In this episode of the podcast "Empire," the hosts delve into the decline of the East India Company and its complex relationship with the Mughal Empire during the 18th and 19th centuries in India. They explore how the company transformed from a once-powerful and corrupt entity that posed a challenge to the British state to its eventual loss of trading monopolies and involvement in the 1857 Indian Rebellion. Initially, the East India Company fostered cultural exchanges with Mughal India, marked by intermarriage and support for the arts. However, this relationship soured over time, giving way to racism and religious intolerance. The discussion reaches a climax with the brutal suppression of the 1857 rebellion, a pivotal moment that signaled the end of both the Mughal Empire and the East India Company's dominance, setting the stage for the British Raj. The hosts also analyze wills from East India Company employees, illustrating a declining connection with Indian women, which reflects the shifting dynamics of power and cultural attitudes during this era.
