Spectrum Test: The Advent of Europeans & Consolidation of British Power in India- 1 - UPSC MCQ

1. Bombay given to East India Company - 1668
Correct. Bombay was given to the East India Company by King Charles II in 1668 after being part of the dowry from Portugal in 1662.

2. English factory established at Surat - 1616
Incorrect. The English established a factory at Surat in 1613 under Thomas Aldworth.

3. Golden Farman issued by Sultan of Golconda - 1632
Correct. The Sultan of Golconda issued the 'Golden Farman' in 1632, allowing the English to trade freely in Golconda ports on payment of an annual fee.

4. Foundation of Fort St. George in Madras - 1639
Correct. The British merchant Francis Day received permission in 1639 from the ruler of Chandragiri to build a fortified factory at Madras, which later became Fort St. George.

Thus, pairs 1, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, and only pair 2 is incorrectly matched.

1. The Battle of St. Thome during the First Carnatic War was fought between the French forces and the forces of Anwar-ud-din, the Nawab of Carnatic: This statement is correct. The Battle of St. Thome was a significant event during the First Carnatic War, where the French forces clashed with the forces of Anwar-ud-din, to whom the English had appealed for help.

2. During the Second Carnatic War, Robert Clive captured Arcot with a force of only 210 men in 1751: This statement is also correct. Robert Clive's capture of Arcot with a small force was a notable event during the Second Carnatic War and demonstrated the strategic prowess of the English forces.

3. The Treaty of Peace of Paris (1763) ended the Third Carnatic War and restored the French factories in India: This statement is correct as well. The Treaty of Peace of Paris concluded the Third Carnatic War and resulted in the restoration of French factories in India, marking a significant diplomatic outcome of the conflict.

Therefore, all three statements are correct. Hence, the correct answer is Option D.

Alfonso de Albuquerque is recognized as the real founder of Portuguese power in the East. His strategic strongholds in East Africa and key locations in India significantly bolstered Portuguese influence in the region. Albuquerque's leadership and military prowess played a pivotal role in establishing and expanding Portuguese dominance in these territories.

Option 4: Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I

Explanation:

• Statement I: The Portuguese indeed established military posts and settlements on the east coast, specifically at San Thome (now a part of Chennai) and Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu. This statement is correct.

• Statement II: The Dutch established their first factory in Masulipatnam (in present-day Andhra Pradesh) in 1605, marking the start of their involvement in Indian trade. This statement is also correct.

However, Statement II does not provide an explanation for Statement I, as the two statements refer to different European colonial powers (Portuguese and Dutch) and their activities. Therefore, both statements are correct but unrelated in terms of explanation.

- Statement 1: Francisco De Almeida was indeed appointed by the King of Portugal to consolidate the Portuguese position in India and to destroy Muslim trade. He was equipped with sufficient force and had clear directives, which included seizing strategic locations such as Aden, Ormuz, and Malacca. Hence, this statement is correct.

- Statement 2: Nuno da Cunha, who assumed the role of governor in November 1529, did shift the headquarters of the Portuguese government in India from Cochin to Goa. This move was significant in establishing Goa as a central hub for Portuguese activities in India. Therefore, this statement is also correct.

- Statement 3: The Portuguese administration in India was known for its intolerant religious policies, especially towards Muslims. They had a strong zeal to promote Christianity and were not tolerant towards other religions, which led to political fears and tensions. Hence, this statement is incorrect.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B.

1. Francisco de Almeida - Established a factory at Calicut: Incorrect - The factory at Calicut was established by Pedro Alvarez Cabral.

2. Vasco Da Gama - Led by a Gujarati pilot named Abdul Majid: Correct - Vasco Da Gama was indeed guided by Abdul Majid, a Gujarati pilot, during his journey to Calicut.

3. Francisco de Almeida - Opposed establishing a territorial empire: Correct - Francisco de Almeida is known for his Blue Water Policy, which emphasized Portuguese supremacy at sea rather than establishing a territorial empire in India.

4. Afonso de Albuquerque - Took control of Goa: Correct - Afonso de Albuquerque successfully took control of Goa from the Sultan of Bijapur in 1510 AD.

Given the pairs, three are correctly matched (2, 3, and 4).

Prince Henry of Portugal, also known as the 'Navigator,' played a crucial role in promoting exploration during the fifteenth century. His efforts significantly contributed to the increased prosperity and demand for oriental luxury goods in Europe. Prince Henry's support for exploration paved the way for Portuguese maritime expansion and discoveries, impacting the course of history in significant ways.

Let's evaluate the correctness of each statement:

Statement-I: The English secured permission to set up Agra, Ahmedabad, and Broach factories.

• This statement is correct. The English East India Company did secure permissions to establish factories (trading posts) in various parts of India, including Agra, Ahmedabad, and Broach (now Bharuch). These permissions were often secured through negotiations and agreements with local rulers and the Mughal Empire during the early 17th century.

Statement-II: The French East India Company was reorganized as the 'Perpetual Company of the Indies' in 1720.

• This statement is correct. The French East India Company, originally founded in 1664, was indeed reorganized in 1720 and became known as the 'Compagnie Perpétuelle des Indes' (Perpetual Company of the Indies). This reorganization aimed to revitalize French trade in the Indian Ocean and other regions.

Based on the evaluation, both statements are correct, but they are independent historical facts that do not explain each other.

Therefore, the correct option is:

3. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.

1. The Sultan of Golconda did issue the 'Golden Farman' in 1632, which allowed the English to trade freely in the ports of Golconda on payment of 500 pagodas a year. This statement is correct.

2. The English factory at Surat was indeed established in 1613 under Thomas Aldworth. This statement is also correct.

3. Sir Thomas Roe, who came as an accredited ambassador of James I to Jahangir's court in 1615, secured permission to set up factories at Agra, Ahmedabad, and Broach. This statement is correct as well.

Since all the statements are correct, the correct answer is Option D: 1, 2, and 3.

Statement-I is correct because Prince Henry of Portugal, also known as the 'Navigator,' indeed played a significant role in promoting exploration during the fifteenth century. Statement-II is also correct as the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494 did divide the non-Christian world between Portugal and Spain along an imaginary line in the Atlantic. This division aimed to resolve disputes between the two countries regarding newly discovered lands and territories. Therefore, both statements are accurate, and Statement-II provides the historical context that supports Statement-I.

• Alfonso de Albuquerque is often associated with the expansion of Portuguese territorial control in India, not specifically with the Blue Water Policy, which was advocated by Francisco de Almeida. Therefore, this pair is incorrectly matched.
• Francisco de Almeida did emphasize maritime dominance but is more famously associated with the Blue Water Policy rather than the establishment of forts. Therefore, this pair is incorrectly matched.
• Nino da Cunha's shifting of the Portuguese capital from Cochin to Goa is correctly matched, marking a strategic move to consolidate Portuguese control in India.

Explanation:

• The first statement is correct. Nino da Cunha shifted the Portuguese capital in India from Cochin to Goa in 1530. 
• The second statement is correct. The Battle of Hooghly in 1632 was indeed a significant event that demonstrated the declining influence of the Portuguese in the Bengal region.
• The third statement is incorrect. The Treaty of Bassein was signed in 1534 between the Portuguese and Bahadur Shah of Gujarat, but it did not lead to the acquisition of key territories along the western coast of India.

• The defeat of the Dutch at the Battle of Bedara (Bedaara) in 1759 indeed marked the end of Dutch colonial ambitions in India against the English, cementing the British East India Company's supremacy in the region.
• The 'Golden Farman' issued by the Sultan of Golconda indeed granted the English East India Company significant trading privileges, fostering the expansion of English commercial activities in the Deccan region.
• The Battle of Plassey in 1757 was between the English East India Company and the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah, not the Dutch. This battle marked a decisive turn in British fortunes in India, leading to the establishment of British political dominion in Bengal and eventually in much of India. Therefore, Statement 3 is incorrect.

To determine how many of the given statements are correct, let's analyze each one:

1. The Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 required the Dutch to withdraw from their possessions in India, marking the end of their commercial presence in the region.

   • This statement is correct. The Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 (also known as the Treaty of London) did require the Dutch to cede their Indian possessions to the British, effectively ending their commercial presence in the region.

2. The system of Cartazes was introduced by the British to regulate maritime trade in the Indian Ocean.

   • This statement is incorrect. The system of Cartazes was introduced by the Portuguese, not the British. It was a naval trade license or pass system used by the Portuguese to control and regulate maritime trade in the Indian Ocean during the 16th and 17th centuries.

3. The Battle of Wandiwash in 1760 was a decisive victory for the British over the French, significantly reducing French territorial claims in India.

   • This statement is correct. The Battle of Wandiwash was indeed a decisive victory for the British East India Company over the French forces in India. This battle significantly weakened French influence and territorial claims in India.

Given the analysis:

• Statement 1 is correct.
• Statement 2 is incorrect.
• Statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, the number of correct statements is:

2. Only two