As seen from the invader's standpoint, India consists of an immense and fertile river valley, with mountains to the north of it and uplands filling the peninsula to the south. The river valley is all-important. The rest of the country matters not at all. The river valley, the basin of the Ganges, is worth conquering and the rest is not. This at any rate was true in 1800, and is very probably true now.

To reach the basin of the Ganges from Europe, there are several possible routes—three at least—each of which is beset by different obstacles. Those to the westward, however, involve the crossing of intermediate and worthless lands, whereas that solitary entrance to the eastward opens full upon the plain itself. The best method, therefore, of invading India is to begin operations at the eastern gate. And for this it is necessary to come by sea. The gate is not easy of access, as we shall see, for the coast is guarded by shallows. There is but a single harbour and that most difficult to enter under sail. But the invader who succeeds in landing there comes at once into the plain he wishes to subdue. He wastes no time in conquering territory he does not want. He pierces instantly to the heart of the country.

The English gained their first foothold in India as early as 1639.