Eyeing for the foothold of the Indian western coast, British naval forces commander Nicholas Downton strategically fought the Portuguese in February 1615. However, the British forces never realized that by hiding in the shallow Surat waters, they would be the first British vessels filled with blue treasure to reach the port.
The Unique Extraction of Blue: The Role of Indigo
Yellow and red, the other two primary colors, can easily be obtained from flora and fauna. Blue, however, the third primary color, can only be extracted from indigo.
Secret Traditions in Indigo Extraction
The knowledge of extracting blue from leaves has been passed down from one generation to another and remains fiercely guarded. This secret tradition confines the extraction process to only certain parts of the world.
Indigo Mining: The 1705 German Directive
In 1705, the Germans even passed an order to mine indigo, considering it akin to a mineral.
Indigo Production in Colonial India
When the Englishmen landed in India, indigo became one of the most sought-after commodities. It was widely produced in the Deccan region and the Northern Gangetic plains, with the finest quality coming from the northeastern part of Agra.
The Enduring Legacy of Indigo Dye
Indigo is the oldest dye known to mankind. It can be used on any fiber and serves as an essential constituent for achieving colors like black, purple, and green.
The historical narrative of Indigo in naval expeditions underscores how a natural resource could alter trade routes and international relations. For further details on early naval history and resource trade, you can read more on Indigo – Wikipedia.
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