Question

Explain Indian and European colonialism.

Portuguese

Answer 1

1. Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese seafarer reached the port of Calicut (Kozhikode) in 1498.
2. Once landed on the Indian coasts the Portuguese did not take long to establish themselves in India.
3. By the beginning of 16th century Portuguese had brought a considerable portion of the Indian coasts under their control.
4. The Portuguese took advantage of the strained relations among various rulers in South India.
5. They established their colonies on the western coast and built forts for their protection and used them to protect their colonies from external attacks and to reinforce them continuously with supplies by using seaways.
6. The Portuguese naval force was very strong. They used to launch sudden attacks on their enemy’s territory from the sea and wreck it completely.