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Home › Indian History › European Powers in India

European Powers in India — Indian History Questions & Practice

Practise 17 European Powers in India questions from Indian History for competitive exams such as UPSC, Banking, SSC and Railway. Read the worked questions below, check every answer with an explanation, and track what you get wrong.

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Practice questions on European Powers in India — with answers

Try each question first, then open the answer. Explanations are included.

1. Which of the following describes the 'Dutch' presence in colonial India?

  1. AThe first European power to establish trade with India, with Vasco da Gama landing at Calicut in 1498; Goa was their main base
  2. BEstablished the East India Company in 1600; eventually became the dominant colonial power in India
  3. CEstablished the Dutch East India Company (VOC); competed with the Portuguese and English but were eventually defeated
  4. DEstablished trading settlements at Tranquebar and Serampore, but had a limited presence compared to other powers
Show answer

Answer: C

'Dutch': Established the Dutch East India Company (VOC); competed with the Portuguese and English but were eventually defeated.

2. Which of the following describes the 'English (British)' presence in colonial India?

  1. AEstablished the East India Company in 1600; eventually became the dominant colonial power in India
  2. BEstablished trading settlements at Tranquebar and Serampore, but had a limited presence compared to other powers
  3. CEstablished the Dutch East India Company (VOC); competed with the Portuguese and English but were eventually defeated
  4. DEstablished the French East India Company; competed with the British in South India during the Carnatic Wars
Show answer

Answer: A

'English (British)': Established the East India Company in 1600; eventually became the dominant colonial power in India.

3. Which of the following describes the 'French' presence in colonial India?

  1. AEstablished trading settlements at Tranquebar and Serampore, but had a limited presence compared to other powers
  2. BThe first European power to establish trade with India, with Vasco da Gama landing at Calicut in 1498; Goa was their main base
  3. CEstablished the French East India Company; competed with the British in South India during the Carnatic Wars
  4. DEstablished the East India Company in 1600; eventually became the dominant colonial power in India
Show answer

Answer: C

'French': Established the French East India Company; competed with the British in South India during the Carnatic Wars.

4. Which European power in India is described as: 'The first European power to establish trade with India, with Vasco da Gama landing at Calicut in 1498; Goa was their main base'?

  1. AEnglish (British)
  2. BDanish
  3. CFrench
  4. DPortuguese
Show answer

Answer: D

This describes the Portuguese.

5. Which European power in India is described as: 'Established the Dutch East India Company (VOC); competed with the Portuguese and English but were eventually defeated'?

  1. AEnglish (British)
  2. BFrench
  3. CDutch
  4. DPortuguese
Show answer

Answer: C

This describes the Dutch.

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