Portuguese East India Company

The Portuguese East India Company, founded in 1628, was a trading company established by Portugal to enhance its trade in Asia, particularly in spices and other valuable goods. It aimed to strengthen Portugal's presence in the Indian Ocean and compete with other European powers like the British and Dutch. The company conducted trade in various regions, including India and Southeast Asia, but struggled with management and competition. Eventually, it dissolved in the late 17th century as Portugal's influence waned. Its legacy highlights the early era of European colonial trade and the quest for resources in the East.