Expansion of the East India Company
History: KS3, topic 6.4.2
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Test yourself on Expansion of the East India Company
Around which time did the Mughal Empire begin to breakdown?