This Private Company had its Own Army, Navy, and Empire for Over a Century

6. Wars in India affected the EIC and the VOC in the late 17^th century

The 17^th century was one of more or less continuous warfare in Europe and around the world. Nations fought over the issues of religion, succession, trade, and colonization, often brought into warfare because of alliances made to protect trade rights. They also fought the indigenous peoples of the lands they exploited. In North America, a series of wars between European settlers and the Native tribes were fought, with both sides supported by Europeans allied with them, chiefly the English, French, and Dutch. The same happened in India, though the fighting was between the East India Company and competitors, a trade war in the truest sense of the phrase.

Sidi Yaqub, was a chieftain and Mughal admiral who led a fleet against the EIC during a period of hostilities known as Child’s War. Josiah Child was the governor of the EIC who opposed the proposals of the Mughal empire for a trade agreement, preferring to impose terms more profitable to the EIC. During the hostilities, the Mughal fleet blockaded and besieged the EIC factory and fortress at Bombay for over a year. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb oversaw a campaign which reduced the EIC presence in India to the fortress at Madras after Bombay surrendered. EIC envoys were forced to prostrate themselves before the Mughal emperor as part of the peace agreement between the Mughal Empire and the EIC before trade relations could resume.