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.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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