'Sepoys of the Madras Establishment', 1799 (c)

Colour aquatint engraved by Thomas Medland, after Captain Charles Gold, Royal Artillery, published 1799 (c).

Formed in 1600, the East India Company traded in Asian textiles, spices, porcelain and tea. As it grew, it needed to secure its Indian settlements from European rivals and hostile locals. It purchased land from Indian rulers and recruited troops to protect these 'Presidencies'. Eventually, these forces evolved into the Bengal, Bombay and Madras Armies.

From a incomplete set aquatints from the Series, 'Oriental Drawings', 1799-1806.