The Portuguese Influence on Bengal: A Historical Overview

In the heart of Kolkata, the Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary, commonly known as the Portuguese Church, stands as a testament to the city’s Portuguese heritage. Despite its establishment in 1690, the Portuguese influence on its administration has been minimal. This is also true for other Portuguese churches in the city, such as the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Church of Our Lady of Dolours, which severed ties with the Portuguese Mission in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Historical Context

The Portuguese were among the first Europeans to arrive in India, venturing into the Indian Ocean in 1488. Vasco da Gama’s arrival in Calicut in 1498 marked the beginning of European maritime trade with Asia. The Portuguese established their maritime empire, Estado da Índia, with its headquarters in Goa. By 1517, Portuguese merchant Joao Coelho reached Bengal, and official fleets from Goa began annual visits to the region.

Initially, the Portuguese focused on Chittagong due to its strategic location and connections with China and Southeast Asia. However, by the 1530s, they shifted their focus to Satgaon in the Hooghly district. By the 1560s, the silting of Satgaon and the growing importance of the port of Hooghly changed trade dynamics, making Hooghly a significant commercial hub.

Mughal-Portuguese Relations

In 1579, Mughal Emperor Akbar granted the Portuguese permission to establish the city of Hooghly, build churches, and propagate Christianity. This period saw Bengal flourish as a major exporter of rice and textiles. However, some Portuguese resorted to piracy and the slave trade, leading to the Mughal siege of Hooghly in 1632. Although the Portuguese were allowed to return, Hooghly never fully recovered.

Cultural and Linguistic Influence

The Portuguese influence on Bengal was profound, particularly in food and language. They introduced several crops, including chilli peppers, tobacco, tomatoes, papaya, and potatoes. They also brought cheese-making techniques, leading to the creation of famous Bengali sweets like Rasgulla and Sandesh.

The Portuguese language left a lasting impact on Bengali, with many Portuguese words being integrated into the local vocabulary. Examples include “sabão” (soap), “toalha” (towel), “cadeira” (chair), and “janela” (window).

Decline and Legacy

The advent of British rule and the establishment of English-medium schools led to the Anglicisation of the remaining Luso-Indians into Anglo-Indians. By the 18th century, Portuguese was replaced by English across the Indian Ocean region. Despite this, the Portuguese legacy in Bengal remains evident in its food, language, and historical sites.

Summary

• The Portuguese were among the first Europeans to arrive in India, establishing maritime trade in 1498.
• They initially focused on Chittagong but later shifted to Satgaon and Hooghly.
• Mughal Emperor Akbar granted them permission to establish Hooghly in 1579.
• The Portuguese introduced several crops and cheese-making techniques to Bengal.
• Their language significantly influenced Bengali vocabulary.
• The Portuguese presence declined with the advent of British rule, but their legacy remains.

Further Reading:

1. History of the Portuguese in Bengal by Joaquim Joseph A. Campos
2. The Portuguese Empire in Asia, 1500-1700: A Political and Economic History by Sanjay Subrahmanyam
3. Improvising Empire: Portuguese Trade and Settlement in the Bay of Bengal, 1500-1700 by Sanjay Subrahmanyam
4. Hooghly: The Global History of a River by Robert Ivermee
5. Bengali Culture Over A Thousand Years by Ghulam Murshid and Sarbari Sinha
6. The Bengalis: A Portrait of a Community by Sudeep Chakravarti
7. Religion, Landscape and Material Culture in Pre-modern South Asia by Nupur Dasgupta and Tilottama Mukherjee