India, the indigo plant and William Carey The Indian indigo trade began to flourish around 1789-1793, around same time Carey arrived in India. The East India Company laid the foundation for the cultivation of indigo with large-scale trade. The company was constantly in a state of growth and expansion. India became home to a major trading hub for goods throughout the known world. From childhood until his first step onto Indian soil, Carey had a variety of knowledge regarding agricultural matters.1 As a child and into adulthood, Carey constantly studied botany, how plants migrate, reproduce, and grow. His knowledge of plants contributed greatly to his success in acquiring a job as manager of an indigo factory owned by George Udny, or Mr. Udny. Carey quickly learned the precise methods and processes for producing the precious indigo dye. Because Carey was such a keen botanist, he co-edited Dr. William Roxburgh's Hortus Bengaliensis (catalogue of plants located within Calcutta Garden) and Roxburgh's famous Flora Indica in 1832. Although indigo factories were widespread , th...