Significance of the Portuguese in India: Simple Notes
- Beginning of
European Era:
- Most
historians say the Portuguese arrival in 1498 (Vasco-da-Gama in
Calicut) started what we can call the "European era" in India.
- They were the
first Europeans to come to India by sea.
- Rise and
Fall Timeline (Key Dates):
- 1498: Vasco-da-Gama arrives in Calicut.
- 1503-1559: Portuguese set up forts (Cochin,
Cannanore), defeat enemies (Gujarat, Egypt, Zamorin), capture key places
(Goa, Diu, Daman). Goa becomes their capital (1530).
- 1596-1663: Decline starts. Dutch push them out of
Southeast Asia (1596). Lose Surat to English (1612). Dutch
take Portuguese forts on Malabar Coast, pushing them out of India (1663).
- Naval Power
- A New Era:
- India had
naval powers before (like the Cholas), but this was the first time a
foreign power came to India by sea.
- Portuguese
ships had cannons. This was new and gave them a big advantage.
- They used force
(or threat of force) to control trade and get a monopoly (control
everything).
- They made
their own rules and wanted to dominate the Indian Ocean trade.
- Military
Innovations:
- Malabar
(16th Century):
- Used body
armor.
- Matchlock
men (early guns).
- Guns from
ships used on land.
- Possible
Mughal Influence:
Portuguese might have shown Mughals how to use field guns and
"artillery of the stirrup" (using guns with cavalry).
- Infantry
Drilling (1630s):
Important! Portuguese introduced drilling groups of infantry (like
Spanish armies). This was to fight the Dutch.
- Impact: French and English copied this. Then
Marathas and Sikhs. This led to "sepoy armies" which
became powerful tools for empires in India.
- Sea
Techniques:
- Ship
Design: Portuguese ships
were better for the sea.
- Multi-decked: More levels, stronger.
- Heavily
built: To handle Atlantic
storms (stronger than monsoon winds).
- Could carry more
weapons (heavier armament).
- Castled
prow and stern: Raised
platforms at front and back of ship. Good for fighting off people trying
to board their ships, or for attacking other ships.
- Indian
builders copied some of
these ship ideas.
- Organization
Skills (Very Important):
- Royal
Arsenals & Dockyards:
Built places to store weapons and build/repair ships – organized by the
government.
- Regular
Pilots & Mapping: Had
systems for guiding ships and making maps – important for navigation.
- State
Forces vs. Private Shipping:
Used government/royal ships to control trade, not just private traders.
- Influence: Mughals and Marathas might have
learned from this, but other Europeans (Dutch, English) definitely
learned and copied these organizational skills in Asia.
- Cultural
Contributions (Mixed with Negatives):
- Religious
Persecution & Cruelty:
People remember the Portuguese for being religiously intolerant and
cruel. This overshadows their other contributions.
- Missionaries
as Teachers & Art Patrons:
Missionaries and the Church also:
- Taught
skills.
- Supported artists
(painters, carvers, sculptors).
- Introduced European
art styles to India (not just Portuguese art).
- Goa - Art
Center:
- Silversmiths
& Goldsmiths in Goa
became famous.
- Filigree
work, foliage designs, jewels in metalwork became popular.
- Church
Architecture:
- Churches had
woodwork, sculpture, sometimes painted ceilings.
- But church
designs were generally simple in plan.
In
Simple Words: The Portuguese
were the first Europeans to arrive in India by sea, marking a new era. They
were strong at sea because of their ship technology and military tactics. They
introduced new military ideas like infantry drilling that others copied. They
were well-organized in sea trade and ship building. While they brought some
European art and skills, they are also remembered for being religiously cruel.
Their organizational skills, especially at sea, were very influential on other
European powers in Asia.