MCQ on Arrival of European Companies in India
| The arrival of European companies in India in the late 15th century marked a significant era in Indian history, shaping its trade, politics, and society. Various European Companies established their presence, eventually leading to colonization. This article provides with various Important MCQs on the topic “Arrival of European Companies in India ” to enhance your knowledge and understanding. These questions are very important for SSC, Railways, Defence, CTET, State PCS, UPSC, Judiciary and all other examinations held throughout India. |
The advent of Portuguese in India
Q. Who were the first Europeans to come to India for trade?
(A) Dutch
(B) English
(C) French
(D) Portuguese
View Answer...Explanation:- The Portuguese were the first Europeans to come to India for trade. Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama successfully reached the Malabar Coast of India at Calicut in 1498. This opened up a direct trade route between Europe and India,
Q. Who was the first European to travel to India?
(A) Diaz
(B) Vasco-da-Gama
(C) Almeida
(D) Albuquerque
View Answer...Explanation:- Vasco-da-Gama was the first European to travel to India. He arrived at Calicut through sea route by navigating his ship around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa. This event marked the beginning of direct maritime trade between Europe and India.
Q. When did Vasco-da-Gama come to India?
(A) 1496
(B) 1497
(C) 1498
(D) 1600
View Answer...Explanation:- Vasco da Gama arrived on the Malabar Coast of India on May 20, 1498..
Q. Who among the following had welcomed Vasco-da-Gama at Calicut?
(A) Gasper Correa
(B) Albuquerque
(C) Zamorin
(D) Don Ahnaida
View Answer...Explanation:- The Zamorin was the title of the ruler of Calicut. When Vasco da Gama arrived in Calicut in 1498, the Zamorin had welcomed him.
Q. Who were the first Europeans to set up sea trade centres in India?
(A) The English
(B) The French
(C) The Portuguese
(D) The Dutch
View Answer...Explanation:- n/a.
Q. At which of the following places in India did the Portuguese build their first factory?
(A) Goa
(B) Cochin
(C) Amarkot
(D) Surat
View Answer...Explanation:- The Portuguese established their first factory at Cochin (now Kochi) in 1503. It allowed them to control the spice trade and other commercial activities in the region.
Q. Who was the first Portuguese Viceroy in India?
(A) Diaz
(B) Vasco-da-Gama
(C) Almeida
(D) AlbuquerqueView Answer...Explanation:- In 1505, Francisco de Almeida was appointed as the first viceroy of the Portuguese State of India
Q. Who was the second Portuguese Viceroy in India?
(A) Diaz
(B) Afonso de Albuquerque
(C) Almeida
(D) AlbuquerqueView Answer...Explanation:- Afonso de Albuquerque became the second Portuguese Viceroy in India. He served as viceroy of Portuguese India from 1509 to 1515.
Q. Who was the last Portuguese Viceroy in India?
(A) Manuel António Vassalo e Silva
(B) Vasco-da-Gama
(C) Almeida
(D) AlbuquerqueView Answer...Explanation:- Manuel António Vassalo e Silva was the 128th and the last Governor-General of Portuguese India.He served as last Governor-General of Portuguese India from 1958 to 1961. During his tenure, on December 19, 1961, Indian forces took control of Goa, Daman, and Diu and incorporated into the Republic of India, marked the end of Portugal's colonial rule in India.
Q. Who was the real founder of Portuguese power in India?
(A) Vasco-da-Gama
(B) Albuquerque
(C) Bartholomuse Dies
(D) George Oxdone
View Answer...Explanation:- Afonso de Albuquerque was the real founder of Portuguese power in India. He captured Goa in 1510 from the Sultan of Bijapur and laid the foundation for Portuguese dominance in the India. He was also known for expanding Portuguese influence across the Indian Ocean. He also introduced the ‘Policy of Imperialism’. Therefore, he was the real founder of Portuguese power in India.
Q. Among the following factories in Bengal, the one established by the Portuguese was _____
(A) Bandel
(B) Chinsurah
(C) Hooghly
(D) Shrirampur
View Answer...Explanation:- The factory of Hoogly in Bengal was established by the Portuguese in 1537.
Q.Hooghly was used as a base for piracy in the Bay of Bengal by______
(A) Portuguese
(B) French
(C) Danish
(D) British
View Answer...Explanation:- Hooghly was utilized by the Portuguese, as a base for piracy in the Bay of Bengal during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Portuguese engaged in piracy and raiding activities to extend their control and dominance in this region.
Q. Which one of the following is connected with the ‘Blue Water’ policy?
(A) De Almeida
(B) Albuquerque
(C) Dupleix
(D) Robert Clive
View Answer...Explanation:- Francisco de Almeida introduced the Blue Water policy. This policy focused on maintaining naval dominance in the Indian Ocean rather than building forts in India.
Q. Which of the following Portuguese Governor in India introduced the ‘Policy of imperialism’?
(A) Francisco de Almeida
(B) John Mildenhall
(C) Gerald Angier
(D) Alfonso de Albuquerque
View Answer...Explanation:- Alfonso de Albuquerque was the second Portuguese Governor in India, who introduced the ‘Policy of Imperialism’.
Q. Who among the following was the founder of Calcutta?
(A) Charles Ayar
(B) Job Charnock
(C) Garold Angiyar
(D) William Norris
View Answer...Explanation:- Job Charnock was an employee of the English East India Company. He was credited with founding Calcutta in 1690(now Kolkata). He established a trading post in Calcutta in 1690.
Q. In which year, Goa was captured by the Portuguese?
(A) 1499
(B) 1510
(C) 1523
(D) 1961
View Answer...Explanation:- Afonso de Albuquerque, the Governor of Portuguese, captured Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur in 1510.
Q. The Portuguese settlements Goa, Diu and Daman were occupied by India in_______
(A) 1959
(B) 1960
(C) 1961
(D) 1962
View Answer...Explanation:- During Manuel António Vassalo e Silva tenure, on December 19, 1961, Indian forces took control of Goa, Daman, and Diu and incorporated into the Republic of India, marked the end of Portugal's colonial rule in India.
The advent of the British in India
Q. Which of the following British companies got the first charter permitting them to trade in India?
(A) Levant Company
(B) East India Company
(C) The English Company trading to the East Indies
(D) Ostend Company
View Answer...Explanation:- The East India Company got the first charter permitting them to trade in India. The company received a royal charter from Queen Elizabeth I on 31st December 1600, giving it exclusive rights to trade with the East Indies, including India. This marked a significant moment in British colonial expansion and trade with India.
Q. Which one of the following was the Emperor of India when the British East India Company was formed in London?
(A) Akbar
(B) Jahangir
(C) Shah Jahan
(D) Aurangzeb
View Answer...Explanation:- Akbar was the third Mughal emperor, who ruled from 1556 to 1605. Akbar was the Emperor of India when the British East India Company was formed in London.
Q. The East India Company was established on 31st December, 1600 as per the Royal Charter issued by ______
(A) Queen Victoria
(B) Queen Elizabeth I
(C) Henry VII
(D) British Parliament
View Answer...Explanation:- The East India Company received a royal charter from Queen Elizabeth I on 31st December 1600, giving it exclusive rights to trade with the East Indies, including India.
Q. What is the name of the first British to visit India?
(A) Captain William Hawkins
(B) Sir John Child
(C) Sir John Gayer
(D) John Mildenhall
View Answer...Explanation:- John Mildenhall was a British merchant adventurer. Before the establishment of the British East India Company, he arrived in India in 1599 by overland route for trade with Indian merchants.
Q. Which English Governor of East India Company in India was expelled by Aurangzeb?
(A) Aungier
(B) Sir John Child
(C) Sir John Gayer
(D) Sir Nicholas Waite
View Answer...Explanation:- n/a.
Q. Which one of the following Britishers arrived at Jahangir’s court to seek permission to open a factory at Surat?
(A) Captain William Hawkins
(B) Sir John Child
(C) Sir John Gayer
(D) John Mildenhall
View Answer...Explanation:- Captain William Hawkins arrived at Jahangir's court to seek permission to open a factory at Surat in 1609. Jahangir issedued a Farman, permitting the British to build a factory at Surat.
Q. Which one of the following British Ambassador of James I arrived at Jahangir’s court in 1615?
(A) Captain William Hawkins
(B) Sir John Child
(C) Sir John Gayer
(D) Sir Thomas Roe
View Answer...Explanation:- Sir Thomas Roe came to India as an Ambassador of James I to Jahangir's court in 1615 to obtain the permission to trade and erect factories in differnt parts of India.
Q. Where in India did Britishers set up their first factory in 1612?
(A) Goa
(B) Hooghly in Bengal
(C) Amarkot
(D) Surat
View Answer...Explanation:- Britishers set up their first factory in 1612 at Surat.
Q. Which one of the following European trading company was the first to establish its factory at Surat?
(A) The Dutch
(B) The English
(C) The French
(D) The Portuguese
View Answer...Explanation:- The English East India Company was the first to establish its factory at Surat in 1612. On the other hand, French East India established their first factory at Surat in 1668. But, the Portuguese and the Dutch East India Company didn't set up a factory at Surat.
Q. During British rule which region of India was famous for the production of opium?
(A) Bihar
(B) Southern India
(C) Gujarat
(D) Assam
View Answer...Explanation:- During British rule, Bihar was famous for the production of opium. These regions are suitable for poppy cultivation, the source of opium.
Q. Bombay was taken over by the English East India Company from______
(A) The Dutch
(B) The French
(C) The Danish
(D) The Portuguese
View Answer...Explanation:- Bombay was acquired by the Portuguese from the Sultan of Gujarat Bahadur Shah in 1534.
In 1661, King Charles II of England got the island of Bombay as a part of a dowry when he married Catherine, daughter of the King of Portugal. In 1668, the British East India Company acquired it at an annual rent of 10 pounds from King Charles II.
Q. Which of the British officials defeated the Portuguese at Sowlley?
(A) William Hawkins
(B) Thomas Best
(C) Thomas Roe
(D) Josiah Child
View Answer...Explanation:- n/a.
Q. Who was the first Dutchman to reach India?
(A) Vasco-da-Gama
(B) Albuquerque
(C) Bartholomuse Dies
(D) Cornelis de Houtman
View Answer...Explanation:- Britishers set up their first factory in 1612 at Surat.
Cornelis de Houtman was the first Dutchman to reach India( Sumatra and Bantam) in 1596.
Q. The first to start a joint stock company to trade with India were the _____
(A) Portuguese
(B) Dutch
(C) French
(D) Danish
View Answer...Explanation:- The Dutch East India Company was also known as the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC). It was founded in 1602. In 1602, the State General of the Netherlands amalgamated many trading companies into the East India Company of the Netherlands.
Q. In which of the following place, did the Dutch set up their first factory in India?
(A) Goa
(B) Masulipatnam
(C) Amarkot
(D) Surat
View Answer...Explanation:- Dutch set up their first factory in India in Masulipatnam (Andra Pradesh) in 1605 .
Q. Which of the following factories of Bengal was established by the Dutch?
(A) Bandel
(B) Chinsurah
(C) Hooghly
(D) Srirampur
View Answer...Explanation:- The Dutch established a factory in Chinsurah of Bengal in1653.
Q. In which of the following places the Dutch established their trading centre in India?
(A) Nagappattinam, Chinsura, Machilipatnam
(B) Surat, Bharuch, Agra
(C) Cochin, Ahmedabad, Patna
(D) All of the above
View Answer...Explanation:- The Dutch established their trading centre at Surat, Broach, Cambay and Ahmedabad in Gujrat, Cochin in Kerala, Mausulipatnam in Andrapradesh, Nagapatnam in Madras, Chinsura in Bengal, Patna in Bihar and Agra in Uttar Pradesh.
Q. Which one of the following is the correct statement?
(A) The modern Kochi was a 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
View Answer...Explanation:- n/a
Q. Who among the following Europeans, was the last to come to pre-independence India as traders?
(A) Dutch
(B) English
(C) French
(D) Portuguese
View Answer...Explanation:- The French East India Company was founded in 1664. Whereas the Portuguese arrived in India in 1498, the Dutch arrived in India in 1602, and the English founded the East India Company in 1600. So, the French were the last to come to pre-independence India as traders.
Q. French East India Company was constituted during the reign of______
(A) Louis XIV
(B) Louis XIII
(C) Louis XV
(D) Louis XVI
View Answer...Explanation:- During the reign of Louis XIV, the king's famous minister Colbert laid the foundation of the Compagnie des Indes Orientales ( French East India Company) in 1664. It was granted a 50-year monopoly on French trade in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Q. Who among the following is considered the founder of the French Company in India?
(A) Richelieu
(B) Mazarin
(C) Colbert
(D) Franco Martin
View Answer...Explanation:- Jean-Baptiste Colbert was the finance minister of France under King Louis XIV. He was considered the founder of the French Company in India.
Q. Where did the French establish their first factory in India?
(A) Goa
(B) Masulipatnam
(C) Amarkot
(D) Surat
View Answer...Explanation:- French establish their first factory in India in Surat in 1667.
Q. The secret of the success of East India Company in India was_______
(A) Absence of Nationalism in India
(B) The company army received Western training and they had modern arms
(C) Indian Soldiers had lackness of fidelity consequently who play them sufficient could have them on his service
(D) All above three
View Answer...Explanation:- n/a.
Q. The French failed to establish power in the Deccan because______
(A) Duplex was not a capable general
(B) The English had a strong army
(C) The French were not liked by the Indians
(D) Pondicherry was not a strategic centre
View Answer...Explanation:- n/a.
Q. With reference to the entry of European powers into India, which one of the following statements is not correct?
(A) The Portuguese captured Goa in 1499
(B) The English opened their first factory in South India at Masulipatnam
(C) In Eastern India, the English company opened its first factory in Orissa in 1633
(D) Under the leadership of Dupleix, the French occupied Madras in 1746
View Answer...Explanation:- Option (A) is incorrect, the Portuguese captured Goa in 1510. All other options are correct.
Q. Consider the following.
1. Assessment of land revenue on the basis of the nature of the soil and the quality of crops.
2. Use of mobile cannons in warfare.
3. Cultivation of tobacco and red chillies.
Which of the above was/were introduced into India by the English?
(A) Only 1
(B) 1 and 2
(C) 2 and 3
(D) None of these
1. Assessment of land revenue on the basis of the nature of the soil and the quality of crops: This method was not introduced by the English. This method was in place before their arrival.View Answer...Explanation:-
2. Use of mobile cannons in warfare: It was introduced in India before the arrival of the British. Babur is credited with introducing modern artillery.
3. Cultivation of tobacco and red chillies: These crops were introduced to India by the Portuguese, not the English. Therefore the correct choice is (D) None of these.
Q. With reference to Pondicherry (Now Puducherry), consider the following statements.
1. The first European power to occupy Pondicherry was the Portuguese.
2. The second European power to occupy Pondicherry was the French.
3. The English never occupied Pondicherry.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A) Only 1
(B) 2 and 3
(C) Only 3
(D) 1, 2 and 3
View Answer...Explanation:-Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is also correct. Statement 3 is incorrect, because the British captured Pondicherry in 1761 during the third Carnatic War. Therefore correct option is – Option (A) Only 1.
Q. Who among the following was the first European to initiate the policy of taking part in the quarrels of the Indian Princess with a view to acquiring territories?
(A) Clive
(B) Dupleix
(C) Albuquerque
(D) Warren Hastings
View Answer...Explanation:- n/a.