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War and annexation from "summary" of The Anarchy by William Dalrymple
The East India Company's rise to power in India was marked by a relentless pursuit of territorial expansion through a combination of military conquests and strategic alliances. The Company's ultimate goal was to increase its influence and control over Indian territories, thereby securing its economic interests and political power. The Company's expansionist policies often led to conflicts with local rulers and rival European powers, resulting in numerous wars and annexations. These wars were fought with the aim of weakening or eliminating potential threats to the Company's dominance and expanding its territorial holdings. Through a combination of military force, diplomacy, and opportunism, the East India Company gradually established itself as a formidable political and military power in India. The process of annexation was often accompanied by the imposition of new administrative systems and laws, aimed at consolidating the Company's control over newly acquired territories. These measures were intended to facilitate the extraction of resources, taxes, and other forms of economic exploitation, further enriching the Company and its shareholders. The East India Company's aggressive pursuit of territorial expansion and annexation was driven by a combination of economic interests, political ambitions, and imperial rivalries. The Company's actions were shaped by a ruthless pragmatism and a willingness to use any means necessary to achieve its goals, regardless of the human cost. As the Company's power and influence grew, its annexation of Indian territories became increasingly brazen and unapologetic. The Company's actions sparked widespread resentment and resistance among the Indian population, leading to numerous uprisings and rebellions against British rule. In the end, the East India Company's relentless pursuit of war and annexation laid the foundation for British colonial rule in India, shaping the course of Indian history and leaving a legacy of exploitation, inequality, and suffering that continues to impact the region to this day.
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