Coming of the Europeans and the Foundation of the Mughal Empire

Vocabulary terms regarding the arrival of European powers and the early Mughal period in India, based on lecture notes.

Vasco da Gama

A Portuguese explorer who discovered the sea-route from Europe to India in 1498, arriving at Calicut.

Portuguese

The first Europeans to come to India, whose primary concern was to monopolise the overseas trade of the country.

Mughals

A group that entered India through the land-route of north-western India and successfully acquired a kingdom.

Lisbon

The capital of Portugal and the starting point of Vasco da Gama's voyage.

Cape of Good Hope

The geographic point Vasco da Gama rounded to reach the eastern coast of India.

Calicut

The location on the Indian coast reached by Vasco da Gama on May 17, 1498.

San Gabriel

Vasco da Gama's flagship, which was fitted with twenty guns; the first ship to travel the Indian Ocean with mounted cannons.

Zamorin

The title of the petty ruler of Calicut at the time of the first Portuguese arrival.

Pedio Alvarez Cabral

The commander of eleven ships that sailed for India after news of Vasco da Gama's profitable return reached Portugal.

United East India Company of Netherlands

A Dutch company founded in 1602 to conduct business with India.

Surat

The location where English merchants landed upon their arrival in India.

Cinnamon and ginger

The primary goods Vasco da Gama brought back to the home market, sold at a profit of some sixty times.