Company Rule in India

This episode explores the era of Company Rule in India - the century between 1757 and 1858 when the British East India Company transformed from a commercial enterprise into a territorial power. It traces how the Company expanded its dominance through decisive conflicts such as the Anglo-Mysore and Anglo-Maratha Wars and established a vast administrative network across the subcontinent. The discussion examines key legislative milestones like the Regulating Act of 1773 and the evolving authority of the Governors-General, alongside the introduction of major revenue systems including the Permanent Settlement and Ryotwari models. It also delves into the rise of the Company's army and civil service, and how these institutions enabled its political and economic control. Beyond governance, the episode looks at the broader impact of Company rule - from changes in trade and legal systems to the development of infrastructure such as postal services, telegraph lines, railways, and canals - all of which laid the groundwork for the British Raj that followed.