The Company That Accidentally Created a Country

This company ruled millions... without ever being a country. 1700s.

The British East India Company. It started as a trading business... licensed by the

British Crown. With its charter, it could raise troops, build forts,

and govern territory. The company collected taxes, enforced laws, and ruled cities,

all for profit. At its peak, it controlled over 200 million people. The British government

eventually stepped in... the company became too powerful. It changed the way governments regulated

corporations forever. Could a company gain that much power again?