When was Portugal effectively pushed out of India?

• A. Mid-19th century
• B. Mid-20th century
• C. Late-18th century
• D. Early-21st century

Answer: (B)

Portugal was effectively pushed out of India in the mid-20th century, particularly following India's independence in 1947. This period marked significant geopolitical changes in the region, leading to the decline of colonial powers. The most notable event that solidified this transition was the military action in 1961 when India annexed the Portuguese territories of Goa, Daman, and Diu. This operation was part of a broader movement within India to eliminate colonial rule, which had been increasingly seen as illegitimate.

The decline of Portuguese influence in India had begun earlier, particularly with the rise of other European powers like the British and the Dutch, who began to dominate trade routes and territories. However, it was not until the mid-20th century that Portugal's hold on its Indian territories was definitively challenged and brought to an end. This period reflects a critical shift in colonial dynamics in Asia and encapsulates the broader narrative of decolonization that characterized the era.