1. The East India company Some believe that the East India Company was one of the “most powerful engines” of state and empire in British history. – Huw V. Bowen -The Company lasted from 1600- 1874 and was chartered by Queen Elizabeth I for trade with Asia -In the year 1600, a group of merchants were given exclusive control over all trade with the East Indies -Trading ports started to be established along the east and west coasts of India -The Company focused mainly on trade in cotton, silk, indigo dye, tea, saltpetre (potassium nitrate) and opium -English communities started developing around the cities of Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras