Question

Which of the following had their factories and warehouses at Surat in the 17th Century?
A) English
B) Portuguese
C) Dutch
D) All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Surat is a big city in Gujarat, India, located along the Tapi River. Surat, once known for silk weaving, is now a commercial centre for textiles, with fabric businesses along the New Textile Market area.

Complete answer:
During the Mughal time, Surat, along with Cambay, was the epicentre of Western trade. It served as a crossroads for trade with West Asia through the Gulf of Ormuz. Surat was home to factories and warehouses built by the Portuguese, Dutch, and English in the 17th century. Surat's textile marketplaces attracted visitors from all over the world. Surat textiles were well-known for their zari work, which found buyers throughout Africa, West Asia, and Europe. Surat's textiles drew a large number of traders.

Second, Surat was a port city, and as such, it served as a crossroads for trade with West Asia. Surat was the starting point for many ships bound for Mecca. Surat was home to the Kathiawad seths or mahajans (moneychangers), who owned large banking establishments. Their hundis were praised in far-flung markets such as Cairo, Egypt, Basra, Iraq, and Antwerp, Belgium. Hence, English, Portuguese and Dutch all had their factories and warehouses at Surat in the 17th Century.

Thus, the correct answer is Option (D) all of the above.

Note: Surat began to lose its status as the trade capital towards the end of the 17th century due to a number of factors, including the decline of the Mughal Empire, which resulted in a loss of markets and productivity, Portuguese control over the sea routes, and competition from Bombay after the East India Company relocated its headquarters there in 1668. Surat, on the other hand, is a thriving business centre in Gujarat.