Abstract
The focus of this article is the port of Swally, which functioned as a harbour of Surat from the beginning of the seventeenth century. Furthermore, the article examines how facilities were constructed and institutions were established there after the port began to be utilised. It is also argued that this port came to form part of Surat.
The governor of Surat introduced the port of Swally to the English East India Company for them to anchor their vessels, and thus, they first began to use this port. Swally soon became the port of anchorage primarily for vessels of European companies in part because the Mughal court intended to restrict European vessels from entering the Tapti River. Europeans constructed warehouses and residences for their sailors at Swally and also equipped there with arms for defence. Commodities were transported by land and water between Surat and Swally. Thus, Swally came to function as a harbour of Surat. Meanwhile, there was trouble concerning the collection of customs during the first half of the seventeenth century. Swally was practically placed under the control of the governor of Surat to resolve this issue. This way, Swally came to form part of Surat.
