British East India Company, 1600-1874

"Founded on December 31, 1600, the British East India Company (EIC) held a pivotal role in the annals of global trade. Its joint stock shares were traded in London, consistently providing dividends until its dissolution in 1874. East India House, established in the 1720s, embodied the essence of EIC's operation. This unassuming yet bustling hub in London became the epicenter of early global commerce and finance for almost two centuries. Within its walls, momentous decisions were made. EIC, dealing in goods such as tea, spices, and textiles, charted treacherous seas and intricate trade networks, reaping profits and inviting controversy. The company's ships sailed to distant shores, impacting the course of history by shaping trade routes and influencing world events. East India House isn't adorned with the grandeur of palaces; instead, its halls resonate with tales of ambition, rivalry, and, occasionally, exploitation. This historic site embodies how business interests could profoundly shape the world. The museum plaque here commemorates a chapter where trade and finance converged, sometimes for the better, and at times, for the worse."