Question

The port which gained importance in place of Hooghly during the colonial rule in India.
A. Bombay
B. Calcutta
C. Visakhapatnam
D. Madras

Answer 1

Hint: The first English factory was set up on the banks of river Hugli. The port which gained importance during the Colonial rule in India was named after the capital of India from 1773 to 1911.

Complete answer: All the European companies wanted to trade with India and for that, they started setting up ports in different cities. Slowly and gradually British eliminated all their rivals and set up the first English factory on the bank of river Hugli in 1651. This was a base from which the company traders operated and the company got all the rights over three villages from which the famous one was Calicut which later grew into the city of Calcutta. Calcutta was the commercial and financial hub of East India Company and the port which was established here was the main port of communication.
Looking at the options given:
Option A. Bombay Port is primarily used for bulk cargo. It was established much later than the Kolkata port. It is an incorrect option.
Option B. Calcutta port was conceived to be a commercial port and gateway of Eastern India. This is the correct answer.
Option C. Visakhapatnam port opened in 1933 to facilitate the export of manganese ore. It is an incorrect option.
Option D. Madras port now known as Chennai port became an important Naval base and
urban centre. It is an incorrect option.
Therefore, option b is the right answer.

Note: Calcutta port or port of Kolkata is the only riverine major port of India. It is the oldest operating port which was constructed by British East Indian Company.