The main difference between the British East India Company (EIC) and the later British Raj in India lies in their governance and control over India.
The British East India Company was a trading company established in the early 1600s. Initially, it focused on trade, but over time, it gained political and military power. By the mid-18th century, the EIC had established control over large parts of India, effectively ruling these territories. However, the EIC was still a private company, and its primary motive was profit through trade and commerce.
In contrast, the British Raj refers to the period of direct British Crown rule in India, which began after the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Following the rebellion, the British government dissolved the EIC and took direct control of India. The British Raj was characterized by direct governance from London, with a Viceroy representing the British Crown in India. This period saw more centralized and formalized administration, with the primary aim of maintaining British imperial interests rather than just commercial profit.
In summary, the EIC was a private trading company that gradually acquired political control, while the British Raj was a period of direct colonial rule by the British government.