Question

When did the Portuguese come to Kerala?

• A. August 1501
• B. May 1498
• C. March 1495
• D. November 1508

Answer 1

Answer:

B. May 1498

The Portuguese

• Group of sailors under the leadership of Vasco da Gama came from Portugal to Kappad near Calicut in May 1498.

• The Zamorin, then ruler of Calicut (Kozhikode), did not provide trading facilities to Vasco da Gama. So he left for Kannur, gathered necessary goods and then returned to Portugal.

• Following Vasco da Gama, Almeida and Albuquerque, two Portuguese sailors reached here for trade.

• Goa, and Daman and Diu were the major trade centres of the Portuguese

• They constructed St. Angelo Fort at Kannur and Kottappuram Fort in Thrissur district.

• The Portuguese were also known as 'Parankis'.

• Agricultural crops like pineapple, guava, papaya, red chilly, cashew, tobacco etc. Were introduced by the Portuguese.

• The widespread use of printing machine and the development of the art form 'Chavittunatakam' were some of the impacts of Indo-Portuguese relationship.

• Kunhali Marakkar, the admiral of Zamorin's naval force led the resistance against the Portuguese in the Malabar region.