<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 comprised 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 comprised 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>
from where east india company entered in india
from where east india company entered in india
Surat
Surat