The correct option is Mirzapur.
Explanation
During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, before the expansion of the railway network, India's internal trade relied heavily on riverine systems. The Ganges acted as a primary artery for transporting goods from Northern and Central India to the ports in Bengal.Historical Analysis:
Mirzapur (located in present-day Uttar Pradesh) served as the most significant collection centre for cotton originating from the Deccan plateau. Cotton was transported overland via bullock carts from the Deccan to Mirzapur. From there, it was loaded onto boats and transported down the river Ganges to Calcutta for export or local manufacturing. The city's commercial importance declined sharply after the introduction of railways, which linked the cotton-producing hinterlands of the Deccan directly to the port of Bombay, bypassing the river route.
Key Takeaway:
Mirzapur was the premier entrepôt for the Deccan cotton trade via the Ganges route in the pre-railway era, linking the interior of India to the Calcutta port.