First European In India – Portuguese, 450 Years of Exploration, Influence & Legacy

Portuguese (First European in India) Pioneers in India: 450 Years of Exploration, Influence, and Global Impact #

The Portuguese were the First Europeans to come to India and the last one to leave. During the 450 years of their rule and especially the initial years of their domination, they made significant contributions to all spheres of lives of not only their subjects but also changed the entire geo-political map of the World.

Portuguese Legacies in India: First European in India Impact on Geostrategies, Trade, and Colonial Expansion (15th-17th centuries) #

• The Portuguese were the first European in India to make several significant contributions during their period of exploration and colonial activities, particularly between the 15th and 17th centuries.  
• Portuguese Maritime Revolution: Redefining Geostrategies in the Spice Trade
• New Land Route to India: The new naval route from around the cape of Good Hope, provided the Portuguese an alternative route outside the traditional Arab dominated route. 
• Replacing Arab Traders: The Portuguese displaced Asian traders who had supplied spices to Red Sea and Persian Gulf ports for onward sale to Venetian, Genoese and Catalan trade
• Competition for New Colonies: The success of Portuguese settlement encourages other European powers to set up trading hubs in Asia which eventually led to territorial aggression.

Portuguese (First European in India) Power Play: Shaping Political Dynamics in India through Conquest, Manipulation, and Strategic Trade Control #

• European Entry: For the first time in the political history of India the Europeans conquered and seized territories from the Indian rulers.
• Divide and Rule: Portuguese became the first European power to take sides in Indian Political rivalry.
  • Indian rulers remained divided, and Europeans took advantage of it.
• Limiting Arab Trade Control: They were able to contain the monopolistic trade of the Arabs. 
  • But it did not really help them, rather it benefited the British who removed pirates on the sea routes and made the sea voyage safe.

Portuguese (First European in India) Naval Mastery and Military Innovation: Shaping the Course of Indian Ocean Dominance #

•  Naval Superiority: During the Age of Discovery, the Portuguese held a significant edge in naval warfare due to their advanced naval artillery, state-of-the-art shipbuilding techniques, and unparalleled seamanship. 
  • The Portuguese Armadas with their cannon mounted ships were far superior to those of Indians and Arabs.
• New Methods in Warfare: The Portuguese were the first European in India to introduce a confrontational style of warfare, heavily influenced by their missionary zeal and antagonism towards Muslims and indigenous populations. 
  • Their innovative combat strategies and formidable military strength set them apart from other European nations.
  • Their use of matchlocks provided them a definitive advantage.
• Strategic Outposts: The Portuguese led by Albuquerque had a strategic vision of complete control of the Indian Ocean.

For this they established a network of fortified outposts– from Hormuz to Malacca, linked by armed vessels, to exert control over commerce in distant oceans.

Portuguese (First European in India) Fusion: Interweaving Cultures and Transforming Identities in Colonial India #

• Inter-racial marriage: The marriages between Europeans and Indians, encouraged by the Portuguese in the territories occupied by them, created a new Eurasian racial group. 
  • They were the ones who were later taken to other Portuguese colonies in Africa and Asia.
• Social changes: The conversions to Christianity, at the end of the violent phase, led to creation of a cosmopolitan culture in the regions due to mingling of people of various religions.
  • The Introduction of Christianity and the rule by its proponents introduced a new system of religion-based distinction leading to social inequality. 
  • It has led to development of distinct ‘Goan identity’ among the local population.
• Ink and Influence: Portuguese (First European in India) Pioneers and the Printing Press Revolution in Colonial India
  • Introduction of Printing press: The printing press was introduced in India by Portuguese traders in the 16th century. 
  • The first printing press in India was set up in 1556 at St. Paul’s College, Goa. 
  • The first printed works were not books, but theses called “Conclusoes”, which were loose sheets containing contested points among those in St. Paul’s College priestly training.
  • First Book: The first book published in India was “Conclusiones Philosophicas“

Contribution in Agriculture and Food: Portuguese Gifts of New Crops and Culinary Innovations #

• • New crops: The Portuguese introduced several crops to India like pineapple, papaya, cashew nuts, chilies and tobacco. 
    • They introduced the famous alphonso mango.
  • Fermentation Techniques: The Portuguese introduced techniques for fermenting yeast, leading to the production of leavened bread in India. 
    • This technique has become widespread, and leavened bread has become  a common staple in Indian cuisine.
• Cultural Crossroads: Portuguese (First European in India) Venture in Language, Literature, and Bridging Indian Narratives to the West
  • Local Language: Following the establishment of Portuguese settlements, Jesuit missionaries like Fr. Roberto de Nobili visited India, whose linguistic ability enabled him to write extensively in Tamil and Sanskrit. 
    • He is considered the Father of Tamil prose.
  • Historical account of India: Information about mediaeval Indian socio-economic conditions from Portuguese writers. 
    • Example: Duarte Barbosa wrote a detailed account of trade and society of south India.
  • Introducing India to the West: Not only stories about India were published, many important Indian texts were also translated into European languages.

• Commerce and Confluence: Portuguese (First european in India) Trading Ventures and Economic Transformations in Colonial India
  • Trading Centers: They set up trading centres across the coastal regions and these centres later developed into large cities. Eg. Goa, Daman and Diu.
  • Increase in Trade: The actual presence of Portuguese in India, made it a centre of trade between Europe and Asia.
  • Cartaz System: It was oppressive for Indian merchants as it limited their mobility and commercial activities while increasing costs. 
    • It also made them more vulnerable to attacks by pirates.

Conclusion: #

• The Portuguese(First European in India) made significant contributions in socio-economic and technological advancement.
  • But their colonial legacy also had adverse effects in many places, including the exploitation of native populations and the forced conversion of indigenous peoples to Christianity.