Calcutta, India

The opium trade route between China, England, and India is known as the "opium triangle." The route began with India before moving to China. There, the opium was depositied and goods traded to England as payment.  In 1750, Britain gained control of Bengal (Calcutta), India, a district well known for its opium growing. Bengali opium was valued over Chinese  opium because of its fine quality. During the Victorian era, Britian experienced  a large demand for Chinese products such as tea and porcelain. Wanting to maintain control over the trade market, the East India Trading Company used private traders to send opium from Bengal into China in order to create demand. Once the Chinese demanded more opium, Britain was able to control the market for tea, porcelain, and other items by trading opium rather than silver.  

Because of their actions, Britain essentially created a country of opium addicts. This led to conflict between England and China as seen in the Opium Wars I have previously covered.  For a visual explanatio of the opium triangle, click the link below. 

Source

Image of Opium Triangle

Layers

Coordinates

Latitude: 22.986756900000
Longitude: 87.854975500000

Timeline of Events Associated with Calcutta, India

The First Opium War

4 Sep 1839 to 29 Aug 1942

Chinese goods such as silk and tea were very popular among British subjects. However, the Chinese were unwilling to purchase British goods in return. In order to create demand in British trade, the East Indian Company and British government began smuggling and selling highly addictive opium into China.  In 1839, the Chinese government tried to put a stop to the influx of opium flooding their nation and creating addicts of their subjects. They convininced British Superintendent of Chinese Trade, Charles Elliot to give them the stocks of opium waiting in Canton. Once in the Chinese government's possession, they destroyed the opium. This infuriated the British and the fighting began in earnest the following year. China lost the conflict and was required to open more ports for trade, sign over Hong Kong as a British territory, and pay reparations. 

Image Source: visualizingcultures.mit.edu/op…

The First Opium War

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TimelineJS
Date Event Manage
4 Sep 1839 to 29 Aug 1942

The First Opium War

Chinese goods such as silk and tea were very popular among British subjects. However, the Chinese were unwilling to purchase British goods in return. In order to create demand in British trade, the East Indian Company and British government began smuggling and selling highly addictive opium into China.  In 1839, the Chinese government tried to put a stop to the influx of opium flooding their nation and creating addicts of their subjects. They convininced British Superintendent of Chinese Trade, Charles Elliot to give them the stocks of opium waiting in Canton. Once in the Chinese government's possession, they destroyed the opium. This infuriated the British and the fighting began in earnest the following year. China lost the conflict and was required to open more ports for trade, sign over Hong Kong as a British territory, and pay reparations. 

Image Source: https://visualizingcultures.mit.edu/opium_wars_01/ow1_gallery/pages/1841_0792_nemesis_jm_nmm.htm