The process of colonization of Asia began towards the close of fifteenth century when Vasco-da-Gama, a Portuguese soldier, discovered the sea route to India. This led to the Portuguese set settlements in India. Soon they occupied Goa, Daman and Diu. Soon the Dutch, the French and the English also tried to find a foot-hold on the Indian soil.
In the conflict which ensued amongst the various European powers in India, the British succeeded in converting India into their colony. The British took full advantage of the weaknesses of the native rulers and through a systematic policy of political expansion carved out the British Empire in India.
In South-East Asia also the lead in the field of colonization was taken by the Portuguese. They conquered Malacca in 1511, which continued in their possession till 1640 when it was taken over by the Dutch. The Dutch further extended their territories and set up their fortified stations in Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Bali etc. The Dutch also captured Ceylon but lost it to the British during the Napoleonic wars. Thus the Dutch succeeded in carving out an extensive empire in South-East Asia.
The English and the French also secured certain territories in South- East Asia. The English acquired Burma. They also established settlement at Singapore in 1819 and got Hong Kong from China in 1842 as a result of the Opium War.
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They also secured Kowloon from China on 99 years lease in 1898. The French on other hand, seized Saigon in the Kingdom of Annam, which was at that time under the suzerainty of China, to avenge the murder of some French missionaries. In 1885 the French authority over Tongking was recognized by China following a war. Later on France combined Tongking, Annam, Cambodia and Cochin and China created the administration of Indo-China with Saigon as capital.
The other powers which carved out colonies and acquired spheres of influence in this region were Russia, Germany and Japan. The various European powers compelled China to open her ports to the European traders and grant necessary facilities to the Christian missionaries. They also captured certain territories. For example Russia captured Port Arthur and large parts of Munchuria; Germany acquired Kiao Chow.
Japan also made certain gains after she emerged as a colonial powers towards the close of the nineteenth century. Thus she conquered Korea and Formosa. The Chinese protested against the growing foreign influence in the form of foreign domination. In the post World War I period Japan further increased her power in the region and captured Manchuria in defiance of the League of Nations.
During the Second World War Japan threatened to bring the whole of South-East Asia under her control and eliminate the Western influence. This was greatly resented by the Western powers and they made use of Atom Bomb to bring Japan to submission.
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In Central Asia, Russia and Britain tried to increase their influence. Russia occupied Tashkent. Samarkand and Bokhara in the later half of the nineteenth century. She also wanted to bring Afghanistan under her influence but her plans were foiled by the British. The interests of the two imperial powers also clashed in Persia.
But ultimately in 1907 these two powers reached an agreement regarding Persia. Under the agreement the spheres of political influence of the two countries were earmarked. While the northern part of Persia was to be within the sphere of Russia’s influence, the southern part was reserved for the British. Even Germany was keen to enhance her influence in this region but her plans were foiled as a result of this agreement.