Reference

Before British rule was established in India, several colonial powers had established a presence in the region. These included:

1. Portuguese: The Portuguese were the first European power to arrive in India, establishing their colonial presence in Goa in 1510. They controlled various coastal areas and were dominant in maritime trade initially.

2. Dutch: The Dutch established trading posts in different parts of India during the early 17th century, focusing on trading commodities like spices and textiles.

3. French: The French established several trading outposts, most notably in Pondicherry (Puducherry), which became a significant center of French influence in India during the 17th and 18th centuries.

4. Danes: Denmark-Norway also ventured into India by setting up trading posts, although their presence was relatively limited compared to the other European powers.

These European powers primarily established their presence for trade purposes, particularly in spices, textiles, and other valuable commodities. However, the British East India Company eventually outcompeted these powers, laying the foundation for British rule over the Indian subcontinent.

For further details, you can refer to sources such as Colonial India on Wikipedia which provides more comprehensive information on the colonial history of India prior to British dominance.