finding that they could make no impression upon their stubborn enemy, finally abandoned the enterprise, leaving Best to return unmolested to Surat.
The advantage was markedly on the side of the English. At the expenditure of only a few hves they had successfully resisted an attack by a powerful fleet of the enemy. Apart from the losses inflicted upon the Portuguese, which were heavy, the English had damaged them severely in reputation and had correspondingly exalted their own prestige. By their spirited action they had confirmed the impression already made by Middleton that the English were a nation to be reckoned with on the sea where hitherto the Portuguese had been unchallenged masters.
Almost at once the English reaped the advantage of their victory in a marked strengthening of their position on land. A firman, or charter, permitting them to trade at Surat, which had previously been under discussion, was now ratified. It came down from Agra in the form of a private letter. In other circumstances Best might have been glad to receive it in this form, but his victory had given him confidence, and with a shrewd conception of native character he demanded that the document should be submitted in proper form. Assenting to this, the local officials, with the shahbunder at their head, went in state on January 11, 1613, to hand over the firman. The date is important as the first substantial landmark in the history of the British in India. As far as the concession itself was concerned it was found afterwards not to amount to much. The Mogul Government gave the very least they could, and in a form in which subsequent repudiation would be easy. Best, however, did not at the time realize this. With the consciousness of good work done he sailed
