Question

In which one of the following cities did the British East India Company set up its first factory?
1. Cochin
2. Kolkata
3. Calicut
4. Surat

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : Surat

The correct answer is Surat

• The East India Company arrived first at Surat, India in 1608 in the ship Hector commanded by William Hawkins.
• The British established their first Indian factory at Surat (1612).
• Within a few years had established a permanent factory there.
• Surat was the port used by the textile manufacturers of Gujrat and was the most important center for the overseas trade of the Mughal Empire.
• A factory was eventually established at Surat in 1612 when the Portuguese fleet was defeated by the English.

• Cochin: The earliest account of Cochin is derived from the records made by the Chinese traveler, Ma Huan.
  • At the beginning of the XVI century, Cochin was the seat of the Portuguese in India, including the time of the capture of Goa in 1510.
  • Cochin was the first princely state to join India willingly after Independence.
• Calicut: Vasco da Gama sailed on a mission to reach India and open a sea route from Europe to the East.
  • He made numerous stops in Africa before reaching Calicut in 1498.