Competition between the Portuguese and other Europeans for the domination of the Asian routes, and for the establishment of areas of influence in this faraway continent, started before Vasco da Gama's voyage, with the Castilian and English expeditions towards the West. It continued afterwards, discreetly, throughout the 16th century, when Portuguese hegemony could only be occasionally challenged by the Castilian Crown, particularly after its settlement in the Philippines. The Portuguese monopoly of the Cape Route kept the other Indian Ocean powers at bay as long as the Portuguese Crown was able to maintain a policy of European neutrality and supply its trading partners with highly prized oriental products.
After merging with the Philippine monarchy, Portugal embarked on a new foreign policy, marked by conflict with its former allies, England and the Netherlands. Following the defeat of the Invincible Armada, the Indian Ocean became accessible to the enemies of Madrid and Lisbon, and the ‘Estado da Índia’ was surprised by the arrival of unexpected rivals, who had the human and military means to breach the Asian traditions the Portuguese had adapted to in a situation of supremacy.
O Estado da Índia e os Desafios Europeus, Actas do XII Seminário Internacional de História Indo-Portuguesa, João Paulo Oliveira e Costa (ed.), Lisboa: CHAM, CEPCEP, 2010, 677p., (Colecção Estudos & Documentos, 7).
ISBN
9789899556386
Available at RUN - Repositório da NOVA (web)
