European Settlements and British Conquest of India

India’s Trade relations with Europe go back to ancient days of Greeks. Two major expeditions that marked a turnaround:

  • Spain, 1492: Columbus set out to reach India but reached America.
  • Portugal, 1498: Vasco-da-Gama discovered a sea-route to India.

Portuguese

  • Portuguese were the first European power to enter Indian Subcontinent. They had a monopoly of the highly profitable Eastern trade for nearly a century.
  • Strength: From the very beginning, Portuguese combined use of force with trade. In this they were helped by the superiority of their armed ships which enabled them to dominate the seas. They threatened Mughal shipping and succeeded in securing many ....
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Indian History