Entry of Europeans in India

Entry of Europeans in India

Entry of Europeans in India

After the invasion of Nadir Shah in A.D. 1740 when the Mughal empire seemed to be on its last legs, the European powers already in India became quite active for the establishment of their supremacy in this country, but the main conflict lay between the British and the French.

After the search of a sea-route by Vasco Da Gama, the Portuguese were the first to come to India. They established their colonies at various places in this country. Besides having a commercial setup, they also established their own political system in these colonies. They also organized an integrated naval power.

The Portuguese inspired other European nations to establish their companies in India. The east India Company of Britain was established in a.D. 1600 after getting a charter from Queen Elizabeth and in A.D. 1602 the Dutch East India Company was established. By the end of the 16^th century the Dutch of Holland and the Englishmen reached India. The Dutch defeated the Portuguese in A.D. 1658 and established their influence in south India. The Marathas also snatched Salsette and Bassein Island from the Portuguese in A.D. 1739.

The position of the Dutch had ever been quite strong in India. When their influence was increasing, they had to face a several competition with the Britishers. The struggle between the Dutch and the British became quite severe during the 17^th century. The Dutch failed to face the English and were defeated badly in the battle of Vedara. Hence in A.D. 1845 they sold their colonies to the Britishers and left India bag and baggage.

The French were the last to enter India. The French East India Company was established in A.D. 1664. They established their colonies in Surat, Pondicherry and Masalipattam and gradually they captured Mauritius, Mahi and Karekal. In fact the position of the French East India Company improved to some extent after A.D. 1736 when Dumas became the governor of Pondicherry. He was replaced by Dupleix in A.D. 1741.

After measuring their swords with the Portuguese and the Dutch, the British wee left with only one rival, the French. Both the British and the French wanted to establish their control over the trade and commerce of India and it was possible only when either of the two had been removed from the seen completely. Both these powers had their own powerful armies. With the help of their armies both remained busy in the extension of territory and intervened in the conflicts of the native states and obtained land and concessions in lieu of their services from the victors. Thus, a tug of war started between the two in their roles of being helpers of the native states. The French recovered Karekal in lieu of their services to the ruler of Tanjour. They also had to wage pitched battle against the British East India Company in which the latter ultimately achieved success.

The above description clearly indicates that in A.D. 1740 the political condition of entire India was quite unstable and uncertain. The Mughal Empire was breaking up rapidly. The Governors of Avadh, Bengal and Deccan declared their independence. Marathas established their sway over Malwa and Gujarat. Afghans occupied the north-west provinces. The Rajputs of Rajputana and Bundelkhand declared their independence and the power of Jats of Bharatpur reached its climax. The native states began to struggle against one another due to the weaknesses of the central government. European powers also started taking part in the wars of succession for their own selfish motives. Hence chaos and confusion prevailed everywhere. With the disintegration of the Mughal rule in India, struggle for supremacy became all the more severe and intricate.

Milan Tomic

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