Q. The term ‘nabobs’ refers to which of the following?
Answer: Rich officials of the East India Company
Notes: The rich resources of Bengal had fallen into the hands of the company officials. The company's high dividends and the fabulous wealth brought home by its officials excited the jealousy of the other sections of the British society. Rising forces of free enterprise in Britain wanted to share in the profitable Indian trade and the riches of India which the company and its officials were enjoying. Therefore, they worked hard to end company's monopoly over the Indian trade. They specially targeted those corrupt company officials that had served in India and returned home with huge wealth. They were given the derisive title of ‘nabobs’ and were ridiculed in the press and on the stage. They were condemned as oppressors of Indian people.