THE BAY OF SUVALI, PAINTED IN 1680

THE BAY OF SUVALI, NORTH-WEST COAST OF INDIA, WITH AN ENGLISH ROYAL NAVY TWO DECKER AND TWO DUTCH EAST INDIA MEN AT ANCHOR. SUVALI (SWALLY) WAS CONSTRUCTED BY THE BRITISH AS A CONVENIENT PORT FOR TRADING WITH NEARBY SURAT. NAVIGABLE AT LOW TIDE AND PROTECTED FROM SUDDEN SQUALLS AND MILITARY ATTACKS, IT WAS FAVOURED OVER ANCHORAGES AT SURAT, WHICH WAS ALSO USED BY THE FRENCH AND PORTUGESE, AND ANCHORAGES AT THE MOUTH OF THE RIVER TAPTI. THE BRITISH CONTROLLED USE OF THE PORT AND WOULD HAVE LEVIED DUTY FROM THE VISITING DUTCH TRADERS.