Why were the English given privileges under a royal farman by Farrukh ...
Reason for English Privileges under Royal Farman by Farrukh Siyar:
- Farrukh Siyar, a Mughal emperor, granted privileges to the English under a royal farman because an English doctor had cured him of a serious illness.
- Dr. John Hamilton, a surgeon from the British East India Company, successfully treated the Mughal emperor and, in gratitude, Farrukh Siyar issued the farman in 1717.
- The farman allowed the British East India Company to trade in Bengal without having to pay taxes, which significantly increased their profits and influence in the region.
- This marked a turning point in British-Indian relations, as it laid the groundwork for the British East India Company's eventual domination of Indian trade and subsequent colonization of the country.
Why were the English given privileges under a royal farman by Farrukh ...
Explanation:
Under the Mughal Empire, the English were given privileges under a royal farman by Farrukh Siyar, the Mughal emperor, due to the following reason:
- An English doctor had cured the ailing emperor: The main reason behind granting privileges to the English was the treatment provided by Dr. John Zephaniah Holwell, an employee of the East India Company, to the ailing emperor. Holwell was able to cure the emperor's illness, which had baffled the Mughal doctors. In return for his services, the emperor granted the English various privileges and exemptions from duties.
- Privileges granted to the English: As a result of the royal farman, the English were granted various privileges, including exemption from paying customs duties, permission to trade duty-free in Bengal, and the right to establish a factory in Calcutta. These privileges allowed the English to expand their trade and influence in Bengal.
- Importance of the royal farman: The royal farman granted by Farrukh Siyar was an important milestone in the history of British India. It allowed the English to establish a strong foothold in Bengal, which eventually led to their domination of India. The privileges granted to the English were also a precursor to the later British policy of divide and rule, which allowed them to maintain their dominance over India for over two centuries.
In conclusion, the English were granted privileges under a royal farman by Farrukh Siyar, the Mughal emperor, due to the treatment provided by Dr. John Zephaniah Holwell to the ailing emperor. This farman allowed the English to establish a strong foothold in Bengal and expand their trade and influence in India.