Colonial Emigration 19th - 20th Century Proceeding 1859 - 1862 (Vol. 3)

The Colonial Immigration changed hands from the East India Company to the British crown after the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857-58, No other company had acquired so much wealth in history, nor could ever do so in future. This company owned an Empire - not an ordinary Empire- it owned India that had under its control, Burma, the North West frontiers, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Mauritius which it conquered in 1810, with the help of their Indian sepoys and a small fleet from England. Founded in England, its first royal charter was approved by Queen Elizabeth-I on 31st December 1600. 125 shareholders invested £ 72,000 and their aim was to trade in spices, in order to compete with the Dutch. The first 10 years proved disastrous as there were no profits at all.