The correct answer is option 2, Surat. The question asks about the first trading center established by the British. Surat was chosen by the British as their first trading center in India because of its strategic location on the west coast. Surat was a prominent port city and a hub for international trade, especially in textiles, during the 17th century. It provided the British with access to valuable goods such as spices, silk, and cotton, which they could trade with Europe. Surat was also home to many wealthy merchants and had a well-developed network of trade routes. However, it is important to note that Kolkata (option 1) was also an important trading center established by the British later on, but it was not the first.