- Need to find a Sea-Route to India:
Earlier, the traders came to India from North-West through the land routes for trading. For years, the Arab traders undertook the trade through land routes. But as time passed, the Arab traders declared their rule on Constantinopole. Constantinopole was the main route through which the trading between India and Europe was done. The Arabs laid heavy taxes for the transfer of goods which was not affordable. Consequently, the demand for Indian commodities hiked up. To fulfill the demand, the Europeans started searching for the sea route to India.
2. Adventurous Sailors Who Attempted To Find the Sea-Route:
Several adventurous sailors from Europe and other countries started there journeys to find the sea-route to India. Among them, these two sailors became very popular in history:
i. Christopher Columbus:
Columbus was an Italian soldier who was one of the brave sailors who ventured out to find the sea-route to India. He believed that he can go to the West via the East also. Unfortunately, he reached America instead of India. But as long as he lived, he was under the misconception that he had found the sea-route to India. Thus, the natives of America are also known as Red Indians and the group of islands in the Caribbean is called The West Indies.
ii. Vasco-Da-Gama:
Vasco-Da-Gama was a native of Portugal and he was truly the founder of the sea-route to India. He encircled the ‘Cape of Good Hope’ in South Africa and reached India at Port of Calicut on 22nd May 1498 after crossing the Indian Ocean. Then, the Portuguese got the permission of establishing trade in India by the ruling king of Calicut, Zamorin.
3. Flourishment of Portuguese Trade:
The Portuguese established a fort in Calicut for trade in 1500 C.E. They fortified the port and appointed a commander-in-chief namely Albuquerque, to safeguard the fort. Albuquerque was a well-trained warrior and conquered Goa in 1506 C.E. In 100 years, the Portuguese took control over Mangalore, Cochin, Goa, Diu, Mumbai, and Islands of Lanka.
4. End Of Portuguese Rule:
At the beginning of the 17th century, the Portuguese expanded their trade to Bengal. At that time, Shahjahan, a Mughal king ruled India. The Subedar of Bengal complained about the behavior of the Portuguese. Thus, Shahjahan demolished the fort at Hugli and burnt of the trading ships of Portuguese. So, the rule of Portugues came to end except Diu, Goa, and Daman.
5. British Interest In India:
During the reign of Queen Elizabeth of England in 1600 C.E, East India Company was established. The company belonged that traders who wanted to enhance their wealth by undertaking trade with India. The first British ship arrived in India on the port of Surat in 1608 C.E. Captain W. Hawkins, the captain of the ship, was the first British to set foot in India. He met Jahangir, the Mughal king ruling at that time but didn’t get permission to trade. Later, Sir Thomas Roe arrived and he got permission to trade in Surat. Later, Shahjahan came to rule and he gave the company permission to trade in Bengal.
6. British Trade-In Bengal:
At first, the Britishers started their trade on banks of river Hugli and established forts in year in 1665 C.E. The factory got permission from King Aurangzeb, a Mughal king to trade without paying taxes against annual payment. As per the order passed in Bengal, only the Company was benefited by tax free trade. However, the officers who were engaged in private trade also stopped paying taxes. As a result, the income generated from the taxes reduced which was not acceptable by Commander in Cheif, Murshid Quli Khan. This dispute continued with the next Commander in Chief, Ali Verdi Khan. Later, his son Siraj-ud-Daulah took over the charge. He got involved into the major battle with Company which became the starting step for establishing Company’s rule in India.
Soon, I will share the information about the two fierce battles 1] Battle of Plassey ; 2] Battle of Buxar; which changed the future of India. I hope that you must have liked my article. Thanks and keep reading.
Your small appreciation will inspire to write more.
