SURAT' (Sans. Saurashtra, good country), a large but declining city of British India, capital of a district of the same name, 150 m. n. of Bombay, and about 17 in. from the mouth of the Tapti, in the gulf of Cambay. It is 6 rn. in circumference, and it is sur rounded on the landward side by a brick wall. The river at Surat is said to be fordable, although at high tide it can float vessels of 50 tons burden. The English and Portuguese factories, the former now used partly as a lunatic asylum and partly as hospital, are both imposing edifices of great strength and solidity. Surat is said to Itave contained—but this is probably an exaggeration-800,000 inhabitants at the close of the 18th c., about which time its markets were crowded with the costliest wares, brought by merchants from the remotest countries. Its trade and manufactures, once almost extinct, revived during the American civil war, and it still exports cotton and grain to Bombay. Surat is a place of considerable military strength, and the residence of a British military commandant and other dignitaries. Pop. '71, 107,149.
Surat was long thought to be one of the most ancient cities of Hindustan, but this opinion is now abandoned, and it is believed to have been a mere fishing-village as late as the 13th century. It first rose into importance as the spot whence the Alohlunmedans of Hindustau embarked on their religious voyage to Mecca. Surat was sacked in 1512 by the Portuguese soon after their arrival in India. In 1612 an English force arrived here in two vessels, under the command of caps. Best, who defeated the Portuguese, and obtained a firman from the Mogul emperor, authorizing the residence of a British min ister. The Dutch trade with Surat commenced in 1616, when a Dutch factory was estab lished. A French factory was founded in 1668. In the course of time, the English influence began to predominate. In 1759 the castle and fleet were made over to them; and from the year 1800 the government of the settlement has been entirely vested in their hands.