The discovery of a sea route to India was a seminal moment in world history. The Portuguese navigator Bartholomew Dias had crossed the Cape of Good Hope in Africa in 1487 and paved the way for Portuguese intrusions into the Indian Ocean seas. A mere ten years later, a Portuguese expedition set off for India and reached it in 11 months, in May 1498. The landing of three ships under the command of Vasco Da Gama in Calicut in May 1498 was a landmark event in Indian history, and Da Gama brought back valuable cargo and sold the goods profitably on the European market.
The Portuguese arrival in India marked the beginning of the European age and the growth of maritime power. The Portuguese ships were armed with cannons, giving them an advantage over other powers in the region. The Portuguese used advanced maritime tactics and their ships were strongly built, allowing them to carry more weapons. Goa became a hub of complex metalwork, while the interiors of the churches built under the Portuguese were rich in art and woodwork.
In 1505, King Ferdinand I of Portugal appointed Francisco De Almeida as governor in India. Almeida was tasked with consolidating the Portuguese position in India and destroying Muslim trade by conquering Aden, Ormuz, and Malacca. The Portuguese suffered a defeat at the hands of the combined Egyptian and Gujarat navies, but Almeida avenged his defeat the next year. Almeida’s dream was for the Portuguese to rule the Indian Ocean, and he instituted the Blue Water Policy, which aimed at maintaining Portuguese control over the region’s key shipbuilding centers.
Albuquerque, who took over as Portuguese governor of India, was the true creator of Portuguese authority in the East. He ensured Portugal’s strategic control over the Indian Ocean by creating strongholds commanding all of the sea’s exits. Albuquerque also instituted a permission system for other ships and exerted control over the region’s key shipbuilding centers. Under his leadership, the Portuguese abolished sati, the practice of widows being burned alive on their husband’s funeral pyre.
The Portuguese had a profound impact on India and the Indian Ocean region. They established trading centers in Calicut, Cannanore, and Cochin and mixed economic avarice with violent hatred to inflict revenge on Arab commerce. The Portuguese also brought with them their religion, Catholicism, and many converts were made in India. The Portuguese language was also introduced in India and it remains an important legacy of the Portuguese rule in India.
Key points on Portuguese presence in India
- Obsession for a sea route to India: Prince Henry of Portugal, also known as the ‘Navigator,’ was obsessed with discovering an ocean route to India.
- Treaty of Tordesillas: Portugal and Spain split the non-Christian world between them in 1497 under the Treaty of Tordesillas, with Portugal claiming everything to the east of an imaginary line in the Atlantic and Spain claiming everything to the west.
- Portuguese intrusions into the Indian Ocean: The treaty set the scene for Portuguese intrusions into the Indian Ocean seas.
- Discovery of the Cape of Good Hope: Portuguese navigator Bartholomew Dias discovered the Cape of Good Hope in Africa in 1487, paving the way for Portuguese expeditions to India.
- Arrival in India: In 1498, a Portuguese expedition reached India in just 11 months.
- Dissolving Bahmani Kingdom: The Bahmani Kingdom in the Deccan was dissolving into smaller kingdoms, leaving the region vulnerable to Portuguese intrusions.
- Lack of naval capabilities: None of the powers in the region possessed a significant naval fleet.
- Imperial proclamation by the Chinese emperor: The Chinese emperor limited the nautical reach of Chinese ships in the Far East.
- Arab merchants and shipowners: Arab merchants and shipowners who previously controlled Indian Ocean commerce were no match for the Portuguese in terms of organisation and cohesiveness.
- Guns mounted on Portuguese ships: The Portuguese had guns mounted on their ships, giving them a significant advantage in naval battles.
- Portuguese administration in India: The Portuguese established a viceroy to rule over their Indian territories, along with a secretary and a council.
- Vedor da Fazenda: The Vedor da Fazenda was in charge of income, cargoes, and fleet dispatch for the Portuguese in India.
- Significance of the Portuguese: The arrival of the Portuguese signalled the beginning of the European age and the growth of maritime power in India.
- Military innovation: The Portuguese used body armour, matchlock soldiers, and weapons landed from ships, demonstrating military innovation in India.
- Advanced maritime tactics: The Portuguese were masters of advanced maritime tactics and had multi-decked ships that were strongly built.
- Cultural contributions: The Portuguese made cultural contributions to India, including the growth of silversmith and goldsmith arts in Goa and the building of churches with intricate woodwork and art.
- Vasco Da Gama: Vasco Da Gama landed in Calicut in 1498, leading to the establishment of Portuguese trade centers in Calicut, Cannanore, and Cochin.
- Francisco De Almeida: Francisco De Almeida was appointed governor of Portuguese India in 1505 and tasked with consolidating the Portuguese position in India.
- Alfonso de Albuquerque: Alfonso de Albuquerque was the true creator of Portuguese authority in India, tightening their grip on the region through the creation of strongholds and control over key shipbuilding centers.
- Abolition of sati: Albuquerque abolished the practice of sati, a custom where widows were expected to sacrifice themselves on their husband’s funeral pyre, in Portuguese India.
- Portuguese architecture in India can be seen in many churches, forts and buildings, particularly in Goa and other former Portuguese colonies.
- The Portuguese introduced many crops to India, including pineapple, watermelon, and cashews.
- Portuguese language had a significant influence on the development of Konkani, the main language spoken in Goa, with many Portuguese words still used in Konkani today.
- Portuguese introduced the first printing press in India, which led to the development of the Indian printing industry.
- Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route from Europe to India, which opened up new trade routes and had a major impact on the world economy.
- Portugal established several colonies in India, including Goa, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
- The Portuguese introduced the concept of moral policing in India, which was used to control the behavior of the local population and enforce moral and religious codes.
- Portugal’s colonies in India were strategically important, as they gave the country a dominant position in the spice trade with the East.
- Portuguese rule in India was characterized by violence, exploitation, and religious persecution, particularly of Hindus.
- Portuguese Jesuits played a significant role in spreading Christianity in India, and established many schools and colleges.
- The Portuguese were the first Europeans to introduce soccer (football) to India, and it remains one of the country’s most popular sports today.
- Portuguese influence can be seen in Indian cuisine, particularly in Goa, where dishes such as vindaloo and xacuti are popular.
- The Portuguese established a strong naval presence in the Indian Ocean, which allowed them to control trade routes and protect their interests in the region.
- Portuguese exploration of the world, including India, led to the discovery of new territories and the exchange of ideas and cultural influences between Europe and Asia.
- The Portuguese brought with them new techniques in shipbuilding, navigation, and cartography, which had a major impact on the development of the Indian maritime industry.
- The Portuguese left a lasting legacy in India in the form of art, literature, and music, with many Portuguese-inspired works still cherished today.
- The Portuguese in India also contributed to the development of the country’s medical industry, with many of the country’s earliest hospitals and medical schools established by Portuguese physicians.
- Portuguese influence can be seen in India’s legal system, with the country adopting many Portuguese legal codes and practices.
- The Portuguese language is still widely spoken in India, particularly in Goa, and is an important part of the state’s cultural heritage.
- Portugal and India have maintained close cultural and economic ties, and continue to collaborate on a range of initiatives to promote bilateral cooperation and understanding.
List of events during the Portuguese rule in India
- The Conquest of Goa (1510) – The Portuguese forces led by Afonso de Albuquerque conquered the city of Goa and established it as the capital of Portuguese India.
- The Battle of Diu (1509) – The Portuguese defeated a coalition of forces from the Sultanate of Gujarat and the Ottoman Empire in this naval battle, which resulted in the establishment of Portuguese control over the coastal region of India.
- The Siege of Bassein (1534) – The Portuguese captured the city of Bassein from the Sultanate of Gujarat after a siege that lasted for several months.
- The Battle of Chaul (1613) – The Portuguese forces defeated the Maratha Empire in this battle, which resulted in the Portuguese maintaining control over their territories in India.
- The Siege of Kondavid Fort (1687) – The Maratha forces led by Sambhaji attempted to capture the Kondavid Fort from the Portuguese, but were unsuccessful.
- The Siege of Cochin (1663) – The Dutch East India Company attempted to capture the city of Cochin from the Portuguese, but were unsuccessful.
- The War of the Portuguese Succession (1580-1583) – The Portuguese forces in India were affected by the war of succession that took place in Portugal, with the Indian territories being disputed by different factions.
- The Ruler of Portuguese India – Manuel I of Portugal was the first ruler to take direct control of Portuguese India, while the later rulers were appointed viceroys who governed on behalf of the Portuguese monarchy.
- The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) – This treaty between Spain and Portugal divided the New World into two spheres of influence, with Portugal gaining control over territories in Africa, Asia, and South America, including parts of India.
- The Dutch-Portuguese War (1602-1663) – The Dutch East India Company and the Portuguese engaged in a series of conflicts over control of trade routes and territories in Asia, including parts of India.
- The Anglo-Portuguese Treaty (1373) – This treaty established a trade alliance between England and Portugal, with the Portuguese gaining access to English ports and trade routes.
- The British-Portuguese Treaty (1661) – This treaty between Britain and Portugal resulted in the Portuguese ceding their territories in Bombay to the British.
- The Decline of Portuguese Power in India – The decline of Portuguese power in India was a result of various factors, including the decline of the Portuguese monarchy, the growing power of the Dutch and British in India, and the increasing resistance from local Indian rulers.
- The End of Portuguese Rule in India – The end of Portuguese rule in India came in 1961, when India annexed the remaining Portuguese territories in Goa, Daman, and Diu.
MCQs on Portuguese rule in India
- What was the main reason behind the establishment of Portuguese colonies in India?
A. To trade spices and other valuable goods
B. To spread Christianity and convert the locals to Catholicism
C. To establish political control over the region
D. All of the above
- What was the main Portuguese settlement in India during the 16th century?
A. Goa
B. Cochin
C. Calicut
D. Daman
- Which ruler of Vijayanagara Empire fought against the Portuguese in the Battle of Talikota in 1565?
A. Harihara II
B. Bukka Raya I
C. Krishna Deva Raya
D. Ramachandra Raya
- What was the main reason for the Portuguese to establish colonies in India?
A. Trade and commerce
B. Strategic interests
C. Conversion to Christianity
D. All of the above
- What was the name of the Portuguese colony established in Goa in the 16th century?
A. Fort Cochin
B. Fort São Tomé
C. Estado da Índia
D. Fort Anjediva
- What was the main reason for the decline of Portuguese power in India in the 17th century?
A. Competition from other European powers
B. Resistance from local rulers and populations
C. Financial difficulties and limited resources
D. All of the above
- Which Portuguese explorer was the first to arrive in India and establish Portuguese rule in Kerala?
A. Vasco da Gama
B. Cabral
C. Albuquerque
D. Francisco de Almeida
- When did the Portuguese establish their first settlement in Kerala?
A. 1498
B. 1502
C. 1510
D. 1524
- What was the significance of the Portuguese settlement in Cochin?
A. It was a major trade center for the Portuguese
B. It was a religious center for the Portuguese
C. It was a military center for the Portuguese
D. All of the above
- What was the main cause of the battle of Diu in 1509?
A. Control of the spice trade
B. Territorial dispute with the Ottoman Empire
C. Religious differences between the Portuguese and the Hindus
D. Competition for control of the Indian Ocean trade routes
- What was the outcome of the Battle of Swally in 1612?
A. Portuguese victory
B. English victory
C. Dutch victory
D. Indian victory
- What was the main goal of the Anglo-Portuguese Treaty of 1373?
A. To establish a joint trading company
B. To divide the territories in the Indian Ocean
C. To establish a military alliance against the Dutch
D. To define the borders between the Portuguese and English territories
