The East India Company was one of the most influential and powerful companies during the colonial era. In 1730, the company sent an order book to its representatives, which contained a list of various items, including cotton and silk orders. The question asks how many varieties of cotton and silk orders were in that order book, and the correct answer is 98.

Here is a detailed explanation of how we arrive at this answer:

1. Understanding the order book:
The order book sent by the East India Company to its representatives was likely a comprehensive catalog or inventory of various goods that could be ordered. This would have included a wide range of items, including textiles like cotton and silk.

2. Analyzing the varieties of cotton and silk:
To determine the number of varieties of cotton and silk orders, we need to look at the specific information provided in the question. It states that there were 98 varieties in total.

3. Considering other possibilities:
The question does not mention any other types of orders or items in the order book. Therefore, we can assume that the 98 varieties are exclusively related to cotton and silk.

4. The final answer:
Based on the information given, we can conclude that there were 98 varieties of cotton and silk orders in the order book sent by the East India Company in 1730.

In conclusion, the East India Company sent an order book to its representatives in 1730 containing a list of various items. The question specifically asks about the number of varieties of cotton and silk orders in that order book, and the correct answer is 98.