# French East India Company founded (1664)

URL: https://history-france.com/timeline/1664-french-east-india-company-founded
Location: France

Colbert promoted overseas trade through a chartered company. Within the broader Bourbon & Ancien Régime period, Bourbon France became a leading European power through stronger royal government, global expansion, war and court culture. Fiscal strain, social privilege and Enlightenment criticism accumulated beneath the apparent strength of the Ancien Régime. At this point in the timeline, the relevant governing authority is Louis XIV (King of France). French East India Company founded mattered because it changed material life, state capacity, economic networks or France’s ability to project power. The event is positioned here so visitors can read it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion, culture and France’s wider international setting.

## Why it matters
French East India Company founded mattered because it changed material life, state capacity, economic networks or France’s ability to project power.

Ruler at the time: [Louis XIV](https://history-france.com/rulers/louis-xiv)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — French East India Company founded](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=French+East+India+Company+founded&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — French East India Company founded](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=French+East+India+Company+founded)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of French history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_French_history)