Henry Every and the Ganj-i-Sawai
Arabian Sea, about eight days from Surat, India (approximate; pin at Surat)
What happened
In 1694, Henry Every led a mutiny on an English ship in Spain, renamed it the Fancy and turned to piracy. In September 1695, he and other pirate crews attacked a Mughal fleet and captured the Ganj-i-Sawai, one of the richest ships at sea. The treasure was worth hundreds of thousands of pounds at the time.
Why it matters
The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb was furious and shut down several English trading posts in India until he was paid back. England offered a large reward for Every's capture, which led to what is often called the first worldwide manhunt.
What came next
In 1696, Every's crew reached the Bahamas, where they paid the governor to let them land, and then they scattered. Some of his crew were caught, but Every disappeared and his fate is unknown.
Did you know?
The name Ganj-i-Sawai is usually translated as 'Exceeding Treasure'.
Timeline
- 1659Henry Every is born in Devon, England.
- May 1694Every leads a mutiny and renames the ship Fancy.
- 7 September 1695Every's pirates capture the Ganj-i-Sawai.
- 1695Emperor Aurangzeb closes English trading posts in India.
- 1696Every's crew reaches the Bahamas, and Every disappears.