2008 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2008 · General Studies

Question 56: History and Culture

During the time of which Mughal Emperor did the English East India Company establish its first factory in India?

aAkbar
bJahangir
cShahjahan
dAurangzeb

AnswerThe answer is (b).

The English East India Company set up its first factories in India at Masulipatnam (1611) and Surat (1613), during the reign of Jahangir (1605-27). Captain William Hawkins came to Jahangir's court in 1609, and Sir Thomas Roe in 1615 to obtain trading rights. Akbar died in 1605, before the Company's factories, and Shahjahan and Aurangzeb ruled later.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Akbar died in 1605, before the Company set up its factories.
  • (b) Jahangir ruled when the first factories were set up.
  • (c) Shahjahan ruled from 1628, after the first factories.
  • (d) Aurangzeb ruled from 1658, long after the first factories.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2008, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.