11 May - Marriage treaty of Charles II and Catherine from Portugal, placed Bombay in the possession of the British Empire

 

As part of Catherine of Braganza's dowry to Charles II of England, Bombay (now Mumbai) was indeed transferred to the possession of the British Empire. This marriage treaty was signed on May 11, 1661, and Bombay became a key strategic port for the British in India, eventually playing a significant role in the development of British colonial rule on the subcontinent.

The marriage treaty between Charles II of England and Catherine of Braganza, daughter of King John IV of Portugal, was signed as part of an alliance between England and Portugal against Spain. Catherine's dowry included several valuable territories and possessions, one of the most significant being the transfer of the island of Bombay to the British East India Company.

Bombay, a group of islands on the west coast of India, was a strategic location for trade and naval purposes. Its acquisition provided the British with a foothold in the Indian subcontinent, laying the foundation for their expanding influence in the region.

However, it's worth noting that the transfer of Bombay to the British was not immediate. The Portuguese continued to administer the territory until 1665 when they formally handed over control to the English. From then on, Bombay became a crucial center for British trade and administration in India, eventually growing into one of the most important cities in the British Empire.