Private Traders and the Problem of Access to the Eastern Markets of the British Empire in the First Half of 19th Century

Abstract. The article is devoted to the important part of British economic and sociopolitical life of the first third of 19th century — the East-India question the essence of which lies in an elimination of the privileges enjoyed by the East India Company and the transfer of control of the India to the British State. In this respect the confrontation between the East India Company and the associations of non-privileged traders took part in British society and end with a victory of the “outsiders” is very remarkable. Because it ended with total liquidation the exclusive trade rights of the East India Company. It is showed that during the first third of 19th century numerous “outsiders” organized into East India associations, which in addition to the named goal were seek to restructure the character of the trade exchange between Britain and East extended to it the principles of free trade. It is alleged that the background of the non-privileged traders’ struggle for the access to the eastern markets was much broader confrontation in British society over electoral legislation, changing a state system and endorsing the following structures related to the second British Empire. It was concluded that the East India associations had influenced to formulate decisions on the British foreign and colonial policy.

Keywords: the East India associations, the East India Company, the British Empire, “the outsiders”, Eastern trade, free traders.