Modern History · Chapter 1 of 52

Advent of European Companies: BPSC Prelims PYQs

10 previous-year questions on Advent of European Companies, asked 1994–2024. Each one opens to its answer and explanation.

1. 1. 45th BPSC Prelims 2001

   Who was the first Portuguese Viceroy in India?

   1. ADiaz
   2. BVasco da Gama
   3. CAlmeida
   4. DAlbuquerque
   Answer and explanation →

2. 2. 65th BPSC Prelims 2019

   Who used Hooghly as a base for piracy in the Bay of Bengal?

   1. AThe Dutch
   2. BThe French
   3. CThe Portuguese
   4. DThe British
   5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
   Answer and explanation →

3. 3. 39th BPSC Prelims 1994

   Where in India did the British setup their first factory in 1613?

   1. AGoa
   2. BHooghly in Bengal
   3. CAmarkot
   4. DSurat
   Answer and explanation →

4. 4. 44th BPSC Prelims 2000

   Which of the British officials defeated the Portuguese at Swally?

   1. AWilliam Hawkins
   2. BThomas Best
   3. CThomas Roe
   4. DJosiah Child
   Answer and explanation →

5. 5. 44th BPSC Prelims 2000

   Which one of the following was the immediate cause of the First Carnatic War?

   1. AAnglo-French Rivalry
   2. BAustrian War of Succession
   3. CIssues of Carnatic Succession
   4. DCapture of French ships by the British
   Answer and explanation →

6. 6. 66th BPSC Prelims 2020

   The famous Battle of Wandiwash in 1760 was fought by the British against whom?

   1. AFrench
   2. BSpain
   3. CMysore
   4. DCarnatic
   5. ENone of the above/ More than one of the above
   Answer and explanation →

7. 7. 40th BPSC Prelims 1995

   Identify the region from where Europeans got best shora (Saltpetre) and opium –

   1. ABihar
   2. BGujarat
   3. CBengal
   4. DMadras
   Answer and explanation →

8. 8. 47th BPSC Prelims 2005

   During British rule which region of India was famous for the production of opium?

   1. ABihar
   2. BSouthern India
   3. CGujarat
   4. DAssam
   Answer and explanation →

9. 9. 70th BPSC Prelims 2024

   What was the main economic basis of the triangular trade between India, China, and England?

   1. ASilk
   2. BOpium
   3. CBlack pepper
   4. DMore than one of the above
   Answer and explanation →

10. 10. 69th BPSC Prelims 2023

    Match List–I with List–II:

    List—I	List—II
    (Explorer)	(Birthplace)
    A. Christopher Columbus	1. Portugal
    B. Jacques Cartier	2. United Kingdom
    C. Sir Francis Drake	3. Italy
    D. Ferdinand Magellan	4. France

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

    1. A3 4 2 1
    2. B1 2 4 3
    3. C3 4 1 2
    4. D1 4 2 3
    Answer and explanation →