Q. Consider the following statements regarding French and British settlements in India during the 18th century:

1. The French established their headquarters at Pondicherry, while the British established theirs at Madras.
2. The French settlements were mainly on the western coast, whereas the British settlements were only on the eastern coast.
3. Both the French and the British established trading factories in Bengal.

Which of the above statements is / are correct?
Answer: Only 1 and 3
Notes: Statements 1 and 3 are correct: The French established Pondicherry as their headquarters and the British Madras. Both powers established trading factories in Bengal. Statement 2 is incorrect because both French and British had settlements on both western and eastern coasts – for example, French at Mahe (west) and Pondicherry (east); British at Bombay (west) and Madras (east).