Portuguese in India, Rise, Decline, Timeline, First Factory

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in India at the end of the 15th century, establishing control over key maritime trade routes. Their arrival reshaped global trade patterns and opened the door for other European colonial powers to enter the Indian subcontinent.

Portuguese in India

Vasco da Gama reached Calicut in 1498, where he was welcomed by the Zamorin, the ruler of Calicut. On his return, the cargo he carried fetched profits almost sixty times the cost of his expedition. This marked the beginning of direct trade between India and Portugal, though the growth was gradual.

Francisco de Almeida arrived in 1505 as the first Portuguese viceroy in India. He is remembered for the ‘Blue Water Policy,’ which emphasized Portuguese naval supremacy in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. In 1510, Albuquerque captured Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur, making it the political and military base of the Portuguese. Over time, they also established trading centers at Cochin, Daman, and Diu.

The Portuguese extended their influence across the Asian coastline, stretching from Hormuz in the Persian Gulf to Malacca in Southeast Asia. For almost a century, they maintained a near monopoly over the higher Eastern trade.

Rise of Portuguese in India

• As the first Europeans to arrive in India, the Portuguese quickly established dominance on the Malabar Coast. Within fifteen years, they dismantled Arab supremacy in Indian Ocean trade, securing Goa, Daman, Diu, and Cochin.
• Spanish king Charles V gave up ambitions in the Indian Ocean, leaving Portugal a free hand to build its Eastern maritime empire.
• During their formative years, the Mughals posed no threat to Portuguese expansion. Even later, Mughal rulers showed little interest in naval development since their core territories were landlocked and less engaged with southern maritime affairs.
• The Portuguese navy enjoyed a decisive edge due to advanced navigational skills, superior shipbuilding, and the use of gunpowder weaponry.
• Albuquerque’s conquest of Goa in 1510 gave the Portuguese a stronghold on India’s west coast, enabling them to dominate Malabar trade and keep watch over Deccan politics.
• The introduction of the Cartaz (pass system) forced Asian and Arab traders to seek Portuguese permission to sail. This consolidated their control over sea-borne commerce.

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First Factory of Portuguese in India

The First Factory of Portuguese in India was set up at Calicut (Kozhikode) on the Malabar Coast in 1500. It was established under the leadership of Pedro Álvares Cabral, who obtained permission from the Zamorin of Calicut to build a trading post. This factory became the starting point of direct European trade in India, mainly dealing in valuable spices such as pepper and ginger, which were in great demand in Europe.

Decline of Portuguese in India

• In 1954, the United Front of Goans captured Daman, while Nagar Haveli was taken by the Azad Gomantak Dal. These actions challenged Portuguese control, and the International Court of Justice ruling granting access to Portuguese territories had little effect.
• Local protests in Goa against Portuguese rule were met with violent suppression by the government of Dictator António de Oliveira Salazar. Repeated requests to hand over the territories were refused, as Portugal considered them integral parts of its domain.
• Between 1951 and 1961, India adopted a “wait and watch” strategy, raising the decolonization issue internationally while also enforcing an economic prohibition against Portuguese territories.
• Portugal, under Salazar, did not recognize India’s sovereignty until the 1970s. After his regime ended, diplomatic relations improved, leading to a more friendly relationship between India and Portugal.

Portuguese in India Timeline

To better understand the Portuguese in India Timeline, the following table highlights key events, locations, and rulers associated with the establishment of their trading factories.