Page 1
The Colonial Era in
India
Page 2
The Colonial Era in
India
The Age of Colonialism
Definition
The practice where a
country takes control of
another region, imposing
its political, economic,
and cultural systems.
European Expansion
European powers
established colonies
worldwide from the 15th
century onward.
Motivations
Reasons for European
colonialism: political,
economic, resource
access, trade, religion,
science.
Page 3
The Colonial Era in
India
The Age of Colonialism
Definition
The practice where a
country takes control of
another region, imposing
its political, economic,
and cultural systems.
European Expansion
European powers
established colonies
worldwide from the 15th
century onward.
Motivations
Reasons for European
colonialism: political,
economic, resource
access, trade, religion,
science.
Europeans in India
India traded with Greeks and Romans over two millennia ago. Indian goods4
spices, cotton, ivory, gems, sandalwood, teakwood, wootz steel4were highly
sought after in the Mediterranean world.
Until the 16th century CE, India was a vibrant economic and cultural
powerhouse, contributing at least one-fourth of the world GDP alongside
China.
European travelers to India described her as 'flourishing' with impressive
manufacturing capabilities, diverse agricultural output, and extensive trading
networks.
Page 4
The Colonial Era in
India
The Age of Colonialism
Definition
The practice where a
country takes control of
another region, imposing
its political, economic,
and cultural systems.
European Expansion
European powers
established colonies
worldwide from the 15th
century onward.
Motivations
Reasons for European
colonialism: political,
economic, resource
access, trade, religion,
science.
Europeans in India
India traded with Greeks and Romans over two millennia ago. Indian goods4
spices, cotton, ivory, gems, sandalwood, teakwood, wootz steel4were highly
sought after in the Mediterranean world.
Until the 16th century CE, India was a vibrant economic and cultural
powerhouse, contributing at least one-fourth of the world GDP alongside
China.
European travelers to India described her as 'flourishing' with impressive
manufacturing capabilities, diverse agricultural output, and extensive trading
networks.
The Portuguese: commerce and
atrocities
1
Arrival & Colonization
Vasco da Gama's arrival at Kappad (near Kozhikode,
Kerala) in May 1498 marked the beginning of
European colonization in India.
2
Strategic Ports & Trade
The Portuguese captured strategic ports like Goa in
1510, establishing trading posts along the coasts.
3
The Cartaz System
They implemented the cartaz (pass) system, requiring
all ships in the Arabian Sea to buy Portuguese permits.
Page 5
The Colonial Era in
India
The Age of Colonialism
Definition
The practice where a
country takes control of
another region, imposing
its political, economic,
and cultural systems.
European Expansion
European powers
established colonies
worldwide from the 15th
century onward.
Motivations
Reasons for European
colonialism: political,
economic, resource
access, trade, religion,
science.
Europeans in India
India traded with Greeks and Romans over two millennia ago. Indian goods4
spices, cotton, ivory, gems, sandalwood, teakwood, wootz steel4were highly
sought after in the Mediterranean world.
Until the 16th century CE, India was a vibrant economic and cultural
powerhouse, contributing at least one-fourth of the world GDP alongside
China.
European travelers to India described her as 'flourishing' with impressive
manufacturing capabilities, diverse agricultural output, and extensive trading
networks.
The Portuguese: commerce and
atrocities
1
Arrival & Colonization
Vasco da Gama's arrival at Kappad (near Kozhikode,
Kerala) in May 1498 marked the beginning of
European colonization in India.
2
Strategic Ports & Trade
The Portuguese captured strategic ports like Goa in
1510, establishing trading posts along the coasts.
3
The Cartaz System
They implemented the cartaz (pass) system, requiring
all ships in the Arabian Sea to buy Portuguese permits.
The Dutch: commerce and competition
Early 17th Century Arrival
The Dutch focused primarily on commercial dominance,
particularly in the spice trade.
Trading Posts
Established in Surat, Bharuch, Cochin, Nagapattinam and
Masulipatnam, with significant presence in the Malabar
region.
Battle of Colachel (1741)
Forces of Travancore under King Marthanda Varma
decisively defeated the Dutch, marking a rare instance of
an Asian power repelling a European colonial force.
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