Arrival of Europeans In India — Important Questions

Goa

Step 1: The Portuguese established a fort in Calicut for trade in 1500 C.E. Step 2: They appointed Albuquerque as commander in chief to protect their fort. Step 3: Moving northwards from Calicut along the west coast of India, Albuquerque conquered Goa in 1506 C.E. Step 4: Goa became a very important centre for Portuguese power in India. Step 5: Diu, Mumbai, and Mangalore were also eventually controlled by the Portuguese, but Goa was specifically conquered by Albuquerque in 1506 C.E. – making it the correct answer. This detail is important because Goa remained under Portuguese control until 196

The Subedar of Bengal complained about Portuguese behaviour to Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, who ordered the fort at Hugli to be demolished

Step 1: In the early 17th century, the Portuguese expanded their trade to Bengal. Step 2: The Subedar (governor) of Bengal complained to the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan about the misbehaviour of the Portuguese. Step 3: Shahjahan, angered by this complaint, ordered the demolition of the Portuguese fort at Hugli and the burning of their ships. Step 4: This action effectively ended Portuguese power in Bengal. Step 5: Options A, C, and D are all incorrect – the Dutch were not involved in Bengal at this point, there was no peace treaty, and Siraj-ud-Daulah came much later and dealt with the British, n

Pulicat and Madras (Chennai)

Step 1: The Dutch of Holland (now the Netherlands) arrived in India at the end of the 16th century, about 100 years after the Portuguese. Step 2: They initially established forts at Pulicat and Madras (now Chennai) on the eastern coast of India. Step 3: Later, they also established a trading centre at Agra in 1663. Step 4: Surat and Calicut (Option A) were associated with the British and Portuguese respectively. Puducherry and Mahe (Option C) were French trading centres. Cochin and Goa (Option D) were Portuguese territories. Step 5: The Dutch ultimately could not withstand the competition from

Queen Elizabeth I

Step 1: The British were interested in establishing trade with India to increase their wealth. Step 2: During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England, the British East India Company was established in the year 1600 C.E. Step 3: This company was formed by British merchants who wanted to profit from trade with India. Step 4: Queen Victoria (Option B) ruled much later in the 19th century. King George III (Option A) and King James I (Option D) ruled after Queen Elizabeth I and are not associated with the founding of the East India Company. Step 5: The founding of the East India Company in 1600 C