Overview

Overview

East India Company was the name of several European companies that opened trade with India and East Asia in the 1600's. East India companies were private enterprises given charters by the governments of England, the Netherlands, Denmark, and France. The companies received special trading rights from their governments. The British East India Company, which began as the English East India Company, had the longest life - nearly 260 years - and the greatest influence. It opened India and East Asia to English trade and eventually brought India into the British Empire.