The Portuguese
The Portuguese realised the advantages of
trade with India and were the first to set sights
on establishing trading centres in India. They
established their merchants and agents in Cochin,
Goa and Daman. To get into trade they even had
to fight small battles with the Arabs who were
already trading from these areas. They also took
advantage of the mutual rivalries of the Indian
rulers. They went on to built forts and naval bases
along the coast which developed into settlements.
With their own homeland passing into the hands
of Span in 1580 CE, they did not expand much
on Indian soil and they remained concentrated in
these locations only.
please explain
Answers
Portuguese were the first European who discovered a direct sea route to India. Portuguese sailor Vasco da Gama arrived at Calicut an important sea port located on the South-West India on May 20, 1498 AD. King Zamorin, the local rule received him and bestowed on him certain privileges. After staying in India for a period of three months Vasco da Gama returned with a rich cargo which he sold in the European market at an exorbitant price- 60 times the cost of his voyage.
But soon Vasco da Gama came back to India for the second time in 1501 AD. He set up a trading factory at Cannanore. With establishment of trade links, Calicut, Cannanore and Cochin emerged the significant Portuguese centres in India. Arab traders became jealous of the rise and success of the Portuguese and hence caused enmity bred between the Portuguese and the local king Zamorin. The hostilities grew and led to full- fledged military face- off between them. King Zamorin was defeated by the Portuguese. With the victory over Zamorin, the military superiority of the Portuguese was established.