After the passing of the East India Company Act of 1698, the organization gained not only the recognition of the state, but access to its coffers. Old money reinvested in the Company for the prospect of greater prosperity through Indian trade.

The old guard, heavily vested in the Company interests, sought oversight in all company affairs. Their adventuring days long past, they depended upon younger blood to chart new the paths to wealth for their family.

Who was being sent to the east in this new era was a privilege reserved for the elite with the survival rate of the pauper. Yet those who returned, particularly those that returned in the company's favor, could indeed make a name for themselves amongst the families of names.

Eghart and Agatha are considered the beginning of the Hastings legacy, though it has been said their mother had relations in the company prior to meeting their father. Those relations are the assumed source of the first Hastings shares, though there is little record of who that source was. That single share would change company history forever.

During Edward Hastings' time as Company Chairman, it was well known that the real seat of power lie with his mother Agatha. She had gained her shares through her brother Eghart who also recognized the utility of Agatha's cunning. Both in the shadows and in the fore, Agatha would steer the company for generations.

Agatha's role in Hastings and Company affairs is evidenced by letters sent directly to her with the intent of influencing company business. A lot can be inferred by these communications, like the use of an in-law to avoid the complications of direct requests for favors.

By most accounts Stephen Paxton introduced his brother to Emma Larkins, yet Stephen gained the most from the marriage. He had schooled with her brother Charles, but friendships were not the ties that bound the Company together. As a brother-in-law however, Stephen gained his seat at the Larkins table.

The Larkins family played a very important role in Company affairs at home. Their connection to both the Royal Family and leading government officials is one of the reasons the Company was able to gain so much external support. The Larkins' understood politics, perhaps better than the politicians.

While there were rumors about a relationship between Phoebe Sykes and James Walsh, no evidence has been found suggesting anything more than an enduring friendship from childhood.

By most accounts the Walsh Family influence was waning. Elizabeth Walsh held onto the family seat on the board, hoping the younger generation might legitimize their names abroad. The Walsh reputation in India would come to precede it's recognition in London.

By the end of the 1720s the Company was in high regard as much of their promises of riches from the east were proving to be true. Trade was lucrative in Bombay. The Company gained a foothold in Madras with the help of the Nizam, while an alliance with the Jigat Seths helped build a presence in Bengal.

From these activities however new leaders in Hyderabad and Bombay start organizing resistance to the Company's imperial efforts.

While the Sykes family always sought to keep a low profile, their reputation in the company was unmatched. Old money investments from the Sykes family kept the Company running for decades. Family members were duty bound in their service which stretched across the Company's endeavors.

The elder Sykes' could always be found in London's social circles, entertaining and being entertained by those that sought their approval. It became a game for the brothers who were both amused by the novelty of attention, and willing to use the influence it gained to the family's advantage.

It was not uncommon for the nepotism of the Company to become a vulnerability as proved to be the case with Ellsworth Hastings. Soon after becoming Governor of Bengal it was clear that his ineptitude with local politics would cause the Company great troubles.

By most accounts it was mere words that led to the unrest in Bengal. Yet rumors abound about whether the young Ellsworth may have performed acts beyond his position with the daughter of a local leader. What is clear is that the influence of that particular leader was grossly underestimated, and whether they were words or acts, the people of Bengal would not submit while the young Hastings was governing.

As the tide began to turn in India the ripple effects on affairs in London were most immediate. Families leveraged whatever power they had to sway things in their favor, resorting to more than idle threats to ensure the compliance of those needed on their side.

The effect of the incident in Bengal sparked a wave of British resistance across India. Maratha splits from Punjab with the rise of a new leader, and power consolidated around Bombay to form a new local imperial state.

Meanwhile in London the Company found itself deprioritized with the declaration of war against France. Company ships and officers are withdrawn from India decreasing the prospects of future enterprise.

Rumors spread of a new path to riches in India, but the family's will have to pool their influence to sway parliament towards deregulation.