Images

Ancient Roman fresco (50-79 CE), Pompeii, Italy.

A map illustrating the aggressive, opportunistic, and, most times, chaotic expansion of British rule in the Indian subcontinent following the Battle of Plassey (1757) until the eve of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 through the East India Company’s...

Chushingura, Act l0: A Night Scene outside the House of the Merchant Amakawa-ya Gihei at Sakai, by Ando Hiroshige, 1835-6.

A c. 1830 illustration by Yellapah of Vellore showing six Sepoy uniforms of the East India Company Madras army. From left to right: Madras Horse Artillery Madras Light Cavalry Madras Rifle Corps Madras Pioneers Madras...

A map illustrating the transformation of the East India Company from a hopeful merchant venture in 1600 with isolated trade outposts governed by isolated and mostly independent town councils into a major ruler of large territories in India...

A 19th-century illustration showing officers and sepoys (Indian recruits) of the East India Company's Madras army.

An 1839 illustration showing a trooper and sepoy (Indian recruit) of the East India Company army. 27th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry. (British Library, London)

A c. 1850 print showing an opium warehouse of the East India Company in Patna, India. Opium was dried into large balls and then packed into chests for transportation to China.

A 1778 allegorical painting commissioned by the East India Company showing the riches of the East being presented to Britannia. Painted by Spyridon Romas. The goods shown include tea, porcelain, and jewels. (British Library, London)

A map illustrating the markets and goods traded by the East India Company (EIC) with East and Southeast Asia and India around 1800. Incorporated on December 31, 1600, by Queen Elizabeth I's Royal Charter, it was given an initial 15-year monopoly...