Explanations:The British East India Company established three major Presidency towns in India: Madras, Bombay, and Calcutta. These towns served as administrative centers for the British colonial government in India. Each Presidency town had its own governor and was responsible for overseeing a specific region of the country.
Madras, now known as Chennai, was the first of these towns to be established as a Presidency town in 1640. It was a strategic location for the British due to its proximity to the Coromandel Coast and its importance for trade. However, the question specifically asks about the year 1687, which is not the year Madras became a Presidency town.
Bombay, now known as Mumbai, was established as a Presidency town in 1687. This was a significant year in the history of British colonial expansion in India. The British East India Company had gained control of Bombay from the Portuguese in 1661 as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza when she married Charles II of England. The establishment of Bombay as a Presidency town in 1687 marked the beginning of British administrative control over the region, making it a crucial center for trade and governance.
Calcutta, now known as Kolkata, was established as a Presidency town in 1690. It became the capital of British India in 1773 and remained so until 1911. However, the year 1690 does not match the year specified in the question, which is 1687.
Therefore, the correct answer is that Bombay became a Presidency town in 1687. This historical fact is important for understanding the timeline of British colonial expansion and the administrative structure of British India. The establishment of these Presidency towns was a significant step in the consolidation of British power in India and laid the foundation for the British Raj.