Q. The Portuguese established their first business centre at
(a) Calicut
(b) Surat
(c) Goa
(d) Cochin
Ans: (a) Calicut
Explanation: The Portuguese established their first business center at (a) Calicut. Calicut, also known as Kozhikode, located on the Malabar Coast of present-day Kerala in India, was the first major trading center where the Portuguese established a business presence in the late 15th century. It was in Calicut that Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer, made his historic arrival in 1498, opening the direct sea route from Europe to India. The Portuguese set up a factory or trading post in Calicut to engage in commerce and establish trade relations with the local merchants. Calicut became an important hub for the Portuguese in their initial ventures in India and the Indian Ocean trade.
