Explain why many groups in Britain opposed the monopoly of the East India Company over the trade with India and China.

Opposition of the monopoly of the East India Company over the trade with India and China:

(i) Many of the changes we are discussing were documented in detail in a report that was submitted to the British Parliament in 1813. It was the fifth of a series of reports on the administration and activities of the East India Company in India. It is often referred to as the Fifth Report.

(ii) From the time the Company established its rule in Bengal in the mid-1760s, its activities were closely watched and debated in England. There were many groups in Britain who were opposed to the monopoly that the East India Company had over trade with India and China. These groups wanted a revocation of the Royal Charter that gave the Company this monopoly. The evidence contained in the Fifth Report is invaluable. But official report like this have to be read carefully. In fact, recent researches show that the arguments and evidence offered by the Fifth Report cannot be accepted uncritically.