The staple commodities of export by the English East India Company from Bengal in the middle of the 18th century were

In the middle of the 18th century, Bengal was a highly valuable province for the English East India Company due to its rich resources and established trade networks. The primary staple commodities of export from Bengal by the Company were: **Cotton and Silk**: Bengal was a major textile-producing region, known for its fine cotton and silk fabrics. These were in high demand in European markets. **Saltpetre**: This was a crucial ingredient for gunpowder production and was strategically important. Bengal was a significant source of saltpetre. **Opium**: While controversial, opium became a highly profitable commodity. The Company monopolized its production in Bengal and exported it primarily to China to balance its trade deficits, particularly in tea. Other options include commodities that were either not primary exports from Bengal during that specific period (e.g., oil-seeds as a staple export, zinc, lead, copper, silver, gold as exports rather than imports) or were of lesser significance compared to textiles, saltpetre, and opium.