Question

Choose the correct option for the given Statement [As] and Reason [R].
Statement [As]: The British established their first factory in Masulipatnam in the South in 1611.
Reason [R]: The conditions in South India were more favorable for the British; they did not have to face any powerful Indian government there.

• A. Both [As] and [R] are true, and [R] is the correct explanation of [As].
• B. Both [As] and [R] are true, but [R] is not the correct explanation of [As].
• C. [As] is true, but [R] is false.
• D. [As] is false, but [R] is true.

Hint:

When evaluating Assertion-Reason questions in history, it's crucial to verify the factual accuracy of both the assertion and the reason. Then, assess if the reason genuinely explains why the assertion is true. Look for cause-and-effect relationships. The relative political stability and strength of empires (like the Mughals in North India) versus fragmented regional powers (in South India) played a significant role in determining European colonial strategies and early trade settlements.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Analyze Statement [As].
The English East India Company did indeed establish its first factory (trading post) in Masulipatnam (present-day Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh) in South India in 1611. Masulipatnam was a significant port on the Coromandel Coast, crucial for trade in textiles and other goods. Therefore, Statement [As] is TRUE. Step 2: Analyze Reason [R].
The Reason suggests that conditions in South India were more favorable for the British, primarily because they did not have to face a powerful, unified Indian government there. Historically, during the early 17th century, the dominant power in North India was the strong Mughal Empire. Engaging with the Mughals for trading rights and establishing factories was a more complex and often challenging diplomatic and political endeavor. In contrast, South India, particularly the Deccan and the coastal regions, was characterized by various regional kingdoms (like the Sultanates of Golconda, Bijapur, et(C)) that were not always unified or as centrally powerful as the Mughals in the north. This political fragmentation allowed European trading companies to negotiate terms more easily, often by gaining concessions from local rulers or by playing rival factions against each other. The absence of a single, formidable, and centrally controlled power meant less direct opposition to the establishment of European trading posts and influence. Therefore, Reason [R] is TRUE. Step 3: Determine if [R] is the correct explanation of [As].
The "favorable conditions" mentioned in Reason [R], specifically the absence of a singular, powerful, and centrally organized Indian government that could effectively challenge their early maritime and trading ambitions, directly explains why the British found it strategically advantageous and feasible to establish their first significant factory in Masulipatnam in the South. The political landscape of South India at the time presented fewer immediate impediments compared to the highly centralized Mughal Empire in the North. Thus, Reason [R] provides a correct explanation for Assertion [As]. Based on this analysis:
Statement [As] is TRUE.
Reason [R] is TRUE.
Reason [R] is the correct explanation for Statement [As].
The final answer is $\boxed{\text{Both [As] and [R] are true, and [R] is the correct explanation of [As]}}$.