Question

How did Portuguese try to establish their power in India?

Answer 1

The first fleet of Vasco da Gama arrived on 20 May 1498 at Kappad near Calicut and was cordially received by the Zamorin of Calicut. Vasco de Gama came to India again in 1501 and returned to Portugal in 1503 and by that time they established trading centres at Calicut, Cochin and Cannanore and effectively suppressed the Arab resistance. De Almeida was appointed as the first viceroy in India in 1505 and he initiated the ‘Blue Water’ policy or the mastery of sea by strong naval power. In 1509, De Almeida was followed by Albuquerque as the second viceroy and he was in that power till 1515. Albuquerque laid the foundation of the Portuguese power in India by conquering Goa in 1510, and it became the headquarters of the Portuguese in India. The Portuguese obtained Diu and Bassein in 1534 and in 1538 they conquered Daman and this consolidated the Portuguese power in India.