Which foreign power captured Cochin in 1663 ?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

Kerala PSC Common Preliminary Exam (GRADUATE LEVEL) PYP - 116/22

Answer 1

The correct answer is The Dutch.

Key Points

The Dutch captured Cochin from the Portuguese in 1663 as part of their broader rivalry over colonial territories in India.
The Dutch East India Company (VOC) was a major colonial power during the 17th and 18th centuries and sought control of spice trade routes.
Cochin was a strategically important port city in the Malabar region, facilitating trade in spices like pepper and cardamom.
After capturing Cochin, the Dutch established their dominance over parts of the Malabar Coast and reorganized trade networks in the region.

Additional Information

The Portuguese: The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish a colonial presence in India. They captured Cochin in 1503 and built the first European fort in India, Fort Emmanuel. However, they lost Cochin to the Dutch in 1663.
The French: The French East India Company was a competing colonial power in India. They focused on regions like Pondicherry, Mahe, and Chandannagar, but they did not control Cochin at any point.
The British: The British East India Company became the dominant colonial power in India by the 18th century. However, during the 1660s, their influence was still growing, and they did not capture Cochin. Cochin was later ceded to the British as part of the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814.

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