The British East India Company played a key role in the early stages of British expansion in India. Founded for trade, it soon gained political power and control over vast regions. These British East India Company – Initial Days GK MCQs with answers and explanations will help you understand the company’s rise and its impact on India’s history.
1. In which year did the East India Company acquire Bombay from the Portuguese?
- 1663
- 1668
- 1670
- 1689
Show Answer
Answer: 1668
In 1668, through the Royal Charter, Charles II of England transferred the island of Bombay to the British East India Company. This transaction occurred in exchange for an annual rent of £10 paid by the East India Company to the British Crown. This acquisition marked the beginning of the East India Company’s presence in Bombay, a significant strategic and trading hub, and they promptly fortified the island.
2. Which among the following British men tried to obtain a Firman for trade in Gujarat from Emperor Akbar?
- Ralph Fitch
- John Mildenhall
- Sir Thomas Roe
- Thomas Stephens
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Answer: John Mildenhall
John Mildenhall was an early British explorer and adventurer who embarked on one of the first recorded overland journeys to India during the late 16th century. He is also known for being the self-styled ambassador of the British East India Company in India. Mildenhall is credited with the first recorded burial of an Englishman in India. However, it’s important to note that he used a diplomatic bluff by claiming to be Her Britannic Majesty’s ambassador in Akbar’s court. Unfortunately, he was unable to gain the full confidence of the Mughal Emperor Akbar during his time in India.
3. On which occasion was Bombay handed over to the Britishers by the Portuguese?
- Freedom of Portuguese from the control of Spain
- Marriage of Charles II with the Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza
- Crushing of the Spanish Armada by the British in 1588
- The Treaty of Madrid in 1630
Show Answer
Answer: Marriage of Charles II with the Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza
The transfer of Bombay to the British East India Company can be linked to the marriage of Charles II of England with Catherine of Braganza, a Portuguese princess. As part of Catherine’s dowry, the Portuguese ceded Bombay to the British. This marriage arrangement played a crucial role in the British acquisition of Bombay.
4. Which among the following apparently impressed Jahangir to issue a farman in 1613 A.D. to the English to establish a factory at Surat?
- Reconciliation between the English and Portuguese
- A secret offer of naval help to the Mughal emperor to oust the Portuguese
- A heavy dose of bribe to Nur Jahan
- The defeat of Portuguese naval squadrons by the English
Show Answer
Answer: The defeat of Portuguese naval squadrons by the English
During the early 17th century, the English achieved significant naval victories over Portuguese forces in the Indian Ocean. These victories caught the attention of Jahangir, the Mughal Emperor, and in 1613, he issued a farman (royal decree) granting the English the permission to establish a trading factory at Surat, recognizing their naval prowess.
5. Where waws the first English trade post on the eastern coast of India established?s?
- Madras
- Pettapooly (Pulicat)
- Masulipatnam
- Vizag
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Answer: Pettapooly (Pulicat)
The first English trading post on the eastern coast of India was set up at Pettapooly, also known as Pulicat. This location was situated approximately 36 miles west of Masulipatnam. Captain Hippon arrived there aboard the ship “Globe” on August 20, 1611, marking an early English establishment on the eastern coast for trade and commerce.
6. In which year were the custom duties completely waived for the East India Company?
- 1711
- 1715
- 1717
- 1720
Show Answer
Answer: 1717
In 1717, Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar issued a significant firman to the East India Company. This decree exempted the company from paying import and export duties, providing them with a significant advantage by freeing them from customs duties, effectively acting as a Magna Carta for the company. This exemption allowed the company to engage in trade with greater freedom and reduced financial burdens.
7. In the name of which Mughal emperor did the East India Company strike the first coins in India?
- Jahangir
- Mughal emperor
- Farrukhsiyar Muhammad Shah
- Jahandar Shah
Show Answer
Answer: Mughal emperor
Farrukhsiyar, a Mughal emperor, granted the East India Company permission to mint its own coins in 1717. This meant that the company could issue its currency, a privilege that was exercised in his name. The ability to mint coins provided the company with greater financial autonomy and control over their trade activities.
8. The first coins under the authority of the East India Company were struck in the mint at which of the following places?
- Hooghly
- Murshidabad
- Calcutta
- Bombay
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Answer: Bombay
Emperor Farrukhsiyar granted the East India Company the right to mint coins in Mughal style at the Bombay Mint in 1717. The coins they produced included the Carolina (gold), anglina (silver), cupperoon (copper), and tinny (tin). This privilege allowed the company to establish a monetary system for its trade and financial transactions.
9. Which of the following is a first-hand authority for much of what happened in Rajputana and Malwa between 1657 and 1698?
- Alamgirnama
- Ma’asir-i-Alamgiri
- Futuhat-i-Alamgiri
- Muntakhab-ul-Lubab
Show Answer
Answer: Muntakhab-ul-Lubab
The “Futuhat-i-Alamgiri” is an important historical work written by Isar Das Nagar, a Mughal officer. This document serves as a valuable first-hand source for events in the regions of Rajputana and Malwa between 1657 and 1698, providing insights into historical events and the reign of Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor. Isar Das Nagar, who held the charge of the Sarkar of Jodhpur for an extended period, documented significant occurrences during his time.
10. The Battle of Hooghly was fought between which of the following powers?
- English vs Dutch
- English vs Portuguese
- Dutch vs Danes
- Dutch vs Portuguese
Show Answer
Answer: English vs Dutch
The Battle of Hooghly, alternatively known as the Battle of Chinsura, took place in 1759 and was fought between the English and the Dutch colonial forces in India. The outcome of this battle played a crucial role in establishing British supremacy in the Hooghly-Chinsura region, contributing to the British East India Company’s ascendancy in that area.
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