Suvali
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts.Many units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Suvali
The ' Swally ' of the old records
Seaport of Surat, in the Olpad taluka of Surat District, Bombay, situated in 21° 10' N. and 72° 39 E., about 12 miles west of Surat city, outside the mouth of the Tapti, with a good roadstead and deep water. Population (1901), 1,692. The channel, about 3/2 miles in breadth and 7 miles in length, lies between the shore and a long strip of land dry at low water ; ' Suvali hole ' is a cove which cuts into the land about the middle of this channel. With the arrival of large European ships, which had often to remain in the Tapti for several months, Suvali became the seaport of Surat. In 1626 it was already a place of importance. In the fair season (September to March) the Vanis pitched their booths and tents and huts of straw in great numbers, resembling a country fair or market. Here they sold calicoes, China satin, porcelain, mother-o'- pearl and ebony cabinets, agates, turquoises, carnelians, and also rice, sugar, plantains, and native liquor. For some years all ships visiting the Tapti were allowed to anchor at Suvali, but so great were the facilities for smuggling that, before many years had passed (1666), the privilege was limited to English, French, and Dutch. About half a mile from the sea ' the factors of each of these nations built a convenient lodging of timber, with a flagstaff in front, flying the colours of its nation.' On the sea-shore was a European burial-ground, where, according to one account, was laid Tom Coryat, the eccentric traveller and author, who, says Terry, ' overtook death by drinking too freely of sack' in December, 1618, and was buried under a little monument like one of those usually made in our churchyards. The more authentic version affirms that Coryat was buried near Surat. Towards the end of the eighteenth century Suvali was no longer a place of anchorage, its place being taken by the loads, a league south of the river mouth.
