6.4.1

The East India Company

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The East India Company and Trade

Britain set up the East India Company as a way to reap the benefits of trading with India, but over time the British established control over much of India.

The Mughal Empire

The Mughal Empire

  • In the 1500s and into the 1600s, most of India was controlled by the Mughal Empire.
  • The Mughals originated from Central Asia, and took control of India in the 1550s.
The Mughal Emperor

The Mughal Emperor

  • The Mughal Emperor controlled the Mughal Empire, including India.
  • He delegated control of the various Indian provinces to princes, known as nawabs.
  • They ruled on his behalf, though the Emperor was the one with ultimate power.
Trade

Trade

  • The Emperor was prepared to trade with other countries and allow them to trade in India to benefit the Indian economy.
  • So, the East India Company was established in England in 1600 as a trading company.
The East India Company

The East India Company

  • The EIC would set up trading posts in India and trade in the exotic things that India had to offer, such as spices, dyes, and silks.
  • Many British traders realised they could make a fortune from going out to work alongside the EIC, and some did so very successfully.
  • These wealthy men were known as nabobs.
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The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

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