Arrival of Sir Thomas Roe

The arrival of Sir Thomas Roe in India (1615) marked a significant milestone in the history of early Indo-British relations. Roe was the first official English ambassador sent by King James I of England to the court of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, with the primary objective of securing trade privileges for the English East India Company (EIC). His mission laid the diplomatic and commercial foundation for the expansion of British influence in India, which, over the next two centuries, evolved into colonial domination.

Background

1. The Rise of the East India Company

• The English East India Company was established in 1600 under a royal charter granted by Queen Elizabeth I to a group of London merchants.
• The Company sought to compete with the Portuguese and the Dutch, who already dominated the lucrative spice trade from the East Indies.
• The English had established early trading posts at Surat, Masulipatnam, and Bantam (Java) but lacked formal trading privileges from major Asian powers.

2. Portuguese and Dutch Dominance

• The Portuguese had arrived in India in the late fifteenth century and controlled several key ports, including Goa.
• The Dutch East India Company (VOC), established in 1602, had emerged as England’s fiercest rival in the Asian trade network.
• To strengthen its commercial position in India, the English East India Company needed formal recognition and trading rights from the Mughal Empire, which then controlled most of northern and central India.

3. Mission to the Mughal Court

• To achieve this, King James I decided to send a royal ambassador to the Mughal court.
• Sir Thomas Roe, a diplomat and member of Parliament, was chosen for this mission.

Arrival in India

• Sir Thomas Roe arrived at the port of Surat in September 1615, accompanied by a small retinue and representatives of the East India Company.
• He carried letters of credence and gifts from King James I addressed to Emperor Jahangir, seeking permission for English merchants to trade freely in Mughal territories.

At the time, Surat was an important Mughal port city under the control of the local governor, who initially hesitated to permit Roe’s entry, fearing Portuguese interference. However, with the support of English naval power in the Arabian Sea, Roe eventually secured safe passage to the Mughal court.

At the Court of Emperor Jahangir

• Roe reached the Mughal court at Ajmer in January 1616, where Emperor Jahangir was then residing.
• He was cordially received and presented the letter and gifts from King James I, including fine textiles, silverware, and ornamental goods.
• Jahangir, known for his curiosity about foreign cultures, welcomed Roe with dignity and allowed him regular access to court discussions and events.

Roe’s Observations

• Roe recorded his impressions of the Mughal court in his journal, providing a vivid account of Indian political life, courtly rituals, and trade practices.
• He noted Jahangir’s love for luxury, painting, and conversation but also observed the political intrigues and factionalism among nobles.
• Roe was impressed by the wealth and sophistication of the Mughal Empire but found it challenging to navigate its complex bureaucracy.

Objectives of Roe’s Mission

1. To Secure Trade Privileges:
   • Obtain permission for the English East India Company to trade freely in Mughal ports without interference from local officials.
2. To Counter Portuguese and Dutch Influence:
   • Weaken the dominance of the Portuguese, who were hostile to English traders, and compete with the Dutch East India Company in India.
3. To Establish Diplomatic Relations:
   • Create a formal and lasting diplomatic alliance between England and the Mughal Empire.
4. To Promote English Prestige:
   • Represent the English monarch as an equal to the Mughal Emperor, showcasing England’s growing international stature.

Achievements of Sir Thomas Roe

Although Roe’s mission did not immediately produce sweeping commercial advantages, it achieved several long-term diplomatic and strategic successes:

1. Grant of Trading Rights

• Roe secured royal permission from Jahangir for the English to establish factories (trading posts) at several locations, notably at Surat, Agra, Ahmedabad, and Broach (Bharuch).
• These permissions were accompanied by farmans (royal edicts) that allowed the English to trade without paying high customs duties and to protect their goods and ships.

2. Establishment of Permanent Trade Relations

• The English East India Company gained a permanent foothold in India, paving the way for its future expansion.
• The Surat factory, in particular, became the Company’s principal base in western India.

3. Recognition as Legitimate Traders

• Roe’s diplomacy helped establish the English as lawful merchants under Mughal protection, reducing the harassment they faced from local officials and the Portuguese.

4. Foundations for Future Expansion

• His mission laid the foundation for later commercial and political influence. The concessions granted during his tenure were instrumental in the Company’s growth in India during the seventeenth century.

5. Cultural Exchange and Documentation

• Roe’s detailed journal, published posthumously, became an invaluable historical source, providing rich insights into Mughal society, politics, and European trade activities in the early seventeenth century.

Challenges Faced by Roe

1. Court Politics:
   • Roe often found himself navigating court factions, especially the influence of Nur Jahan, Jahangir’s powerful queen, and her family.
2. Portuguese Opposition:
   • The Portuguese, threatened by English presence, tried to obstruct Roe’s efforts by lobbying against the English at the Mughal court.
3. Cultural and Diplomatic Differences:
   • Mughal expectations of diplomacy involved lavish gifts and tributes, which Roe, bound by limited funds, struggled to match.
   • The Mughals viewed foreign envoys as petitioners rather than equals, which frustrated Roe’s attempts to secure high-level agreements.
4. Limited Immediate Gains:
   • Despite his persistent efforts, Roe could not obtain a formal trade monopoly or extensive territorial concessions.

Departure from India

• Sir Thomas Roe remained in India until 1619, during which he strengthened English trade relations and consolidated their presence in western India.
• He returned to England in 1619, reporting to King James I and the East India Company that although he had not secured exclusive privileges, the English position in India was now stable and promising.

Historical Significance

1. Diplomatic Milestone:
   • Roe’s mission represented the first formal diplomatic contact between the Mughal Empire and England, establishing the foundation for enduring Indo-British relations.
2. Commercial Breakthrough:
   • His efforts ensured that the English East India Company could trade peacefully and expand its operations, marking the beginning of England’s commercial empire in India.
3. Strategic Foothold:
   • The English factory at Surat became the nucleus of British expansion, later replaced by Bombay (Mumbai) as the main base in western India.
4. Cultural and Historical Record:
   • Roe’s Journal remains a valuable primary source for understanding Mughal administration, court life, and international trade during Jahangir’s reign.
5. Prelude to Political Expansion:
   • While Roe’s mission was purely commercial, the foothold it secured eventually enabled the East India Company to evolve from traders into rulers during the eighteenth century.