Through the Eyes of English Travelers

Dubbed "English Khan" by Jahangir, William Hawkins, an agent of the British East India Company and envoy of King James I, first set foot on the Indian subcontinent on August 24, 1608. Hawkins' interest as an East India Company ambassador lay in negotiating and establishing an English factory in the Indian subcontinent. For the same reason, he traveled to Agra to meet Jahangir, the emperor of the Mughal Court.

William Hawkins in the Mughal Durbar , Image source: wbpscupsc.com

One of the many English travelers who traveled all the way from Europe via the Cape route, William Hawkins was fascinated but not astounded by the Mughal empire's grandeur as he'd already heard about the Indian subcontinent's treasures and prosperity. To his surprise, he was well-attended by Jahangir in the Mughal court and may have received a warm welcome.

According to William Hawkins' journal, the emperor was very pleased with him and enjoyed his company. Hawkins wrote in one of his accounts – "Both night and day, his delight was very much to talk with me, both the affairs of England and other countries."

The Mughal court's language at the time was Persian, but the emperor conversed in Turkish with the English ambassador because both were fluent in the language. This aided in establishing a point of commonality and augmented mutual trust between the two, as language has the ability to instill fundamental trust between the conversationalists more often than not.

Hawkins wasted no time in presenting the emperor with his intentions, which included a request for permission to establish an English factory in Surat. Jahangir, already impressed by the Englishman's demeanor and intellect, agreed to all of the demands. It is worth noting that this single decision paved the way for the British to establish commercial factories in the Indian subcontinent. During the harmonious relationship between a Mughal emperor and an English envoy, history took a significant turn.

Soon after, Jahangir persuaded Hawkins to stay in his court, and the emperor suggested that he marry Mariam Khan, a Christian Muslim woman, in order to advance his interests. However, the emperor's close and loyal relationship with Hawkins was an eyesore for the Portuguese because it jeopardized their commercial interests in the Indian subcontinent. As a result, Williams' permission to establish a factory was quickly revoked. He made additional attempts to impress the emperor but was ultimately unsuccessful.

Nonetheless, Hawkins' time at the Mughal court allowed him to observe and document firsthand interactions with the emperor and nobles. In describing minute details of the Mughal empire, his account stands out as distinct and unique. For example, he was the one who described Jahangir as a ‘talented drunkard’. Hawkins also mentioned the emperor's annual salary and the cavalry's strength.

While Hawkins came to India with a specific purpose and for the benefit of the English East India Company, another traveler named Thomas Coryat wanted to travel the world for the sake of traveling. When it was difficult to navigate in the same region, Coryat embarked on a journey to explore continents on foot. He is officially the first backpacker, and because he documented his journey, he may also be considered the first travel blogger. "Of all the pleasures in the world, travel is the sweetest and most delightful," he says in one of his travel records.

Coryat arrived at the Mughal courts after three years of exploring Greece, Turkey, and Persia. He was captivated by the alien cultures and customs, so he observed and recorded everything he could. Furthermore, his inquisitive nature assisted him in discovering many hidden facets of the empire.

William Dalrymple, a famous historian, wrote, "Coryat was a perceptive observer, and it is his mix of humor and accurate detail that makes his account so riveting."

Dalrymple further adds, "Coryat picked up Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, and Hindi, and it was his skills as a linguist that enabled him to include the spicy details of bazaar gossip that enliven his picture of Mughal India. It brings the emperor and his court to life far more vividly than any of the formal histories that have survived."

As an explorer, Thomas relocated to Mandu, Madhya Pradesh, and from there began his journey to Surat. The journey ended up being a tragic event in the explorer's life, and he died shortly after arriving in Surat.

Both William Hawkins and Thomas Coryat had been to India; the former as an agent with a specific agenda, while the latter as a free and curious traveler who observed the various lands he visited. Nonetheless, both of them contributed to broadening the imagination of that time by providing their interpretation of the Mughal era.

Thomas Coryat , Image source:Alamy