6.4.2

Expansion of the East India Company

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Expansion of the East India Company

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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Breakdown of the Mughal Empire

  • By the mid-1700s, the power of the Mughal Emperor was beginning to break down.
  • He no longer had a strong grasp over the country, and his nawabs were often fighting amongst themselves.
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The EIC army

  • The EIC had established its own army in India to protect its trading interests.
  • Over time, the EIC’s army helped the company gain more and more Indian territory, and establish control across the region.
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Robert Clive

  • Robert Clive was a British nabob who began working with the EIC as a small-scale trader.
  • He went on to work for the EIC’s army, becoming an officer.
  • During his time working for the EIC, he became incredibly rich and won several important victories for the EIC’s army.
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Victories

  • The most important came in 1757 at the Battle of Plassey.
  • Clive led the EIC’s army against the army of the nawab of Bengal Siraj ud-Daulah, and won a decisive victory.
  • After winning the Battle of Plassey, the British gained power over the wealthy and populous state of Bengal.
  • This victory forced the Mughal Emperor to negotiate with Clive in the Treaty of Allahabad.

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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