India Emigration and Immigration: Difference between revisions

*'''Portuguese''' sailor Vasco da Gama became the first European to re-establish direct trade links with India. Though Portugal's presence in India initially started in 1498, their colonial rule lasted from 1505 until 1961. The Southern Province, also known simply as '''Goa, was the headquarters of Portuguese India''', and seat of the Portuguese viceroy who governed the Portuguese possessions in Asia. By the start of the 17th century, the population of Goa and the surrounding areas was about 250,000. Holding this strategic land against repeated attacks by the Indian states required constant infusions of men and material, The Portuguese also shipped over many '''Órfãs d'El-Rei''' to Portuguese colonies in the Indian peninsula, Goa in particular. Órfãs d'El-Rei literally translates to Orphans of the King, and they were Portuguese girl orphans sent to overseas colonies to marry either Portuguese settlers or natives with high status.

*In the later 18th century, Great Britain and France struggled for dominance. By the middle of the century, the British had already gained direct or indirect control over almost all of India. '''British India''', consisting of the directly-ruled British presidencies and provinces, contained the most populous and valuable parts of the British Empire and thus became known as "the jewel in the British crown".