1. The East India Company

This episode of the podcast "Empire" dives into the British Empire's beginnings by examining the East India Company's rise in India. The hosts trace the company’s roots back to Wales, highlighting its initial challenges and its shift from the spice trade to the highly profitable textile industry. They spotlight Robert Clive, a rogue turned military leader, whose controversial victory at the Battle of Plassey was marked by bribery and opportunism. The podcast illustrates how the East India Company evolved from a mere trading organization into a territorial power, setting the stage for the British Raj. It offers an in-depth look at the company’s early years, showcasing how a small enterprise exploited political turmoil and financial savvy to seize control of vast territories and resources.