John Mildenhall facts for kids
John Mildenhall (around 1560–1614) was a British explorer and adventurer. He was one of the first English people to travel to India by land. He called himself an ambassador for the British East India Company in India. He is also known for being the first Englishman recorded to be buried in India.
About John Mildenhall
Not much is known about John Mildenhall's early life. We don't know exactly when or where he was born. In a letter from 1599, he described himself as "John Mildenhall of London, Merchant." He also mentioned how many fish were in Lake Van in Turkey. He compared it to "our herring time at Yermouth" (Great Yarmouth, England).
His Journeys to India
John Mildenhall was one of the first British travelers to reach India by land. His name first appeared in the records of the British East India Company. He sent them a letter saying he had gained special rights in India. He offered these rights and his help to the Company for £1,500.
In 1608, the Company thought about his offer. They even named him as a "factor" (a kind of agent). But Mildenhall asked for even more money. So, the talks stopped.
Mildenhall was supposed to sell Company goods in the Levant (the eastern Mediterranean region). But he traveled through Eastern Europe instead. He passed through Scio and Smyrna and arrived in Constantinople in October 1599. After staying there for six months, he continued his journey.
Overland Route to India
Mildenhall reached Aleppo in May 1600. He stayed there for 42 days. On June 7, 1600, he left Aleppo with about 600 people. He traveled through many places, including Bir, Urfa, Diarbekir, Bitlis, Van, Nakhichevan, Julfa, Sultanieh, Kazvin, Kum, Kashan, Kerman, Sistan, and Kandahar. He finally reached Lahore in 1603.
Mildenhall had been given goods from the British East India Company to sell. However, he went to Persia instead of following the Company's plans. A letter from Ajmer in 1614 mentioned that an Englishman named Richard Steele was looking for John Mildenhall. Mildenhall had tried to go to India with the Company's supplies. He was caught and taken back to Isfahan.
Mildenhall was soon released. His goods were taken, but he received 9,000 dollars as payment. After his release, Mildenhall traveled to India. He reached Lahore with Newman, another Englishman. They later met again in Agra.
In 1603, John Mildenhall visited the court of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. They had discussions together. However, the British East India Company did not approve of Mildenhall's actions. His journey was not sponsored by them. Because of this, the Company sent Sir William Hawkins to India. Hawkins was sent to declare all of Mildenhall's dealings as invalid.
His Burial Place
John Mildenhall is buried at the Roman Catholic cemetery in Agra. His grave originally had a Portuguese message. It said "Joa de Mendenal, Ingles, moreo aos [unintelligible text] Junho 1614." This means "Englishman, dead in June 1614."
In the 20th century, an English message was added to his tomb. It likely came from the English government at the time. It reads:
- Here lies John Mildenhall, Englishman, who left London in 1599 and traveling to India through Persian, reached Agra in 1603 and spoke with the Emperor Akbar. On a second visit in 1614 he fell ill at Lahore, died at Ajmer, and was buried here through the good offices of Thomas Kerridge merchant.
