The Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company was established in 1906 in India to promote national pride and self-reliance in maritime trade. It aimed to provide an alternative to British shipping companies, which dominated the Indian shipping industry at the time. The company was founded by prominent Indian leaders, including Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Lala Lajpat Rai, who sought to encourage the use of Indian resources and labor. The company operated a fleet of steamships that facilitated trade and passenger transport along the Indian coastline. It played a significant role in the Swadeshi Movement, which advocated for the boycott of British goods and the promotion of Indian-made products. Despite facing financial challenges, the company symbolized the growing spirit of nationalism in India.