#incredibleindia #theindianquest #aurangzeb #mughal #englisheastindiacompany #shaistakhan #josiahchild #governor #firman #history #culture

The history of British in India is mainly remembered from 18th century when the great Mughals had already departed and various parts of the empire were asserting their independence. Though we associate English East India Company famously with Battle of Plassey of 1757 in Indian history as it's earliest event, but very few knows about the existence of a small but very assertive war called Child's war happened from 1686-1690. The war was between English East India Company and Mughal empire.

William Hedges of English East India Co requested the maternal uncle and Governor of Bengal Shaista Khan to request Aurangzeb to issue a firman granting the English pan India rights to do business and build a fort in Bengal. But the Governor of East India Co Josiah Child intervened untimely which led to the cancellation of it by Aurangzeb.

As a result, Child sent English navy on both east and west coasts of India to capture and disrupt Mughal supremacy in the areas. Aurangzeb was initially silent but the English capture of ships carrying Mecca pilgrims and grains was the last nail. Mughal sent Sidi Yaqub and his navy of Mopplas and Habshis to attack the English piracy. English were severely defeated and they had to digest their self respect when they lied upside down in front of Aurangzeb in his Darbar, paid a huge financial indemnity and promised not to misbehave with Mughal rulers again. English got back their confiscated rights and built their fort in Kolkata. Hence Mughals were victor in this war.