The correct answer is (d). The Portuguese established their first trading settlement in Surat during the Sultanate period.
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in India, landing in Calicut in 1498. They quickly established a trading presence in the country, and by the early 16th century, they had control of several important ports, including Surat.
Surat was a major trading center at the time, and the Portuguese were eager to establish a foothold there. They built a fort and a trading post, and soon Surat became one of their most important trading centers in India.
The Portuguese presence in Surat was not without its problems. The local population was often hostile to the Portuguese, and there were several uprisings against them. However, the Portuguese managed to maintain control of Surat for over a century.
In the early 17th century, the British and the Dutch began to challenge the Portuguese for control of Surat. The British eventually succeeded in driving the Portuguese out of Surat in 1664.
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish a trading settlement in Surat during the Sultanate period. They were followed by the British and the Dutch, who eventually drove the Portuguese out of Surat.