What method did the East India Company use to gain power in India?

The method of cultural seduction refers to the East India Company's strategy of influencing and integrating into Indian society rather than solely relying on force or military might. This approach involved blending European and Indian customs, establishing relationships with local leaders, and adopting certain cultural practices to gain acceptance among the local population. This gradual infiltration allowed the Company to expand its influence and control over trade and governance without immediate resort to military action.

The East India Company utilized this method effectively by aligning itself with Indian socio-political structures, forming alliances with regional powers, and often presenting itself as a benevolent provider, paving the way for its dominance in Indian markets and politics over time. This cultural adaptation often resulted in a perception among locals that the Company was a natural part of the existing order.

While military conquest, negotiation and diplomacy, and economic dependency are elements observed during the Company's rise, the emphasis on cultural seduction highlights an important facet of its strategy in establishing lasting power in India. Thus, this answer captures the complexity of intercultural relations and the subtler methods of influence that can lead to significant dominance in a region.