The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c20.83

v4.c20.83

In 1661 the English establishments in India were reorganised with the result of two independent governments ("President and Council") being set up at Surat and Madras, all the Bengal establishments being made subordinate to the Presidency of Madras. The trade with Bengal was very prosperous about 1658; raw silk was abundant, the taffetas were various and fine, the saltpetre was cheap and of the best quality; all these exchanged for the gold and silver sent out from England. The Bengal trade continued to grow rapidly: the value of the Company's exports from this province rose from £34,000 in 1668 to £85,000 in 1675 and £150,000 in 1680. In addition to buying local manufactures the English sent out European dyers to Bengal to improve the colour of the silk cloth made locally and also inaugurated a pilot service for navigating the Ganges from Hooghly to the sea (1668). The first British ship sailed up the Ganges from the Bay of Bengal in 1679.