The English East India Company
The English East India Company operated for 274 years, starting from 1600 when a Charter was granted by Queen Elizabeth I, giving The Company the monopoly to undertake trading expeditions to the East Indies. The Company’s life ended in 1874, sixteen years after the end of the Indian Mutiny in 1858.
Timeline
"Clive of India"
The founder of the British Indian Empire, Robert Clive, is popularly known as “Clive of India”. The Battle of Plassey is often described by his admirers as his “finest hour”, when he used his skills and genius to divide the enemy and score a spectacular victory.
Robert Clive
The East India Company
'Uncovering the hidden history'
'Uncovering the hidden history'
Plassey's Legacy: Young Londoners explore the hidden story of the East India Company
The book was written by eight young people (18-25 years) who explored the London heritage of the East India Company and the city’s historical links with Bengal. It was published in May 2010 and luanched at a specially organied event at the Museum of London Docklands.
The publication is part of a Heritage Lottery Fund project called Battle of Plassey Young People's Project. A shortened version of the eight chapters of the book has been published in the website. The full paper back version can be obtained by emailing Brick Lane Circle with your details on blc@the-eastindiacompany.org.
The launch of the book was a spectacular event and included presentations from some of the young authors and mentors. The evening had a very funny ending with a number of stand up comedy acts.
Introduction
East India Company Army
Tea: Dividing Politics, Uniting Heritage
The Decline of the East India Company
The Secret Company
The Liquidation of the East
India Company and the Dispersal of its Assets
A Tower Hamlets College Project
The Enlightening Journey: So Far
The Young Authors
Hello and welcome to this new exciting website, which is the culmination of the Battle of Plassey Young People's Project. In 2008 Brick Lane Circle received support from the Heritage Lottery Fund to engage a group of young people (18-25) to undertake research and write a book on the London Heritage of the East India Company and the city's historical links with Bengal.
4-10 October 2010
A contribution to the Black History Month
As part of the Battle of Plassey Young People's Project an exhibition on the East India Company was delivered at the Mile End Arts Pavilion during 4-10 October 2010. The exhibition is primarily based on the Plassey's Legacy book.
During the week long show many visitors expressed surpise after learning about the East End's long historical connections with Bengal.
This is the first show of the exhibition and further shows are being planned at different venues for 2011. When full details of next year's shows are confirmed they will be published in the website.
Some of the feedback comments of the visitors are provided below:
'A very good topic of exhibition and a subject that needs to be explored widely. The exibition is well rganised and the collection of pictures are very good' - Rumana
'A very interesting exhibition, full of amazing stories and interesting historical facts. Our first visit to the Arts Pavilion, really worth it' - Charlie and Una
'Very informative. I was aleady interested in this subject, but have learnt a great deal more' - M Boyle
'We stumbled across it but were delighted to read about the history of a company, its characters and the ways in which it has left its mark on London' - Emma
'Very informative. Very hospitable. I will read the book' - Kate
'The exhibition was very educational and sheds some light on a part of history that is not commonly known' - Sabina
'Interesting story, well presented, good "storyteller"' - Ben
'It was excellent. It is great to see a balanced, informative history of the East India Company in an exhibition' - Danial
'Excellent' - Jingxian
'Excellent. I hope that this exhibition will help our young people to learn about the rich history of Bengal' - Nooruddin
'It looks relly interesting and lots of information (background into has been the venue)' - Ayan
'Seems excellent and wish I knew about it before so I could have brought young people to inspire them' - Sahra
'Absolutely brilliant, as a British Bangladeshi who is born here this is invaluable' - Emdad
