The transformation of the East India Company from a trading company to a powerful territorial authority marked a significant phase in India's colonial history. By the 1857 rebellion, the Company had established direct governance over approximately 63% of the land and 78% of the population in the Indian subcontinent. The advent of steam technology played a crucial role in this evolution, reducing maritime travel time significantly and facilitating the influx of British settlers. This decisive shift in power dynamics underscores the intricate relationship between commerce and territorial control, setting the stage for subsequent colonial policies.