Which of the following statements about colonial Calcutta is NOT correct?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → It exported indigo dyes and cotton to Dundee mills.
Option (1) It was among the first of the new colonial cities. — True. Kolkata was one of the first new colonial cities. It grew from a trading post set up by the river Hugli in 1690.
Option (2) It was a favoured coastal city for exporting primary commodities. — True. Coastal cities such as Kolkata were favoured because primary commodities could be exported easily and manufactured goods imported cheaply from there.
Option (3) It exported indigo dyes and cotton to Dundee mills. — False. Calcutta sent jute to the mills of Dundee. Indigo dyes and cotton went from Madras to Britain, so the statement mixes up the two ports.
Option (4) Its core was formed by the fort and the Maidan. — True. Fort William and the open Maidan cleared around it formed the core of the city that grew up quickly.
NCERT (2026-27): “The Colonial Experience … “In 1690, an English merchant named Job Charnock arranged to lease three villages (named Kolikata, Gobindapur, and Sutanuti) by the river Hugli in order to set up a trading post. In 1698, Fort William was established by the river for defensive purposes, and a large open area was cleared around the fort for military engagements. The fort and the open area (called Maidan) formed the core of the city that emerged rather rapidly.” |