British Colonial Rule: Impact on British Country Houses, Material Culture and Consumption (Volume 1)

The British colonial rule in India began with the East India Company, which was a British joint-stock company instituted in the year 1600. It was founded with an aim to trade within the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. The company traded in basic commodities, such as indigo, cotton, silk, spices, salt, opium, and tea. With the transition from trading activities towards the expansion of military and political administration, the company employed army officers, civil servants, doctors, and surveyors. These people from the company journeyed to Asia with their families to acquire wealth, which returned home along with them to Britain. They were also influenced by the culture of the colonies, which was reflected in their houses on their return to Britain. This book provides comprehensive insights on the impact of British colonial rule on the material culture of the British houses. It will serve as a valuable source of reference for those interested in this topic.