216. Seeds of British India: England’s First Ambassador to the Mughal Court

In this episode of the Empire podcast, hosts Anita Arlen and William Durham-Poole are joined by Nandini Das, author of "Courting India," to discuss the early diplomatic relationship between Britain and the Mughal Empire in the 17th century. The conversation revolves around Sir Thomas Roe's embassy to the court of Emperor Jahangir, exploring the cultural differences, the exchange of gifts, and the initial misunderstandings between the two powers. They delve into Roe's personal experiences, his observations of Mughal society, and the challenges he faced in securing trade agreements for the East India Company, highlighting the significance of Roe's detailed accounts in shaping future British interactions with India. The discussion also touches on the legacy of this early engagement and how the English eventually learned to navigate the Mughal system, setting the stage for the rise of the British Empire.