Answer the following questions briefly:

How did the English East India Company acquire Bombay?

Initially, the Portuguese had the possession of the Bombay. When Charles II, king of England married to Catherine, the daughter of Portugal king he received Bombay as a part of the dowry. Later, Charles II gave Bombay on a contract basis to the British East India Company at a nominal rent of �10 in 1668. They set up commercial centers and gradually acquired power in India.