UPSC Prelims 2021 Question:

In the first quarter of seventeenth century, in which of the following was/were the factory/factories of the English East India Company located?

1. Broach
2. Chicacole
3. Trichonopoly
   
   

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Explanation:

• April 1609, the British arrived at the court of Jahangir.
  
  
• In 1615, Sir Thomas Roe came as an accredited ambassador of James I to the court of Jahangir. He was able to secure a number of privileges, including permission to set up factories at Agra, Ahmedabad, and Broach. So, point 1 is correct.
  
  
• Under the Sultans of Golconda, Chicacole (Srikakulam) became the headquarters of the North Andhra region, and one officer called 'Fouzdar' was appointed to look after the administration. Sultan of Golconda issued the ‘Golden Farman’ in 1632 granting the British privilege of trading freely in the ports of Golconda. British didn't establish the factory in Chicacole (present Srikakulam). The rule of Golconda in the region ended in 1673. So, point 2 is not correct.
  
  
• During the first half of the seventeenth century, Trichonopoly was under the control of the Madurai Nayak Dynasty (1629-1736) and served as the capital from 1616 to 1634. There was no British factory in Trichonopoly in the first half of the seventeenth century. So, statement 3 is not correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.

Subject: History | Advent of Europeans