This fascinating historical account by H. G. Rawlinson offers a detailed exploration of the early days of the British factory of Surat, and sheds light on the complex economic and political relationships between Britain and India during the 16th and 17th centuries. Drawing on original documents and first-hand accounts, Rawlinson paints a vivid picture of the bustling port city of Surat, and provides insight into the many challenges faced by British traders and merchants as they sought to establish a foothold in this dynamic and rapidly-changing region. Featuring engaging prose, meticulous research, and thoughtful analysis, British Beginnings in Western India is an essential read for anyone interested in the history of British colonialism. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.