Chronologically arrange the following European trading companies that established their bases in India, beginning with the earliest to the most recent.
(A) British in Calcutta
(B) Dutch in Masulipatnam
(C) Portuguese in Panaji
(D) French in Pondicherry
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → (C), (B), (D), (A)
The Portuguese came first by sea, and the Dutch, French and British companies followed in the 17th century:
(C) Portuguese in Panaji — 1510. Afonso de Albuquerque took Goa, where Panaji lies, and it became the centre of Portuguese power in the East.
(B) Dutch in Masulipatnam — 1605, the first Dutch factory in India, on the Andhra coast.
(D) French in Pondicherry — 1674, founded by Francois Martin; it became the chief French settlement in India.
(A) British in Calcutta — 1690, when Job Charnock set up the English factory at Sutanuti, which grew into Calcutta.