William Hawkins

Timeline

1. 1607–1608Surat · SuratOrdered in 1607 to sail aboard the Hector, he arrived at Surat on 24 August 1608, the first East India Company merchant ship to anchor in an Indian port. Negotiating entry as an envoy of the English king, he was permitted to proceed inland after overcoming Portuguese obstruction.
2. 1609–1611Agra · AgraArriving at Agra in April 1609, he was received by Jahangir, granted the title 'English Khan', a daily stipend, and command of cavalry, and married an Armenian woman named Mary. Nearly three years at court, he contended with the Portuguese envoy and pressed for a factory decree at Surat, but ultimately failed to obtain full privileges under Portuguese pressure.
3. 1612–1613Indian Ocean (on the return voyage) · Indian OceanHe left the Mughal court in November 1611 to return to England; his account of his stay in India is an important early English eyewitness document on the Mughal Empire. He died in 1613 on the homeward voyage.