Write a critical note on the British East India Company

Answer

Narrate briefly about the abuses and corruptions inflicted upon the Indians by the East India Company.

Or, Write a critical note on the British East India Company.

Or, What picture of the East India Company do you get from Burke’s “Speech on the East India Bill?”

Edmund Burke’s (1729-1797) “Speech on the East India Bill” gives a dark picture of the East India Company. The Company came to India to do trade. But later, it became greedy and cruel. It ruled India like a master, not a guest. Burke saw this evil rule and raised his voice. He showed how the Company used power to make money. He also showed how it broke the laws and hurt the people. His speech was bold, honest, and full of facts.

Power without Control: The Company got its right to trade from Parliament. But it used that right to rule over India. Burke says Parliament gave them power, not total control. The Company used this power for greed, not for good. Burke says,

“We sold, I admit, all that we had to sell; that is, our authority, not our control. We had not a right to make a market of our duties.”

He wants Parliament to act. If it does not stop them, people will think Britain sold Indian lives for gold.

Selling and Reselling: Burke says the Company sold Indian rulers like things in a market. They sold the Great Mogul’s lands to his own minister. They sold the Rohilla nation for no reason. Burke says,

“There is not a single prince, state, or potentate, great or small, in India, with whom they have come into contact, whom they have not sold: I say sold, …”

The Company also sold Mir Jafar to Mir Kasim, and then back again. They sold his sons and even his wife. They sold the Maratha ruler Ragobah, and then gave him to his enemies. These acts brought ruin to India.

Greed and Cruelty: The Company