The correct answer is: a) Early 1700s
The British East India Company first established contact with Sikkim in the early 1700s. In 1707, the Company sent a delegation to the court of the Chogyal, the ruler of Sikkim. The delegation was led by George Bogle, a Scottish physician and diplomat. Bogle’s mission was to establish trade relations between the Company and Sikkim. He also hoped to learn more about the country and its people.
Bogle and his party were well received by the Chogyal. They spent several months in Sikkim, during which time they conducted trade negotiations and gathered information about the country. Bogle also wrote a detailed account of his travels, which was published in 1774.
The British East India Company’s contact with Sikkim in the early 1700s marked the beginning of a long and complex relationship between the two countries. This relationship would be marked by periods of cooperation and conflict, as the Company sought to expand its influence in the region.
The other options are incorrect because:
- Option b) is incorrect because the British East India Company did not establish contact with Sikkim in the late 1700s.
- Option c) is incorrect because the British East India Company did not establish contact with Sikkim in the early 1800s.
- Option d) is incorrect because the British East India Company did not establish contact with Sikkim in the mid 1800s.