Question

Give reason:European trading companies came to India in the 18th century.

Answer 1

Hint: During the 17th century, Westerners began to look at destinations with cheaper goods(fabrics and spices) and convenient export. Companies that did this include the Royal African Company and Hudson’s Bay Company.

Complete answer: - Even though India had been trading internationally from olden times, by the turn of the 7th century, the Arabs had a monopoly along with the Venetians, which was eventually broken directly by the Portugese.
- The merchants liked conducting business here because the kings were cooperative, as seen from one of the first interactions in Calicut, by the Hindu king, Zamorin. If anything, the foreigners had a tendency to get haughty and spoil relations like Alvarez.
- Often people were not attracted to reaching India but would simply engage in pirate activities and loot ships to and fro.
- Direct sea routes were convenient, and this was also shown in their attraction to other East Asian locations such as Sumatra (useful for timber).
- This, along with the new voyage discoveries contributed to India becoming a key centre in maritime and coastal exchanges. Countries that sent people include Britain, Denmark, and France. In the ancient times it was the Romans and the Greeks.
- Trade mainly included cotton and silk, ornamental beads of pearl and ivory and pepper and cardamom. India got garum (a fermented fish sauce) and olive oil in exchange.

Note: Important to note that these merchants came as groups, often as representations or extensions of their respective governments. They often formed guilds. Even imitation companies were set up. Hence, their pursuits became territorial over time.