ABSTRACT
It is difficult to determine the chronology of the origin of Surat. The legend is that its earlier name was Satyapura. Between the tenth and the thirteenth centuries it was under the control of the Chalukyas of Gujarat. It came under the occupation of the Muslim Sultans in 1407. After Akbar had become victorious over Gujarat in 1573 he occupied Surat. Thereafter it became one of the sarkars of Gujarat. The central government used to appoint Shah Bandar (officer of the port), Mutsuddi (officer-in-charge of the city) and Killadar. Before that in 1529-30 the Portuguese had plundered and burnt the city. The English defeated the Portuguese in a naval battle in front of Surat that had reduced the apprehension of another Portuguese attack on the city. During the seventeenth century Prince Khurram and Prince Murad plundered it. Shivaji looted the city twice in 1664 and in 1670. The fear of Maratha plunder continued even after the death of Shivaji.
