Question

The French East India Company was established in the year ________.
(A) 1498 CE
(B) 1600 CE
(C) 1602 CE
(D) 1664 CE

Answer 1

Hint: The first French Factory established in India by the French East India Company was in the city of Surat. The motive of forming the French East India Company was to compete with Dutch East India Company and East India Company at the market level. Jean Baptiste Colbert gets the credit of establishing the French East India Company in India.

Complete answer:
The French East India Company was established in the year 1664 CE on September 1. The French East India Company came to India only with the purpose of trading and not to rule in the country. Indigo, Dye, Cotton, Silk and Spices were some of the important items of trading of French Company. The French Company established its two industries in India, first in Surat in the year 1668 and second in Machilipatnam. But with the arrival of British and Dutch East India Company, these industries lost their reputation in the marketing world. After this, the French decided to expand its business throughout the country. So it started taking hold on other parts which include Malabar Coast, Yanam and Karaikal. But with the increase in the trade from India, the motive of the French Company changed, and it started considering India as its colony.
So, the correct answer is Option D.

Note: King Louis XIV was the finance minister of the French East India Company who looked after the financial affairs of it with other countries. All the trades settlement of French Company took place at Pondicherry. The Battle of Wandiwash between the French and the British made the French East India Company lose its control on India.