Q. Consider the following statements:

1. English East India Company opened its first trading depot at Surat.
2. Sir Thomas Roe was the first representative of English East India Company to go to the Mughal court.

Which of the above is / are correct?
Answer: Only 1
Notes: English East India Company was incorporated in London in 1599 CE by a group of merchants known as the ‘Merchant Adventurers’. Its first voyage was made in 1601 CE when its ships sailed to the Spice Islands of Indonesia. In 1608 CE, the company decided to open a factory, the name given to a trading depot at the time at Surat on the West coast of India. So, statement 1 is correct. Captain Hawkins was the first representative of the English East India Company sent to the court of Jahangir in order to obtain royal favors. But, his trip was spoiled by the intriguing Portuguese. Later, their ambassador Sir Thomas Roe reached the Mughal court. Roe succeeded in getting an imperial farman to trade and establish factories in all parts of the Mughal Empire. So, statement 2 is incorrect.