Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:
This is a description of Masulipatnam by William Methwold, a Factor of the English East India Company, in 1620:
This is the chief port of Golconda, where the Right Worshipfull East India Company have their Agent. It is a small town but populous, unwalled, ill built and worse situated; within all the springs are brackish. It was first a poor fisher town … afterwards, the convenience of the road (a place where ships can anchor) made it a residence for merchants and so continues since our and the Dutch nation frequented this coast.
1. Where was the town of Masulipatnam located?
2. Why did the English and the Dutch decide to establish settlements in Masulipatnam?
3. Who built the fort at Masulipatnam?
4. How did William Methwold describe Masulipatnam?

Question

Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:    
 This is a description of Masulipatnam by William Methwold, a Factor of the English East India Company, in 1620:
This is the chief port of Golconda, where the Right Worshipfull East India Company have their Agent. It is a small town but populous, unwalled, ill built and worse situated; within all the springs are brackish. It was first a poor fisher town … afterwards, the convenience of the road (a place where ships can anchor) made it a residence for merchants and so continues since our and the Dutch nation frequented this coast.
1. Where was the town of Masulipatnam located?  
2. Why did the English and the Dutch decide to establish settlements in Masulipatnam?						
3. Who built the fort at Masulipatnam?		
4. How did William Methwold describe Masulipatnam?

Accepted Answer

Answer: 

The town of Masulipatnam or Machlipatnam lay on the delta of the Krishna river.
Both the Dutch and English East India Companies attempted to control Masulipatnam as it became the most important port on the Andhra coast.
The Dutch built the fort at Masulipatnam.
William Methwold described Masulipatnam as a small but populous town. It was unwalled, ill built and worse situated. All the springs in the town were brackish.

Suggested Q&A