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Chronology of Important Portuguese Figures in India (1498–1538)

1. Vasco da Gama ➤ Timeline: 1498, 1501, 1524 ➤ Background: Portuguese explorer; first European to reach India via sea.
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Chronology of Important Portuguese Figures in India (1498–1538)

🔹 1. Vasco da Gama

➤ Timeline: 1498, 1501, 1524
➤ Background:

  • Portuguese explorer; first European to reach India via sea.

➤ Key Events:

  • 1498: Arrived at Calicut (Kozhikode), guided by Gujarati pilot Abdul Majid; received by Zamorin.

  • Earned huge profits from spice trade (especially pepper).

  • 1501: Returned and established a factory at Cannanore.

  • 1524: Returned as Viceroy, but died in Cochin three months later.

🔹 2. Pedro Alvarez Cabral

➤ Timeline: 1500
➤ Background:

  • Portuguese nobleman and navigator; led second voyage to India.

➤ Key Events:

  • 1500: Landed at Calicut; set up a factory.

  • Portuguese factory attacked → retaliated by burning Arab ships and bombarding Calicut.

  • Despite violence, later negotiated trade treaties with Cochin and Cannanore.

🔹 3. Francisco de Almeida

➤ Tenure as Governor: 1505–1509
➤ Background:

  • First Portuguese Governor of India.

  • Sent by Portuguese king to strengthen naval dominance.

➤ Key Policies & Events:

  • Objectives: Crush Muslim trade, control Aden, Ormuz, Malacca.

  • Fortresses established at Anjadiva, Cochin, Cannanore, Kilwa.

  • 1507: Son killed in naval battle off Diu by Egyptian-Gujarati fleet.

  • 1509: Avenged loss at Battle of Diu, defeating Mameluke-Venetian-Gujarati alliance.

  • Introduced Blue Water Policy (focus on naval dominance) and Cartaz system (naval pass system for trade ships).

🔹 4. Alfonso de Albuquerque

➤ Tenure as Governor: 1509–1515
➤ Background:

  • Succeeded Almeida; known as the real founder of Portuguese power in India.

➤ Key Contributions:

  • Conquests: Goa (1510) from Sultan of Bijapur, Malacca, Hormuz, Red Sea ports.

  • Goa became first European territorial possession in India since Alexander.

  • Introduced:

    • Permit system for trade.

    • New crops: Tobacco, Cashew nut, improved coconut.

    • Reforms: Abolished Sati, promoted intermarriage, gave land to Portuguese settlers.

  • Harsh on Muslims; Portuguese seen as defenders of Christendom.

🔹 5. Nino da Cunha

➤ Tenure as Governor: 1529–1538
➤ Background:

  • Took office in November 1529.

➤ Key Contributions:

  • 1530: Shifted capital from Cochin to Goa.

  • 1534: Bahadur Shah of Gujarat sought Portuguese help vs. Humayun → ceded Bassein and promised Diu.

  • 1536–1537: Tensions post-Humayun's withdrawal; Bahadur Shah killed on a Portuguese ship during talks.

  • Promoted Portuguese settlement in Bengal, set up base at Hooghly.

🔔 Summary Timeline:

Year Event
1498 Vasco da Gama reaches Calicut
1500 Cabral establishes factory in Calicut
1505 Francisco de Almeida becomes Governor
1509 Battle of Diu, Albuquerque becomes Governor
1510 Goa captured
1524 Death of Vasco da Gama in Cochin
1529 Nino da Cunha becomes Governor
1530 Capital shifted to Goa
1534 Bassein ceded to Portuguese
1537 Bahadur Shah killed during Portuguese negotiations

🧠 UPSC Prelims Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements about Vasco da Gama:

  1. He was guided to India by an Arab pilot.

  2. He established a Portuguese factory at Goa.

  3. He died in India during his third visit.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3

✅ Answer: C
(He was guided by a Gujarati pilot, not Arab. Goa was acquired later by Albuquerque.)

2. The Battle of Diu (1509) was fought between the Portuguese and which of the following combined forces?
A. Bahmani Sultanate and Ottoman Turks
B. Egyptians and Zamorin of Calicut
C. Gujarat Sultanate, Egyptians, and Venetians
D. Mughal Empire and Bengal Nawabs

✅ Answer: C

3. Who among the following is considered the real founder of Portuguese power in India?
A. Vasco da Gama
B. Francisco de Almeida
C. Alfonso de Albuquerque
D. Nino da Cunha

✅ Answer: C

4. Match the following Portuguese officials with their contributions:

Official Contribution
Alfonso de Albuquerque Capture of Goa
Nino da Cunha Shifted HQ to Goa
Francisco de Almeida Introduced Blue Water Policy
Pedro Cabral Bombarded Calicut after factory attack

Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2, 3, and 4
D. 2 and 4 only

✅ Answer: C

5. The Cartaz system introduced by the Portuguese was primarily meant to:
A. Collect land revenue from coastal towns.
B. Issue passes to control maritime trade.
C. Ensure religious conversions.
D. Register Portuguese citizens in India.

✅ Answer: B


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