Home > Indian History > History of India > Causes of Portuguese Failure in India
Causes of Portuguese Failure in India
Causes of Portuguese Failure in India is mainly the growing corruption among the Portuguese officers and the coming of Portugal under the control of Spain.

Share this Article:

Many causes were responsible for the failure of the Portuguese Empire in India. After the death of Alfonso de Albuquerque, no strong person was sent by the Portuguese Government to India and the result was that the Portuguese Empire began to disintegrate in India. The Portuguese administration in India was very corrupt. The salaries of the officers were very low and they did not feel any hesitation to accept bribes from any quarter. The bulk of the Portuguese officers were selfish. Unmindful of the sufferings of the people they were bent upon making fortunes for themselves. The religious policy of the Portuguese was also responsible for their ruin.

The Portuguese had introduced Inquisition into India and they committed atrocities on those who were not Christians. They used all kinds of methods for the conversions of Indians to Christianity. Their coercive methods created bitterness in the minds of the people. One such instance was in the year 1540 all Hindu temples in Goa were destroyed by the Portuguese. Goa had become the propaganda by the Franciscan missionaries. The Portuguese authorities in India did not care for the people. The establishment of the Mughal Empire was also partly responsible for the downfall of the Portuguese in India.

At the beginning of the 16th century the Portuguese did not meet any great opposition. However after the ascension of Akbar in the year 1556, the Mughal power began to grow. The Mughals were able to bring almost the whole of India under their control. Under this circumstance there was no scope for the Portuguese power to grow in the mainland of India.

Portugal was a small country. Her resources were not sufficient for the conquest of a country like India. Moreover those resources were divided between the Portuguese possession in India and Brazil which was also under the control of the Portuguese. After some time the situation was such that Portuguese people started caring more for Brazil than for India. In1580 Portugal came under the control of Spain and as a result the Spanish interests predominated the Portuguese interests. Various restrictions were put on the Portuguese in the interest of the Spain.

As a result of Spanish control on Portugal worthless Spanish officers were sent to India and they tried to make as money as possible unmindful of its effect on the people. The Spanish officers in fact ruined the Portuguese cause in India. The rise of the Dutch and English powers also created strong rivals in the country. They were more than a match for the Portuguese. The result was that by slow degrees the Portuguese Empire in India disappeared.

The Portuguese who had first come to India were characterized by great individual courage, enthusiasm for conquest, personal and national pride, but many of them were cruel, factitious and domineering. Their early successes had encouraged their inborn arrogance.

The Portuguese were encouraged to marry Indian women so that the Portuguese settlements in India would become self-supporting in soldiers and sailors. Unfortunately the mixed race which came into existence was far inferior to the original stock, less brave but not less arrogant, increasingly avaricious and corrupt. Records of gallant exploits became fewer and instances of treachery and rapacity increased. The Portuguese came to be detested by the people of India and as a result it was evident that the Portuguese Empire in India became more and more insignificant with passing days.

History states that the major causes of Portuguese downfall in India stands as corrupt officers, declining trade and moreover it has been said that they could not stand the growing competition from the west and it is said that the burial place of the Portuguese was Goa.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India


History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
Mughal Architecture during Babur
Mughal Architecture during Babur is of adequate significance in Mughal history, as the emperor introduced Mughal architecture in India, during 16th century.
Princely State of Patdi
Princely State of Patdi or Patri was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of Western India States Agency.
Architecture during Sayyid and Lodi Dynasty
Architectures during the Sayyid and Lodi dynasty were mainly the tombs and monuments for the dead rulers. It were carefully designed and meticulously constructed.
Brahmanical Sources of Ancient History
Brahmanical Sources of ancient history are contained in the Vedas and they constitute one of the most important literary sources of information about ancient India.
Female Education In British India
The over brimming enthusiasm among zealous Hindu reformers welcomed female education in British India.
Revenue System of Mauryan Empire
Revenue system of Mauryan Empire can be divided into eight categories. The principal revenue of the state was the land revenue, taxes from traders, artisans and professional taxes were also collected.
Mughal Architecture During Jahangir
Mughal architecture during Jahangir`s period was relative dull in comparison to that of Akbar dynasty.
Princely State of Satlasna
Princely State of Satlasna was amongst the former native states of India that was appointed as one of the Indian princely states during the early 19th century.
Coins of Chola Empire
Coins of Chola Empire were issued in gold, silver and copper and carried the Chola emblem.
Social Life during the Pala Period
Religious toleration and simple living were the characteristics of social life during the Pala period.
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty was reintroduced in the South India after a brief break of coinage less period of nearly three century. Chalukyas issued coins only in gold and they exhibit a brilliant artistic skill of the engraver.
Costumes of Indus Valley Civilisation
Costumes of Indus valley Civilization have been considered as the basis for Indian clothes. Sophisticated ornaments and make up were used during that age.
Development of Science under Gupta Empire
Development of Science under Gupta Empire was progressive and it had attained considerable perfection. Mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, physics and metallurgy were the most prominent of the sciences at that time.
Culture under Delhi Sultanate
Culture under Delhi Sultanate had enduring aspects to it. It included the society, the religious condition, literature and art and architecture of that period.
Princely State of Hapa
Princely State of Hapa was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was under the administrative control of the Western India States Agency.
Economy Under Chola Dynasty
Economy under Chola dynasty was strong and well developed. The economic life of the people of the Chola Kingdom was well balanced with their social life.
Coins of Khilji Dynasty
Coins of Khilji Dynasty had an influential feature that was followed by the other dynasties.
Religion During Mauryan Dynasty
Religion during Mauryan dynasty became a considerable episode in Indian history with an esteemed lineage of rulers.