Surat: Fall of a Port. Rise of a Prince

​

Published in India by Roli Books  

 

An acclaimed history of empire and resistance: this is the moving story of the rebel prince who beat the world's most powerful corporation.

 

The ships of the East India Company first docked at India's shore in Surat in the early 17th century. In time, through astute politics and military power, the Company became masters of this great port. By 1800 the port was completely annexed, though a Treaty that gave protection to the future generations of the local Nawab rulers. In time the Company would violate that treaty leaving the infant grand daughters of the last Nawab on the brink of destitution. In an unprecedented counter attack the father of the two girls lead the greatest legal campaign against the Company in England. Travelling twice to London, first in 1844 and then in 1853 Meer Jafar Ali Khan won the support of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and leading Members of Parliament in the House of Commons. The Indian Prince's fight for justice received much help from them culminating in a dramatic victory in the House of Commons which voted for the first time in favour of an Indian Prince and against the machinations of the Company. This landmark victory bears testimony to the independent British judicial and parliamentary system that stood for justice. Not only did the Indian Prince win back that which was rightfully his and his daughters' but also found true love in Victorian England.