Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Ruler of India when English East India Company was formed?
Solution & Analysis
Answer: B
Concept
Matching the timelines of global historical events is key to understanding the context of colonial beginnings. The birth of the EIC occurred while the Mughals were at the peak of their stability.Explanation
The English East India Company was founded on December 31, 1600, via a charter from Queen Elizabeth I. At that time, Emperor Akbar (reigned 1556–1605) was the supreme ruler of India. However, the first British ships reached Indian shores only in 1608, during the reign of his son Jahangir.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Akbar's final years coincided with the first formal organized efforts of the British to enter Asian trade.
Logic 2: While Jahangir is famous for meeting Captain Hawkins, he was not the ruler when the Company was actually *incorporated* in London.