How East India Company Captured India.

The East India Company began in 1599 when 24 rich merchants, frustrated by Dutch spice monopolies, formed an independent trading venture. With 72,000 pounds collected from 125 shareholders, they established "The Governor and Company of Merchants of London, trading into the East Indies." Queen Elizabeth I granted them a royal charter for 15 years, giving them exclusive trading rights in a specified area east of the Cape of Good Hope, with powers including minting money, making laws, and maintaining an army. This made the East India Company a joint-stock company focused solely on profit, with little regard for ethical considerations or human cost. Early attempts to trade in the Maluku Islands were thwarted by the powerful Dutch United East India Company, redirecting their focus to India.

Despite Portuguese traders having a presence since 1498, the East India Company decided to venture into India. In 1608, William Hawkins, aboard the ship Hector, arrived in Surat. He found the Mughals, then at the peak of their power under Emperor Jahangir, hesitant to trade with the British due to their existing relations with the Portuguese. India, at this time, was an economic powerhouse, contributing 25% to global manufacturing—primarily textiles—and boasting an economy larger than all of Europe combined. Hawkins' initial attempts to impress Jahangir failed, leading to Sir Thomas Roe being sent as an official ambassador in 1615. Roe successfully convinced Jahangir of the trading benefits, securing limited trading rights and permission for a factory in Surat in exchange for annual payments.

Initially, the East India Company was restricted to sea-based trade, as the Mughals were too strong to confront directly. However, they rapidly expanded their trading volume and established more factories, including in Machilipatnam and Patna. They fortified their settlements, such as Fort St. George in Madras Patnam (later Madras), citing security needs. The acquisition of Bombay (Mumbai) as a dowry for King Charles II further bolstered their presence. The company's ambitions soon turned to Bengal, a region of immense prosperity. Despite initial resistance from Bengal's Governor Shahista Khan, trade began through agreements. However, a new, arrogant director, Joshia Child, provoked a war in 1686 over increased taxes, leading to a humiliating defeat for the East India Company against the powerful Mughals. They were forced to apologize and pay a fine, learning the lesson that direct confrontation was not yet viable.

The death of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707 marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire's decline. Subsequent emperors were weak, leading to many provinces declaring independence. In 1717, Emperor Farrukhsiyar, impressed by the cure provided by the East India Company's surgeon, granted them free trade rights in Bengal, exempting them from taxes in exchange for an annual payment. This 'Dastak' system allowed unchecked movement of goods and greatly benefited the Company. Meanwhile, Bengal's Nawab, Siraj-ud-Daulah, who had declared himself independent from the weak Mughals, grew concerned about the East India Company's fortification, misuse of policies, and harboring of rebels. In 1756, Siraj-ud-Daulah attacked the Company's Calcutta factory, imprisoning its workers in the infamous 'Black Hole.' This direct confrontation prompted Robert Clive to be dispatched from the South. Clive, instead of engaging in direct warfare, resorted to political manipulation. He conspired with Mir Jafar, Siraj's army commander, and 'Jagath Seth,' a wealthy financier, promising Mir Jafar the Nawab's throne. This led to the Battle of Plassey in 1757, where Mir Jafar's betrayal ensured the East India Company's victory. Post-victory, Mir Jafar became a puppet Nawab, and the Company gained full control over Bengal's revenue and resources.

Following the Battle of Plassey, the East India Company levied a massive fine on Bengal, initiating a period of rampant exploitation. The word "loot" itself entered the English lexicon during this period. The Company's strategy was to control resources and revenue without the burden of governance, leaving administration to puppet kings. This aggressive policy led to the Battle of Buxar in 1764, where a combined force of Bengal, Awadh, and the Mughal Emperor fought against the Company but lost due to poor coordination. The Treaty of Allahabad in 1765 granted the East India Company 'Diwani' rights over Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, effectively giving them complete control over revenue collection. This unchecked power led to an aggressive tax policy that, combined with a drought in 1770, caused a devastating famine in Bengal and Bihar, killing millions. The Company continued to collect taxes from the deceased and hoarded grain, exacerbating the calamity. Their greed extended to South India, targeting the prosperous Malabar Coast. They clashed with Tipu Sultan of Mysore, who actively resisted their activities and even allied with the French. After a series of Anglo-Mysore wars, Tipu Sultan was eventually defeated and killed in 1799, and his treasures were plundered by the Company.

By 1803, the East India Company had seized the Mughal capital of Delhi, solidifying its control over North India. It expanded its empire by defeating the Marathas and Sikhs and introduced the 'Doctrine of Lapse' in 1847, which allowed them to annex Indian states if their rulers died without a male heir (e.g., Udaipur, Jhansi, Awadh). The Company's unchecked power and corruption also had a detrimental impact in Britain, as its officials, like Robert Clive, used their ill-gotten wealth to buy influence in Parliament. This led to parliamentary investigations into bribery and insider trading, ultimately resulting in the Company's removal. In 1858, the British government passed the Government of India Act, abolishing the East India Company's power and officially transferring control of India to the British Crown. All territories, revenues, and possessions of the Company became part of the British Empire. This marked the official end of the Company's rule, but the legacy of its systematic looting—estimated at 45 trillion dollars over 200 years—had already crippled India's economy, preventing modernization and leaving a lasting impact on its administrative and legal systems.

The Britishers' rule in India was characterized by systematic exploitation, which funded their own development and wars, such as World War I and II, by imposing debts on India. The practice of calling a District Administrative Officer a 'collector' today is an enduring symbol of the British-era tax collection that led to widespread suffering. The East India Company employed cunning strategies, like creating separate departments for tax collection and purchasing goods, to legitimize their open loot. This exploitation led to a significant transfer of wealth from India to Britain, leaving India without resources for industrialization or technological advancement. The video concludes by highlighting that while some Indians collaborated with the British for personal gain, the majority suffered immensely. It contrasts the prevalent notion of Western innovation with the untold history of India's exploitation, emphasizing that the modern capitalist global system is, in part, founded on this historical plunder. The video also notes the ironic twist of fate where an Indian, Sanjeev Mehta, later acquired the East India Company, which now sells luxury goods.