Which one of the following was the first fort constructed by the British in India?
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UPSC Civil Services preparation
- AFort William
- BFort St. GeorgeCorrect
- CFort St. David
- DFort St. Angelo
Explanation
Fort St. George is the correct answer because it was the first English fortress built in India, founded in 1644 at Coastal Madras, now Chennai. The East India Company purchased the land in 1639 and completed the construction of the fort to serve as a stronghold for their trading activities on the Coromandel Coast.
While other forts mentioned were also significant, they were established later. Fort William in Calcutta was established in 1696. Fort St. David in Cuddalore was acquired from the Marathas in 1690. Fort St. Angelo in Kannur was originally built by the Portuguese in 1505, not the British. Therefore, Fort St. George holds the distinction of being the first British-built fort in India.
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