Year 8 - History
The arrival of the East India Company
The East India Company: when did Mughal authority collapse?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn about the arrival of the East India Company on the fringes of the Mughal Empire. They examine how the East India Company's power and influence grew, and how they, along with various Indian rulers, destabilised Mughal power over India.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain the activities of the East India Company during the 17th century and assess its relationship with the Mughal Empire.
Key Notes
- The East India Company (EIC) was created in 1601 for trade with the East.
- The EIC competed with other Europeans such as the Portuguese and Dutch.
- The EIC constructed factories to support its trade in India.
- The EIC required permission from the Mughal Emperors to conduct its activities in India.
- During Child's War, the Mughal Empire defeated the forces of the EIC.
Vocabulary To Learn
- merchants: merchants are people whose job is to buy and sell goods
- textiles: textiles are fabrics made by weaving materials like cotton
- factories: warehouses and trading posts set up by the East India Company were called factories
- Mughal Empire: the Mughal Empire ruled over most of the Indian subcontinent during the 17th century
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Europeans were more powerful than other states and social groups in the 17th century.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
The East India Company (EIC) was created in 1601 for trade with the East. The EIC competed with other Europeans such as the Portuguese and Dutch.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'merchants'
merchants are people whose job is to buy and sell goods.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: Europeans were more powerful than other states and social groups in the 17th century. Correction: Although European groups like the EIC were powerful, the Mughal Emperors retained greater power in the 17th century. Aurangzeb comprehensively defeated the EIC's military challenged during Child's War.
More Lessons In This Unit
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