In 1611, the English East India Company opened its first factory on the eastern (Coromandel) coast of India at:

In 1611, the English East India Company opened its first factory on the eastern (Coromandel) coast of India at Masulipatnam (Machilipatnam), in present-day Andhra Pradesh.

About the Masulipatnam factory:

• It was set up during the reign of the Qutb Shahi rulers of Golconda, who controlled the region.
• The English ship "Globe" reached Masulipatnam in 1611, and the factory was set up there.
• Masulipatnam was an important port, famous for its textiles, especially painted and printed cotton cloth (kalamkari or chintz).
• Goods were exported from there to South-East Asia, Persia and Europe.

NCERT on Masulipatnam:

• NCERT notes that Masulipatnam (or Machlipatnam, literally "fish port town") lay on the delta of the Krishna river.
• In the 17th century, it was a centre of intense activity.
• Both the Dutch and the English East India Companies attempted to control Masulipatnam, as it became the most important port on the Andhra coast.
• The Qutb Shahi rulers of Golconda imposed royal monopolies on the sale of textiles, spices and other items, to prevent the trade passing completely into the hands of the various East India Companies.
• Fierce competition among various trading groups made Masulipatnam populous and prosperous.

Later decline:

• By the end of the 17th century, the Mughals had conquered Golconda, and the English moved their trade to other settlements.
• Masulipatnam declined in importance.

The Dutch:

The Dutch had also set up a factory at Masulipatnam (1605).

Why not the other options?

• ✗Madras came later.
• ✗Pulicat was a Dutch settlement.
• ✗Hugli was a settlement in Bengal.