Where did the French East India Company first establish its factory in India?
- A.Calicut
- B.Surat
- C.Pondicherry
- D.Masulipatnam
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, Surat. The French set up their first factory in India at Surat in 1668, under François Caron.
The French East India Company was founded in 1664 under the patronage of King Louis XIV and his minister Colbert, making it the last of the major European companies to reach India. After Surat in 1668, the French opened a factory at Masulipatnam in 1669 with permission from the Sultan of Golconda. In 1673 François Martin obtained the village that became Pondicherry, which grew into the headquarters of French India. Later they also held Chandernagore, Mahe, Karaikal and Yanam.
A is wrong because Calicut is where Vasco da Gama landed in 1498, and the French did not begin there. C is wrong because Pondicherry was acquired only in 1673 and became their capital later. D is wrong because the factory at Masulipatnam came in 1669, a year after Surat.
Exam tip: French firsts are Surat 1668, Masulipatnam 1669 and Pondicherry 1673.
Practice Questions
View allWhich Arab scientist could be given the credit of christening the mathematical discipline of algorithm?
- A.Al-Khwarizmi
- B.Ibn al-Haytham
- C.Ibn Rushd
- D.Ibn Sina
Show answer
The word 'algorithm' comes from the Latin form of his name, Algoritmi, used in translations of his work on Hindu-Arabic numerals.
Read the full explanation →Why do you think Vijayanagara incorporated agricultural tracts within the fortified area ?
- A.To promote high yield agriculture under State supervision
- B.To protect the agricultural belt from the sieges of an invading army
- C.To protect the agriculture from stray animals
- D.To protect the agriculture from drought
Show answer
Medieval sieges aimed to starve a city into surrender, so Vijayanagara kept fields and food inside its walls. The Persian ambassador Abdur Razzaq, who visited in the 1440s, described seven lines of fortification around the city, with fields, gardens and houses between them.
Read the full explanation →With reference to the eligibility criteria for becoming the member of a 'Sabha' as laid down in the Uttaramerur inscription, consider the following statements : 1. The candidate should have his own house and his own plot of land. 2. The candidate should be within 60 years of age and above 30 years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.Both 1 and 2
- D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
The inscription asks that a member own land and a house, but it sets the age limit at 35 to 70 years, not 30 to 60.
Read the full explanation →Who gifted the Badshah Nama to King George in 1799?
- A.Abul Fazl
- B.Abdul Hamid Lahori
- C.Nawab of Awadh
- D.William Jones
Show answer
In 1799 the Nawab of Awadh presented an illustrated manuscript of the Badshah Nama to King George III of Britain, and it is now kept in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle.
Read the full explanation →The Truman Doctrine of 1947 was announced to achieve which one of the following ?
- A.Containment of the USSR
- B.Increasing agricultural production in the USA
- C.Offering friendship to Europe
- D.Strengthening the UNO
Show answer
The Truman Doctrine pledged American support to countries resisting communist pressure, so as to stop the spread of Soviet influence.
Read the full explanation →