ABSTRACT
The Portuguese started setting up installations in India for careening and building ships. The tonnage of the ships built by the Portuguese differed greatly in tune with the unprecedented and consistent increase in the volume of commodities exported from India to Portugal. The early vessels especially those under the command of Vasco da Gama for his first voyage were of minimal tonnage. The number and status of the passengers too increased during this period. The Portuguese used more Indian timber, especially teak, angeli and so on which were felled in the appropriate seasons according to the advice of local carpenters whose services were sought by the Portuguese. The Portuguese set up their fortresses and naval establishments in places like Cochin, Cannanore, Calicut, Quilon and Cranganore on the Malabar Coast. The tonnage of ships and the number of decks increased in tune with the cargo taken from India to Portugal and the unprecedented growth of trade and movement of personnel.
