From Trade to Territory: The Company Establishes Power

Vocabulary practice covering the rise of the British East India Company, its early settlements, and conflicts with the Nawabs of Bengal.

Charter of 1600

An agreement acquired by the East India Company from Queen Elizabeth I, granting it the sole right to trade with the East.

First Factory in India

The British East India Company (BEIC) set up their first factory in India at Surat, Gujarat, in $1613$.

First Factory in Bengal

The British East India Company (BEIC) set up their first factory in Bengal on the banks of the Hugli (Hoogly) river in $1651$.

Nawabs of Bengal

Rulers such as Murshid Quli Khan, Alivardi Khan, and Sirajuddaulah who refused the Company concessions and demanded large tributes for trade rights.

Kolkata

The city (formerly Calcutta) formed by the merging of three villages, including Gobindapur and Kalikata.

Trading Company Competition

A 17th and 18th-century conflict where companies sank rival ships, blockaded routes, and protected trade through arms and fortification.

Unjust Demands

The Company's claim that the duties required by local officials were ruining trade and that prosperity required their removal.

Company Settlements

To expand trade, the Company became convinced it needed to enlarge its settlements, buy up villages, and rebuild its forts.

Right to Mint Coins

One of the specific rights denied to the East India Company by the Nawabs of Bengal during their conflict.

Revenue Deprivation

The Nawabs' accusation that the Company was depriving the Bengal government of huge amounts of revenue and refusing to pay taxes.

Fortification

The practice of protecting trading posts, which the Nawabs tried to stop the Company from extending.