East India Company and the battle of Plassey

1. Sir James Lancaster commanded the first East India Company voyage in 1601

2. The Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II, who with his allies fought against the East India Company during his early years (1760–1764), only accepting the protection of the British in the year 1803, after he had been blinded by his enemies and deserted by his subjects.

3. Lord Clive meeting with Mir Jafar after the Battle of Plassey, oil on canvas (Francis Hayman, c. 1762)

Britain used the sea to strengthen its power. It hired an infamous privateer Captain Kid to defend their interests at sea. They also used other underhand methods.