All About INDIA

East India Company has been a major player in the Indian history. The East India Company was also referred as The East India Trading Company or English East India Company. Early intensions of this company was to make possible trade with the areas of East Indies, however, these intensions were later diverted towards India and China because of the higher trade opportunities available at these areas.

It was one of the earliest joint stock companies of England. East India Company entered the Indian market as a trader of various products like tea, opium, cotton, silk and a lot more. That was the time when it could not have been predicted that this company will rule us for about the coming hundred years.

The rule of the East India Company in the country lasted from 1757 AD to 1857 AD. The english rule initiated with their victory in the Battle of Palassey. This battle was probably the first battle that the India fought against the Englishmen. Finally, the rule of this company ended after the Indian Revolt of 1857. It must be noted that year 1857, was just the year in which the rule of this English company ended and not the year in which India was declared Independent. In year 1857 the rule over the nation was taken up by the crown of England and the English forces were off its ruling powers. This company was later dissolved in year 1874.

Establishing its high profit trade and long rule in India was not an easy task for the British forces. The East India Company went through a long struggle and breathtaking competition with some of the other European Merchants like the French and the Portuguese. This competition finally moved its favors to this British forces after the defeat of the Portuguese in the Battle of Swally in year 1612. After their victory over the Portuguese, the company established itself throughout the nation, which was then under the rule of the Mughal ruler Jahangir. Jahangir allowed the East India Company to establish its factories and stay at various parts of the country. Although, it was not an easy task, but the British force officials were able to establish their wrist hold in country. The company established its trading ports at the city of Madras (now known as Chennai), Bombay and Calcutta (now known as Kolkata). These ports were used for the import and export of goods to and from India. The pace with which the forces expanded their root was mind-blowing as by the end of year 1647, the East India Company was able to establish twenty-three factories all across the nation with a workforce of about hundred employees in the country. The major products which were being traded by the British traders were cotton, silk, tea and some other products of similar stream.

The establishment of its rule in country was also not a race free from hurdles for the East India Company. The Indian rulers continuously strived and struggled to restrict the expansion of the roots of the company. The defeat of the Siraj Ud Daulah, in the famous Battle of Plassey, led to the first victory for ruler ship of the East India Company on the Indian soil. This victory moved the crown of Bengal to the company. Siraj Ud Daulah was a close friend of the Shah Alam-II, who was then commanding the helm of the Mughal Empire. The defeat of the Siraj Ud Daulah in the Battle of Plassey gave way to the battle of Buxar, between the british company rule and the Shah Alam-II. After the Battle of Buxar, the control over the areas of Bengal and Bihar was overtaken by the British company rule. Apart from this, the province of Mysore also offered a high resistance to the British Army but finally, the helm of the Mysore was also taken over by the English forces. The areas close to the city of Bombay(now known as Mumbai) were also taken away by the English forces from the hands of the Maratha rules.

The company expanded its rule over the entire nation and ruled it for about one-hundred years. The rule from the British East India Company was only undertaken by the British Crown, after the Revolt of 1857. The rule the British Crown in India was very responsible for its expanding infrastructure and falling economy.