East India Trading Company Pirates |top| Site

By the 1750s, the EITC effectively ruled India. They didn't need to fly the black flag anymore. They flew the Union Jack, which was far more profitable.

Let’s dive into the scandalous truth: The EITC didn’t just fight pirates. Often, they were the pirates. east india trading company pirates

When Kidd captured a loot-laden Armenian ship called the Quedagh Merchant —which happened to be sailing under French papers—he assumed it was fair game. Unfortunately, the ship was actually leased by EITC officials back in London. By the 1750s, the EITC effectively ruled India

The relationship between the EIC and pirates was not simply one of hunter and prey. It was a relationship of convenience, conversion, and occasionally, corporate collusion. To understand piracy during this era, one must understand that the East India Company was often the entity pulling the strings. Let’s dive into the scandalous truth: The EITC

The irony of this victory is that the EIC eventually adopted the tactics of their enemies. While pirates stole individual ships, the East India Company would go on to plunder entire nations. They utilized private armies to overthrow local rulers, seized tax collecting rights, and dominated the global economy.