Historical Trade Routes of India

Questions and Answers

What role did Albuquerque play in establishing Portuguese power in India?

Albuquerque captured Goa in 1510, making it the headquarters of the Portuguese establishment in India.

What were the consequences of the Portuguese decline in power by the end of the 16th century?

The Portuguese lost their influence in India, retaining only Goa, Daman, and Diu, due to competition from the Dutch and British.

How did the Dutch East India Company challenge Portuguese dominance in the Indian Ocean?

The Dutch East India Company, founded in 1602, succeeded in breaking the Portuguese monopoly by establishing several trading centres in India.

What significant event occurred in 1615 regarding British trade in India?

Sir Thomas Roe was sent as an ambassador to the court of Jahangir, who granted the British permission to establish a factory in Surat. Signup and view all the answers

What was Fort St. George, and why was it important for the British?

Fort St. George was a fortified factory built by the British in Madras, leased to them in 1640, and became a crucial center for British trade. Signup and view all the answers

How did Aurangzeb's actions impact the English East India Company's operations in India?

Aurangzeb declared war on the English, seizing their factories, but later granted them the right to trade in Bengal without duties. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguished the French East India Company from its English counterpart?

The French East India Company, founded in 1664, was under the absolute control of the French government, unlike the privately owned English East India Company. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the transfer of Bombay to the British.

Bombay was given to the British in 1668 as a marriage gift when Catherine of Braganza married King Charles II of England. Signup and view all the answers

What were the geographical features of Bombay that made it significant for trade?

Bombay is made up of seven islands, making it an important maritime trade spot. Signup and view all the answers

How did British settlement in India evolve from trading to ruling?

The English East India Company transitioned from trading to governance by acquiring rights to collect taxes and establishing fortified settlements like Calcutta. Signup and view all the answers

What were some of the primary goods traded from India to the West before the rise of the Turks?

Spices, textiles, sugar, indigo, and saltpetre. Signup and view all the answers

How did the rise of the Turks in 1453 affect trade routes to Europe?

It disrupted the overland trade routes, making it unsafe for goods to be transported to Europe. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first European explorer to reach India and what year did this occur?

Vasco da Gama reached India in 1498. Signup and view all the answers

What was the reaction of the Mughal emperors to the arrival of European traders?

They did not view them as a threat and did not strengthen their navy in response. Signup and view all the answers

What trading advantage did the Portuguese have over other European countries in the 16th century?

They had a strong navy and maintained military strength, allowing them to monopolize trade. Signup and view all the answers

What were the primary reasons European trading companies began to gain power in India towards the 18th century?

Regional powers were asserting independence, leading European companies to ally with local powers. Signup and view all the answers

How did Vasco da Gama establish relations with the ruler of Calicut?

He established friendly relations with the zamorin, the ruler of Calicut. Signup and view all the answers

What role did the Mughal authority play in the early European trading ventures in India?

European traders recognized Mughal authority and obtained trading privileges. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Indian Trade with the West

Centuries-old trade between India and the West primarily involved spices, textiles, sugar, indigo, and saltpetre.
The Arab traders controlled the trade routes, transporting goods from Indian ports to the Persian Gulf and Red Sea before overland delivery to Europe.
The rise of the Turks in West Asia in 1453 disrupted established trade routes, prompting European nations to seek sea routes to India.

European Exploration and Arrival

Vasco da Gama, in 1498, became the first European explorer to reach India, landing in Calicut after sailing around the Cape of Good Hope.
His discovery established a direct sea route to India, attracting other European powers like the Dutch, British, and French for trade.
Mughal emperors did not initially view Europeans as threats, allowing them to establish small trading settlements.

Decline of Mughal Power

By the 18th century, regional powers in India began asserting independence, leading to changing dynamics in trade and power.
European trading companies started to ally with local rulers, increasing their own power at the cost of the Mughal Empire.

The Portuguese in India

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to set up a trading company in India, dominating trade in the 16th century due to their strong navy.
Vasco da Gama established friendly relations with local rulers, and Albuquerque captured Goa in 1510, using it as headquarters.
By the late 16th century, Portuguese power declined due to weak leadership and competition from Dutch and British companies.

The Dutch East India Company

Founded in 1602, the Dutch East India Company emerged as a strong trading power in the 17th century.
The Dutch broke the Portuguese monopoly in the Indian Ocean and established key trading centres but later focused on settlements in Southeast Asia.
The British capitalized on the Dutch's weakened position, gradually diminishing their influence in India.

The British East India Company

Founded in 1600, the English East India Company received a royal charter from Queen Elizabeth I to trade with India.
In 1615, the British secured permission from Mughal Emperor Jahangir to establish a factory in Surat.
Gradually expanded, the British created fortified factories, notably building Fort St. George in Madras and expanding into Bengal and Bombay.

Transformation from Traders to Rulers

British officials initially focused on trade but shifted towards political control under Chairman Sir Josiah Child, who aimed to establish an empire in India.
After a failed attempt to capture Chittagong, the Company faced setbacks but gained significant rights to trade and collect taxes from Mughal authorities.
The growth of cities like Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay attracted Indian merchants, leading to British dominance in India.

French Presence in India

The French East India Company, established in 1664, differed from the English version as it was state-controlled rather than privately owned.
The French established fortified trading posts in Pondicherry and later expanded to Chandernagore and Mahe.

Acquisition of Bombay

Bombay, originally consisting of seven islands, was acquired by the Portuguese through the Treaty of Bassein.
The British received Bombay as a dowry when Catherine of Braganza married King Charles II, who transferred it to the English East India Company in 1668.

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Description

Explore India's historic trade connections with the West, primarily focusing on commodities like spices, textiles, and sugar. Learn how the rise of the Turks in 1453 disrupted these routes, leading to significant changes in global trade dynamics. Delve into the impact of these developments on European seafaring nations.