Nandini Das, an expert on early British-Mughal relations and author of "Courting India," dives into the intriguing tale of Sir Thomas Roe as he embarks on a diplomatic mission to win over Emperor Jahangir in 1615. Das shares fascinating insights into the cultural clashes, missteps in gift-giving, and the intricate dynamics of their relationship. Delving into economic disparities and misunderstandings, the conversation reveals how Roe's experiences laid the groundwork for the East India Company's future in India.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Misleading Mural
A 1920s mural in Westminster portrays Sir Thomas Roe meeting Mughal Emperor Jahangir.
It falsely depicts Roe as confident and Jahangir as dazzled, claiming Roe established British influence.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Differing Views on Jahangir
William Dalrymple believed Jahangir was like David Attenborough.
Anita Anan compared Jahangir to Hannibal Lecter.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Roe's Background and Embassy Funding
Thomas Roe, an Essex man, had connections but faced financial struggles after a failed South American expedition.
The East India Company reluctantly funded Roe's embassy because King James I was broke.
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Renaissance London, Mughal India, and the Origins of Empire
Nandini Das
In 'Courting India', Nandini Das provides a detailed and nuanced account of the early interactions between Britain and India, particularly through the experiences of Thomas Roe, the first English ambassador to the Mughal court. The book explores the cultural, political, and economic dynamics of this period, including palace intrigue, trade negotiations, and the complexities of cross-cultural encounters. Das draws heavily from Roe's journal and other historical sources to offer a richly textured narrative that challenges traditional interpretations of the British Empire's emergence.
What do you buy for a man who has everything?
Thomas Roe is tasked with wooing the Emperor Jahangir. On March 6th 1615, he sets sail from England on the 8 month voyage to the Mughal Empire, home to one fifth of the world’s population. He has been sent by James I and the East India Company on a diplomatic mission to improve trading relations. The English envy the fabulously rich Emperor Jahangir whose personal wealth is ten times that of the national revenue of England at the time. Expecting to be greeted as a diplomat, Roe arrives in India and is forced to undergo a customs check. He is ill and accompanied by a badly behaved cook and a drunk chaplain. He hasn’t even reached court in Ajmer and everything seems to be going wrong. Will he succeed in his mission to win over Jahangir?
Listen as Anita and William are joined by Nandini Das, author of Courting India: England, Mughal India and the Origins of Empire, to discuss the grumpy ambassador’s stay at Jahangir’s court and how it shaped the East India Company.
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