2009 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2009 · General Studies

Question 64: History and Culture

With whose permission did the English set up their first factory in Surat?

aAkbar
bJahangir
cShahjahan
dAurangzeb

AnswerThe answer is (b).

The English East India Company set up its first factory in India at Surat in 1613 with the permission of the Mughal emperor Jahangir, after the English naval victory over the Portuguese at Swally in 1612. Sir Thomas Roe's embassy (1615-19) secured further trading rights. Akbar had died in 1605, and Shahjahan and Aurangzeb came later.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Akbar died in 1605, before the English arrived at Surat.
  • (b) Right: Jahangir gave permission.
  • (c) Shahjahan ruled from 1628, after the factory was founded.
  • (d) Aurangzeb ruled from 1658, long after.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2009, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.