In the year 1613, the English East India Company was given permission to set up a factory (trading post) in Surat, hence option 4 is the correct answer. Let`s analyze other options for clarification:

Option 1, Bangalore, is incorrect as the East India Company did not establish a trading post there in 1613. This city in southern India wasn`t prominent in the Company`s early trade activities.

Option 2, Madras (now Chennai), is also incorrect. Although the East India Company established a factory in Madras, this didn`t happen until 1639, much after the 1613 timeline mentioned in the question.

Option 3, Masulipattam, is another incorrect option. The Company did have a trading post in Masulipattam, but this was established later in the 17th century.

So, the answer is option 4, Surat. This city was the first significant station where the English East India Company set up a factory for the trading of goods.