The first settlement of the English in Eastern India was at:

Correct option is D

Correct Answer: (D) Balasore
Explanation:
→ The English East India Company established its first settlement in Eastern India at Balasore (present-day Odisha).
→ This settlement was set up in 1633 after obtaining permission from local authorities.
→ Balasore served as an early trading centre for the English before they expanded to Hugli and Calcutta.
→ It marked the beginning of English commercial presence in eastern coastal India.
→ Hence, the correct answer is Balasore.
Information Booster:
→ The English East India Company was formed in 1600.
→ Surat was the first English factory in Western India.
→ Balasore was strategically located on the Odisha coast.
→ From Balasore, English trade expanded into Bengal.
→ Later, Calcutta emerged as the major English centre in the east.