History / Kerala History

Portuguese in Kerala - Arrival of Europeans in Kerala | PSC Notes

Arrival of Europeans

1. Who were the major foreign sea traders with Kerala before the arrival of Europeans?

Answer:

The Arabs were the major foreign sea traders with Kerala before the Europeans.
The major trade route between India and Europe was the Silk Route.
The Silk Route remained important up to the first half of the 15th century.
In 1453, the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople, encouraging Europeans to search for alternative sea routes to India.

2. In what order did the major European powers arrive in Kerala by sea?

Answer:

Portuguese
Dutch
English
French

3. Who was Bartolomeu Dias and what was his significance?

Answer:

Bartolomeu Dias was a Portuguese navigator.
He reached the southern tip of Africa in 1488.
He named it the Cape of Good Hope.
He was the first European to sail around the southernmost tip of Africa.
His voyage helped open the sea route towards India.

4. Who was Vasco da Gama and when did he first reach Kerala?

Answer:

Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese navigator.
He was the first Portuguese captain to reach India by sea.
He reached Kappad near Kozhikode on 20 May 1498.
He was sent by Dom Manuel, King of Portugal.
He began his voyage from Lisbon in July 1497.
His ships included:
São Gabriel
São Raphel
São Bariyo

5. What happened when Vasco da Gama first arrived at Calicut?

Answer:

The Zamorin of Calicut received Vasco da Gama with traditional respect.
The gifts brought by Gama did not impress the Zamorin.
Arab merchants opposed the Portuguese presence.
Despite this opposition, Gama obtained a letter of concession for trading rights.
The Portuguese were unable to pay the required customs duties and the price of goods in gold.
Calicut officials temporarily detained Portuguese agents as security for payment.
Gama became angry and forcibly took some natives and 16 fishermen.
He then left for Cannanore.
The Kolathiri Raja received him and offered trading facilities at Kannur.
Gama returned to Lisbon in 1499.

6. What happened during Vasco da Gama's second voyage to Kerala in 1502?

Answer:

Vasco da Gama returned in 1502 with 15 ships and about 800 men.
He attacked and captured Arab vessels on the way to Cannanore.
The Zamorin offered to forget the previous Portuguese actions and take action against those responsible for the conflict.
Gama demanded the expulsion of all Arab merchants from Calicut.
The Zamorin refused.
Gama then bombarded Calicut.
He proceeded to Cochin, where he made a trade agreement with the Cochin ruler at fixed prices.
The ruler of Kollam also invited Gama for spice trade.
Gama accepted the invitation with the permission of the Cochin king.
On his return, he encountered the Zamorin's fleet but escaped without serious loss.

7. What were the important facts about Vasco da Gama's final visit and death?

Answer:

Gama made his third and final visit to Kerala in 1524.
He came as the Viceroy of Portuguese India.
He died on 24 December 1524.
His remains were taken to Portugal in 1539.
Vasco da Gama is also the name of a place in Goa.

8. Who was Pero da Covilha?

Answer:

Pero da Covilha was a Portuguese who, according to the traditional account in the notes, came to Kerala.

9. Who was Pedro Álvares Cabral and what did he do in Kerala?

Answer:

Pedro Álvares Cabral led the second Portuguese expedition to India.
He reached Kozhikode in 1500 with six ships.
The Portuguese obtained permission to establish a factory at Calicut.
Conflict developed with Arab merchants.
After the massacre of the crew of an Arab vessel, Cabral was forced to move to Cochin.
The Portuguese objectives were:
Trade monopoly
Spread of Christianity
The Zamorins opposed these objectives.
The Cochin Raja warmly received Cabral in 1500 and provided trading facilities.
The rulers of Quilon and Cannanore promised assistance.
At Cannanore, the Kolathiri Raja helped Cabral load cargo.
Cabral eventually returned to Portugal.

10. What is important to remember about João de Nova?

Answer:

João de Nova was associated with the Third Armada.
He had advance information about the hostility of the Zamorin.
Therefore, he avoided Calicut.
He landed at Cochin and Cannanore.

11. Who was Francisco de Almeida and what was his major policy?

Answer:

Francisco de Almeida was the first Viceroy of India.
He was appointed in 1505 by the Portuguese King.
The St Angelo Fort was built in 1505.
Almeida introduced the Blue Water Policy.
Its main objective was to:
Strengthen the Portuguese navy
Establish Portuguese supremacy over the Indian Ocean
Portuguese traders were killed at Quilon.
Almeida's son Lawrence led Portuguese forces and destroyed Calicut ships.

12. Which major naval forces were defeated by Francisco de Almeida?

Answer:
Almeida defeated a joint fleet consisting of forces from:

Mamluk Burji Sultan of Egypt
Ottoman Empire
Zamorin of Calicut
Sultan of Gujarat

The defeat weakened Egyptian and Ottoman influence in the Indian Ocean and helped the Portuguese establish a strong trading position in Indian waters.

13. Who was Albuquerque and what were his major objectives?

Answer:

Albuquerque was the second Viceroy of Portuguese India.
His major objectives were:
Domination over Muslim powers
Monopoly over the spice trade
He fought the ruler of Bijapur.
He captured Goa in 1510.
He also attacked Calicut during his early period.

14. What were the important terms of Albuquerque's treaty with the Zamorin in 1513?

Answer:
The 1513 treaty included:

Portuguese could construct a fort at Calicut at a place of their choice.
Portuguese could conduct business through barter.
The price of pepper would be the same as at Cochin.
A portion of customs revenue would be paid to the Portuguese king as tribute.
Compensation would be provided for earlier Portuguese losses.
Portuguese would help the Zamorin in wars against local rulers.
The Cochin Raja protested against the agreement.

15. What administrative and social reforms were introduced by Albuquerque?

Answer:

Indians were recruited into the Portuguese army.
Indians were trained in European military methods.
Schools were established.
New coinage was introduced.
Sati was prohibited.
Strict administration of justice was introduced.
Portuguese corruption was not tolerated.
Marriages between Portuguese men and local women were encouraged.
Mixed colonies were established to strengthen Portuguese power.

16. What are the important facts about Portuguese forts and colonies in India?

Answer:

Fort Manuel was constructed in 1503 and is traditionally described in these notes as the earliest European fort in India.
Major Portuguese colonies included:
Goa
Daman and Diu
Manuel Antonio Vassalo e Silva was the last Governor-General of Portuguese India.

17. Who were the Kunjali Marakkars and why are they important?

Answer:

The Kunjali Marakkars were the admirals of the Zamorin's navy.
The four important Kunjalis were:

Kutti Ahmed Ali
Kutti Pokker Ali
Pattu Kunjali
Mohammed Ali

They challenged Portuguese naval supremacy in Indian waters.
They are particularly important for their naval resistance against the Portuguese.

18. What were the important events connected with Kutti Ali and the early Kunjalis?

Answer:

In 1524, the Calicut fleet under Kutti Ali inflicted heavy damage on Portuguese vessels.
Kutti Ali used small, fast, armed boats.
He developed sea guerrilla warfare.
Portuguese commander Henrique de Menezes launched an expedition against him.
Several Portuguese ships were destroyed at Ponnani.
In 1525, the Portuguese attacked Pantalayani Kollam, an important Kunjali stronghold.
Kutti Ali was killed in 1531.
He was succeeded by Kunjali II.
Kunjali II reorganised the naval forces with Pachachi Marakkar.

19. What are the most important facts about Chaliyam Fort and Kunjali III?

Answer:

In 1531, the Portuguese built a fort at Chaliyam with the consent of the Raja of Tanur.
Chaliyam Fort helped the Portuguese re-establish their position in the region.
Kunjali III captured Chaliyam Fort in 1571.
Chaliyam Fort was described as “a pistol held at the Zamorin's throat.”
The fort had been built by Nuno da Cunha, Governor of Portuguese possessions in India from 1529–1538.
The headquarters of the Kunjalis was Kottakal.
After the Portuguese were expelled from Chaliyam, the Kunjalis became extremely powerful.
Kunjali III built Marakkar Kotta at Kottakal with the permission of the Zamorin.

20. What happened between Kunjali IV, the Zamorin and the Portuguese?

Answer:

The Portuguese later received permission to establish a factory at Ponnani.
The Zamorin also allowed them to establish a church there.
The Marakkars opposed these decisions.
Kunjali IV became chief in 1595.
He strengthened the Kottakal fortress.
He openly challenged the authority of the Zamorin.
The conflict between Kunjali IV and the Zamorin increased.
The Portuguese supported the Zamorin and attacked Kunjali's fort.
Kunjali surrendered to the Zamorin on the condition that he would not be handed over to the Portuguese.
The Zamorin broke the promise and handed Kunjali over to the Portuguese.
Kunjali IV was executed.

21. What are the important facts associated with Kunjali Marakkar in modern times?

Answer:

INS Kunjali is a naval training centre at Mumbai.
A Kunjali Marakkar monument is located at Kottakal.
A 2000 stamp was issued in memory of Kunjali Marakkar.

22. What were the important Portuguese-Zamorin treaties?

Answer:

1513: Treaty of Cannanore according to the notes.
1540: Treaty of Ponnani.

23. What were the major contributions of the Portuguese to Kerala and India?

Answer:
The Portuguese introduced or popularised:

Tobacco cultivation
Pineapple
Papaya
Cashew
Tapioca
Printing press
European school
Gothic architecture
Chavittunadakam

Important institutions:

First printing press at Goa
Printing presses at Kochi and Vypin
India's first European school at Kochi

24. What was the political impact of Portuguese rule in Kerala?

Answer:

Portuguese activities limited the power of the Zamorin.
They formed alliances with the enemies of the Zamorin.
Their interventions increased hostility among local rulers.
These political divisions later helped the Mysore Sultans in their conquest of Kerala.

25. What was the agricultural and economic impact of the Portuguese?

Answer:

Portuguese encouraged agriculture.
They introduced scientific and innovative agricultural practices.
Productive varieties of coconut were imported.
Coconut cultivation expanded.
The coir trade flourished.
They introduced or popularised:
Papaya
Pineapple
Cashew
Watermelon
Indian beans
Guava

26. What was the architectural and military impact of Portuguese rule?

Answer:

Architecture

European architectural styles appeared in churches and residential buildings.
European-style bungalows became popular.

Military

European weapons and military technology were introduced.
Construction of forts became more common.
Keralites learned the use and manufacture of:
Guns
Cannons

27. What was the impact of Portuguese rule on towns and urban development?

Answer:

Portuguese built new towns and markets.
Calicut, Cochin and Chaliyam developed.
Older centres such as Kollam and Kodungalloor declined in importance.

28. What were the religious and educational impacts of Portuguese rule?

Answer:

Portuguese promoted Roman Catholicism.
Colleges were established at:
Kochi
Angamaly
Portuguese and Latin languages gained importance.
Printing presses were established at Kochi and Vypin.

29. What was the cultural impact of Portuguese rule in Kerala?

Answer:

Chavittunadakam developed as a blend of Portuguese and Kerala cultural traditions.
It has similarities with Kathakali.
Portuguese influence also introduced European styles of dress, architecture and various objects into Kerala society.

30. Which Malayalam words are associated with Portuguese influence?

Answer:

Important examples include:

Lelam
Chavi
Vijagiri
Alamara
Verantha
Mesha
Chaya
Kasera
Vikari

31. What was the Synod of Diamper?

Answer:

The Synod of Diamper was held on 20 June 1599.
It was led by Aleixo de Menezes, the Latin-rite Archbishop of Goa.
The Portuguese considered the Pope the supreme head of the Christian faith.
The Synod imposed major changes on the St Thomas Christians.
The church language was changed from Syriac to Latin.
Around 813 representatives participated.

32. What was the Coonan Cross Revolt of 1653?

Answer:

The Coonan Cross Oath took place on 3 January 1653 at Mattanchery.
Members of the St Thomas Christian community publicly declared that they would not submit to Portuguese domination.
It became a major turning point in the relationship between the St Thomas Christians and the Portuguese.
A major trigger was the imprisonment of Ahatolla, a Syrian priest from Babylon.
A rumour spread that the Portuguese had murdered Ahatolla at Mylapore.
This contributed to the revolt against Portuguese religious and political interference.

33. What is Tuhfat-ul-Mujahideen?

Answer:

Tuhfat-ul-Mujahideen was written by Zainuddin Makhdoom II.
It describes the struggle between the Mappila Muslims of Malabar and South Canara and Portuguese colonial forces.
It deals particularly with the 16th-century resistance.
It is considered, according to the notes, the first historical work of Kerala authored by a Keralite.
It describes the resistance of the Kunjali Marakkar navy and the Zamorin of Calicut against Portuguese attempts to colonise the Malabar coast.
It covers approximately 1498–1583.
It also provides information about:
Chronology
Social life
Customs
Family structure

34. Why did Portuguese power decline in Kerala and India?

Answer:
The major reasons included:

Portugal was a small country and found it difficult to maintain a large overseas empire.
Portuguese activities created hostility among native rulers.
Their reputation as aggressive sea powers created opposition.
Their rigid religious policies made them unpopular among sections of Hindus and Muslims.
The arrival of the Dutch and British created strong competition.
Portuguese power gradually declined as other European powers became stronger.

35. What is Operation Vijay and when did Portuguese rule finally end?

Answer:

Operation Vijay was the Indian military operation to end Portuguese rule in Goa, Daman and Diu.
It took place in December 1961.
The key date is 19 December 1961.
Portuguese rule in these territories ended after the operation.
According to the notes, V. K. Krishna Menon described it as a “Police action.”
The Portuguese were therefore the first major European power to arrive in India by sea and remained in parts of India until 1961.

Timeline of Portuguese in Kerala

1453 → Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople
1488 → Bartolomeu Dias → Cape of Good Hope
1498 → Vasco da Gama → Kappad
20 May 1498 → Vasco da Gama reached Kozhikode
1500 → Pedro Álvares Cabral
1505 → Francisco de Almeida → 1st Viceroy + Blue Water Policy
1510 → Albuquerque captured Goa
1513 → Treaty of Cannanore
1524 → Vasco da Gama's final visit and death
1524 → Kutti Ali damaged Portuguese fleet
1525 → Portuguese attacked Pantalayani Kollam
1531 → Portuguese built Chaliyam Fort
1571 → Kunjali III captured Chaliyam Fort
1540 → Treaty of Ponnani
1595 → Kunjali IV became chief
1599 → Synod of Diamper
1653 → Coonan Cross Revolt
1498–1583 → Period covered in Tuhfat-ul-Mujahideen
1961 → Operation Vijay
19 December 1961 → End of Portuguese rule in Goa, Daman and Diu