Ganj-i-Sawai
A later (1933) interpretation of Ganj-i-Sawai. The ship is inaccurately depicted as an East Indiaman. | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Ganj-I-Sawai |
| Owner | |
| Ordered | In 1614 by Empress Mariam-uz-Zamani |
| Launched | 1616 |
| Completed | 1616 |
| Maiden voyage | 1617 |
| Out of service | 7 September 1695 |
| Fate | Seized by pirates |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Ghanjah sailing ship |
| Displacement | 1500 to 1600 tons |
| Complement | 1100–1300 total, 400–500 of which were soldiers |
| Armament | 40–80 guns/ 800 guns |
The Ganj-i-Sawai (Persian/Hindustani:Ganj-i-Sawai, in English "Exceeding Treasure", often anglicized as Gunsway) was an armed Ghanjah dhow (trading ship) belonging to the Mughals. During Aurangzeb's reign, it was captured on 7 September 1695 by the English pirate Henry Avery en route from present-day Mocha, Yemen to Surat, India. It was built on the order of Empress Mariam-uz-Zamani, great grandmother of Aurengzeb, after the capture of her ship named Rahimi.: 186–187