Letters giving an account of the siege of the factory by the Sonja Raja, 1717; copy and translation of the firman for the settlement, 1666.
Factory Records: Karwar
This material is held atBritish Library Asia, Pacific and Africa Collections
- Reference
- GB 59 IOR/G/22
- Dates of Creation
- 1666-1717
- Language of Material
- English
- Physical Description
- 1 volume
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
In 1638 a rival English trading body, the Courteen Association, established a factory at Karwar. Muslin was the chief commodity purchased but Karwar was also a source for pepper, cardamoms, cassier and coarse blue cotton cloth. Situated on India's west coast, 50 miles south-east of Goa, Karwar was noted for its safe harbour. In 1649 the Courteen Association united with the Company and Karwar became a Company factory. Owing to the hostility of the Raja of Sonda, the factory was closed in 1720 and was not reopened until 1750. In 1752 the Portuguese sent a fleet and captured the Sonda fort, Sadashivgarh. They claimed the monopoly of the Karwar trade and as they were in a position to enforce their claim, the English agent was withdrawn.
Access Information
Public Record(s)
Unrestricted