[1] The foundation stone was laid on 11 March 1805[2] and the sluices of its floating gate opened on 26 July 1806, being ready to receive ships five days later.

[5] The company rapidly became profitable through its trade in commodities such as tea, spices, indigo, silk and Persian carpets.

[6] The docks played a key role in the Second World War as a location for constructing the floating Mulberry harbours used by the Allies to support the D-Day landings in France.

[6] Brunswick Wharf Power Station, a monumental brick structure with fluted concrete chimneys, was built on the site of the Export Dock in stages between 1946 and 1956; it has since been decommissioned and demolished.

[5] In the late 20th century the docks were mostly filled in and only the entrance basin remains, as a wildlife refuge and an attractive local amenity.

[11] Developments on the site of the Import Dock include the Mulberry Place in 1992[12] and the Republic campus with offices, retail and public space which was largely completed in 2019.

[17] East India Dock Basin exists now as a nature reserve, providing a tidal mudflat habitat for birds such as Kingfishers and Terns.