Variations in Control: The Nature of Colonial Rule
As the eighteenth century unfolded, it became evident that while the pursuit of profit was a driving force behind colonial ventures, the nature of colonial control varied significantly. In South Asia, trading companies such as the East India Company transformed themselves into political powers, defeating local rulers and annexing territories. These entities maintained existing administrative systems, imposed taxes on landowners, and undertook infrastructural projects like railway construction and mining operations.
Chapter 6: European Imperialism| Class 11 History Notes
While the American empires of Spain and Portugal waned in the seventeenth century, other European powers, including France, Holland, and England, embarked on a trajectory of expansion and colonization across the globe. From the Americas to Africa and Asia, European nations sought to extend their trading activities and establish colonies, ushering in an era of imperialism.