Question

Why did the Portuguese fail to establish their power in India?

Answer 1

Many causes were responsible for the failure of the Portuguese Empire in India. After the death of Alfonso de Albuquerque, no strong person was sent by the Portuguese Government to India and the result was that the Portuguese Empire began to disintegrate in India. The Portuguese administration in India was very corrupt. The salaries of the officers were very low and they did not feel any hesitation to accept bribes from any quarter. The bulk of the Portuguese officers were selfish. Unmindful of the sufferings of the people they were bent upon making fortunes for themselves. The religious policy of the Portuguese was also responsible for their ruin. The establishment of the Mughal Empire was also partly responsible for the downfall of the Portuguese in India. The rise of the Dutch and English powers also created strong rivals in the country. They were more than a match for the Portuguese. The result was that by slow degrees the Portuguese Empire in India disappeared.