Advent of European Companies (Part-II)

Total Questions: 14

1. With reference to Pondicherry (Now Puducherry), consider the following statements: [U.P.P.C.S.(Mains ) 2006]

1. The first European power to occupy Pondicherry were the Portuguese.
2. The Second European power to occupy Pondicherry were the French.
3. The English never occupied Pondicherry.
Which of statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only

Solution:The first European powers to occupy Pondicherry and to exert power in India was the Portuguese. Dutch was the second European power to occupy Pondicherry. The Britishers also occupied Pondicherry in 1793 but handed it over to France in 1814 as per the the Treaty of Paris. Thus, only statement (1) correct.

2. Hooghly was used as a base for piracy in the Bay of Bengal by : [I.A.S. (Pre) 1995]

(a) Portuguese
(b) French
(c) Danish
(d) British

Correct Answer: (a) Portuguese

Solution:The Portuguese used Hooghly as a base for piracy in the Bay of Bengal. In 1632, Qasim Khan who was the Governor of Bengal during Shahjahan's reign finally subdued and imprisoned thousands of Portuguese.

3. Who used Hooghly as a base for piracy in the Bay of Bengal? [65ᵗʰ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2019]

(a) The Dutch
(b) The French
(c) The Portuguese
(d) The British

Correct Answer: (c) The Portuguese

4. Who among the following was the founder the Calcutta? [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2004]

(a) charles Ayar
(b) Job Charanock
(c) Garold Anygiyar
(d) William Novris

Correct Answer: (b) Job Charanock

Solution:The chief of Qasim Bazar factory, Job charnock had selected Sutanuti or sutnauti (Calcutta) instead of Hooghly for the establishment of the British trade centre and finally he founded Kolkata in the form of English colonies.

5. In India the First Municipal corporation was set up in which one among the following places? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

(a) Calcutta
(b) Madras
(c) Bombay
(d) Delhi

Correct Answer: (b) Madras

Solution:In 1687, the first municipal corporation in India was set up at Madras.

The Chennai Municipal Corporation (officially the Corporation of Chennai), formerly known as the Corporation of Madras, is the civic body that governs the city of Chennai (formerly Madras), India.

Inaugurated on September 29, 1688, under a Royal Charter issued by King James II on December 30, 1687, as the Corporation of Madras, it is the oldest municipal body of the Commonwealth of Nations outside Great Britain.

It is headed by a mayor, who presides over 200 councillors, each of whom represents one of the 200 wards of the city.

It is also the second oldest corporation in the world.

6. The first to start a joint stock company to trade with India were: [I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]

(a) Portuguese
(b) Dutch
(c) French
(d) Danish

Correct Answer: (b) Dutch

Solution:The First joint stock company for trade with India was the English East India company, established in London in 1600 A.D. After this, a Joint Dutch East India company was established by a resolution passed by the Dutch parliament in 1602 A.D. Since British is not in the question option, the answer will be option (b).

7. Which one of the following is the correct statement? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2005]

(a) The modern Kochi was Dutch colony till India's Independence.
(b) The Dutch defeated the Portuguese and built Fort Williams in the modern Kochi.
(c) The modern Kochi was first a Dutch Colony before the Portuguese took over from them.
(d) The modern Kochi never became a part of the British colony.

Correct Answer: (b) The Dutch defeated the Portuguese and built Fort Williams in the modern Kochi.

Solution:The Dutch defeated the Portuguese and built Williams Fort n Modern Kochi in 1663 (now in Thrissur district of Kerala). Kochi was included in the British colonial region in 1814. Thus, option (b) is the correct answer.

8. With reference to Indian history, consider the following statement: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2022]

1. The Dutch establish their factories/warehouse on the east coast on lands granted to them by Gajapati rulers.
2. Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Goa from the Bijapur sultanate.
3. The English East India company established a factory at Madras on a plot a land leased from a representative of the Vijayanagara empire.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1,2 and 3 only

Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

Solution:Dutch snatched Cochin (Kochi) from Portuguese at east coast and later established their factories on the coast of Andhra and Odisha in 17ᵗʰ century, while the rule of Gajapati rulers was declined by 16ᵗʰ century. Hence option (1) is wrong. Albuquerque annexed Goa from Bijapur sultanate in 1510 A.D. hence statement (2) is right. East India company established a factory at Madras by taking the lease of a plot of land from representative of Vijayanagara Empire. Hence statement (3) is also right.

9. The secret of success of East India company in India was: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1994]

(a) Absence of Nationalism in India
(b) The company army received western training and they had modern arms.
(c) Indian solidiers lacked fidelity consequently the one who paid them sufficient could have them on his service.
(d) All of the above

Correct Answer: (d) All of the above

Solution:The the three factors were helpful in success of East India company in India. It is known that a group called Merchants Adventures in England formed East India company or ' The Governor and company of Merchants of London trading into the East Indies. ' In December 1600, Queen Elizabeth I of England grated a royal charter to do business with the East Indies.

10. Which of the following British companies go the first charter permitting them to trade in India ? [U.P.P.S.C. (Pre) 2014]

(a) Levant Company
(b) East India Company
(c) The English Company trading to the East Indies
(d) Ostend Company

Correct Answer: (a) Levant Company

Solution:The Levant Company in 1592 A.D. had got a chart3er for trading with India by land routes. British Queen Elizabeth I granted a charter to an English company trading to the East Indies by sea route o December 31, 1600. This company extend its trade with the merger of a new company in 1708 under the new name of "United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies, "which was later known as " East India Company".

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