History of India can be dated as far as 5300 years ago. Modern Indian History is considered the history 1850 onwards. A major part of Modern Indian History was occupied by the British Rule in India. In this chapter, we'll learn about Modern Indian History i.e. British Rule, Freedom Struggle, Independence and so on.
The mid 18th century is considered the Modern Period in the history of India
In the AD 17th -18th centuries India became a center action for many European nation, who were inspired by the new spirit of adventure and the discovery.
The Portuguese
- vasco DA Gama was the the first to come on 17th May, 1948 from Lisbon to port of Calicut in India via direct sea-route from Europe to India.
- Almeida reached India in September 1505, built a fort at Anjadiva Mannaur and Cochin.
- The first Governor of Portuguese in India was Fransisco Almeida (1505-1509). He introduced 'The policy of blue water' Albuquerque (1509-1515), the next Governor, built a great territorial power in India.
- They established trading settlements at Calicut,Cochin and cannanore, Cochin was the early capital of Portuguese in India, later on replaced by on Goa.
- The Portuguese were able to established their settlements near the sea in Diu, Daman, Salsette, Bassien, Chaul and Bombay on the western coast and san Thome near Madras and Hoogly in Bengal.
The Dutch
- In 1602, the Dutch East India Company was formed and the Dutch Parliament by the Charter, gave it powers to make wars.
- The Dutch gradually set-up factories at Masulipatnam (1605), Pulicat (1610), Surat (1616), Bimilipatnam (1641), Karikal (6045), Chinsura, Kasimbazar, Boranagore, Patna, Balasore, Nagapatnam and Cochin.
- In 18th century, Dutch power in India began to decline and finally, collapsed with their defeat by English in the Battle of Bedara in 1759.
The English
- English East India Company was founded in AD 1600 by the Merchants of London, started traded in India.
- It was started in 31st December 1600 by the Queen Elizabeth and granted term monopoly of eastern trade.
- Jahangir permitted the East India Company to establish factories at several places in empire. Gradually, the company established factories at Agra, Ahmadabad, Baroda. Broach, Bombay, Surat, Madras, Masulipatnam and different parts of Orissa, Bihar and Bengal.
- The Island of Bombay was acquired by the East India Company from the British government in 1668 and was immediately fortified.
- The first factor of English world established at Surat in 1612.
The Danish
- Danish East India company was founded in AD 1616. The Danish established settlement at Bengal (Serampur), in 1676 at the Tranqueber (Tamil Nadu) in 1620.
The French
- The French East India Company, was founded in AD 1664 by the Colbert.
- The first French Factories was establishing Surat (1668) and the second at Masulipatnam (1669) and also laid the foundation of the Pondicherry.
- In Bengal they build a factory Chander Nagore near Calcutta.
- The governor's, Lenoir and Dumas revived the French power in India between 1720-42.
- Battle of Wandiwash (1760) British defeated French.
