Much before the foundation of the English east India company, India had been visited by a number of English travelers like Thomas Stephens, Ralph Fitch, Newberry and Leeds. They were essentially adventurers and came with that spirit. However, in 1599, John Milden Hall came during the time of Akbar. His object was to try to negotiate with the ‘Great Mughal’ some kind of commercial treaty or understanding, which should be a basis for the English trade in India. He failed to secure any treaty with the king and returned unsuccessful. However, more systematic attempts to open up trade with India were made during the time of Jahangir, when Hawkins, the ‘Envoy of the king of England’ visited his (Jahangir) court in 1609. It is evident that none of the great Mughal Emperors had any constructive policy for encouraging of extending the commerce of India. There was no Endeavour to ensure commerce freedom from interference and the handicaps were innumerable. They incurred religious fanaticism, Zenana intervention official obstruction, fights of the kings, monopolizing this or that trade and the fixation of prices at this or that level, interference of the economic force working in the market and finally, the inclination of the Monarch to earn commercial profits for themselves.

Keywords: English Trade, Commerce Freedom, Religious Fanaticism, Official Obstruction.