The best way to respond to: which European country left India first?

The European country that left India first was Portugal.

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One of the European countries that left India before others was Portugal. Portugal established its presence in India when Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer, reached Calicut (now Kozhikode) in 1498. The Portuguese were the first European power to dominate the Indian Ocean spice trade and establish trade routes with India.

During their early years in India, the Portuguese set up trading posts and forts along the western coast. They gained control over key ports and enjoyed a monopoly on the spice trade for a considerable period. However, their domination in India began to decline during the 17th century due to various factors such as competition from other European powers and conflicts with local rulers.

A well-known resource, the book “The Portuguese in India” by Charles J. Borges, provides insights into the Portuguese presence in India and their eventual departure. According to Borges, the Portuguese empire in India underwent challenges and internal conflicts, which led to their declining influence. The British and Dutch East India Companies gained strength and started challenging Portuguese control over Indian trade.

Despite their diminishing power, Portugal continued to maintain some of their possessions in India, including Goa, Daman, and Diu, until the mid-20th century. However, Portugal’s rule in India came to an end on December 19, 1961, when the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Vijay to annex Goa, Daman, and Diu.

Interesting facts about Portugal’s presence in India:

1. One of the famous Portuguese explorers, Vasco da Gama, was the first to find a direct sea route from Europe to India. This discovery played a significant role in the subsequent European exploration and colonization of India.

2. The Portuguese introduced various cultural influences in India, including European architecture, cuisine, and words of Portuguese origin that are still part of the Indian vocabulary.

3. During their domination in India, the Portuguese faced resistance from local rulers, such as the Zamorin of Calicut and the Marathas, who challenged their control and attempted to expel them from their territories.

4. The Portuguese established one of the earliest printing presses in India, which played a crucial role in disseminating knowledge and printing books in various languages.

5. Goa, the capital of Portuguese India, became an important center of trade, culture, and religion. It witnessed the blending of European and Indian traditions, resulting in a unique Indo-Portuguese culture.

Here’s a table highlighting the European countries that had a presence in India:

In conclusion, Portugal was the European country that left India first. Their presence in India had a significant impact on the history, culture, and trade of the region. As the Portuguese influence gradually waned, other European powers took center stage, ultimately leading to the British colonization of India.

Response via video

According to the notes, the Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in India and the last to leave. Vasco da Gama of Portugal discovered a new sea route from Europe to India in 1498. The Portuguese came to India in 1510, making them the first European rulers to visit. They remained in India until 1961, making them the last European rulers to leave. Prior to their arrival, the Mauryan Empire was the ruling power over the majority of the Indian subcontinent.

See more answers I found

Britain left India in 1947, Palestine in 1948, and Egypt in 1956; it withdrew from Africa in the 1950s and ’60s, from various island protectorates in the 1970s and ’80s, and from Hong Kong in 1997.

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