Cheat Sheet: Advent of the Europeans in India | General Awareness for SSC CGL PDF Download

Timeline

• Late 15th century – Arrival of Europeans in India.
• 1498 – Vasco da Gama (Portuguese) reached Calicut (Kerala).
• 16th–17th century – Establishment of European trading companies.
• Mid-18th century – Consolidation of European political influence, especially British.

Major European Powers

Key Milestones

• 1498 – Vasco da Gama (Portuguese) → Calicut, opened direct sea route to India from Europe.
• 1505–1510 – Portuguese consolidation → Goa, Daman, Diu.
• 1600 – British East India Company (EIC) → Queen Elizabeth I granted charter; aimed at trade.
• 1602 – Dutch East India Company (VOC) → Controlled Malabar & Coromandel trade.
• 1664 – French East India Company → Established in Pondicherry.
• Anglo-French Rivalry → Battles for supremacy in India; later culminated in Battle of Plassey (1757).

Early Conflicts & Alliances

• Portuguese vs Arabs → Control over spice trade.
• Portuguese vs Dutch → Malabar & Coromandel trade dominance.
• British vs French → Carnatic Wars (1746–1763) in South India.
• Alliances with Indian rulers → e.g., Portuguese & Vijayanagar, British & local Nawabs.

Economy & Trade

• Spices, textiles, indigo, silk → Major trade items.
• Europeans controlled ports, customs duties, and shipping routes.
• Portuguese → Monopoly on pepper & spice trade.
• Dutch → Focused on VOC-controlled spice islands; limited Indian political involvement.
• British → Gradually moved from trade → political domination.
• French → Limited trade; political expansion during Carnatic Wars.

Culture & Religion

• Portuguese → Christian missionaries (Jesuits); spread of Christianity in Goa & Cochin.
• Architecture → Churches, forts (e.g., Fort Aguada, Goa).
• Europeans introduced new weapons, ships, maps, navigation techniques.