Question

How did the Portuguese establish their trading centers in India?

Answer 1

Instructions:
The answer to this question must include the following points:

• Describe the success of the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama in finding a sea route to India.
• Explain how the Portuguese established trading centers in India.
• Discuss how Almeida, Albuquerque and Nino de Cunha’s acquisitions helped the Portuguese establish their supremacy.

Solution:

• Portugal was the first European nation to start making attempts to discover a sea route to India. In 1498, Vasco da Gama succeeded in reaching Calicut in India. He was warmly received by the then ruler of Calicut, King Zamorin. In 1501, Vasco da Gama came again to India and established a trading center at Cannanore. This was followed by establishing factories at Calicut and Cochin. The Portuguese defeated Zamorin in an attack near Cochin. Cochin became the first capital of the Portuguese East India Company.
• In 1505, Francisco de Almeida went as the first Governor for the Portuguese possessions in India. The interference of the Portuguese on the Indian Ocean trade negatively impacted the trade interests of Egypt and Turkey and caused an apprehension among the Sultans of Bijapur and Gujarat. There was thus, an alliance between Egypt, Turkey, and Gujarat against the Portuguese invaders. In 1509, Almeida defeated this combined Arab fleet in a battle near Diu. Albuquerque captured Goa in 1510 and established Portuguese authority over Ormuz in 1515.
• In 1534, the Governor Nino de Cunha acquired Bassein from Bahadur Shah of Gujarat. The Portuguese occupied Diu in 1537 and acquired Daman from the local Gujarat chiefs. They occupied Salsette in 1548. Thus, by the 16th century, the Portuguese had captured numerous territories and had good trade benefits.