Rise of British Power in India

Task Two Q1. How did Vasco da Gama change the relationship between Europe and India? Vasco da Gama’s 1498 arrival in India established a sea route from Europe, and during the following centuries, the Dutch, British, Portuguese, and French would build settlements in port cities throughout the region. Q2. In which Indian cities did the British East Indian Company first settle? The Company established settlements in Bombay, on India's west coast, and on India's east coast, in Calcutta and Madras.

Task Two Q3. How did the Company secure its power against trading companies from other countries? The British dominated trade through protectionist measures that required Indian exports to be transported on British ships. The British focused on consolidating their sovereignty, acquiring lands by military conquest and by exploiting divisions among Indian states and religious groups. Q4. Who was Sirajud-Dawla and what happened to him? In 1757, the Company defeated and killed the Mughal governor of Bengal, Sirajud-Dawla, after he captured Calcutta in an attempt to hinder the Company from depriving merchants and the government of revenue.

Task Two Q5. Which example of ‘protectionism’ is given on the website? By the late 18th century, the French had lost power in the region, and the British dominated trade through protectionist measures that required Indian exports to be transported on British ships. Q6. In what way is the Chennai (Madras) railway station important? The Chennai Central Railway Station, commissioned in 1873 and opened around the turn of the 20th century, is South India's central railway hub. Chennai (formerly called Madras), known as the "Gateway of the South," was founded as a British trading post in 1639, and became an administrative and commercial capital of the British East India Company

Task Three