Arrival of Europeans

Although Alexander the Great was the first European to invade India, it was Vasco da Gama’s landing in Calicut in 1498 which sowed the seeds of colonialism in the Indian subcontinent. Following the first Portuguese landings, other Europeans such as the English, the Dutch, French, Croatians, Austrians and the Danish made forays into India in the following years.

Portuguese (1498-1961)

• The Portuguese traveller Vasco da Gama reached the port of Calicut on 17 May 1498 and was received by Zamorin, the ruler of Calicut. The Objective of Portuguese was to reap the benefits of eastern trade.
• The first governor of ....