Q130. Which law first introduced substantial parliamentary regulation of Company administration in Bengal?
[RRB NTPC (Graduate), 24 Mar 2026, Shift 3]
(a) Government of India Act 1858
(b) Charter Act 1853
(c) Regulating Act 1773
(d) Indian Councils Act 1861
Answer: (c) Regulating Act 1773
Explanation: The Regulating Act of 1773 marked Parliament’s early attempt to supervise the East India Company’s territorial administration. It created the office of Governor-General of Bengal with a council and also provided for a Supreme Court in Calcutta.
Q129. Which act led to the establishment of the Supreme Court at Calcutta in 1774?
[RRB NTPC (Graduate), 22 Mar 2026, Shift 2]
(a) Pitt’s India Act 1784
(b) Regulating Act 1773
(c) Charter Act 1813
(d) Government of India Act 1858
Answer: (b) Regulating Act 1773
Explanation: The Regulating Act of 1773 authorized a Supreme Court at Fort William, which began functioning in Calcutta in 1774. This development reflected growing parliamentary concern over the judicial and administrative affairs of Company-held territories in India.
Q128. Which 1622 event signalled weakening Portuguese dominance in Indian Ocean commerce?
[RRB NTPC (Graduate), 22 Mar 2026, Shift 1]
(a) Anglo-Persian capture of Hormuz
(b) French victory at Wandiwash
(c) Dutch capture of Madras
(d) First Battle of Panipat
Answer: (a) Anglo-Persian capture of Hormuz
Explanation: English East India Company ships assisted Safavid Persian forces in taking Hormuz from the Portuguese in 1622. The loss damaged Portugal’s control over the Persian Gulf and illustrated the rise of competing European trading and naval interests.
Q127. Which port was seized by Albuquerque in 1510 to establish a permanent Portuguese base?
[RRB NTPC (Graduate), 19 Mar 2026, Shift 2]
(a) Calicut
(b) Goa
(c) Surat
(d) Balasore
Answer: (b) Goa
Explanation: Afonso de Albuquerque captured Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate in 1510. The territory became a durable Portuguese stronghold, anchoring an expanding network of ports, fortifications and naval operations that supported the Estado da Índia.
Q126. Which European power pioneered the early modern maritime trading presence in India?
[RRB NTPC (Graduate), 19 Mar 2026, Shift 2]
(a) Dutch
(b) English
(c) French
(d) Portuguese
Answer: (d) Portuguese
Explanation: The Portuguese arrived with Vasco da Gama in 1498, earlier than the Dutch, English and French chartered companies. They sought access to the spice trade through naval power and coastal bases before later European commercial competitors expanded.
Q125. Who is associated with Portugal’s ‘Blue Water Policy’ in the Indian Ocean?
[RRB NTPC (Graduate), 19 Mar 2026, Shift 1]
(a) Afonso de Albuquerque
(b) Francisco de Almeida
(c) Nuno da Cunha
(d) Dupleix
Answer: (b) Francisco de Almeida
Explanation: Francisco de Almeida, the first Portuguese viceroy in India, emphasized command of the sea and protection of naval trade routes. This strategic approach is commonly called the Blue Water Policy and differs from Albuquerque’s stronger interest in fortified bases.
Q124. Who was associated with implementing Portugal’s Blue Water Policy in India?
[RRB NTPC Graduate, 19 Mar 2026, Shift 3]
(a) João de Castro
(b) Henry the Navigator
(c) Afonso de Albuquerque
(d) Francisco de Almeida
Answer: (d) Francisco de Almeida
Explanation: Francisco de Almeida, the first Portuguese viceroy appointed in 1505, advocated supremacy at sea to control the Indian Ocean trade routes. Blue Water Policy emphasized naval strength, whereas the Cartaz system regulated shipping through Portuguese-issued permits.
Q123. Which battle in Bengal is commonly regarded as opening the Company’s path to political dominance in 1757?
[RRB NTPC (Graduate), 18 Mar 2026, Shift 1]
(a) Wandiwash
(b) Colachel
(c) Plassey
(d) Buxar
Answer: (c) Plassey
Explanation: The East India Company under Robert Clive defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah at Plassey in 1757. The outcome depended partly on conspiracies within the Nawab’s camp and enabled the Company to exercise increasing influence over Bengal’s government and finances.
Q122. Which two European rivals fought the Battle of Wandiwash?
[RRB NTPC (Graduate), 17 Mar 2026, Shift 3]
(a) Portuguese and Dutch
(b) English and French
(c) Dutch and Danish
(d) French and Portuguese
Answer: (b) English and French
Explanation: The Battle of Wandiwash, fought in January 1760, pitted British forces under Eyre Coote against French forces associated with Count de Lally. It proved decisive in the Third Carnatic War and diminished French prospects for political supremacy.
Q121. Which European power reached India first by the Cape route and relinquished its final Indian possessions last?
[RRB NTPC (Graduate), 16 Mar 2026, Shift 1]
(a) French
(b) Dutch
(c) Portuguese
(d) British
Answer: (c) Portuguese
Explanation: Portugal arrived by sea in 1498, before the major northern European companies. Goa, Daman and Diu remained under Portuguese control long after British withdrawal in 1947; Indian forces incorporated these territories in December 1961.
