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Formed by Royal Charter in 1600, the East India Company was
created as a trading organisation and was given a monopoly
for business in the East. The company quickly became extremely
successful and protected itself from instability of the area
at the time by developing both political and military interests.
By
the mid 18th century the East India Company effectively controlled
a large part of India. The India Act of 1784 placed dual control
of the country in the hands of the company and a committee
responsible to Parliament in London. The 'Indian Mutiny' of
1857-58 ended this rule and the company was wound up by an
Act of Parliament in 1858.
The
East India Company button is a tribute to the bygone era of
tea clippers and tall ships in the spirit of free enterprise.
It is available in bronze, antique silver and gilt finishes.
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