HIST 284E Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Indian Rebellion Of 1857
10 May 2018
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Between early 1600s and the mid-19th century, the British East India
Company lead the establishment and expansion of international trade to Asia
and subsequently leading to economic and political domination of the entire
Indian subcontinent. It all started when the East India Company, or the
“Governor and Company of Merchants of London trading with the East
Indies”, as it was originally named, obtained a Royal Charter from Queen
Elizabeth I, granting it “monopoly at the trade with the East”. A joint stock
company, shares owned primarily by British merchants and aristocrats, the
East India Company had no direct link to the British government.
Through the mid-1700s and early 1800s, the company came to account for
half of the world’s trade. They traded mainly in commodities exotic to Europe
and Britain like cotton, indigo, salt, silk, saltpetre, opium and tea. Although
initial interest of the company was aimed simply at reaping profits, their single
minded focus on establishing a trading monopoly throughout Asia pacific,
made them the heralding agents of British Colonial Imperialism. For the first
150 years the East India Company’s presence was largely confined to the
coastal areas. It soon began to transform from a trading company to a ruling
endeavor following their victory in the Battle of Plassey against the ruler of
Bengal, Siraj-ud-daullah in the year 1757. Warren Hastings, the first
governor-general, laid down the administrative foundations for the
subsequent British consolidation. The revenues from Bengal were used for
economic and military enrichment of the Company. Under directives from
Governor Generals, Wellesly and Hastings, expansion of British territory by
invasion or alliances was initiated, with the Company eventually acquiring
major parts of present day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. In
1857, the Indians raised their voice against the Company and its oppressive
rule by breaking out into an armed rebellion, which historians termed as
the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. Although the company took brutal action to
regain control, it lost much of its credibility and economic image back home
in England. The Company lost its powers following the Government of India
Act of 1858. The Company armed forces, territories and possessions were
taken over by the Crown. The East India Company was formally dissolved
by the Act of Parliament in 1874 which marked the commencement of the
British Raj in India.
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Document Summary
Between early 1600s and the mid-19th century, the british east india. Company lead the establishment and expansion of international trade to asia and subsequently leading to economic and political domination of the entire. It all started when the east india company, or the. Governor and company of merchants of london trading with the east. Indies , as it was originally named, obtained a royal charter from queen. Elizabeth i, granting it monopoly at the trade with the east . A joint stock company, shares owned primarily by british merchants and aristocrats, the. East india company had no direct link to the british government. laid down. Through the mid-1700s and early 1800s, the company came to account for half of the world"s trade. They traded mainly in commodities exotic to europe and britain like cotton, indigo, salt, silk, saltpetre, opium and tea.
