The British ships landed on Indian Subcontinent at the port of Surat, Aug 24, 1608, for the purpose of trade. Mughal Emperor Jahangir granted a farman to Captain William Hawkins permitting the East India Company to erect a factory at Surat in 1613.
Who was the first Europeans to settle in India for trade?
Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama becomes the first European to reach India via the Atlantic Ocean when he arrives at Calicut on the Malabar Coast. Da Gama sailed from Lisbon, Portugal, in July 1497, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and anchored at Malindi on the east coast of Africa.
Why did Britishers leave India?
One reason why the British were reluctant to leave India was that they feared India would erupt into civil war between Muslims and Hindus. The country was deeply divided along religious lines. In 1946-47, as independence grew closer, tensions turned into terrible violence between Muslims and Hindus.
Who ruled India before British?
The Mughals ruled over a population in India that was two-thirds Hindu, and the earlier spiritual teachings of the Vedic tradition remained influential in Indian values and philosophy. The early Mughal empire was a tolerant place. Unlike the preceding civilisations, the Mughals controlled a vast area of India.
Who ruled India in 1795?
1795: Asaf Jah II the Nizam of Hyderabad was defeated at the Battle of Kharda, after the Maratha-Mysore War. 1799: Fall of Mysore after Siege of Seringapatam (1799); Nawab of Kadapa and Nawab of Kurnool annexed. 1801: Nawab of the Carnatic (of Arcot and Nellore), Nawab of Junagarh, and Rohilkhand of Lower Doab annexed.
Who named country India?
The official name of the Republic of India was derived from the Sanskrit name ‘Sindhu’ that referred to Indus River. By the time the Persians conquered both, the then Indian subcontinent and Greece in 5th century BCE, ‘Sindhu’ became ‘Hindus’ to mark the ‘land of Hindus’.
How old is India?
India is home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world. From the traces of hominoid activity discovered in the subcontinent, it is recognized that the area now known as India was inhabited approximately 250,000 years ago.
Which foreigner came to India first?
Megasthenes, ambassador of Seleucus Nikator was the first foreign traveller to India. India has witnessed the visit of great foreign envoys like Al-Masudi, Fa-Hien, Hiuen-Tsang, Marco Polo and Abdul Razak, etc.