Table of Contents
BATTLE OF SWALLY
- Battle of Swally, also known as Battle of Suvali, took place on 29–30 November 1612 off the coast of Suvali a village near the Surat city
- This relatively small naval battle is historically important as it marked the beginning of the end of Portugal’s commercial monopoly over India, and the beginning of the ascent of the English East India Company’s presence in India.
- This battle also convinced the English East India Company to establish a small navy.This small beginning is regarded as the root of the modern Indian Navy.
- The background to this battle also points to the main reason for the Dutch Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie being organised in 1602.
RALPH FITCH
- During July, 1583 an English merchant, Ralph Fitch was arrested for spying at Ormuz.
- Ralph was presented before the Portuguese Viceroy in Goa where he was placed under arrest.
- He was released on the surety provided by Jesuit priests, but escaped from Goa and wandered around India for several years. He returned to England in 1591, and became a valuable consultant for the Company.
SIR WILLIAM HAWKINS
- Sir William Hawkins led the first voyage of the English East India Company to India and sailed into the Gujarat port of Surat on 24 August 1608 aboard the Hector.
- He had with him 25,000 pieces of gold and a personal letter to the Mughal Emperor Jahangir from King James I seeking trade concessions.
BATTLE
- On 22 September 1612 Captain Best(British) decided to send an emissary to the Emperor asking for permission to trade and settle a factory at Surat. If refused he planned to quit the country.
- On 30 September 1612 Captain Best got news that two of his men, Mr Canning and William Chambers were arrested while on shore. On 10 October Captain Best and his ships sailed to Suvali, a small town about 12 miles (19 km) North of Surat. A skirmish took place between the two navies(British and Portueguese).
- English ships alight, a bark was sent towards them as a fire ship. But the English watch was alert, and the bark was sunk by cannon fire with the loss of eight lives. .A standoff remained until 5 December, when Captain Best sailed for the port of Diu.
AFTERMATH
- This event sufficiently impressed the Sardar (Governor) of Gujarat, who reported it to the Emperor. Thereafter the Emperor was more favourable towards the English than the Portuguese.
- The English victory at Swally Hole in 1612 over the Portuguese, whose control of the pilgrim sea route to Mecca was resented by the Mughals, brought a dramatic change.
- The embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (1615–18) to the Mughal court secured an accord (in the form of a farmān, or grant of privileges) by which the English secured the right to trade
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