Every British institution in India traces to one moment in Surat, not Bombay or Delhi. 1. Sir George Oxenden: He led England's Surat factory through the 1660s. When Shivaji attacked in 1664, Oxenden held the fort. He then became Bombay's first Governor, taking England's foothold from Surat to the sea. 2. The English Factory (1613): A warehouse and office near Surat Castle. The EIC's first Indian base, 29 years before Bombay became British. 3. British Cemetery, Surat: The men who came to trade never all went home. EIC merchants buried here from the 1600s are among the oldest British graves in India. 4. Tomb of Francis Breton: He led England's Surat factory in the 1620s. His tomb here is one of the oldest British graves in all of India. 5. Emperor Jahangir: The Mughal who held the key to Surat. His firman after Swally opened India to England. That decision built an empire. Which fact about Surat's forgotten history surprised you most?
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Udhna, Surat | Oct 2, 2026 
