Struggle for Supremacy in India (1500-1713)

The Portuguese established their first trading post in India in 1500.

In 1510, the Portuguese captured Goa and made it their naval base.

By 1515, the Portuguese had established a monopoly over trade in the Indian Ocean.

The Portuguese expanded their control, occupying key ports like Daman, Diu, and Bassein by 1559.

The British East India Company, founded in 1600, began its operations in India.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the British East India Company actively challenged the Portuguese for supremacy in India, ultimately replacing them.

The British East India Company's primary targets were the Portuguese colonial possessions in India.

The British East India Company's growing influence in India marked the beginning of British colonial rule.

The struggle for supremacy between European powers, particularly the Portuguese and the British, significantly impacted India's political and economic landscape.

The period between 1500-1605 saw intensifying rivalry between European powers in India, primarily between the Portuguese and the Dutch. The Dutch emerged as a strong contender, seeking to displace Portuguese dominance.

During this period, 1605–1667, the Dutch escalated their efforts to establish themselves in India. Their main target was to seize control of Portuguese colonies.

This phase, 1667–1713, witnessed the Dutch acquiring all Portuguese forts along the Malabar Coast. This marked a significant shift in power dynamics.

The years 1713–1741 saw the Dutch consolidate their position in India. Their rivalry with the British began to emerge as a major factor in the Indian subcontinent's political landscape.

Following 1741, the Dutch faced multiple challenges including the rise of British power and internal conflicts. Their influence in India gradually declined.

In 1607, the British East India Company established its first factory in India. This marked the beginning of their long and influential presence in the subcontinent.

By the late 17th century, the Portuguese faced significant setbacks in India, losing control of territories to the Dutch. Their dominance was diminishing.

The Portuguese managed to hold onto a few key territories, including Goa, Daman, Diu, and Bassein. Despite their decline, they continued to have a presence in India.

The Dutch were able to secure a major victory by taking control of the Portuguese forts on the Malabar Coast. This demonstrated their military prowess and expansionist ambitions.

The Dutch primary goal in India was to target and acquire Portuguese colonial possessions. Their ambition was to displace the Portuguese and become the dominant European power.

Benoit Dumas was the French Governor of Pondicherry between 1735 and 1740. He expanded French influence in India by establishing new factories in Kassimbazar and Balasore, and strengthened French power in various ways.

After 1741, the French adopted a strategy involving active participation in conflicts between Indian kingdoms. They sought political advantages by taking sides in these disputes.

The Carnatic Wars were a series of conflicts (1746-1763) between the British and French in India. They were fought for control over territories and trade routes in the Carnatic region.

The First Carnatic War (1746-1748) was the first major conflict between the British and French in India, triggered by the War of the Austrian Succession in Europe.

The Second Carnatic War (1749-1754) was a continuation of the struggle between the British and French, with a focus on alliances with Indian rulers and control over key territories.

The Third Carnatic War (1758-1763) was the final and decisive conflict between the British and French in India, culminating in British dominance in the region.

The first English trading factory established in India, located in Surat.

A period of conflict and territorial rivalry between the English and Dutch in the Malay Archipelago.

A massacre of English traders by the Dutch in 1623, highlighting the fierce competition between these two powers in the Malay Archipelago.

An agreement reached between the English and Dutch in 1667, establishing boundaries of influence in the Malay Archipelago. The English agreed to stay out of the Dutch territories, and the Dutch agreed to stay out of English ones.

A region in southeastern India, which became the center of British colonial administration after the English established a presidency there in 1652.

The English East India Company established numerous trading posts across India, expanding their commercial network and influence.

The English presence in the Malay Archipelago was minimal due to the 1667 agreement with the Dutch, focusing their attention on mainland India.

After 1741, the English and French engaged in a bitter conflict, vying for supremacy in India, leading to a series of wars that ultimately reshaped the political landscape of the subcontinent.

The period between 1605 and 1667 was marked by a tense rivalry between the English and Dutch in the Malay Archipelago, leading to the Amboyna Massacre and the 1667 compromise.

The British East India Company's activities were largely confined to mainland India after the 1667 agreement, allowing them to focus on building their commercial presence and political influence in this region.

The Dutch East India Company (VOC) lost its dominance in India due to various factors like agreeing not to intervene in British affairs and losing territory and resources.

The British East India Company, after establishing its presence in India, began setting up important administrative regions. They established the Bombay Presidency in the west and the Calcutta Presidency in the east.

During 1667 to 1713, the British East India Company's focus shifted from mere trading to actively challenging the dominance of the Dutch in India. This rivalry intensified during this period.

The period between 1713 and 1741 saw further intensification of the struggle for supremacy in India. The British East India Company continued to expand its influence, while the Dutch faced further decline.

The period after 1741 marked a turning point in the struggle for supremacy in India. The British East India Company secured a dominant position, marking the beginning of British colonial rule.

By 1693, the Dutch East India Company faced significant setbacks, including the capture of Pondicherry, a key French settlement, by the Dutch. This event further weakened their hold on India.

The British East India Company, through its expansion and political maneuverings, established administrative institutions like the Bombay Presidency, which played a crucial role in consolidating its control.

The British East India Company's rivalry with the Dutch reached its peak between 1605 and 1667. This period was marked by intense competition for control over trading posts and resources.

The British East India Company's dominance over the Dutch in India can be attributed to various factors including the Dutch agreement not to interfere with British affairs and the loss of key territories like their factories in Surat and Masulipatnam.

The period between 1500 and 1605 marked the beginning of the European struggle for supremacy in India. The Portuguese initially dominated, but later faced competition from the Dutch and British.