The Mughals, merchants and the European Companies in the 17^th century Surat

Abstract

This paper deals with the port administration of Surat. It looks into the ways in which the port administration dealt with the European Companies and tried to control them. An analysis of the records of the period enables us to see how the European trading Companies responded to the rules and regulations laid by the Mughal authorities. The issues concerning the mint and monetary regulations will also be reviewed. The bullion importation by the Companies and their effort to procure ready money for commercial transactions will be dealt with. What role did the embassies and representations to the Mughal court play in the procurement of trading concessions? Did Indian merchants enjoy immunities from customs and tolls compared to European Companies by the Mughal state? An attempt has been made to answer these questions.