon Conflict
Upon learning that Portuguese 
traders at Quilon had been 
massacred, he dispatched his son 
Lourenço with six ships to retaliate, 
resulting in the sinking of Calicut 
vessels.
Policy of Blue Water 3 
Implications in India
Maritime Dominance Strategy
Francisco de Almeida aimed to establish Portugal as a 
powerful maritime nation in the Indian Ocean region, 
focusing on expanding Portuguese influence and trade.
Control of Goa
He successfully took control of Goa from the Sultan of 
Bijapur in 1510 AD.
Succession
Francisco de Almeida was succeeded by Afonso de 
Albuquerque, who became the Portuguese Viceroy in 
India in 1509.
Strategic Importance
Goa later became the headquarters of Portuguese 
settlements in India, and the Portuguese Navy's 
dominance and control over coastal regions played a 
pivotal role in building Portuguese power in India.
From Trading to Ruling
Vasco Da Gama
1
Vasco Da Gama's Arrival
Vasco Da Gama, led by a Gujarati pilot named 
Abdul Majid, arrived at Calicut in May 1498. The 
ruler of Calicut was Zamorin (Samuthiri) in 1498.
2
Arab Trade Networks
Arab traders had a profitable business on the 
Malabar Coast, along with participants from 
India, Arabs, Africans from the east coast, 
Chinese, and Javanese. They dealt with Pedro 
Alvarez Cabral for the spice trade.
3
First Factory Established
After negotiations, the Portuguese established 
a factory at Calicut in September 1500.
4
Trading Centers Expansion
Vasco da Gama also set up trading factories at 
Cannanore and Cochin, which became 
important trade centers for the Portuguese.