Question

European companies in trade with India?

Answer 1

European Traders in India during 17th and 18th Centuries


Read this article to learn about the European Traders: Portuguese, the Dutch, the French and the Danes in India during the 17th and 18th Centuries !

Between the middle of the 16th century and the middle of the 18th century India’s overseas trade steadily expanded.



This was due to the trading activities of the various European companies which came to India during this period. India had commercial relations with the western countries from time immemorial.

But from the seventh century A.D. her sea-borne trade passed into the hands of the Arabs, who dominated the Indian Ocean and the Red sea. It was from them that the enterprising merchants of Venice and Genoa purchased Indian goods.

This monopoly of Indian trade by the Arabs, and the Venetians was sought to be broken by direct trade with India by the Portuguese.

The geo­graphical discoveries of the last quarter of the 15th century deeply affected the commercial relations of the different countries of the world and produced far-reaching consequences. The discovery of a new all-sea route from Europe to India via Cape of Good Hope by Vasco da Gama had far-reaching reper­cussions on the civilised world.

Answer 2

Answer :

The European trading companies of great opportunities in trade with India.

They could buy goods at a cheap price in India and carry them back to Europe to select higher prices.

This opportunity attracted them to India.

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