Empire 200. The East India Company’s Global Manhunt
Nov 5, 2024
Henry Avery's audacious piracy ignited a global manhunt, turning the East India Company into a desperate chase across continents. The intrigue deepens as the podcast reveals the vital role of women in a male-driven maritime era, alongside the grim realities they faced. A fierce naval clash with Mughal forces underscores the brutal truth of piracy, challenging romanticized tales. The narrative twists with Avery's clever escape and the cautionary legacy he leaves behind, crafting a gripping tale of ambition, violence, and survival on the high seas.
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Avery's Plan
- Henry Avery convinces a group of pirates to target Mughal ships returning from Hajj.
- These ships, especially the Ganji Sawai, were known to carry immense wealth.
The Ganji Sawai
- The Ganji Sawai, meaning "exceeding treasure," was built by Mariam Uz-Zamani, known as Jodhaa Bai.
- She was a Mughal empress, the chief wife of Akbar, and the great-grandmother of Aurangzeb.
A Daring Heist
- The pirates, despite having less firepower, targeted the Ganji Sawai, a Mughal treasury ship.
- This ship carried not only riches but also important women, including Aurangzeb’s granddaughter.
