Colonialism and European Powers

What is Colonialism?

Colonialism is the practice where one country takes control of another region, establishes settlements, and imposes its political, economic, and cultural systems.

• Motivation: Access to natural resources, new markets, trade routes, and sometimes religious conversion (“civilising mission”).
• Reality: It often involved the massacre or enslavement of native populations and the exploitation of local wealth.

Early European Powers in India

Before the British dominance, other European powers established footholds in India.

1. The Portuguese (Est. 1498)

• Arrival: Vasco da Gama arrived at Kappad (near Kozhikode) in 1498.
• Strategy: Aggressive naval dominance.
  • Cartaz System: A pass required by all ships in the Arabian Sea; ships without it were seized.
  • Inquisition: Established in Goa (1560), it persecuted non-Christians and forced conversions.
• Decline: Displaced by Dutch and British, restricted mainly to Goa, Daman, and Diu.

2. The Dutch (Early 17th Century)

• Focus: Commerce, primarily the spice trade.
• Settlements: Pulicat, Nagapattinam, Surat, and Cochin.
• Battle of Colachel (1741): A rare instance where an Asian power (King Marthanda Varma of Travancore) decisively defeated a European naval force. This effectively ended Dutch colonial ambitions in India.

3. The French (Est. 1664)

• Key Figure: Dupleix (Governor-General). He pioneered the use of disciplined Indian infantry (sepoys) and interference in local dynastic disputes—strategies later perfected by the British.
• Conflict: Fought the Carnatic Wars (1746–1763) against the British.
• Outcome: Defeated by the British; restricted to Pondicherry and a few enclaves.