The East India Company
History: KS3, topic 6.4.1
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
- 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 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
- 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 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.
Test yourself on The East India Company
What was NOT something traded by the East India Company in India?
What were wealthy British traders in India known as?