In this third post of our series, we turn our attention to the subcontinent. Our first stop is the court of the Mughals, a topic that has recently become controversial. While some view the Mughals as the greatest empire to exist in India, others see them as glorified invaders who should be erased from history. It’s important to acknowledge both the triumphs and shortcomings of the Mughals as we delve into India’s past.
Before we dive into India’s history, let’s take a quick look at what was happening in England during this time. By 1615, the Union of the Crowns had taken place, with James VI of Scotland now also presiding over England as James I of England. At the same time, the King James Bible, which still sells the most copies every year, was drafted. Yet, the English were nowhere close to the heights they would reach in the future, with their King described by Portuguese to the Mughal as “King of Fishermen and of an Island of no import[ance]“.
Meanwhile, the East India Company (EIC) had grown since the early expeditions of James Lancaster, although it was still far from the mighty Dutch. On August 28, 1608, William Hawkin became the first EIC commander to set foot in India, in a mission to establish relations with the Mughals.
To understand the significance of the EIC’s arrival in India, we need to appreciate the state of the country at the time. In the early 17th century, India had nearly one-fifth of the world’s population and produced almost a quarter of the world’s goods. India was renowned for its textile and craftsmanship industries, acting as the industrial hub for the world. This legacy can still be seen in the English language, with words like “Cumberband” (Kamarband), “Pyjama,” “Shawl,” and “Shampoo” all originating from India.
William Hawkin, an English adventurer who lived during this period, described India’s wealth in the following words: “India is rich in silver, for all nations bring coyne and carry away commodities for the same; and this coyne is buried in India and goeth not out; so it is thought that once in twenty years it cometh into the King’s power.“
Thomas Roe’s Visit
The EIC’s very first trading post was established in the town of Masulipatnam, present-day Andhra Pradesh, and the trade from Surat and Masulipatnam was so profitable that James I even granted licenses to other such trading companies, before, in 1609, deciding to instead extend East India Company’s charter indefinitely, effectively making it an indefinite monopoly.
It was also James I, who sent out a royal ambassador in Sir Thomas Roe to the Mughal Court, which was ruled by Jahangir, to get EIC the right to establish factories in Surat and other areas. It is this journey that I find quite fascinating as it officially establishes the very first formal link in our story between the Isles and Indian states.
It is through Thomas Roe’s journal that we get a quite vivid description of this era of the Mughals, while himself dazzled by the richness of it but also criticizing it as ‘religions infinite and laws none’. Jahangir himself wasn’t a fierce warrior ruler, rather someone more inclined towards learning and sufi spirituality, something quite clearly depicted in an artwork by Bichitr, depicting him more interested in meeting Sufi saints over the royalties (described much better over here.)
While if we were to go by the journals and letters of Thomas Roe, we would come to assume he was in the inner circles of Jahangir, it still remains quite interesting the latter failed to mention him in his elaborate Journals, the Jahangirnama. Irrespective, the visit my Sir Thomas Roe, was in fact a great success for the East India Company, as they had now gotten permission to operate on the India Coasts by the Mughals, as referenced by the letter below written by Jahangir to James I.
Upon which assurance of your royal love I have given my general command to all the kingdoms and ports of my dominions to receive all the merchants of the English nation as the subjects of my friend; that in what place soever they choose to live, they may have free liberty without any restraint; and at what port soever they shall arrive, that neither Portugal nor any other shall dare to molest their quiet; and in what city soever they shall have residence, I have commanded all my governors and captains to give them freedom answerable to their own desires; to sell, buy, and to transport into their country at their pleasure. For confirmation of our love and friendship, I desire your Majesty to command your merchants to bring in their ships of all sorts of rarities and rich goods fit for my palace; and that you be pleased to send me your royal letters by every opportunity, that I may rejoice in your health and prosperous affairs; that our friendship may be interchanged and eternal.
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