The British East India Company (EIC) was established in 1600 as a joint-stock company, granted a royal charter by Queen Elizabeth I to trade with the East Indies. Over the course of two centuries, the EIC evolved from a mere trading entity into a powerful political force, acquiring and administering vast territories in Sub-continent, including Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. The EIC's monopoly over trade with the East Indies facilitated its control over vast resources and ultimately contributed to the colonization of Sub-continent by the British Crown.

The opium trade in the 18th and 19th centuries was a significant aspect of the global economy, with both demand and supply steadily increasing throughout the period. The British EIC played a central role in the expansion and control of the opium trade, primarily from Sub-continent to China. This lucrative trade was instrumental in the accumulation of wealth for the British Empire and contributed to the Company's dominance in the Sub-continent n subcontinent. The opium trade also had far-reaching consequences for the societies and economies of Sub-continent and China, shaping the course of their histories and altering the balance of power in Asia.

Objective of the research paper
This research paper aims to explore the British East India Company’s involvement in the opium trade, examining its historical context, monopoly over the trade, and the political and socioeconomic impact of the trade on Sub-continent and China. The paper will also investigate the role of the opium trade in the two Opium Wars, which marked significant turning points in the relationships between Britain, Sub-continent, and China. Furthermore, the research will explore the decline of the EIC's control over the opium trade and its lasting legacy on the colonial histories of the involved nations. By examining these aspects, this paper seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the British East Sub-continent Company's role in the opium trade and its profound effects on the course of history.