EPISODE · May 8, 2026 · 4 MIN
The EIC's Forgotten Fortress: Bombay and the Rise of a Port City
from The East India Company: The Corporation That Conquered Nations — Fexingo History · host Fexingo
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the early history of Bombay, the East India Company's first territorial acquisition in India. They discuss how the Company transformed a small Portuguese outpost into a thriving port city through strategic marriage, infrastructure development, and the allure of religious freedom. The episode covers key figures like Gerald Aungier, the Portuguese dowry of Catherine of Braganza, and the competition with Surat. Listeners will learn about the construction of the Bombay Castle, the fortifications that made the city defensible, and how the Company encouraged migration by offering a safe haven for merchants and artisans of all faiths. The episode also touches on the devastating plague of 1689 and the resilience of the city's population. This is a story of urban planning, economic growth, and the seeds of British imperial power in western India. #Bombay #EastIndiaCompany #Mumbai #CatherineOfBraganza #GeraldAungier #Surat #BombayCastle #PortugueseIndia #BritishEmpire #17thCentury #UrbanHistory #PortCity #Trade #ReligiousFreedom #Plague #Fortification #History #FexingoHistory #RobertClive #BattleOfPlassey Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
What this episode covers
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the early history of Bombay, the East India Company's first territorial acquisition in India. They discuss how the Company transformed a small Portuguese outpost into a thriving port city through strategic marriage, infrastructure development, and the allure of religious freedom. The episode covers key figures like Gerald Aungier, the Portuguese dowry of Catherine of Braganza, and the competition with Surat. Listeners will learn about the construction of the Bombay Castle, the fortifications that made the city defensible, and how the Company encouraged migration by offering a safe haven for merchants and artisans of all faiths. The episode also touches on the devastating plague of 1689 and the resilience of the city's population. This is a story of urban planning, economic growth, and the seeds of British imperial power in western India. #Bombay #EastIndiaCompany #Mumbai #CatherineOfBraganza #GeraldAungier #Surat #BombayCastle #PortugueseIndia #BritishEmpire #17thCentury #UrbanHistory #PortCity #Trade #ReligiousFreedom #Plague #Fortification #History #FexingoHistory #RobertClive #BattleOfPlassey Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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The EIC's Forgotten Fortress: Bombay and the Rise of a Port City
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