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Question 33

In the first quarter of seventeenth century, in which of the following was/were the factory/factories of the English East India Company located?
1. Broach
2. Chicacole
3. Trichinopoly
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

AOptions

A) 1 only

B) 1 and 2

C) 3 only

D) 2 and 3

BSolution

The first quarter of the seventeenth century refers to the period between 1601 and 1625. The English East India Company established its first permanent factory in Surat in 1613, after obtaining permission from Emperor Jahangir. Soon after, they expanded their presence in the Western parts of India.

1. Broach (Bharuch): An English factory was established at Broach around 1616-1620, making it one of the early factories in the first quarter of the 17th century.

2. Chicacole (Srikakulam): Factories in Chicacole (on the Coromandel Coast) were established much later, in the latter half of the 17th century or 18th century, as British influence expanded in the south-eastern region.

3. Trichinopoly (Tiruchirappalli): English presence and factories in Trichinopoly (in Tamil Nadu) were also established much later, primarily in the 18th century, as the Company got involved in Carnatic Wars and consolidated its power in South India.

Therefore, only Broach had an English factory in the first quarter of the seventeenth century among the given options.

CStrategy

For questions related to the advent of Europeans and their early settlements, it is crucial to have a clear timeline of when and where major trading posts or factories were established by different European powers. Focus on the initial period of their presence in India.

DSyllabus Analysis

This question falls under the Modern Indian History section of the UPSC Prelims syllabus, specifically covering the advent of Europeans and the early phase of British expansion.

EQuestion Analysis

Medium. Requires precise chronological knowledge of the establishment of English factories.