Summary of The Coming of the Europeans

SUMMARY

I

Akbar’s expansion of his empire in Gujarat and Bengal facilitating his contact with European trading companies and the establishment of Dutch and English settlements with the consent of Akbar and Jahangir are narrated

During the corresponding period how the Nayak rule in south India, especially the Nayak kingdoms in Madurai, Thanjavur and Senji had come about, are explained. Dutch Settlement in Pulicat with the permission of Nayak king in Senji is pointed out

Shivaji stalling Aurangzeb’s ambitious plans to extend his influence in south India and his victory over the Nayak rulers of Senji and Thanjavur facilitating Maratha rule in Thanjavur are highlighted

The establishment of successor states after the death of Aurangzeb, the moving of the Dutch from Pulicat to Nagapattinam, and the English moving from Surat to Bombay are dealt with

The economic condition of India during the period of survey of political developments (1600-1750), with focus on cotton cultivation in the field of agriculture, weaving in manufacturing sector and merchant groups involved in overseas trade are explained

Advent of Europeans and their collaboration with Indian merchants, laying the foundation for building a trading empire by the English are traced

II

Portuguese Settlements with Goa as headquarters and the impact of Portuguese presence in India, in particular in Tamilnadu, are elaborated

The Dutch East India Company’s activities with focus on slave trade are discussed

Pondicherry becoming French settlement and the rivalry between the French and the Dutch resulting in elimination of Dutch presence in the south are explained

The Danes establishing their Lutheran mission in Tranquebar and the role of Ziegenbalg as a missionary and the impact they made in the region are described

English East India Company’s rivalry with the French and the resultant three Carnatic Wars with focus on the leading roles played by Robert Clive on the side of the English and Dupleix on the side of the French are detailed

Battles of Plassey and Buxar that decisively made the British a territorial power in India are highlighted