What attracted European trading companies to India?

East India Company was able to get charter from the ruler of England, Queen Elizabeth I which proclaimed them as the only authority to trade with the East. Their main motive was to purchase goods at a lower price and sell those goods in Europe at a higher price. However, Company was able to eliminate competition from other English trading companies but there were European powers, who can trade in the Eastern markets. When English ships were reaching the west coast of Africa, round the Cape of Good Hope, and crossed the Indian Ocean, Portuguese had already established their base in Goa and controlled trade in the Western Coast of India. Even Dutch wanted to trade in the Indian Ocean and French also decided to trade with India. The reasons that European trading companies got attracted towards India were as follows:

• In Europe, there was a great demand for the fine qualities of cotton and silk that was produced in India.

• Other products that were in great demand were Pepper, cloves, cardamom and cinnamon.