Companhia das Índias

Companhia das Índias, or the East India Company, was a group of trading companies established by European countries in the 16th to 18th centuries. These companies aimed to control and profit from trade with India and other Asian regions, dealing primarily in spices, textiles, and later tea. They often operated with significant political power, sometimes even governing territories. For example, the British East India Company played a crucial role in the expansion of British influence in India. These companies significantly impacted global trade patterns, colonialism, and the economies of their home countries.