2005 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2005 · General Studies
Question 36: History and Culture
Which one of the following is the correct statement?
aThe modern Kochi was a Dutch colony till India’s independence.
bThe Dutch defeated the Portuguese and built Fort Williams in the modern Kochi.
cThe modern Kochi was first a Dutch colony before the Portuguese took over from them.
dThe modern Kochi never became a part of the British colony.
AnswerThe answer is (b).
Kochi passed from the Portuguese, who arrived in 1503, to the Dutch, who defeated them in 1663, and then to the British, who took it over in 1795. So (b), the Dutch defeating the Portuguese at Kochi, is the only statement with the order right. Kochi was not Dutch until independence, was Portuguese before it was Dutch, and did become part of British territory.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Kochi was Dutch only until 1795, then British, not until independence.
- (b) Correct: the Dutch defeated the Portuguese at Kochi (1663).
- (c) Reverses the order: the Portuguese came first, then the Dutch.
- (d) Kochi did pass to the British after 1795.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2005, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.