The Lesson of History

THE LESSON OF HISTORY In the early 17th century, Sir Thomas Roe (1581–1644) traveled from London to India and stayed for three years (1615–1618). He built relationships with the Mughal emperor Jahangir. One of his skills was knowing Turkish, which allowed him to speak directly with Jahangir. When Roe arrived, Jahangir was in Ajmer. Roe stayed there for three years, sometimes invited to the royal court for conversations. Soon, Roe realized that Jahangir was very interested in painting. One day, he gave a painting to the emperor, who admired it greatly. Roe sensed that the opportunity he had been waiting for had finally arrived. He requested something that seemed small and insignificant: permission to set up a trading post in the coastal city of Surat. Jahangir granted this request with a royal decree, allowing the English East India Company to establish their factory there. At first glance, permission to establish a trading post in a single city might seem insignificant. The vast expanse of India remained securely under Mughal control, with all its grandeur and power intact. However, this small start in Surat provided the English with the foothold they would eventually use to dominate everything else. History later showed that those who accept less often succeed in achieving more. This is the lesson of history—but few truly learn it. In this world, what matters most is securing the initial moment of an event. Whoever controls that beginning will, sooner or later, reach its ultimate conclusion.