UPSC Prelims 2003 · General Studies
Question 17: History and Culture
In India, among the following locations, the Dutch established their earliest factory at
AnswerThe answer is (b).
The Dutch first settled at Masulipatnam (1605), and among these options their earliest factory was at Pulicat (Pullicat) on the Coromandel coast, set up in 1610 near Madras, where they built Fort Geldria in 1613. Surat followed in 1616, Cochin was taken from the Portuguese in 1663, and Cassimbazar in Bengal came later. Remember the Dutch pattern: Coromandel coast first, then Gujarat and Malabar.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Surat came later, in 1616.
- (b) Correct: Pulicat, set up in 1610.
- (c) Cochin was taken from the Portuguese in 1663.
- (d) Cassimbazar in Bengal came well after the Coromandel settlements.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2003, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.