ADVENT OF EUROPEANS

Published on 01 Oct 2025

European trade with India was not a novel phenomenon of the 15th century, On the contrary India and Europe maintained trade relations via land routes through Egypt, Syria, and the Oxus Valley. The Indian trade was very lucrative and the European traders found an opportunity to increase their revenues. 

The increased support of the ruling dynasties with active encouragement from the Church led to an age of exploration. Hence the new sea routes were found. 

Sequence of Arrival

Reasons for finding a direct sea route to India

• The monopoly of the Arabs: In 1453, the Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople, making Indian goods sold to European markets by Arab Middlemen costlier and trade less profitable to Europeans.

• Closing of traditional sea routes: The Arabs maintained state monopoly control of the Red Sea trade route along with the land routes to India. Therefore, they stopped the Europeans from using the same.

• Boom in seafaring activities: Shipbuilding and navigation witnessed a spurt during this period. Portugal and Spain were the frontrunners in that.

• Example: Prince Henry of Portugal funded and planned many expeditions earning him the moniker “The Navigator”.

• Religious quest: The finding of a direct sea link was supported by the church, especially the Pope as a  way to spread Christianity.

• Example: The Pope issued Portugal a Bull granting in perpetuity whichever land it discovers beyond the cape of Africa. This was on condition that heathens be converted to Christianity.

• Renaissance: The Renaissance of 15th century Europe greatly influenced sea exploration.

• Example: The Venetians such as Nicolo de Conti and Barbosa were influenced by the Renaissance and were one of the early travellers to India.

• Economic development: The expansion of land under cultivation, introduction of improved plough and advanced crop management techniques led to increased revenues and demand for oriental goods.

• Example: The demand rose along with the need for spices to make salted meat palatable during winters in Europe.

• Genoese effort: Genoese being the principal rivals of the Venetians were sidelined completely after the fall of Constantinople in 1453 which led to virtual blockage to access to the Black Sea ports. This led to the Genoese helping the Portuguese with ships and money.

• Example: Christopher Colombus who discovered America in 1492 in his efforts to find a direct sea route to India was a Genoese.

Why did the Europeans change from Trading to Ruling?

• Favourable political climate: The unreliable local alliances, easily influenced by money and promises, were replaced by the company’s direct control. This reduced political uncertainty.

• Example: The Nizam was tactfully displaced by Hyder Ali from the British’s side during the First Anglo-Mysore War only to become a rival to the crown.

• Profitability: The increasing demand for Oriental goods led to the greed to carve out a bigger share for oneself. This was not possible unless they had political control over the region

• Example: The introduction of The Dual System of Government in Bengal showed a huge increase in the revenues of the company.

• Monopolising tendencies: The rising competition in trade with India led to monopolising tendencies to maintain exclusive access to certain commodities and trade routes.

• Example: The dominance of Portuguese in the Indian Ocean through the Cartaz system and the Issue of Dastaks by British officials showed exclusivity.

• Stable markets: The territories can be used as a stable and reliable market for the goods produced in Europe from the Industrial Revolution.

• Example: The influx of manufactured goods from the mills of Manchester and Liverpool salt flooded the Indian market as the British rose to power. 

• Raw material sources: The steady supply of the raw materials was guaranteed from the colonies which can only be made possible if there is political control over the region.

• Example: The triangular trade with America, Africa and Europe is primarily focused on buying raw materials and selling manufactured goods. This also led to a pervasive slave trade in America and Europe.

• Gateway to sea domination: The peninsular structure of the Indian subcontinent makes it critical for dominance over the surrounding ocean. This widely helped the British in its quest for dominance.

• Example: The capture of Maldives (1887) and Mauritius (1810) which made way for dominance in the region was due to strategic ports in India.

Tags:
History & Culture

Keywords:
ADVENT OF EUROPEANS portuguese dutch british danes french Sequence of Arrival Reasons for finding a direct sea route to India Ottoman Turks Constantinople Closing of traditional sea routes Prince Henry of Portugal The Navigator Nicolo de Conti barbosa Renaissance Genoese effort Why did the Europeans change from Trading to Ruling Dual System of Government in Bengal east inida company british consolidation

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Modern Indian History