The British east India company (British East India company), shortened EIC was an east India company, which issued the queen Elizabeth different rich Londoner buyers by a charter, on 31 December 1600, developed. The society received merchants OF London trading tons the East Indies to the names Governors and company OF. Their the right was entitled to complete on 15 years all trade between the cape good hope and the Magellan road. It received also a seal, could their governor and the 24 directors themselves select and was allowed Korporationsgesetze (by-laws) give oneself.

First one equipped five ships, which landed under the guidance of captain James Lancaster on 5 June 1602 with Aceh on Sumatra with 72.000 Pound of Sterling. 1604 and 1610 followed further expeditions of this kind. A legation at the Grossmogul obtained the right to furnish commercial stations at the west coast of front India. But one could exercise this privilege only after the victory over the against-striving Portuguese in the year 1612. In WAD-race and Hugli could the company only 1640 become effective, since the dutchmen offered resistance there.

Karl II. confirmed the earlier privileges on 3 April 1661 and lent to the company also the civil jurisdiction, the military force and the right to lead with the "disbelieving ones" in India war and close peace. Besides it left the city Bombay to the company as thanks for the performed work and the delivered profit to the Lehen.

The company kept the right later from Jakob II. still to build fortresses to dig troops and strike coins, in order to set it for the Netherlands east India company. 1694 the privileges again confirmed, however only under large protests of the Kaufmannschaft in the Londoner parliament, excluded from the monopoly. One harvested increasing criticism also due to the oppressive rule in India. The government gave therefore 1698 to a competition company the same rights as the "company OF merchants". It was therefore forced to unite 1708 with this to the "United East India company". The business of the society flowered in extent never known and one received an important influence on political conditions in India. In the Indiabill the government Pitt was placed the company under the supervision of a board of control, which functioned as ministerial department. In commercial matters the company kept its old independence, but the employment of the higher officials, judges and army leaders under national supervision was placed.

1833 lost the society their special rights on the trade, however the highest force in the civil and military affairs kept. Increasing rebellions, last that the Sipahi 1857 led to the fact that one transferred the rights of the company to the English crown. For this the English parliament issued a new Indiabill on 2 August 1858. The last meeting of the directors took place on 30 August 1858.

Meaning

From its headquarters in the Leadenhall Street in London organized it the establishment of the British colony India. In the year 1717 the society received an imperial decree from the Mogulkaiser in India, which released it from the payment from tariffs in Bengalen. Thus it received an important advantage opposite its competitors. A crucial victory by Sir Robert Clive in the battle of Plassey 1757 let the British east India company become also a military power factor. Up to the year 1760 the Frenchmen could be driven out to a large extent from India. Only some commercial establishments at the coast such as Pondicherry remain.

The company had also interests along the routes from Great Britain to India. Already 1620 tried the company to stress the area around the board mountain in South Africa. Later and controlled it occupied pc. Helena. Likewise addresses in Hong Kong and Singapore were established. It engaged captain Kidd, in order to proceed against the Piraterie. Likewise it extended dte production in India. Another memorable of events in company history was the guard of the prisoner Napoleon on pc. Helena. Also their goods supplied the article of the Boston Tea party in the colony America.

The flag of the British east India company with the cross of pc. George in the left upper corner as well as horizontal strip is to have served and Stripes as collecting main for the US flag of star (Charles Fawcett, 1937). The British flag originates from the years of the foundation in 17. Century, star and Stripes was created 1777.

The shipyards of the east India company served its administration as model for those in pc. Petersburg, parts in the Indian bureaucracy remained preserved, and its social structure was the most successful model of a corporation. Unfortunately the demands for tribute of managers of the company on the Treasury in Bengalen contributed in tragic way to the large hunger emergency 1770-1773, with which millions died.

History

The years of the foundation

The society became as The Governor and company OF Merchants OF London Trading into the East Indies of a group of enterprising and influential businessmen based, whom received a royal charter with an exclusive right (monopoly) to the trade with India for one duration from 15 years. The company had 125 shareholders and a capital stock of 72.000 Pound. Initially it could hardly shake however Netherlands control of the spice trade. Also it did not succeed to it first to establish a durable base in India. Finally their ships reached India and put on in Surat. There also 1608 a trading base were then established. In the following two years it could develop their first branch office in Machilipatnam to the in the bay of Bengalen. The high profits, which were announced by the company in India, caused king James I. to give also different British commercial companies licenses. But 1609 it renewed the charter of the company for indefinite time, with the restriction that the charter would step after three following each other years without profits repealed.

Addresses in India

Their dealers were frequently into collisions with its Netherlands opponents in the Indian ocean complicated. Perhaps one saw the uselessness of economic wars in far waters, anyhow decided the British to explore possibilities a durable address on the Indian mainland. One caused the British government to begin a diplomatic initiative. 1615 were assigned Sir Thomas Roe of James I. to visit the Mogulkaiser Jahangir which controlled 70 per cent of the Subkontinents. The goal of this mission was it to lock a trade agreement which would give exclusive rights to the British east India company to establish themselves in Surat and other areas and create Kontore. In response the company offered to supply the emperor with goods and luxury goods from Europe. The mission was extremely successful, and Jahangir conveyed a letter at James I., in which he wrote:

On the insurance I gave general instruction at all kingdoms and ports of my rule to your royal love to receive all dealers of the English nation as the subjects of my friend; that it, wherever they select to live, them perfect liberty without restriction enjoy; and wherever they are to arrive, neither Portugal nor somebody other one it to dare are to disturb their peace; and wherever they established themselves, has I mean governors and main people instructed to grant to them that liberty which they wish themselves; to sell to buy and transport into their country, as they like it.

For the confirmation of our love and friendship I wish myself of your majesty to instruct its dealers to transport on its ships all kinds of luxury goods and magnificent goods which are worthy of my palace; and that you send me your royal letters with each opportunity, so that I can enjoy of your health and successful affairs; that our friendship lasted mutually and eternally.

Articles in category "British east India company"

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