<P> Initially , the company struggled in the spice trade because of the competition from the already well - established Dutch East India Company . The company opened a factory in Bantam on the first voyage , and imports of pepper from Java were an important part of the company 's trade for twenty years . The factory in Bantam was closed in 1683 . During this time ships belonging to the company arriving in India docked at Surat , which was established as a trade transit point in 1608 . </P>
<P> Initially , the company struggled in the spice trade because of the competition from the already well - established Dutch East India Company . The company opened a factory in Bantam on the first voyage , and imports of pepper from Java were an important part of the company 's trade for twenty years . The factory in Bantam was closed in 1683 . During this time ships belonging to the company arriving in India docked at Surat , which was established as a trade transit point in 1608 . </P>
east india company started trade with india from which city in 1608
east india company started trade with india from which city in 1608
Surat
Surat