Mirzapur, located in the northern part of India, was a significant collection center for cotton from the Deccan region before the railway age. The town's strategic location along the Ganges River and its well-established trading routes made it an important hub for the cotton trade. Cotton was grown in the Deccan region in the southern part of India and transported to Mirzapur for further distribution and trade.Mirzapur's prominence as a cotton collection center was due to its accessibility via river transport and overland routes, making it a key trading point for cotton merchants and traders during the pre-railway era.

So, the correct option is [2].