Trade in the East Indies

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English Presence in the East Indies solidified at the end of the year 1600 when Elizabeth II signed the first charter for the English East India Company. The Company began by developing the ports of Madras, Bombay and Calcutta, though as the 17th century progressed it’s reach expanded further as it became one of the most dominant European forces in the area, rivaled only by the East India Company of the Dutch.

The commodities that the East India Company brought back into Europe from the Asian ports included Bengal Silk, cotton textiles, spices, coffee and saltpeter amongst others, which quickly became valuable and sought-after goods within England, though as import levels rose to surplus by the late 17th century, England was able to turn profit further by re-exporting these goods to other nations and colonies as well.

Trade in the East Indies