Which one of the following was the first fort constructed by the British in India?
Q. Which one of the following was the first fort constructed by the British in India?
(a) Fort William
(b) Fort St. George
(c) Fort St. David
(d) Fort St. Angelo
Ans: (b) Fort St. George
The correct answer is (b) Fort St. George.
Explanation:
Fort St. George was the first fort constructed by the British in India. It was established in the city of Madras (now known as Chennai) in the year 1644. The fort served as the headquarters of the British East India Company’s settlement in the region.
The establishment of Fort St. George laid the foundation for the establishment of the British presence in India, particularly in the Madras Presidency. Over time, the settlement around the fort grew and developed into the city of Madras, which played a significant role in British colonial rule in India.
Fort William, on the other hand, is another notable fort in India, but it was constructed later. Fort William was built in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) in 1696 and served as a major British stronghold in Bengal.
Fort St. David, located in Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu), and Fort St. Angelo, situated in Kannur (Kerala), were also constructed by the British, but they were not the first forts established by the British in India.
Therefore, the correct answer is (b) Fort St. George.