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Modern Indian History

East India Company

British joint-stock company (1600–1874)

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Overview

The East India Company (EIC) was an English, and later British, joint-stock company that was founded in 1600 and dissolved in 1874. It was formed for Indian Ocean trade, initially with the East Indies, and later with East Asia. The company gained control of large parts of the Indian subcontinent and Saint Helena prior to 1834. At its peak, the company was the largest corporation in the world by various measures and had its own armed forces in the form of the company's three presidency armies, totalling about 260,000 soldiers, twice the size of the British Army at certain times.

Source: Wikipedia — East India Company (CC BY-SA)

Key concepts

How East India Company connects to the ideas, people and events around it.

  1. Charter of 1600

    established by

    The Charter of 1600 was a royal charter granted by Queen Elizabeth I establishing the East India Company. It gave the company a monopoly on English trade with Asia for fifteen years.

  2. Thomas Smythe

    first governor

    Sir Thomas Smythe served as the first governor of the East India Company from 1600 to 1601. He was a prominent London merchant and financier.

  3. Battle of Plassey

    won

    The Battle of Plassey was fought on 23 June 1757 between the East India Company and the Nawab of Bengal. The company's victory secured its political dominance in Bengal.

  4. Robert Clive

    led by

    Robert Clive, also known as Clive of India, was a key military leader of the East India Company. His actions at Plassey and later campaigns expanded the company's control.

  5. Mumbai

    controlled

    Bombay (now Mumbai) was acquired by the East India Company in 1668 as part of a marriage treaty with the Portuguese. It became a major trading hub and naval base for the company.

  6. Mughal Empire

    interacted with

    The Mughal Empire was the dominant power in India during the early period of the East India Company. The company's trade agreements and later conflicts were shaped by Mughal politics.

  7. Company rule in India

    administered

    Company rule in India refers to the period from 1757 to 1858 when the East India Company administered large territories. It ended after the Indian Rebellion of 1857, leading to direct British Crown rule.

  8. Presidency armies

    maintained

    The East India Company Army was a private military force raised by the company to protect its interests. By 1857 it comprised over 300,000 soldiers, making it one of the largest armies of its time.

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Questions about East India Company

What is East India Company?

The East India Company (EIC) was an English, and later British, joint-stock company that was founded in 1600 and dissolved in 1874. It was formed for Indian Ocean trade, initially with the East Indies, and later with East Asia. The company gained control of large parts of the Indian subcontinent and Saint Helena prior to 1834.

What are the key concepts related to East India Company?

The main concepts connected to East India Company include Charter of 1600, Thomas Smythe, Battle of Plassey, Robert Clive, Mumbai, Mughal Empire, Company rule in India, Presidency armies. Each is linked on the map above with its own summary.

Which exams cover East India Company?

East India Company is part of Modern Indian History, which appears in the syllabus of UPSC CSE, UPSC CAPF, NDA, CDS, AFCAT, SSC CGL and 48 more exams.