William Finch (died 1613) was an English merchant in the service of the East India Company (EIC). He travelled to India along with Captain Hawkins during the reign of the Mughal emperor Jehangir. The two of them attended on the emperor at the Mughal court and established trade relations between England and India. Finch subsequently explored various cities in India and left a valuable account of them in his journal, which was subsequently published.
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Career
Finch was a native of London. He was the agent to an expedition sent by the East India Company, under Captains Hawkins and Keeling, in 1607 to treat with the "Great Mogul", i.e., the Mughal Emperor, which was emperor Jahangir at that time. Hawkins' party landed at Surat on 24 August 1608. It was violently opposed by the Portuguese. Finch, however, obtained permission from the governor of Cambay to dispose of the goods in their vessels. Incited by the Portuguese, who seized two of the English ships, the locals refused to have dealings with the Company's representatives. During these squabbles Finch fell ill, and Hawkins proceeded to Agra alone, and obtained favourable notice from the emperor Jehangir. Finch recovered, and joined Hawkins at Agra on 14 April 1610. The two remained at the Mughal court for about a year and a half. Finch refused tempting offers to attach himself permanently to the service of Jehangir.
Hawkins returned to England, but Finch delayed his departure in order to make further explorations, visiting Byana and Lahore among other places. Finch made careful observations on the commerce and natural products of the districts visited. In 1612 the Moghul emperor confirmed and extended the privileges he had promised to Finch and Hawkins. The East India Company set up their first little factory at Surat that year.