Modern History: Advent of Europeans in India

Historical vocabulary and key events regarding the arrival of European powers, major battles, and administrative treaties in India.

Treaty of Tordesillas

A treaty signed on $7^{\text{th}}$ June $1494$ that divided the newly discovered lands into two spheres of influence, with lands to the east belonging to Portugal and lands to the west to Spain.

Vasco da Gama

A Portuguese explorer who discovered the sea route to India and arrived in Calicut in $1498$ during the rule of King Zamorin.

Francisco de Almeida

The first Portuguese Viceroy of India who introduced the "Blue Water Policy" (Cartaz System) to control trade in the Indian Ocean.

Blue Water Policy

Also known as the Cartaz System, it was a trade licensing system that allowed the Portuguese to control activities in the Indian Ocean.

Afonso de Albuquerque

The second Portuguese Governor of India who captured Goa in $1510$ and abolished the practice of Sati.

Nuno da Cunha

A Portuguese Governor who moved the colonial capital from Cochin to Goa in $1530$.

Dutch East India Company

A company formed in $1602$ by the people from Netherlands; they established their first factory in Masulipatnam in $1605$.

Golden Farman

Also known as the Magna Carta of Trade, it was issued by Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar in $1717$, allowing the British to trade freely in Bengal for an annual payment of $3,000$ Rupees.

Dastaks

Trade permits granted to the British East India Company by the Mughal Emperor to move goods freely.

Battle of Swally (Suvali)

A battle in Surat in $1612$ where the British forces defeated the Portuguese.

Battle of Bedara

A battle in $1759$ taking place on the banks of the Hooghly river where the British defeated the Dutch forces.

Battle of Wandiwash

A decisive battle in $1760$ during the $3^{\text{rd}}$ Carnatic War where British forces under Sir Eyre Coote defeated the French forces under Comte de Lally.

Black Hole Tragedy

A $1756$ incident in Fort William, Calcutta, where British prisoners were held in a small, airless room by Siraj-ud-Daulah, instigating Robert Clive to take revenge.

Battle of Plassey

Fought in $1757$ between the British forces led by Robert Clive and the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah, marking the formal beginning of the British Empire in India.

Battle of Buxar

A $1764$ conflict where British forces led by Hector Munro defeated the combined forces of Shuja-ud-Daulah, Mir Qasim, and Shah Alam II.

Treaty of Allahabad

A $1765$ agreement that granted the East India Company Diwani (revenue) rights over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa in exchange for an annual payment of $26$ lakh Rupees.

Dual Government

A system in Bengal where the East India Company held both Diwani (revenue) and Nizamat (military and judicial) functions.

Battle of Porto Novo

A $1781$ battle during the $2^{\text{nd}}$ Anglo-Mysore War where Sir Eyre Coote defeated Hyder Ali.

Subsidiary Alliance

A policy introduced by Lord Wellesley in $1798$ where Indian rulers paid a subsidy for a British Garrison and had to seek permission for treaties with other powers.

Treaty of Amritsar (1809)

An agreement between Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the British that established the Sutlej river as the boundary of the Sikh Kingdom.

Battle of Aliwal

A part of the $1^{\text{st}}$ Anglo-Sikh War in $1846$ which led to the defeat of the Sikh Empire and the cession of Jammu & Kashmir.

Policy of Masterly Inactivity

A policy implemented by Governor-General John Lawrence toward the Afghan Empire during his tenure.

Treaty of Yandaboo

An $1826$ treaty that marked the end of the $1^{\text{st}}$ Anglo-Burma War.