The Archaeology of European Expansion in India : Gujarat, c. 16-18 Centuries

Contents: Preface. I. Introduction: 1. Archaeology of European expansion: a). A brief outline of development. b). Research dimensions. 2. Scope of research on the archaeology of European expansion in India. II. Gujarat’s maritime trade till c. 1600: 1. Traditional ports and trade links of the Gujarat coast: a). Geographical prelude. b). The 19 century evidence. c). Observations on the 19 century evidence. 2. The sequence of archaeological and historical evidence: a). The Indus civilization. b). Early historic period: the evidence of the periplus. c). The post-periplus phase till c. AD 1300. d). AD 1300-1600: Gujarat under Delhi sultans, independent sultans and the Mughals. 3. Summary of the argument. III. Surat: Introduction: the purpose of the chapter and the sources used. 1. A brief geographical sketch. 2. The Surat bar and the navigability of the Tapti up to Surat. 3. The communication lines from Surat to Khandesh, Konkan, Malwa and Rajasthan. 4. History of Surat and the Surat area: a). Archaeology and ancient history. b). The Muslim period till the Mughal conquest in 1573. c). The Mughal period. d). 1733-1800: the years before the complete British control. 5. A brief history of European ‘factories’ in Surat: a). The Portuguese. b). The Dutch. c). The French and the Austrians. d). The British. 6. Surat’s trade: transport, commodities and network: a). Comments on the historical character of Surat’s trade. 7. Surat as a city: the general picture. 8. The details of some important localities and features in European records: a). Swally, swally road, swally hole, swally marine. b). The Surat wharf and the custom-house. c). The European factories. d). The British and Dutch burials. 9. Some general observations. IV. Broach, Ahmedabad, Cambay, Diu, Daman: 1. Broach (Bharuch). 2. Ahmedabad. 3. Cambay. 4. Diu. 5. Daman. V. Conclusions. Bibliography. Index.

"The aim of the fieldwork, on which this book is based, was to explore the possibility of conducting archaeological excavations in Surat where the Europeans including the British were most likely to have left behind the material traces of their presence between 16 and 18 centuries.

However, before undertaking such excavations, one should have an understanding of the historical frame-work within which the relevant archaeological issues can be contextualized. The purpose of this book is to put forward this framework and advance the general concept of ‘The Archaeology of European Expansion’ in South Asian Archaeology." (jacket)