Previous Year Question

The Portuguese were the first European power to come to India by sea for the purpose of trade.

The Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama rounded the southern tip of Africa, the Cape of Good Hope, reached India by the sea route and landed at Calicut in 1498 CE. This voyage established a new direct maritime trade route between Europe and India.

The principal objective of the Portuguese was to establish direct control over trade with the East, particularly the spice trade. They wanted to eliminate their dependence on intermediary merchants operating between Europe and Asia.

After reaching India, the Portuguese rapidly expanded their commercial and naval presence along the western coast. They established centres at Cochin and Cannanore, and their position in India became stronger after the conquest of Goa in 1510 CE.

The English arrived after the Portuguese. The English East India Company received its charter in 1600 CE from Queen Elizabeth I of England. By that time, the Portuguese had already established their presence on the western coast of India.

In the early seventeenth century, the Dutch also entered the Indian Ocean trade, followed by the French traders. Therefore, among the four options given, the Portuguese were the first European trading power to reach India.