Arrival of William Hawkins at the court of Jahangir

The arrival of Captain William Hawkins at the court of Mughal Emperor Jahangir in the early 17th century marked a significant episode in the establishment of Anglo-Mughal relations. Hawkins’ mission symbolised the first serious attempt by the British East India Company to secure imperial recognition and trading privileges in India. Although the mission ultimately failed to achieve lasting commercial success, it laid the foundation for future diplomatic and political engagement between the English and the Mughal Empire.

Background

The English East India Company, established in 1600 by a charter from Queen Elizabeth I, sought to challenge Portuguese and Dutch dominance in Asian trade. The Company’s objective was to obtain permission from the Mughal Empire, then one of the richest and most powerful empires in the world, to trade freely in Indian ports.
At this time, Emperor Jahangir (1605–1627) ruled over a vast and prosperous realm, and control of Indian trade routes was critical for the Company’s expansion. The Portuguese had already secured a strong foothold in Goa, while the Dutch and French were emerging competitors. The English therefore needed imperial sanction to establish trade settlements and factories (trading posts).
In 1608, the English dispatched Captain William Hawkins as their first formal envoy to the Mughal court with the aim of securing such permission.

Hawkins’ Voyage to India

• Hawkins commanded the ship Hector, which was part of the fleet sent under Captain William Keeling by the East India Company.
• He arrived at Surat on the 28th of August, 1608, a port then under Mughal control.
• Surat was already an active centre for trade with merchants from the Middle East, Central Asia, and Europe.

However, the Portuguese, who had influence over Mughal coastal authorities and maintained a naval presence in the Arabian Sea, opposed the arrival of the English. They warned the Mughal officials at Surat against allowing Hawkins to trade, claiming the English were pirates.
Despite Portuguese interference, Hawkins was determined to proceed to the imperial capital to seek an audience with Emperor Jahangir.

Journey to the Mughal Court

After months of negotiation with local Mughal officials, Hawkins managed to travel inland towards the Mughal court at Agra, then the imperial capital. He reached Jahangir’s court in April 1609.
Hawkins carried with him a letter from King James I of England, addressed to Emperor Jahangir, seeking permission for English merchants to trade in Indian ports.

Reception at Jahangir’s Court

Emperor Jahangir, known for his curiosity and openness toward foreigners, received Hawkins with interest. Hawkins’ knowledge of Persian, the court language of the Mughals, greatly impressed the emperor and facilitated communication.

• Jahangir frequently invited Hawkins to his court for discussions and was intrigued by stories about England and King James.
• He referred to Hawkins affectionately as “English Khan” and treated him with high regard.
• The emperor even offered Hawkins a mansab (rank) of 400 personnel and 100 horses, a mark of royal favour.

Jahangir enjoyed engaging with foreigners — English, Portuguese, and Jesuit missionaries — and was keen to learn about their religion, customs, and politics.

The Proposed Trade Agreement

Hawkins requested permission for the East India Company to establish a factory (trading post) at Surat, which would allow English merchants to trade freely and import goods directly from Europe.
Initially, Jahangir appeared favourable to the proposal and was inclined to grant the English permission. However, the situation became complicated due to Portuguese opposition and internal court politics:

• The Portuguese had established good relations with the Mughals through earlier diplomatic and religious missions.
• Jesuit priests at the Mughal court, who acted as Portuguese envoys, worked against Hawkins, spreading misinformation about English motives.
• Muqarrab Khan, an influential Mughal noble who favoured the Portuguese, also advised the emperor to deny the English request.

Under such pressure, Jahangir eventually withdrew his initial approval for the English trading privileges.

Hawkins’ Marriage and Stay at Court

To strengthen his position at court, Jahangir offered Hawkins an Armenian Christian woman from the royal household in marriage. Hawkins accepted and married her, residing at the Mughal court for about two and a half years (1609–1611).
During his stay, he continued to lobby for trade rights and to improve English-Mughal relations, but his efforts were consistently undermined by Portuguese interference.

Departure from the Mughal Court

Disillusioned by the constant opposition and court intrigues, Hawkins decided to leave India. He departed from Agra in November 1611 and returned to Surat. On his journey, he faced further harassment from Mughal officials influenced by Portuguese interests.
Hawkins died at Surat in 1613, before he could return to England.
Although his mission did not achieve its primary objective, it was significant as the first direct diplomatic contact between the English East India Company and the Mughal Empire.

Aftermath and Significance

While Hawkins’ mission failed to secure trading privileges, it paved the way for future English envoys who would eventually succeed.
Key Developments Following Hawkins’ Mission:

• In 1612, Captain Thomas Best defeated the Portuguese in the Battle of Swally (off the coast of Surat), proving English naval superiority in the Arabian Sea.
• This victory impressed Mughal authorities, who realised the English could be valuable allies against the Portuguese.
• In 1615, Sir Thomas Roe was sent as the official ambassador of King James I to Jahangir’s court. Roe’s mission succeeded in obtaining formal trading rights, marking the beginning of the English factory system in India.

Thus, the groundwork laid by Hawkins’ earlier efforts was crucial to the later success of British diplomacy in India.

Evaluation of Hawkins’ Mission

Achievements:

• Established the first diplomatic contact between the English and the Mughal Empire.
• Won Emperor Jahangir’s personal favour and trust.
• Provided valuable insights into Mughal administration, court politics, and diplomacy for the East India Company.

Limitations:

• Failed to secure official trading privileges.
• Faced strong opposition from Portuguese envoys and court factions.
• Lacked sufficient political backing and resources from England.

Despite its shortcomings, Hawkins’ mission marked the beginning of Anglo-Mughal diplomacy, shaping the future course of British engagement in India.