The arms of the original East India Company.

Repro ID: H5328

Description: The Honourable Company of London Merchants trading with the East Indies was formed in December 1600, and soon became known as the East India Company. Although originally formed just to trade between London and the east, the company realised that it needed to secure and protect trading posts on the Indian subcontinent. Indian rulers began to depend on the gold and silver with which Britain bought their trade goods. The company began to buy land from the Indian rulers on which to build its posts, and established its own standing army and navy to protect them. By pursuing this policy, Britain had become the dominant power in India by the end of the 18th century.

Creator: 'Illustrated London News'

Date: 30 August 1890

Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London