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 the Portuguese in India was Francis de Almeida. Almeida advocated the `Blue water policy’ i.e. to strengthen navy so that they can counter their European competitors and enjoy the monopoly of trade with east. The trading stations were setup at Calicut, Cannanore and Cochin by Almeida.
- In 1509, Albuquerque became governor. He captured Goa from the ruler of Bijapur in ....