Latest / The Hidden History of Bengal: Kingdoms, Empires, and Revolution — Fexingo History
The Opium Trade That Built Bengal's Empire
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the hidden history of Bengal's opium trade, a commerce that transformed the region and shaped empires. They trace its origins from the Mughal era, when Bengal was a major producer, to the British East India Company's monopoly and the creation of the opium factory at Patna. The trade, which sent chests of opium to China, sparked wars and addiction on a massive scale, while enriching Calcutta and funding the Raj. Lucas details the cultivation system, the role of middlemen like the Marwaris, and the devastating social costs. He also discusses the…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.