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How did the 1717 trade privileges from Emperor Farrukh-Siyar contribute to Calcutta’s growth?
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Kolkata
Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata, India.
In 1717, the Mughal emperor Farrukh-Siyar granted the East India Company freedom of trade in exchange for a yearly payment of 3,000 rupees. This arrangement provided a significant impetus to the growth of Calcutta, as it allowed the company’s servants to conduct duty-free private trade under the company’s flag. Consequently, a large number of Indian merchants were attracted to the city, fostering its rapid expansion and commercial development.1