Q1. With reference to the early European factories in India, consider the following statements:
- The Portuguese established the first European factory at Cochin in 1503.
- The English East India Company’s first factory was set up at Surat in 1613.
- The French established their first factory at Masulipatnam.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct — Cochin (1503) was the first Portuguese factory; it served as their headquarters till Goa (1510).
- Statement 2: Correct — The English established their first factory at Surat in 1613 after the Battle of Swally (1612).
- Statement 3: ❌ Incorrect — The first French factory was at Surat (1668); Masulipatnam emerged later as an important French centre.
Q2. Consider the following pairs (European settlement – Present-day location):
Pulicat → Andhra Pradesh (Dutch)
Chinsurah → West Bengal (Dutch)
Tranquebar → Kerala (Danish)
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation:
- Pulicat → Andhra Pradesh: Correct — Dutch headquarters on the Coromandel Coast.
- Chinsurah → West Bengal: Correct — Major Dutch settlement in Bengal.
- Tranquebar → Kerala: ❌ Incorrect — Tranquebar (Tharangambadi) is in Tamil Nadu, not Kerala.
Q3. Which of the following was the last European power to establish a trading factory in India?
(a) Portuguese
(b) Dutch
(c) English
(d) French
Correct Answer: (d)
Explanation:
- The French East India Company began operations in India in 1668.
- All other European powers entered India before the French.
Q4. The “Blue Water Policy” of the Portuguese was primarily advocated by:
(a) Vasco da Gama
(b) Alfonso de Albuquerque
(c) Francisco de Almeida
(d) Nino da Cunha
Correct Answer: (c)
Explanation:
- The Blue Water Policy focused on naval supremacy and sea-route control, not land conquest.
- It aimed to dominate the Indian Ocean trade network through maritime power.
Q5. Which of the following statements is NOT correct about the Carnatic Wars?
(a) First Carnatic War ended with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle.
(b) Robert Clive emerged as a major figure during the Second Carnatic War.
(c) Third Carnatic War concluded with the Treaty of Paris (1763).
(d) French lost almost all possessions in India after the Third Carnatic War.
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation:
- (a) Correct — First Carnatic War ended with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748).
- (b) ❌ Incorrect — Robert Clive rose decisively after the Carnatic phase through Arcot (1751) and especially Plassey (1757).
- (c) Correct — Third Carnatic War ended with the Treaty of Paris (1763).
- (d) Correct — The French were reduced to minor trading posts without political authority.
