Q. Which one of the following was given to King Charles II as part of his dowry on the occasion of his marriage with Queen Catherina of Braganz?
(a) Bombay
(b) Chandranagore
(c) Cochin
(d) Tranquebar
Ans: (a) Bombay
Explanation: The correct answer is (a) Bombay.
As part of the dowry on the occasion of King Charles II’s marriage with Queen Catherina of Braganza, the city of Bombay (now Mumbai) was given to King Charles II. The marriage took place in 1662, and the Portuguese princess, Catherine of Braganza, brought a substantial dowry that included the possession of Bombay.
Bombay was a strategic island city on the west coast of India, and its transfer to the British as part of the dowry marked the beginning of British presence and control in the region. The British East India Company later developed Bombay into a major port and established their headquarters there, laying the foundation for British colonial rule in western India.
Chandranagore, Cochin, and Tranquebar are also historical places associated with European colonial powers, but they were not part of the dowry given to King Charles II on his marriage with Queen Catherina of Braganza.
