CHAPTER V
THE LEGEND OF GABRIEL BOUGHTON
" I cannot tell how the truth may be, I say the tale as 'twas said to me." Scott, Lay of the Last Minstrel, Canto II, stanza 22.
One of the most widely known stories of the early history of the EngUsh in India is the legend of Gabriel Boughton, Surgeon of the Hopewell; how he was sent for to attend the daughter of the Emperor Shah Jahan, who had been badly burned; how he was successful in effecting a cure; and how, when desired to name his own reward, he asked for and obtained liberty for his masters, the Company, to trade in Bengal, after which the first settlement of the East India Company in Bengal was founded.
This legend is related by Stewart, in his History of Bengal, as follows (pp. 251-52).
"In the year of the Hezira 1046 (a.d. 1636), a daughter of the Emperor Shah Jehan having been dreadfully burnt, by her clothes catching fire, an express was sent to Surat, through the recommendation of the Vizier Assud Khan, to desire the assistance of an European Surgeon. In this service the Council at Surat nominated Mr. Gabriel Boughton, Surgeon of the ship Hopewell, who immediately proceeded to the Emperor's camp, then in the Dekkan, and had the good fortune to cure the young Princess of the effects of her accident. Mr. Boughton, in consequence, became a great favourite at court ; and having been desired to name his reward, he, with that liberality which characterizes Britons, sought not for any private emolument ; but solicited that his nation might have liberty to trade, free of all duties, to Bengal, and to estabUsh factories in that country. His request was complied with, and he was furnished with the means of travelling across the country to Bengal. Upon his arrival in that province, he proceeded to Pipley, and in the year 1048 (a.d. 1638), an English ship happening to arrive in that port, he, in virtue of the Emperor's firman * and the privileges granted to him, negociated the whole of the concerns of that vessel without the payment of any duties.
- Footnote by Stewart. I was not able to find a copy of tliis firman among the Indian records, but Mr. Bruce mentions that it is in the State paper office and IS dated Feb. 2nd, 1633/34." No such document appears to be in existence now. v-AiQu
