Coast of Surat in 1608. Image Source: Public Domain

thumbnail_69dd0-surat.jpg

69dd0-surat.jpg

With the Orient getting to be known, the Westerners found a newfound interest in it, for it was an exotic land with curious traditions and cultures but even richer resources. Although Europe was “civilized”, it lacked aspects that could make it reach greater heights. The answer to locking its fullest potential lay towards the East, and the Europeans wasted no time to bag a spot in this exciting opportunity.

The arrival of Vasco De Gama in India in 1498 paved the road for countless journeys to the Indies. Throughout the years, the French, Dutch, Portuguese, British, etc. competed to secure their position in the East, with an initial motive for trading. The goods such as spices, textiles, cotton, etc. local to the East were extraordinary to the Europeans, and their malicious eyes twinkled with money at the possibility of their control over such products.

Vasco De Gama. Image Source:  The Mariners' Museum 

Vasco-da-Gama.webp

But, the main protagonists of this story are the Britishers who managed to secure long-term authority in the subcontinent. However, it was only after the destruction of the Spanish Armada in 1588 that the British became active in the trade route towards the East. Not only this, initially, it was the Dutch who held dominance in the spice trade, making it harder for the Britishers to gain their share in this endeavour.

> Recognizing that Britain was falling behind, Queen Elizabeth I granted over 200 English merchants the right to trade in the East Indies in 1600. It was one of these groups which later named themselves the English East India Company.

English East India Company's Logo. Image Source: Weebly 

2745798.jpg

This group consisted of wealthy businessmen, merchants, and traders looking for more opportunities to expand their wealth. Their greed knew no limits, and soon it led them to the shores of the subcontinent in 1601 under James Lancaster. They returned back with around 500 tons of pepper, salivating an even larger number of Britishers who were hungry for such profits and power.

Yet the ever-growing control of the Dutch East India Company on Eastern waters in the spice trade in addition to wars and uninvited clashes with pirates led the EIC to change its strategy and focus towards growing into new markets where the competition was less fierce. This shift towards cotton and silk in India proved to be a fruitful one.

> Contrary to popular beliefs, EIC did not have any direct connections with the British crown, for they were given sovereignty which allowed them to make decisions without the approval of British authorities.

During this era, it was the Mughal Empire that ruled over the majority of the subcontinent, and probably was one of the largest civilizations filled with grandeur, power and influence in its time. The Portuguese had already struck various deals with the Mughals which allowed them to establish trading in India. But the arrival of the British changed everything.

> In 1608, William Hawkins, commander of the Hector, sailed towards the eastern port town of Surat and was the first English representative to do so. This was a landmark event, for it set the stone for the future successful endeavours of the English.

William Hawkins- The Commander of Hector. Image Source: Public Domain

main-qimg-12cee6c90a607f537ea88f7b7754872b.webp

Emperor Jahangir was highly impressed by Hawkins with his quick grasping of Turkish and his ability to drink large amounts of wine, only for his amusement to be met with the disapproval of the request to establish a British factory in this town. Yet the English had already tasted the air of Surat, and it reeked of profits.

It was only in 1615 after the arrival of a proper ambassador named Sir Thomas Roe, that the Company was able to set its base in Surat due to his persuasion to the emperor. This changed the course of history, for it launched a series of developments that ultimately led India to get imprisoned at the hands of the colonizers.

Sir Thomas Roe convinces emperor Jahangir for trading rights in Surat. Image Source: Explore Parliament  

0192_01.jpg

In addition to gaining control over trade, after believing that the natives were gullible, the Company sought to gain territorial control as well, which they, unfortunately, managed to do so. The seeds of their dominance were sown so deep into the soils of Indian land, that they even manipulated Indian politics, becoming a key player in the fall of the Mughal Empire.

The victory in the Battle of Plassey by the EIC gifted the Britishers full control over Bengal, the hub of Indian culture and politics which stimulated the expansion of their rule to the majority of the corners in the subcontinent. Although the first war of independence in 1857 led the British crown to lose faith in the company’s ability to handle Indian affairs, the EIC was successful in what it aimed at doing.

Once a stubborn child sets his eyes on a pricey toy or a king bumps into the most extravagant treasure he has ever seen, no one can stop them from getting what they want. Similarly, after visiting Surat, the gates of desire towards India were opened for the British, which fueled their unstoppable expansionist agenda.