Written Sources:
Literature and Books: With the advent of the printing press, numerous books were published in various languages. These books covered a wide range of subjects including art, literature, history, and science. Travel accounts, diaries, autobiographies, pamphlets, government documents, and manuscripts are also important written sources.
Travel Accounts and Diaries: Many foreign travelers, traders, missionaries, and civil servants who came to India during the 18th and 19th centuries left behind detailed accounts of their experiences and impressions. An example is Ananda Rangam’s diaries, which recorded events in French India from 1736 to 1760.
Government Documents: These include state papers and official records maintained by the Portuguese, Dutch, French, Danes, and English. Archives at Lisbon, Goa, Pondicherry, and Madras house precious historical records.
Archives: The National Archives of India (NAI) in New Delhi is the main repository of government records, providing authentic evidence about India’s past. The Tamil Nadu Archives in Chennai is another important repository, preserving documents in multiple languages including English, Dutch, Danish, Persian, and Marathi.
Material Sources:
Coins: Coins provide valuable information about the economic history and administrative practices. The first modern coinage in India under British rule was issued in 1862, and the Reserve Bank of India was set up in 1935 to issue paper currency.
Buildings and Forts: Historical buildings such as St. Francis Church at Cochin, St. George Fort in Madras, and India Gate in New Delhi reflect different styles and techniques of Indian architecture.
Paintings and Statues: These serve as sources of information about the achievements of national leaders and historical personalities.
Museums: Museums collect and preserve objects of religious, cultural, and historical value. The National Museum in Delhi, established in 1949, is the largest museum in India.
Audio-Visual Media: Modern sources include television, films, the internet, and other forms of audio-visual media that document contemporary events and cultural expressions.
How did the Portuguese establish their trading centres in India?
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish a significant presence in India, motivated by the quest for new trade routes and economic gains. Here is how they established their trading centres:
Vasco da Gama’s Arrival (1498): Vasco da Gama’s successful voyage to Calicut in 1498, where he was welcomed by King Zamorin, marked the beginning of Portuguese influence in India.
Pedro Alvares Cabral (1500): Following Vasco da Gama, Pedro Alvares Cabral arrived in Calicut in 1500 with a fleet and established a trading post. However, conflicts with the local ruler led to further military engagements.
Establishment of Trading Posts: The Portuguese established several trading posts and factories along the Indian coast. Notable among them were at Cannanore, Calicut, and Cochin. Cochin became the first capital of the Portuguese East India Company.
Military and Naval Power: Francisco de Almeida, the first Governor of Portuguese India (1505-1509), aimed to enhance Portuguese naval power. His “Blue Water Policy” helped secure Portuguese dominance over the Indian Ocean.
Alfonso de Albuquerque: He is considered the real founder of Portuguese power in India. He captured Goa in 1510 and established it as the administrative centre of Portuguese India. Albuquerque also secured Portuguese interests by encouraging marriages between Portuguese men and Indian women and maintaining friendly relations with local rulers.
Expansion: The Portuguese expanded their control to other areas such as Daman, Diu, Bassein, Salsette, Chaul, and Bombay on the western coast, and Hooghly on the Bengal coast.
Decline: Despite initial successes, Portuguese power began to decline in the 17th century due to competition from the Dutch and the English. By 1739, their control was reduced to Goa, Diu, and Daman.
How did the British establish their trading centres in India?
The British East India Company, founded in 1600, systematically established trading centres in India, which later paved the way for British colonial rule. Here is how they did it:
Royal Charter (1600): On 31st December 1600, Queen Elizabeth I granted a charter to the British East India Company, allowing it to trade with the East Indies.
Captain Hawkins and Surat (1608-1613): Captain William Hawkins arrived at the court of Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1608 to seek trading privileges. Despite initial setbacks due to Portuguese opposition, the English eventually established a factory in Surat in 1613 following their victory over the Portuguese at the Battle of Swally in 1612.
Sir Thomas Roe (1615-1619): Sent by King James I, Sir Thomas Roe’s mission to Jahangir’s court resulted in a commercial treaty, allowing the English to establish more trading centres. By the time Roe left India, the English had set up trading posts at Surat, Agra, Ahmadabad, and Broach.
Madras (1639): Francis Day obtained a lease for Madras (Chennai) from the local Nayak rulers and established Fort St. George in 1640, which became a major trading post and the administrative headquarters of the English on the eastern coast.
Bombay (1668): The island of Bombay was acquired from King Charles II, who received it as part of the dowry from the Portuguese upon his marriage to Catherine of Braganza. The East India Company leased Bombay in 1668, developing it into a significant trading centre.
Calcutta (1690): Job Charnock established a factory at Sutanuti, which, along with the villages of Kalikata and Govindpur, grew into the city of Calcutta. The construction of Fort William in 1700 secured British interests in Bengal.
Military Successes: The Battle of Plassey (1757) and the Battle of Buxar (1764) marked significant military victories for the British East India Company, leading to political and administrative control over large parts of India.
Consolidation: By the mid-18th century, the British had firmly established trading centres and administrative control over key regions, setting the stage for British colonial rule following the dissolution of the East India Company in 1858.
