Page:The Story of India (1897).djvu/25



WHEN in 1579 Thomas Stephens, the first Englishman to visit India, resided at Salsette, an island now forming part of the proud City of Bombay, the Mogul dynasty in the person of the wise and illustrious Akbar had established itself on the throne of Delhi, and a settled and successfu Government existed throughout the northern and more important portion of the peninsula of Hindustan. When Captain Hawkins and Sir Thomas Roe appeared in 16o8 and 1616 respectively at Agra and Ajmere in the character of Ambassadors from James the First, the Mogul dynasty had attained the zenith of its power under Shah Jehangir. Those Englishmen found India a practically united Empire with a magnificent Court and obedient to the sway of a Potentate whose wealth and military power made him appear more than the equal of the rulers of