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 Portuguese pretensions to exercise undisputed sway in Indian waters. All attempts to communicate with the shore were frustrated, and when in defiance of the edict imposed by the commander of the Portuguese warships on the coast boats attempted a landing the crews were attacked and made prisoners. Hawkins forwarded a vigorous protest against the outrage demanding the release of the men and goods seized and pointing out that the warlike attitude adopted was unjustifiable in view of the fact that England and Portugal were now at peace. The remonstrance was treated with contempt by the Portuguese commander. The "proud rascall" not only insolently declined to set the crews at liberty, but in the presence of Hawkins' messenger "most vilely abused his Majesty, terming him King of fishermen and of an island of no importance." It was, he finally indicated, beneath his dignity to send any written reply to the indignant representations of the English commander. Eventually the captured men were sent as prisoners to Goa, to be dealt with by the authorities there.

Hawkins, by dint of perseverance, managed to establish: a precarious communication with the shore, but he quickly discovered that this extension of his activities merely increased his difficulties. Surat at the time was under the rule of a local governor named Makarrab Khan, who enjoyed a semi-independent authority under the Viceroy of the Ahmedabad province.

Makarrab Khan was a typical Mogul official, proud, arrogant and avaricious. He had been elevated to power by one of those curious freaks of fortune that from the time of Joseph onwards have brought individuals from obscurity to positions of power in Oriental countries.