John Company
By Sir William Foster
Published by John Lane The Bodley Head Limited: London 1926 1st Edition
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John Company, written by Sir William Foster and published by John Lane The Bodley Head Limited in 1926, offers a comprehensive narrative of the Honourable East India Company from its charter in 1600 through its rise as a dominant commercial and political force in Asia. Drawing on extensive archival material, Foster traces the company's early ventures in trade, its establishment of factories and settlements, and the gradual shift from mercantile pursuits to territorial administration. Key episodes such as the acquisition of Bombay, the pivotal Battle of Plassey in 1757, and the subsequent consolidation of power in Bengal illustrate how the company evolved into a quasi‑governmental entity, wielding military might and diplomatic influence on behalf of the British Crown.
The second part of the work examines the company's internal governance, financial mechanisms, and the growing scrutiny it faced from Parliament and reformers in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Foster details the legislative reforms—including the Regulating Act of 1773 and Pitt's India Act of 1784—that sought to curb corporate excesses and bring the enterprise under tighter state control. The narrative culminates with the dissolution of the East India Company in 1858, following the Indian Rebellion of 1857, and reflects on its lasting legacy in shaping modern British imperial policy and the economic foundations of contemporary India."
Bindings with general wear, fading, rub through etc as shown. Pages clean and well presented. No loose pages however it appears a divider page has been removed after contents page as shown. Ex library copy as evidenced only by stamp on last page. A decent 1st edition copy in good condition overall. Please study photos to further understand condition.
