In which year, East India Company acquired Bombay from Portuguese?

The East India Company acquired Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1668. Although the Portuguese originally controlled Bombay, it first came under the British Crown as part of the marriage treaty between King Charles II of England and Catherine of Braganza of Portugal in 1661. A few years later, in 1668, King Charles II leased Bombay to the East India Company for an annual rent of just £10.

Honestly, I think this is one of the most surprising facts in Indian history because it's hard to imagine that a city like Mumbai was once leased for such a small amount.

How Did the East India Company Get Bombay?

The story happened in two important steps:

• 1661: Bombay was given to King Charles II as part of the marriage dowry from Portugal.

• 1668: The British Crown leased Bombay to the East India Company for an annual rent of £10.

This agreement gave the company control over Bombay and helped strengthen its presence in India.

Why Was Bombay So Important?

Bombay had a natural deep-water harbor, making it an ideal location for

• Trade with Europe and Asia.

• Naval operations.

• Expanding British influence in western India.

• Building one of the country's most important commercial ports.

I have noticed that many people think the East India Company conquered Bombay through war. In reality, it gained control through a political agreement and a lease from the British Crown rather than by directly taking it from the Portuguese.

Historical Significance

The acquisition of Bombay proved to be a turning point in Indian history. Over time, the city developed into an important center for trade, administration, and industry, eventually becoming one of India's largest financial and commercial hubs.

Although Bombay came to the British Crown in 1661 through a royal marriage alliance, it officially came under the East India Company's control in 1668, a decision that played a major role in shaping the history of modern Mumbai.

Must Read: When did the English East India Company arrive in India?

• The Royal Charter that offered realization to this arrangement between the Kingdom of England and the East India Company was endorsed on 27 March 1668.
• Initially Bombay was procured by the Portuguese from the Sultan of Gujarat Bahadur Shah by the Treaty of Bassein in 1534. According to the deal, the Seven Islands of Bombay just as Bassein (presently known as Vasai) were given to the Portuguese. The Portuguese called the islands by various names lastly chose Bombaim.
• During that time, they created Roman Catholic strict orders in the city and furthermore built a few fortresses around it.
• Due to its essential area as a port, all the European forces like the English and the Dutch were competing for the authority of Bombay.
• In May 1661, according to the marriage collusion between Charles II of England and Catharine of Braganza, the Portuguese lord's girl, Bombay was given to the English as share.
• Be that as it may, the Portuguese actually held ownership of Bassein, Salsette, Sion, Dharavi, Mazagaon, Worli, Parel and Wadala. By 1666, the British gained Dharavi, Wadala, Mahim and Sion.
• In 1668, according to the Royal Charter, Bombay was given toward the East India Company for £10 each year.
• From a pitiful 10,000 out of 1661, the city's populace developed to 60,000 of every four years' time.
• The Dutch and the Mughal Empire's chief of naval operations Yakut Khan assaulted the islands a few times.
• In 1687, the organization moved its central command to Bombay from Surat. Later on, the city turned into the central command of the Bombay Presidency also.
• The development of Bombay started under the governorship of the second legislative head of Bombay, Gerald Aungier. He was named the lead representative by the organization in 1669 and he remained its lead representative till his demise in 1677. He was answerable for building up the main court of Bombay and furthermore for invigorating the city. A mint was set up in 1676. He made a few other managerial changes in the city. His standard likewise saw the primary print machine being set up in the city.
• His understanding assisted the little island with turning into the greatest financial and business center point of the subcontinent.
• Portuguese control of the city finished for great during the 1730s when the Marathas procured Salsette and Bassein.
• By mid-seventeenth century, Bombay created as a significant exchanging focus and it saw huge scope migrations from various pieces of the country. The British additionally got different exchanging bunches like the Gujaratis, the Parsis, the Jews and the Dawoodi Bohras.
• The British acquired Salsette and Bassein through the Treaty of Surat in 1775 from the Marathas.
• In 1784, all the 7 islands of Bombay were converged by a boulevard known as the Hornby Vellard. It was a huge land recovery project.
• Bombay additionally saw the first railroad line in Quite a while when it was connected to the adjoining town of Thane on 16 April 1853.
• During the American Civil War what began from 1861 and endured till 1865, Bombay turned into the world's most significant market for cotton exchanging. This extraordinarily complemented the city's standing and monetary success.
• In the nineteenth century, a few instructive and managerial foundations came up in the city which prompted its turn of events.
• Political awareness started in the city when Dadabhai Naoroji set up the Bombay Presidency Association in 1885. Further stimulus was given to the development when the Indian National Congress was set up the exact year.
• Today, Bombay is the capital of the territory of Maharashtra and furthermore the business capital of India. It is additionally the amusement capital of the country. Bombay is additionally the biggest city in India with the biggest populace. Also, it is perhaps the biggest city by populace on the planet with a populace of around 18 million according to the 2011 enumeration.