Question

Which of the following statements is/are incorrect with respect to the arrival of Europeans in Kerala?

1. The religious policy of the Portuguese in Kerala was liberal and enlightened
2. In 1741, the Dutch were defeated by Marthanda Varma in the battle of Colachel
3. The treaty of Sreerangapattanam was signed between Hyder Ali and the English East India Company
4. Paliath Achan, who fought against the English was the chief minister of Kochi

• A. i, iii
• B. iii, iv
• C. i only
• D. ii, iii

Answer 1

Answer:

A. i, iii

• The Portuguese in Kerala adopted a policy of support and toleration towards the Christian Church and its followers, while simultaneously promoting a vigorous campaign of Latinisation.

• They conducted missionary work, preaching and administering sacraments following the Latin rite.

• In 1557, the Diocese of Cochin was established, targeting both Latin Christians, many of whom were originally part of the Syrian Church, and newly converted Christians from Hinduism.

• This initiative marked a significant effort by the Portuguese to integrate local Christians into the Latin Church structure and customs.

Battle of Kulachal:

• The battle in which Marthanda Varma defeated the Dutch

• The first battle in Asia in which a European power was defeated

• Year of the Battle of Kulachal - 1741

• Dutch commander who defeated Marthanda Varma in the Battle of Kulachal - Delanoy

• Delanoy later became the 'Great Captain' in Marthanda Varma's army.

• With the defeat in this decisive battle, the Dutch lost their dominance of the colonies in India.

Treaty of Srirangapatna (1792):

• A treaty signed on 18 February 1792

• The treaty was signed between Tipu Sultan and the English East India Company

• This treaty ended the Third Anglo-Mysore War

• The Third Anglo-Mysore War took place from 1790 to 1792

• Under the Treaty of Srirangapatna, Tipu Sultan ceded the Malabar territories to the British

Paliyathachchan

• The Prime Ministers of the Cochin Kingdom were known as Paliyathachchan.

• From 1632 to 1809, he held the position of Minister Mukhiyan of the Cochin Kings.

• Even during the reign of Sakthan Thampuran, Paliyathachchan held the position of Dalava.

• The last Paliyathachchan of Cochin, Govindan Achchan, planned a struggle against the British in Cochin.

• For this, he formed an alliance with Veluthampi, the Dalava of Travancore.

• Veluthampi and Paliyathachchan then sought help from the French in Mauritius and the Zamorin of Kozhikode.

• Along with loyal soldiers like Chembil Arayan, Paliyathachchan attacked the British Residency in Bolgatty, Cochin in 1808.

• However, Lord Macaulay, the British representative there, learned about the attack in advance through spies and boarded a ship to escape.

• The British later attacked Cochin and exiled Paliathachchan.