The East India Company, formed in 1600 by British traders, started as a trading enterprise but gradually took control of large parts of India. It began with coastal factories and evolved into a colonial authority through wars, diplomacy, and strategic alliances. Its rule ended in 1858 after the British Crown took direct control.

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• Formed in 1600 with exclusive trade rights to the East
• First arrived in India in 1608 at Surat via William Hawkins
• Defeated Portuguese at Battle of Swally in 1612, gained naval edge
• Built Fort St. George in Madras (1639) and Fort William in Calcutta (1698)
• Received royal Farmans from Mughal rulers to trade freely
• Won Battle of Plassey (1757) using betrayal, began control of Bengal
• Defeated Mir Qasim in Battle of Buxar (1764), gained revenue rights
• Regulating Act 1773 introduced British oversight, created Governor-General post
• Pitt’s India Act (1784) brought dual control – company + British govt
• Charter Acts (1793, 1813, 1833) reduced trade rights, expanded governance
• Ruled India until 1858; Crown took over post-1857 revolt