Advent of Europeans MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Advent of Europeans - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Masulipatam.

Key Points

• The British East India Company established its first factory in southern India at Masulipatam in the year 1611.
• Masulipatam, also known as Machilipatnam, was a prominent port town located on the eastern coast of India in Andhra Pradesh.
• The factory at Masulipatam was primarily used for trading textiles, spices, and other goods, marking the early expansion of British trade in India.
• Masulipatam was strategically chosen due to its proximity to the Coromandel Coast and its role as a significant trading hub in the Indian Ocean.
• The establishment of the factory laid the groundwork for the British East India Company's further expansion in the subcontinent.

Additional Information

• British East India Company:
  • Founded in 1600, the British East India Company was established to trade in the East Indies but focused on India due to its rich resources.
  • It operated as a joint-stock company and played a significant role in colonial expansion in India.
• Masulipatam's Historical Importance:
  • Masulipatam was an ancient port city known for its textile production, especially hand-woven fabrics.
  • The city was a vital trading center for the Dutch, French, and British during the colonial period.
• Coromandel Coast:
  • The Coromandel Coast stretches along the southeastern coast of India and was historically significant for maritime trade.
  • It housed several important trading ports, including Masulipatam, Nagapattinam, and Pondicherry.
• Early British Expansion in India:
  • The British East India Company gradually expanded its influence by establishing factories in other regions, such as Surat (1612), Bombay (1668), and Calcutta (1690).
  • This trade expansion eventually led to the company's involvement in Indian politics and the establishment of British colonial rule.

The correct answer is Portugal.

Key Points

• Maize (makka) was introduced into India by the Portuguese during their extensive maritime trade and colonial expeditions in the 17th century.
• The Portuguese were instrumental in transferring crops like maize, cashews, and chili peppers to India as part of the Columbian Exchange.
• Maize is a staple cereal crop and is highly versatile, finding applications in food, fodder, and industrial uses in India.
• The crop's adaptability to varying agro-climatic conditions contributed to its widespread cultivation in India.
• India is now one of the largest producers of maize, with the crop being grown predominantly in states like Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

Additional Information

• The Columbian Exchange:
  • A term used to describe the exchange of crops, animals, and culture between the New World (Americas) and the Old World (Europe, Asia, and Africa) following Christopher Columbus's voyages.
  • It introduced crops like maize, potatoes, and tomatoes to Asia and Europe, while crops like wheat and sugarcane were brought to the Americas.
• Portuguese Influence in India:
  • The Portuguese arrived in India in 1498, with Vasco da Gama landing in Calicut (present-day Kozhikode).
  • They established trade routes and brought crops like maize, cashew nuts, and chili peppers to India.
• Maize as a Crop:
  • Maize belongs to the grass family Poaceae and is scientifically known as Zea mays.
  • It is a C4 plant, making it highly efficient in photosynthesis, especially in tropical and subtropical climates.
• Economic Importance of Maize in India:
  • Maize contributes significantly to India's agricultural GDP and is a key crop for food security.
  • It is used in industries for producing starch, oil, and ethanol, apart from being used as animal feed.
• Global Spread of Maize:
  • Maize originated in Mesoamerica and was domesticated by indigenous peoples around 9,000 years ago.
  • It spread globally after the Columbian Exchange, becoming a staple crop in many countries.

Key Points

• Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer who led the first European expedition to India.
• He reached Calicut (modern-day Kozhikode, Kerala) in A.D. 1498, marking the beginning of the European Age of Discovery in India.
• His voyage opened up a direct sea route from Europe to India.
• Calicut was a thriving port on the Malabar Coast, known for its spice trade, especially pepper.

Important Points

• Vasco da Gama's arrival in India laid the foundation for Portuguese colonial rule in the region.
• The Portuguese established trading posts and exerted their influence over Indian Ocean trade routes.
• His expedition was financially supported by King Manuel I of Portugal.
• The success of Vasco da Gama's voyage contributed to the global spread of European imperialism.

The correct answer is - Chandernagore

Key Points

• Chandernagore
  • Located near Kolkata in West Bengal, Chandernagore was a prominent French colony during the 18th century.
  • In March 1757, British forces under Robert Clive attacked and captured Chandernagore during the ongoing rivalry between the British East India Company and French East India Company.
  • The conquest of Chandernagore was part of the broader strategy of the British to establish dominance in India by eliminating European competitors.
  • This event occurred shortly before the famous Battle of Plassey (June 1757), which solidified British control over Bengal.

Additional Information

• French Colonies in India
  • The French established colonies in India primarily for trade and strategic military purposes.
  • Major French colonies included:
    • Pondicherry: The most significant French settlement in South India.
    • Mahe: Located on the Malabar coast.
    • Karikal: Situated in Tamil Nadu.
    • Chandernagore: Established near Kolkata in Bengal.
  • Unlike other colonies, Chandernagore was primarily focused on trade and had limited military infrastructure, making it easier for the British to conquer.
• Anglo-French Rivalry
  • The British and French competed for supremacy in India during the 17th and 18th centuries.
  • Key conflicts included:
    • The Carnatic Wars: A series of battles fought in South India.
    • The struggle for control over Bengal and other resource-rich regions.
  • By the mid-18th century, the British emerged victorious, establishing dominance over French territories like Chandernagore.
• Battle of Plassey
  • The Battle of Plassey (1757) occurred shortly after the British conquest of Chandernagore.
  • It marked a decisive victory for the British East India Company against Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal.
  • This victory gave the British control over Bengal, paving the way for their eventual dominance across India.

The correct answer is - Tiny prison cell

Key Points

• The Black Hole of Calcutta
  • It refers to a small prison cell located in Fort William in Calcutta.
  • In 1756, British soldiers and civilians were imprisoned in this cell by Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula after he captured Calcutta.
  • The cell was infamously overcrowded, leading to the death of many prisoners due to suffocation and heat.
• Historical significance
  • This event became a key moment in the history of British colonialism in India and was widely used to justify British retaliation.
  • It led to the famous Battle of Plassey in 1757, where the British defeated Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula.

Additional Information

• Fort William
  • Fort William was a British fort in Calcutta, established to protect trading interests in Bengal.
  • The original fort was captured by Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula in 1756, leading to the Black Hole incident.
  • A new, larger fort was constructed by the British after they recaptured Calcutta.
• Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula
  • He was the last independent Nawab of Bengal, known for resisting British influence in his territory.
  • His defeat at the Battle of Plassey marked the beginning of British dominance in India.
• Battle of Plassey
  • Fought on 23rd June 1757 between the British East India Company and Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula.
  • The British victory was facilitated by the betrayal of Nawab's commander, Mir Jafar.
  • This battle is considered a turning point in Indian history, marking the start of British colonial rule.

The correct answer is Mir Jafar.

Key Points 

• Robert Clive a British officer bribed Mir Jafar who was the commander in chief of Nawab’s army.
  • The bribe was to make Mir Jafar the Nawab of Bengal.
  • Clive’s goal was to conquer Bengal in order to get the money and resources required for imperialism.
  • In this process, Clive betrayed Mir Jafar during the Battle of Plassey and did not make him the Nawab but in turn, conquered Bengal and made Mir Jafar a traitor who betrayed their country in the eyes of the Indians.
  • After the Battle of Plassey,  Mir Jafar was made Nawab of the Bengal.
  • In 1757, after the Battle of Plassey, Nawab Mir Jafar conferred the 24 Paraganas of Bengal to the British and also the Jangli mahals (small administrative units), as a result, he was propped up as the Puppet Nawab.

Additional Information

• Alamgir II was the Mughal Emperor at the time of the Battle of Plassey.
  • Alamgir II was the Mughal Emperor of India from 3 June 1754 to 29 November 1759.
  • He was the son of Jahandar Shah. 
  • The Battle of Plassey was fought between Siraj-Ud-Daulah who was then the Bengal Nawab and East India Company forces headed by Robert Clive.
  • The Battle of Plassey took place when Nawab of Bengal Siraj-Ud-Daulah did not like the uncontrolled use of privileges by the East India Company’s officials.
  • Also, the workers of the company stopped paying taxes which became one of the reasons for the Battle of Plassey.​

• Siraj-ud-Daulah:
  • Siraj-ud-Daulah was the last independent Nawab of Bengal who succeeded Alivadi Khan to the throne.
  •  The end of his reign marks the beginning of the company's rule that continued unabated over the next two hundred years.
  • The end of his reign marked the start of British East India Company rule over Bengal and later almost all of the Indian subcontinent. 
• Mir Qasim:
  • Mir Qasim was the Nawab of Bengal from 1760 to 1763.
  • He was installed as Nawab with the support of the British East India Company, replacing Mir Jafar, his father-in-law, who had himself been supported earlier by the East India Company after his role in winning the Battle of Plassey for the British.

The correct answer is Lord Dalhousie.

Key Points

• The chief instrument through which Lord Dalhousie implemented his policy of annexation was the ‘Doctrine of Lapse’.
  • Under the Doctrine of Lapse, when the ruler of a protected state died without a natural heir, his/her state was not to pass to an adopted heir as sanctioned by the age-old tradition of the country.
• Lord Dalhousie came to India as the Governor-General in 1848.
• Lord Dalhousie was keen on annexing the kingdom of Avadh.

Important Points

The correct answer is Pondicherry.

Key Points

• Pondicherry is a union territory in India,
• Pondicherry was the capital of the French colony in India.
• Pondicherry is also called 'India's Little France'.
• The French laid their supremacy on Pondicherry in the year 1673.
• French East India Company set up a trading center at Pondicherry in 1674.
• The name Pondicherry was renamed Puducherry in 2006.

Important Points

• Puducherry comprises of the erstwhile French colonies viz. Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam.
  • The Puducherry and Karaikal regions are surrounded by Tamilnadu.
  • Mahe is surrounded by Kerala.
  • Yanam is surrounded by Andra Pradesh.
• Pondicherry was under French rule for 138 years.
• The British “East India Company” captured Puducherry in 1761 from the French and restored the French Company administration by the Treaty of Paris in 1763.
• The British “East India Company returned the Puducherry to the French “East India Company” in 1816.
• It was merged with the Indian Union on 1^st November 1954.
• Puducherry became officially an integral part of India in 1963.

Additional Information

• Calicut is the oldest city in Kerala.
  • ♦♦Calicut was the former capital of Lakshadweep.
• Cochin is popularly known as "queen of the Arabian sea".
  • Kochi is the first e-port in India.
• Goa is the smallest state in India.
  • Goa got independence from the Portuguese in 1961.

The Correct Answer is Second Carnatic War.

Key Points:

The correct answer is 1761.

Key Points

• The British East India Company captured Pondicherry (Puducherry) from the French in the year 1761.
• Puducherry changed hands throughout the Anglo-French wars from 1742 to 1763, with the British "East India Company" capturing Puducherry from the French in 1761 and the French Company administration being restored by the Treaty of Paris in 1763.
• The British "East India Company" acquired control of the territory during the French Revolution in 1793, and it was returned to the French "East India Company" in 1814.
• When the British "East India Company" took control of India in the late 1850s, the French "East India Company" was allowed to keep their settlements in Pondicherry, Mahe, Yanam, Karaikal, and Chandernagore.​

Important Points

• The former French colonies of Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam now make up the Union Territory of Puducherry.
• The states of Tamilnadu and Kerala surround the Puducherry and Karaikal regions, while Kerala surrounds Mahe, and Andra Pradesh surrounds Yanam.
• Pondicherry was founded in 1673 after the "La Compagnie française des Indes Orientales" was granted firman by the Qiladar of Valikondapurarm, who served under the Sultan of Bijapur.
• A French Company Official named Bellanger moved into the Danish Lodge at Pondicherry on February 4, 1673.  

The correct answer is All of the above.

Key Points

• In 1602, the United East India Company of the Netherlands was formed and given permission by the Dutch government to trade in the East Indies including India.
• The Dutch founded their first factory in Masaulipatam in Andhra Pradesh in 1605.
• Subsequently, they also established trading centres in various parts of India.
  • Konkan (Northern part of Westcoast India)
    • Surat (1616-1795)
    • Agra (1621-1720)
    • Burhanpur
    • Kanpur (1650-1685)
    • Ahmadabad (1617-1744)
    • Bharuch (of Brochia, Broach)
    • Vengurla (1637-1685)
    • Kundapura (1667- ca.1682)
  • Malabar (Southern part of Westcoast India)
    • Veeramala Hills,Cheruvathur 
    • Cannanore (1663-1790) (taken from Portugal)
    • Ponnani (ca. 1663)
    • Cochin, Cochin de Baixo or Santa Cruz (1663) (taken from Portugal)
    • Purakkad (ca. 1680-1750)
    • Kayamkulam (ca. 1645)
    • Quilon (Coylan) (1661) (taken from Portugal)
  • Coromandel (East coast of India)
    • Golkonda(1662-ca 1733)
    • Jaggernaikpoeram 
    • Nagelwanze (1669-1687); now Nagulavancha
    • Masulipatnam (1605-1756)
    • Petapoeli (1606-1668); now Nizampatnam
    • Paliacatta (1610-1781/ 1785-1795/ 1805-1825) to the English; now Pulicat
    • Tegenapatnam, Kudalur (1608-1758); now Cuddalore
    • Negapatnam (1658-1781) to the English.
    • Tuticorin or Tutucorim (1658); now Thoothukudi
• Hence, option 4 is correct.

Additional Information

• The Dutch founded their first factory in Masaulipatam in Andhra Pradesh in 1605.
  • Subsequently, they also established trading centres in various parts of India.
• Dutch Suratte and Dutch Bengal were established in 1616 AD and 1627 AD respectively.
  • The Dutch conquered Ceylon from the Portuguese in 1656 AD.
  • They also took the Portuguese forts on the Malabar Coast in 1671 AD.
• The Dutch gradually became a potent force capturing Nagapatam near Madras (Chennai) from the Portuguese thereby establishing their foothold in South India.
  • In economic terms, they earned huge profit through business monopolizing black pepper and spices.
  • The major Indian commodities traded by the Dutch were cotton, indigo, silk, rice, and opium.

The correct answer is Akbar.

Key Points

When the East India Company was established, India was ruled by the Mughal emperor Akbar. (1556-1605)

• On 31 December 1600, a group of merchants who had incorporated themselves into the East India Company was given monopoly privileges on all trade with the East Indies.
• The Company’s ships first arrived in India, at the port of Surat, in 1608. 
• Sir Thomas Roe reached the court of the Mughal Emperor, Jahangir, as the emissary of King James I in 1615, and gained for the British the right to establish a factory at Surat. 

Mistake Points

• The English East India Company was incorporated by royal charter on December 31, 1600.
• Here establishment of the Company is asked not the factory.
• In 1600, a group of London merchants led by Sir Thomas Smythe petitioned Queen Elizabeth I to grant them a royal charter to trade with the countries of the eastern hemisphere. And so, the ‘Honourable Company of Merchants of London Trading with the East Indies’ – or East India Company, as it came to be known – was founded.
• At the same time as Elizabeth I was signing the East India Company (EIC) into existence in 1600, her counterpart in India – the Mughal emperor Akbar – was ruling over an empire of 750,000 square miles, stretching from northern Afghanistan in the northwest, to central India’s Deccan plateau in the south and the Assamese highlands in the northeast.
• By 1600, the Mughal empire (founded by Akbar’s grandfather, Babur, in 1526) had come of age and was embarking on a century of strong centralised power, military dominance and cultural productiveness that would mark the rule of the ‘Great Mughals’. 
• However, Sir Thomas Roe reached the court of the Mughal Emperor, Jahangir, as the emissary of King James I in 1615, and gained the British the right to establish a factory at Surat. 

The correct answer is 1651 CE.

Key Points

• In 1651, the first English factory was set up on the banks of river Hugli in Bengal.
• The East India Company convinced merchants to settle near the factory.
• By 1696, the company began building a fort around the Hugli settlement.

 Additional Information

• English East India Company:
  • The East India Company first arrived via sea route at Surat in the year 1608 for the purpose of establishing trade with India.
  • The Battle of Plassey was a decisive victory of the British East India Company over the Nawab of Bengal Siraj-Ud-Daulah and his French allies on 23 June 1757.
  • The battle consolidated the Company's presence in Bengal, which later expanded to cover much of India over the next hundred years.
  • Fort William was built in 1696 by East India Company by John Goldsborough at Calcutta.

The correct answer is Surat.

Key Points

• The first British presidency was established in Surat in India.
• John Midnall was the first British explorer who had an overland journey to India.
• After the Indian Rebellion of 1857, British administration governance started on 28th June 1858.
• Thereafter, the first Indian factory was established in 1612 at Surat by the Britishers.
• Surat became the hub of business due to major textile industries, shipbuilding and exporting of cloth and gold.
• British had also set up the East India Company in Masulipatnam. They traded cotton, indigo dye, silk, salt, saltpetre, opium and tea.

The correct answer is 1782.

Key Points

• The First Anglo-Maratha War was won by Marathas and ended with the Treaty of Salbai.
• The Treaty of Salbai was signed on 17 May 1782, representing the Maratha Empire and the British East India Company after long negotiation to settle the outcome of the First Anglo-Maratha War II was signed between Warren Hastings and Mahadaji Scindia.
• Salbal is situated in Gwalior, MP.
• The Treaty of Salbai resulted in 20 years of relative peace between the Maratha Empire and the East India Company.
• Under the terms of this treaty, the British retained control of Broach and Salsette and acquired a guarantee that the Marathas would retake territories in the Carnatic by defeating Hyder Ali of Mysore.

Additional Information

• Anglo-Maratha War:
  • The Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803-1805). 
    • Treaty of Surji Anjangaon in 1803.
    • Treaty of Deogaon in 1803
    • Treaty of Rajghat in 1805.
  • Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817-1818).
    • Treaty of Gwalior in 1817.
    • Treaty of Mandsaur in 1818.