English Sailors in India

Early English Exploration in India

• Sir John Mandeville is noted as the first Englishman to travel to India and Burma, contributing to early accounts of these regions.
• Sir James Lancaster, an English sailor, reached India carrying a petition letter from Queen Elizabeth I, aiming to establish trade relations.

Trade Relations with the Mughal Empire

• Captain William Hawkins was sent to India by the East India Company to negotiate trade agreements; he presented a 'firman' (royal decree) from the Mughal Emperor Jahangir.
• The trade concessions requested by Captain Hawkins were ultimately rejected by Jahangir, illustrating initial challenges in establishing English trade presence in the region.

Test your knowledge of English sailors who traveled to India in the late 16th century and their impact on trade and exploration.