What Adam Smith Said About India And East India Company In The Wealth Of Nations

Adam Smith, in his book “An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations” published in March 1776, discussed India and the East India Company. Adam Smith’s more popular book – An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations – was published in March 1776. Though not often referenced, Smith […]

How The East India Company Tried To Use Paintings To Lionise Robert Clive – And Failed

The East India Company tried to use marble portrait statues commissioned by the company in 1760, depicting men dressed as Romans, to lionize Robert Clive. However, their attempt failed, as less than a decade later, Robert Clive’s reputation as a hero had collapsed. During Robert Clive’s lifetime, the East India Company commissioned two portraits showing […]

The Tamil Queen Who Led An Army Of Women Against The East India Company

Rani Velu Nachiyar was the Tamil queen who led an army of women against the East India Company. “She will be amongst the best French speakers of the land, my lord.” The confidence in Jose de Pray’s voice was in stark contrast to his lean frame. The frailty of his body betrayed the sufferings he […]

Advice On Tax Dodging And Bribery From An 18th-Century East India Company Merchant

An 18th-century East India Company merchant named John Pybus offers advice on tax dodging and bribery in his notes. East India Company merchant John Pybus compiled notes about the practicalities of trade in various ports and settlements of the Indian Ocean in the 18th century. Among lists of prices, exchange rates, and goods are advice […]

How Colonial Masterplans Are Still Followed To Develop Indian Cities

The “essential” aspects of Indian urban planning are always the subject of public debate whenever our city is faced with a major crisis, such as the urban flooding we experienced recently in Chennai. As urban planning and its modern applications are painted as India’s culprit for “dysfunctional” cities, it is important to examine the roots that affect India’s current urban plan. We need to ask ourselves some important questions about the foundations of urban planning in India. Who has the right to plan the city? Why are India’s planning laws and procedures designed around them? Here is how Colonial Masterplans are still followed to develop Indian cities.

How East India Company College Trained IAS Officers To Loot India

How East India Company Trained IAS Officers To Loot India

The Indian Administrative, Civil and Judicial Services were created by the East India Company to administer loot of the colonies of British Empire. The East India Company College was specifically setup to train these officers. The college was founded by Charles Grant who made his fortune taking over local businesses in the aftermath of the […]