Most of us are of the view that the British only subdued us by taking advantage of our disunity and gradually consolidated their position as masters from mere traders.
But what most of us don’t know is the fact that before they began consolidating their position against Indian rulers, they had already defeated, purchased or subdued their rival European counterparts.
From Portuguese to French to Dutch to Danes, one by one very comprehensively they defeated other East Indies establishments to emerge as the most powerful European East India Company in India.
Let’s have a closer look at how meticulously the English East India Company subdued their opponents through war, strategic planning or fox tactics.
EIC vs. Portuguese.
Portuguese were the first to discover a land route to India via Cape Town. So when EEIC arrived at Surat in 1605, they received a hostile welcome from the Portuguese. And at the off- shore a British ship fleet led by Captain Thomas Best defeated Portuguese counterparts in 1612.
Further Bombay was gifted to King Charles when he married Portuguese Princess Catherine in 1662 which was eventually given to EIC on lease.
EIC vs. Dutch.
The Dutch were in constant competition with the British for resources and wealth of India. This aspiration not only brought them into conflict with the British, but also Indian rulers too. The Battle of Colachel in 1741 was one where DEIC was defeated by Travancore Ruler Raja Martanda Varma. This considerably impacted their confidence and future aspirations in India.
Eventually, the competition grew more intense and Dutchs captured three English homebound ships . In retaliation, Battle of Bidara 1759 took place where the Dutch were defeated and completely restricted to the trade of Spice Islands of Indonesia.
EIC vs. Danes.
The Danes East India Company came to India in 1616 and settled principally at Serampore near Calcutta. The Danes were not matched to the British prowess and also the DEIC could not compete in the competition. Thus, Danish factories were sold to the British Government in 1845.
EIC vs. French.
French and English East India Companies were the two most dominant European trading powers. Both had rivalry not only in India, but their respective nations rivaled to dominate Europe.
Both French and British EICs fought three deciding Carnatic wars in 1746-48, 1750-54 and 1756-63 wanting to dominate and play a deciding role in the succession of the Carnatic region ( area stretching b/w Eastern Ghats & Bay of Bengal). Finally the French were defeated at the Battle of Wandiwash near North Madras and the French were forced to sign a humiliating Treaty of Paris 1763 that made EIC the dominant European power in India.
Also Read: Battle of Plassey 1757
Conclusion.
Therefore, the English East India Company established in 1600 by a Royal Decree by Queen Elizabeth I entered the Indian landscape disguised as mere traders, and when opportunities came their ways, the one by one first defeated their European counterparts, and then the Indian rulers to emerge as the dominant power in India. As the Indian power and hold loosened further, the British Govt was quick to seize the opportunity and dismantle the EIC in 1858 through Government of India Act 1858 and bring the administration of India under its stamp directly.
