The Promise of Riches
The section outlines the significant change in the East India Company's objectives following its victory at the Battle of Plassey in 1757. Initially, the Company was a trading body focused on commerce; however, the successful acquisition of Bengal led to aspirations for wealth and political authority. Robert Clive, a key figure in this transformation, communicated to William Pitt, highlighting the potential wealth from India, which could amount to two million sterling annually.
After consolidating power in Bengal, the East India Company installed Mir Jafar as the nawab, although their reluctance to fully assume administrative responsibility reflects their ongoing focus on trade. However, local rulers began to resist Company control, prompting the Company to adopt more direct forms of governance as their interest in acquiring territory increased. The narrative illustrates a critical transition in which mercantile ambitions opened the door to colonial rule, demonstrating how economic incentives can drive political actions in historical contexts.