George Oxenden (governor)

A Oxenden found on his arrival in India that the company's trade was limited to the presidencies of Surat and Fort St. George, and to the factory at Bantam.

The States-General of the Dutch Republic were contesting the supremacy of the sea in Asia; English troops arrived, but were unable to obtain the immediate cession of Bombay, and Sir George Oxenden was prevented from assisting them by increased complications.

France joined the Dutch Republic in threatening the company's trade, while the Mogul chieftains showed themselves jealous of English predominance.

Sir Abraham Shipman, the commander of the royal troops, who had arrived in around September or October 1662, found himself powerless to take or hold Bombay.

Both of these offers were under Oxenden's consideration when, in January 1664, Surat was suddenly attacked by a force of Marathas, consisting of some four thousand horse under the command of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

When the Mughal Army finally approached on the fourth fateful day, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his followers galloped southwards into the Deccan.

In August of that year the court of directors appointed him governor and commander-in-chief of Bombay, with power to nominate a deputy-governor to reside on the island, but he was placed under the control of the president and council of Surat.