Q. When the Portuguese arrived in India, the foreigners whom they encountered as trade rivals were the
(a) Persians
(b) Arabs
(c) Dutch
(d) English
Ans: (b) Arabs
Explanation: When the Portuguese arrived in India, the foreigners whom they encountered as trade rivals were primarily the (b) Arabs.
The Portuguese arrived in India in the late 15th century, primarily seeking to establish trade routes to Asia and access to valuable spices and other commodities. Upon their arrival, they encountered a well-established network of Arab traders who had been conducting maritime trade in the Indian Ocean region for centuries.
The Arabs had extensive trade links and commercial settlements along the Indian coastline, including major ports such as Calicut, Cochin, and Malacca. They played a significant role in facilitating trade between India, the Middle East, and other parts of the world.
The arrival of the Portuguese disrupted the existing trade dynamics and led to conflicts and competition with the Arab traders. The Portuguese sought to establish their own dominance in the Indian Ocean trade by employing military force and establishing fortified bases and trading posts along the Indian coastline.
While the Dutch and English would later emerge as major European powers in India and engage in trade rivalries with the Portuguese, they were not the primary trade rivals encountered by the Portuguese upon their arrival in India.
