5.4.1

The East India Company

Test yourself

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.

Illustrative background for The Mughal EmpireIllustrative background for The Mughal Empire ?? "content

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.
Illustrative background for The Mughal EmperorIllustrative background for The Mughal Emperor ?? "content

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.
Illustrative background for TradeIllustrative background for Trade ?? "content

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.
Illustrative background for The East India CompanyIllustrative background for The East India Company ?? "content

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.

Jump to other topics

1The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

1.1Anglo-Saxon England

1.2The Contest for the English Throne

1.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

1.4King John

1.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

1.6The Black Death

2Worldviews

3The Empire of Mali

4The Renaissance & Reformations, 1500-1598 AD

5The British Empire, 1583-1960 AD

6The Peasants' Revolt

7Religion in the Middle Ages

8Slavery, 1619-1833 AD

9The English Civil War, 1642-1660

10The Industrial Revolution, 1750-1840

11US Independence, 1775-1783

12The French Revolution, 1789-1815

13The British Empire, 1857–1930

14Suffrage

15World War 1, 1914-1918

16The Inter-War Years, 1919-1939

17World War 2, 1939-1945

18The Cold War, 1947-1962

19Civil Rights in the USA, 1954-1975

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson