2.1 East India Company Comes East

The British East India Company, initially founded in 1600, was a trading company established to trade with the East Indies, but it gradually turned its focus towards India and Southeast Asia. This period marks the beginning of European influence in India, eventually leading to British rule in the country. The establishment of the East India Company in India was not just an economic venture but also had political and military dimensions, which laid the groundwork for British colonial expansion.

The first major event that marked the arrival of the British in India was the establishment of a trading post in Surat, Gujarat, in 1608. The company secured a royal charter from the English monarch, granting it the right to carry out trade in the East Indies. Over time, the British established more trading posts in different parts of India, including Madras (now Chennai), Bombay (now Mumbai), and Calcutta (now Kolkata).

The East India Company operated under the protection of the British navy, and it used its armed forces to secure and expand its interests. The Company was not just involved in trading goods like cotton, silk, tea, and spices, but it also started to exert influence over local politics and rulers. This process was gradual and involved complex negotiations, alliances, and, at times, military intervention.

Initially, the Company was involved in trade with local rulers and traders, but by the 18th century, it began to assume a more dominant political and military role. The British used a combination of diplomacy and force to control key territories in India. The Mughal Empire, which was weakening at the time, was unable to prevent the rise of the East India Company.

In the mid-18th century, the Company faced competition from other European powers such as the French, Dutch, and Portuguese. The struggle for control of Indian territories led to several important events, including the famous Battle of Plassey in 1757. This battle marked the beginning of British political control in India. The victory of the British, led by Robert Clive, over the forces of Siraj-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Bengal, gave the East India Company significant influence in Bengal and marked a turning point in the British conquest of India.

After Plassey, the British East India Company began to expand its control over more territories, including areas like Bihar, Odisha, and eventually much of northern India. The Company’s growth was also supported by the exploitation of the local economy. They imposed heavy taxes on Indian farmers and craftsmen, contributing to the increasing economic dependence of the subcontinent on Britain.

In this early phase of British imperialism, the East India Company took advantage of the political instability in India. The downfall of the Mughal Empire and the rise of regional powers provided an opportunity for the Company to assert its dominance. The use of European military techniques and the establishment of fortified trading posts (factories) enabled the British to maintain control over vast areas of India.

As the East India Company’s influence expanded, it also began to interfere more in the administration of Indian territories. This marked the start of a long process through which Britain established a colonial system in India, setting the stage for the eventual British Raj.