From Merchants to Monarchs – Evolution of East India Company Administration

The East India Company, a name that resonates throughout history, serves as a testament to the intricate relationship between colonial governance and commerce. This British trading company, which was established in 1600,underwent a significant transformation from a modest enterprise to a potent political entity that dominated the Indian subcontinent for more than two centuries. The objective of the book “Administration of the East India Company” is to decode the complex network of administrative practices,
policies, and reforms that dened this extraordinary period in history.
The narrative of the East India Company’s transition from a trading venture to a governing authority is replete with ambition, conflict, and transformation. The Company, which was initially established to capitalize on the lucrative trade in spices, textiles, and other goods, progressively expanded its role by acquiring territories and exercising administrative powers over vast regions of India.