1-1: The Portuguese in India | M.N. Pearson (1987) – A Landmark Work in Colonial Indian History | Volume I: The Mughals and their contemporaries | The New Cambridge History of India

The Portuguese in India | M.N. Pearson (1987)

The Portuguese in India, written by M. N. Pearson and released in 1987 as part of The New Cambridge History of India series, is a groundbreaking scholarly text that investigates the influence of the Portuguese in India from 1498 to the 20th century. It forms an essential segment of Volume I in the series, titled The Mughals and Their Contemporaries.
While a significant portion of Indian colonial narratives emphasizes the British Empire, this volume highlights the frequently ignored impact of the Portuguese, who were the initial European colonizers in India, establishing their foothold years prior to the British, Dutch, or French.

Book Overview: What Is The Portuguese in India About?

This publication delves into over four hundred years of Portuguese involvement in India, starting with Vasco da Gama's landing in Calicut in 1498, and culminating in the eventual incorporation of Goa into independent India in 1961.

Key Themes Covered:

Early Exploration and Conquest

• The arrival of Vasco da Gama and early naval missions.
• Creation of trading ports and the conquest of Goa in 1510.
• The importance of naval strength and the strategic Estado da Índia (State of India).

Colonial Administration

• The framework and difficulties faced by Portuguese governance in India.
• Strains between the Crown and the Church.
• Corruption, limited resources, and the diminishing of effective authority.

Religious and Cultural Impact

• Christian missionary efforts, particularly those of Jesuits like St. Francis Xavier.
• Forced conversions, the Inquisition in Goa, and the emergence of Indo-Portuguese Catholic communities.
• Effects on language, food, architecture, and cultural practices.

Economic Exchange and Trade

• The spice trade and rivalry with Muslim, Hindu, and other European merchants.
• Monopolistic strategies and local resistance.
• Trade routes linking India to Portugal, Africa, and the Far East.

Decline and Legacy

• The gradual decline of Portuguese power in India due to pressure from rival European powers.
• The decline of Portuguese territories by the 18th century.
• The final exit in 1961 when India annexed Goa, Daman, and Diu.

Why This Book Matters

• Addresses a gap in the historiography of colonial India by shifting the focus from the British viewpoint.
• Offers a balanced and academic account utilizing both Portuguese and Indian perspectives.
• Enables readers to comprehend the lasting cultural and religious influences of Portugal in areas such as Goa, Daman, and Diu.
• Illustrates how early European colonization influenced Indian politics, trade, and society long before the British East India Company rose to power.

About the Author: M. N. Pearson

Michael Naylor Pearson is a well-respected historian with a focus on maritime history, Islamic trade, and European expansion in Asia. His scholarly contributions are acknowledged for their clarity, depth, and application of global historical views.

Who Should Read This Book?

• Students and academics interested in colonial and maritime history.
• Civil service candidates preparing for history or international relations examinations.
• Individuals fascinated by Goan history, Christianity in India, or Portuguese architectural influences.
• Readers seeking a perspective on European colonialism in India beyond the British narrative.