Explain why the Mumbai island administration was given to the East India Company
Answers
Explanation:
The Royal Charter that gave fruition to this deal between the Kingdom of England and the East India Company was signed on 27 March 1668.
Originally Bombay was acquired by the Portuguese from the Sultan of Gujarat Bahadur Shah by the Treaty of Bassein in 1534. As per the treaty, the Seven Islands of Bombay as well as Bassein (now known as Vasai) were given to the Portuguese. The Portuguese called the islands by different names and finally settled on Bombaim. During that time, they developed Roman Catholic religious orders in the city and also constructed several fortifications around it.
Because of its strategic location as a port, all the European powers like the English and the Dutch were vying for the hegemony of Bombay.
In May 1661, as per the marriage alliance between Charles II of England and Catharine of Braganza, the Portuguese king’s daughter, Bombay was given to the English as dowry.