Francisco de Almeida was appointed as the first Viceroy/Governor in 1505.

The Portuguese controlled the Indian Ocean and required other ships to purchase a pass called 'Cartaz' to sail safely.

The French were the last major European power to enter India (1664).

Zamorin (Samuthiri) was the hereditary title of the Hindu ruler of Calicut who received Vasco da Gama.

While they started at Tranquebar, Serampore (Bengal) later became their main headquarters before they sold their settlements to the British in 1845.

The French established their first factory at Surat in 1668 under Francis Caron.

Job Charnock established a factory at Sutanuti in 1690, which later grew into the city of Calcutta.

Captain William Hawkins arrived at Surat in 1608 aboard the Hector and visited Jahangir's court in 1609.

Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Goa from Ismail Adil Shah, the Sultan of Bijapur, in 1510.

Farrukhsiyar issued a Farman granting the Company extensive trade privileges in Bengal, Gujarat, and Hyderabad, including tax-free trade.