Question

How did the British establish their trading centres in India?

Answer 1

1. In 1600, Elizabeth, the Queen of England granted a charter to the governor and company of Merchants of London to trade with the East Indies.
2. The Company was headed by a Governor and a court of 24 directors.
3. Captain Hawkins visited Jahangir’s court and secured permission to raise a settlement at Surat which was cancelled later.
4. In 1612, the English Captain Thomas Best inflicted a severe defeat over the Portuguese in a naval battle near Surat.
5. The Mughal Emperor Jahangir permitted the English to establish their factory in 1613 at Surat, which became the headquarters of the English in western India.
6. Captain Nicholas Downton won another decisive victory over the Portuguese in 1614.
7. This enhanced the British prestige at the Mughal court.
8. In 1615, Sir Thomas Roe was sent to Jahangir’s court by King James I of England, who succeeded in concluding a commercial treaty with the emperor
9. Before the departure of Sir Thomas Roe, the English had established their trading centres at Surat, Agra, Ahmadabad, and Broach.