1
Which Portuguese explorer reached Calicut in 1498, marking the beginning of a direct sea route from Europe to India?
🏛️ Advent of Europeans
Advent of Europeans
By Priya Sharma · Static GK Expert
50 Questions Indian History
This quiz covers the historical events, key personalities, and establishments related to the arrival of European powers in India from the 15th to the 18th century.
2
Who was the first Governor of the Portuguese in India?
3
The Dutch East India Company established their first factory in India at which location in 1605?
4
Which Portuguese Governor captured Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur in 1510?
5
Where was the first English factory in India established by the East India Company in 1613?
6
Which European power was the last to arrive in India as traders?
7
The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748) brought an end to which conflict in India?
8
Who was the Mughal Emperor when the British East India Company was formed in London?
9
Which city was founded by Job Charnock for the English East India Company?
10
The French were decisively defeated by the British in the Battle of Wandiwash in which year?
11
Which Danish settlement was the headquarters of the Danish East India Company in India?
12
What was the main objective of the 'Blue Water Policy' followed by Francisco de Almeida?
13
The island of Bombay was given to King Charles II of England as a dowry by which European power?
14
Who was the French Governor-General known for his aggressive expansionist policy in India?
15
Which of the following factory locations was known as 'Fort St. George'?
16
Which battle is often cited as the end of the French ambition for a colonial empire in India?
17
What was the primary motive behind the European advent in India?
18
Which ruler of Calicut granted the Portuguese the right to trade?
19
The British East India Company received a 'Golden Farman' from the Sultan of Golconda in which year?
20
Who among the following Europeans was the first to establish a printing press in India?
21
Which among the following was the first permanent European settlement in India established in 1503?
22
The Treaty of Paris (1763) was significant for which of the following reasons in the context of Indian history?
23
Which Mughal ruler issued a 'Farman' in 1717 granting the British East India Company significant trade concessions, including the right to issue Dastaks?
24
What was the specific name given to the French trading company in India?
25
Which of the following European powers built their headquarters at Negapatam after ousting the Portuguese?
26
In the context of the Carnatic Wars, who was the English commander during the Battle of Wandiwash?
27
The 'Cartaz' system, a form of naval trade license, was introduced by which European power to control maritime trade in the Indian Ocean?
28
Which Danish explorer established a factory at Tranquebar in 1620?
29
Which city was known as the 'City of the Golden Temple' but was actually the center of French influence in India?
30
The Battle of Bedara (1759) was fought between the British and whom?
31
Who was the first English ambassador to reach the court of Jahangir to seek trade concessions?
32
Which European power was the first to establish a 'factory' in Bengal at Hugli in 1651?
33
Which of the following locations served as the capital of the Portuguese State of India before it was shifted to Goa?
34
During the colonial era, what was the primary commodity the Dutch East India Company focused on trading in the Coromandel Coast?
35
Who was the founder of the French city of Pondicherry?
36
Which of the following is true about the status of the British East India Company in the year 1600?
37
Which European power established the 'Estado da India' to regulate their maritime trade?
38
The 'Interlopers' in the context of 17th-century Indian trade refers to:
39
Where did the French establish their first factory in India in 1668?
40
Which Portuguese explorer died in Kochi in 1524 while serving as the Viceroy of India for the second time?
41
Which specific Portuguese explorer led the fleet that arrived in Calicut shortly after Vasco da Gama's first voyage, establishing a permanent naval presence?
42
The British East India Company shifted its presidency from Surat to Bombay in 1687 primarily because:
43
Which French commander was sent to India in 1742 and is credited with initiating the policy of involving the Company in Indian political disputes?
44
What was the significance of the 'Dastak' issued by the British East India Company?
45
In the context of the Carnatic Wars, the 'Battle of St. Thome' (1746) was a conflict between the French and which Indian ruler?
46
Which European power was the first to issue a royal charter to their East India Company?
47
The English established their factory in Masulipatnam in 1611. Under whose permission was this factory set up?
48
Which Portuguese explorer is credited with discovering the Cape of Good Hope, opening the sea route to India?
49
Who was the English merchant who traveled to the Mughal court of Akbar in 1583 before the formation of the East India Company?
50
The Dutch were defeated by the British in the Battle of Bedara in 1759, which effectively ended their aspirations in:
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Important Notes — Advent of Europeans
The Age of Discovery and European Arrival in India
The arrival of Europeans in India marks the beginning of the Modern Period of Indian History. The primary objective was the control of the lucrative spice trade, previously dominated by Arab merchants via land routes.
Chronology of Arrival
The European powers arrived in India in the following order:
- Portuguese (1498): The first to arrive and the last to leave (1961).
- Dutch (1605): Focused primarily on the spice islands (Indonesia) and trade in Coromandel.
- English (1608): Established the East India Company, eventually dominating the subcontinent.
- Danes (1620): Had limited commercial success; sold settlements to the British in 1845.
- French (1668): The last major European power to arrive; became the primary rival of the British.
Key European Powers: Notable Figures and Establishments
The Portuguese Empire
- Vasco da Gama: Reached Calicut in 1498 via the Cape of Good Hope, guided by a Gujarati navigator, Kanha.
- Francisco de Almeida (1505–1509): The first Portuguese Viceroy in India. He introduced the "Blue Water Policy" (Cartaz system) to dominate the Indian Ocean.
- Albuquerque (1509–1515): Known as the "Real Founder" of Portuguese power. He captured Goa from the ruler of Bijapur in 1510.
- Legacy: Introduced the printing press (1556), tobacco cultivation, and Gothic architecture to India.
The British East India Company (EIC)
- Captain William Hawkins: Arrived in the court of Jahangir in 1608 seeking permission to trade.
- Sir Thomas Roe: Successfully secured a royal farman from Jahangir in 1615 to establish factories in Surat.
- Key Factories: The EIC established early trade centers at Surat (1612), Madras (1639), Bombay (1668), and Calcutta (1690).
- Battle of Plassey (1757): The turning point where the British transformed from a trading entity to a political power.
The French and Anglo-French Rivalry
- French East India Company: Founded in 1664 under Colbert during the reign of Louis XIV.
- Dupleix: The French Governor-General whose ambition led to the Carnatic Wars (1744–1763) against the British.
- The Result: The Battle of Wandiwash (1760) decisively ended French political ambitions in India, leaving the British as the undisputed European masters.
Important Exam Pointers for UPSC/SSC
- Why Europeans Succeeded: Superior naval technology, better organization, and the political fragmentation of India post-Aurangzeb.
- Strategic Hubs: Surat served as the gateway for early trade, while Bengal became the hub for wealth extraction due to its rich agricultural and textile base.
- The Cartaz System: A naval trade license issued by the Portuguese to control merchant ships in the Indian Ocean.
- Treaty of Paris (1763): Restored French factories in India but forbade them from fortifying their settlements, effectively neutralizing them.
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About the Author
PS
Priya Sharma Static GK Expert
Indian History · Geography · Polity & Economy Specialist
With 8+ years of teaching static GK for competitive exams, Priya has helped thousands of students master the foundational subjects that appear year after year in UPSC, SSC, and Railway exams. She focuses on making history, geography, and polity approachable through well-structured MCQs and memorable explanations.
