Analysis of Queen Elizabeth’s Letter to Lord Zela Dim Echebar King of Camboya

The extract being analysed is a letter from Queen Elizabeth to lord Zelabdim Echebar king of Cambaya (akbar) written in 1583, the same year in which Sir Humphrey Gilbert claimed the island of Newfoundland on behalf of England, not long before England had signed a commercial treaty with the Ottoman empire in 1580.

England were intending to expand their empire and this was the age of Sir Francis Drake, exploration and mercantile links were on the English agenda, Elizabeth I inherited the throne as well as its many financial problems, as a consequence of this the tone of the extract is one of respect and admiration. Instead of demands, Queen Elizabeth requests. Yet it remains regal reminding us that it is communication between two people of power, the letter appears to consciously exude undertones of friendship and “disarmament” as the purpose of this letter was clearly meant to build foreign relations in Asia, which England had failed to do so previously, any conflict would not be in the best interest of England.

In this letter to Emperor Akbar, Elizabeth requests the amicable reception of her voyagers this is illuminating in that it shows the intentions of the English sovereign to avoid conflict yet grow England. Queen Elizabeth was in debt, the queen ruled 3 million subjects this paled in comparison to emperor Akbar’s dominion. Victors in a war between nations is decided by who has the greatest resources and it was Elizabeth’s intentions to gain resources, particularly access to the spice trade which the Portuguese had infiltrated prior in 1498 giving them dominance, a political move to achieve equal standing and eventually supremacy over the rival Nations. Elizabeth needed to consolidate her power to fend off the external threats posed by enemy nations such as Spain and the internal threats caused by the religious conflicts which was a major theme of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Furthermore, Portugal a catholic nation attempted to impose Catholicism on those it traded with, England was now protestant and Queen Elizabeth consciously avoided any form of aggression in this letter that may suggest similar behaviour. communicating as two great nations, rather than one great nation and the “barbarians”.

The letter notes the great distance between the two countries, at that time the navy was key to growth. Long voyages aboard ships that were fraught with danger from both weather conditions, lack of nutrition and enemy privateers (the Portuguese held the most influence in trade with Asia) this was deemed important by the monarch as it was the key to elevating the position of England and improving the economy. This was a precursor to the monarch’s foreign policy and the establishment of the east India company.

Queen Elizabeth expressed the idea of “the mutual and friendly trafique of marchandize” although England had much more to gain from this exchange, the Mughals were a powerful force under Emperor Akbar. India under Akbar had a much better economy laying a foundation for trade and enterprise and the empire possessed much knowledge, Akbar was noted to be obsessed with literature and constructed impressive libraries, the growth under Akbar was immense, this was an empire that was prospering without the difficulties Queen Elizabeth faced. This was an attempt to challenge the Portuguese and this may have been recognised by Akbar who had demonstrated political awareness and good governance.