<P> The company established a group of trading settlements centred on the Straits of Malacca called the Straits Settlements in 1826 to protect its trade route to China and to combat local piracy . The settlements were also used as penal settlements for Indian civilian and military prisoners . </P>
<P> The company established a group of trading settlements centred on the Straits of Malacca called the Straits Settlements in 1826 to protect its trade route to China and to combat local piracy . The settlements were also used as penal settlements for Indian civilian and military prisoners . </P>
where did the british east india company first established settlements
where did the british east india company first established settlements
1826
1826