In the annals of piracy, few stories capture the imagination like that of Henry Every, a British pirate who pulled off what is considered the greatest heist in history. In 1696, Every led his crew on a daring attack against the Mughal Empire’s treasure fleet, seizing a fortune worth over $120 million in today’s currency. The loot came from ships returning to India from Mecca, and the attack not only marked a pivotal moment in the history of piracy but also ignited political tensions between the British Empire and the Mughal rulers. This story traces Every’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming the mastermind of one of the most notorious pirate actions of all time.
The Rise of Henry Every: From Navy Officer to Pirate
Henry Every’s journey from an unassuming British naval officer to one of the most notorious pirates in history began in the quiet town of Devon, England, in 1659. Raised in relative obscurity, Every did not initially show signs of becoming the man who would pull off the greatest heist in pirate history. His early years in Devon were marked by the simplicity of his life—a stark contrast to the extravagant lifestyles often associated with famous pirates. Every’s choice to serve in the British Royal Navy at a young age reflected his sense of duty, and his career began with promise, but it did not hint at the future path he would take.
As a young man in the Navy, Every proved to be an able and responsible officer. His leadership style was pragmatic, and he was known for his hard work and discipline. Unlike many of his peers, he refrained from spending his wages on frivolous pleasures such as tobacco, alcohol, or gambling. Instead, Every conscientiously sent most of his pay back to his family, ensuring their well-being and providing for them from afar. This modest and responsible approach to his finances painted a picture of a young man who was pragmatic but not particularly adventurous. It is an image that contrasts sharply with the later persona of the audacious pirate he would become.
His naval career, while stable, did not offer the excitement he likely craved. By 1689, after years of service, Every’s time in the Royal Navy came to an end. Discharged from the Navy, he found himself at a crossroads. With no clear path ahead, Every entered the service of the Royal African Company, a British corporation heavily involved in the transatlantic slave trade. Here, Every’s moral compass would begin to shift. The Royal African Company, like many other mercantile companies of the time, was heavily involved in the trafficking of enslaved Africans to the Americas, and it was during this period that Every’s first brush with illegal and unethical behavior occurred.
In his capacity as a slaver, Every grew more audacious, taking liberties that went against company policies. He is said to have lured rival slave traders onto his own ship, only to turn on them, making them slaves in return. This blatant disregard for the rules hinted at a man who was becoming comfortable with bending, and eventually breaking, the law. This shift in Every’s character was indicative of a deeper transformation—a man on the verge of making a name for himself in a world where ambition and greed would guide him. However, his days as a slave trader were short-lived, and it wasn’t long before Every began to chart a new course for himself.
By 1693, Every had returned to London, seeking new opportunities. It was here that he would make his fateful decision to join a Spanish expedition, which would prove to be the turning point in his career. The expedition, sponsored by a group of English investors and led by King Charles II of Spain, was initially set up to attack French ships in the Caribbean. Every’s role in the expedition, thanks to his experience in the British Navy, was crucial—he was promoted to the position of first mate, giving him command over the crew of one of the four warships involved. But, much like his previous ventures, this expedition quickly fell apart due to mounting frustrations over delays and unpaid wages.
In 1694, after months of stagnation in the Spanish port of Coruna, the crew grew restless and angry. With the expedition at an impasse and no sign of payment or a way forward, Every saw his opportunity to rise to power. Realizing that the mission was doomed, Every began to organize a mutiny. His status as an officer and his relative lack of social standing made him the perfect leader for a crew of disgruntled sailors who were more interested in taking matters into their own hands than waiting for the expedition to succeed.
The mutiny was swift and decisive. Every, alongside 25 other sailors, seized control of the Charles II, the flagship of the expedition, renaming it the Fancy. With their new vessel and newfound freedom, Every and his crew set sail for the Cape of Good Hope, fully intending to abandon their former mission and engage in piracy. From this point forward, Every’s life as a pirate began in earnest. His exploits and methods would soon earn him a fearsome reputation on the high seas, but his journey to this point had been marked by a steady accumulation of boldness and a calculated willingness to defy authority.
Mutiny and the Formation of Every’s Pirate Fleet
After mutinying against the Spanish expedition and taking control of the Charles II, renamed the Fancy, Every’s transformation into a pirate captain was fully realized. His decision to embrace piracy was not born out of desperation, but rather an acute sense of opportunity and ambition. The mutiny wasn’t a desperate act; it was a calculated move to take control of his own fate. Every, now captain of his own ship, steered his crew toward piracy, rejecting the notion of returning to the life of a disgruntled sailor and opting instead to pursue a much more lucrative, albeit dangerous, path.
Every’s first years as a pirate captain were marked by his boldness and efficiency. The Fancy was no ordinary pirate ship—it was a technologically advanced vessel, fast and well-armed, ideal for swift raids on merchant ships. Every’s crew, initially small, began to grow rapidly as he engaged in various acts of piracy along the coast of Africa. His tactics were ruthless and precise. He didn’t just attack ships at random; he targeted those he believed would yield the greatest profit. His first acts of piracy included robbing English merchant ships and securing a sizeable crew, many of whom defected from the ships they had once served on.
Every’s success in the early days of piracy can be attributed to his ability to adapt quickly and build alliances with other pirate captains. His raids included not only English merchant ships but also Danish privateering vessels, French pirate ships, and local African traders. Through these alliances, Every bolstered the Fancy’s ranks with defectors from various nationalities, ensuring that his crew grew in both size and expertise. This period of expanding his influence through piracy would eventually lay the groundwork for his most audacious heist: the Mughal treasure fleet.
In 1695, as Every’s crew swelled to around 150 men, the Fancy was not only a pirate ship—it was a mobile fortress. Every had outfitted the ship with additional armament and made modifications to increase its speed, giving it an edge over other vessels. With the Fancy ready for battle, Every set his sights on the Indian Ocean, a vast expanse of water that would become the theater for his most notorious operation.
Every knew that the Mughal treasure fleet would be returning to India from Mecca, and he understood that this annual journey would present the perfect opportunity for a massive heist. The Mughal fleet, a 25-ship convoy, was known to carry enormous riches—gold, silver, precious stones, and goods of incalculable value. It was a prize that would make any pirate rich beyond their wildest dreams. However, to take down the fleet, Every needed more than just the Fancy—he needed an army. With this in mind, he strategically forged alliances with other pirate captains, each commanding their own ships.
In Pirim, located at the entrance of the Red Sea, Every met with other pirate leaders, including Thomas II of the Amity, Richard Want of the Dolphin, Joseph Pharaoh of the Portsmouth Adventure, and several others. Together, they formed a fleet of 440 pirates—an impressive armada for a pirate operation. Every’s reputation as a bold and capable leader made him the obvious choice to command this newly formed fleet. Under his leadership, they would now go after the largest prize in piracy’s history.
This formation of a powerful pirate fleet marked the beginning of a high-stakes pursuit of the Mughal treasure fleet, which was to be the highlight of Every’s piratical career. The alliance of pirate ships, each with its own set of strengths, would work together to take down the well-defended Mughal ships and claim their treasures. The coming months would see Every’s strategic mind at work, leading his crew through one of the most successful pirate raids in history.
The Mughal Treasure Fleet: A Prize Beyond Measure
The Mughal Empire was a colossal power during the late 17th century, a civilization rich in culture, military prowess, and, perhaps most notably, wealth. The empire had one of the most extensive and lucrative trade networks in Asia, bringing in treasures from every corner of the world, including gold, spices, textiles, and valuable gems. A key aspect of the Mughal Empire’s wealth was the annual journey of the Mughal treasure fleet—an armada that sailed from Surat in India to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, returning with precious goods, religious relics, and pilgrims. The fleet’s cargo was worth millions, and it was seen as the pinnacle of a pirate’s ambitions. Every, who had already earned a reputation for targeting merchant ships and smaller vessels, now saw his greatest opportunity yet: the Mughal treasure fleet.
The route taken by the fleet was known and predictable, as it made its journey back from Mecca to Surat annually. The predictable nature of this movement was what made the Mughal fleet an irresistible target. Every had spent months planning his attack, leveraging intelligence gathered from various sources, including the flow of goods through the region. He knew the fleet would follow the same course each year, making it easy to anticipate its movements. This insight allowed Every to prepare and time his attack with precision, ensuring that when the fleet was finally in his sights, he would be ready to strike.
At the heart of Every’s strategy was his understanding of the fleet’s size and significance. The Mughal treasure fleet was not a small convoy—it consisted of 25 ships, some of which were massive and heavily armed. These ships carried not only merchant goods but also religious treasures, including items sacred to the Mughal emperor. There was a deep political and cultural significance to the fleet’s contents, and its safe return was a matter of great pride for the Mughal Empire. Therefore, it was also a matter of great shame and anger when the fleet was attacked.
The fleet’s largest ship, the Gang-i-Sawai, was the crown jewel of the convoy. This imposing vessel, heavily armed with up to 80 cannons and protected by hundreds of armed guards, was the most prized target for any pirate. It wasn’t just the wealth aboard the ship that made it desirable; it was also its symbolic importance to the Mughal Empire. The ship carried not only material wealth but also religious and cultural significance. The Gang-i-Sawai was more than just a ship—it was a representation of the Mughal Empire’s power, and as such, it was heavily guarded and traveled with an air of invulnerability. It was the ship that Every sought most eagerly.
For a pirate like Every, attacking the Mughal fleet was not just about securing wealth; it was about executing the heist of a lifetime. The rewards from such an attack would make Every and his crew exceedingly wealthy—wealthy enough to live out their lives in luxury, far beyond the reach of the law. But Every wasn’t the only pirate aware of the fleet’s route. The Mughal fleet often sailed with heavily armed escorts, and pirate bands operating in the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, and beyond were aware of the fleet’s predictable passage.
For Every, the key to success would be coordinating with other pirate crews to overcome the Mughal escorts and seize the largest, most valuable ships, including the Gang-i-Sawai. He knew that it would take more than just his own ship—the Fancy—to overpower the heavily armed Mughal fleet. Every needed allies, more ships, and additional cannon firepower. It was in Pirim, a key strategic location near the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb, that Every would gather a fleet of pirates to join his cause. This was where his vision would turn into reality.
The Battle for the Gang-i-Sawai
The plan to capture the Mughal treasure fleet took shape with ruthless precision. The pirate alliance that Every formed was a diverse and highly motivated coalition, consisting of five pirate crews, each with its own ship and crew. Every, as the leader, knew that his Fancy—with its speed, armament, and advanced design—was the key to success, but he also understood that the fleet’s size and the power of the Mughal escorts would make this operation risky and difficult.
Every’s first move was to wait for the fleet to pass through the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb. The pirates stationed themselves along key points of the route, knowing that the Mughal ships would follow their predictable course. The timing of the attack was critical—if the pirates waited too long, the fleet would be out of their reach; if they attacked too early, they risked being intercepted by Mughal reinforcements. As luck would have it, the pirates were able to spot the fleet in the early morning hours and set their plan into motion.
At first, things didn’t go as smoothly as Every had hoped. The Mughal fleet, with its vast size and well-coordinated movements, initially slipped by the pirates unnoticed during the night. The pirates’ plan had been to launch a surprise attack, but when daylight broke, the pirates realized that they had missed their chance to strike in the dead of night. However, this setback did not deter Every. He knew that the fleet would be slow-moving, and the pirates still had the element of surprise on their side.
Among the fleet of Mughal ships, two stood out as the primary targets for Every’s pirates: the Gang-i-Sawai and its heavily armed escort, the Fateh Muhammad. These two ships were the largest and best defended, but they were also the slowest. The pirates gave chase, using their speed to gradually close the gap. The Fateh Muhammad, with its smaller crew and fewer cannons, was the first to fall behind, and it became the first target of the pirates.
The Fateh Muhammad was heavily armed and defended, but the pirates were relentless. After a brief, intense battle, the pirates were able to overpower the ship’s defenders, looting it for an estimated $20 million in modern currency. Every and his crew didn’t waste time celebrating, though—they immediately gave chase to the Gang-i-Sawai, which had remained ahead of them.
The Gang-i-Sawai’s sheer size and firepower made it a formidable opponent. The ship was equipped with anywhere between 62 and 80 cannons, and its crew numbered in the hundreds. Its defensive capabilities were formidable, and Every knew that an outright battle would be a challenge. However, he also knew that the Fancy, with its speed and tactical advantages, had a shot at overtaking the larger ship if they could time their attack carefully. After several days of pursuit, Every’s pirates managed to close the gap, positioning themselves to strike.
What followed was a battle that would go down in pirate lore as one of the greatest heists in history. Every’s crew, aboard the Fancy, fired a lucky broadside that severed the main mast of the Gang-i-Sawai, rendering the vessel unable to maneuver. This stroke of fortune gave Every’s crew the opening they needed. The pirates boarded the Gang-i-Sawai, despite fierce resistance from its defenders. The ship’s commander, Captain Ibrahim, has often been criticized for his poor leadership during the attack. Some accounts suggest that he hid below deck while others fought, leaving his crew vulnerable to the pirate onslaught.
The battle that followed was brutal and chaotic, lasting for hours. The pirates fought hand-to-hand, overcoming the defenders and eventually securing the Gang-i-Sawai. Once the ship was in their hands, Every’s crew proceeded to loot the ship’s immense cargo. The treasures taken from the Gang-i-Sawai were worth between $350,000 and $600,000, an astounding sum that, when adjusted for inflation, would be worth upwards of $120 million today. But the looting did not end with treasure. Every and his men subjected the captives aboard the ship to horrific conditions, employing torture and violence in their quest for information about additional hidden treasure.
The scale of the loot and the violence that accompanied the capture of the Gang-i-Sawai left a lasting imprint on pirate history. Every’s bold attack on the Mughal fleet had succeeded beyond his wildest dreams, but it also marked a point of no return—an event that would escalate tensions between the Mughal Empire and the British Empire and ultimately lead to an international manhunt for Every and his crew. Yet, for a brief moment, Every and his pirates tasted unimaginable wealth, securing a fortune that would remain the stuff of pirate legend.
The Aftermath: Political Repercussions and the Hunt for Every
The magnitude of Henry Every’s attack on the Mughal treasure fleet was staggering, both in terms of the wealth looted and the political reverberations it triggered. The Mughal Empire, under the rule of Emperor Aurangzeb, was deeply insulted by the audacity of the pirate raid. Not only had the pirates plundered an enormous fortune, but the attack also targeted ships that carried sacred pilgrims returning from Mecca, making the offense even more egregious in the eyes of the Mughal rulers. The Mughal Empire had long seen piracy as a problem in the Indian Ocean, but this attack hit at the heart of their prestige and authority.
The immediate response from Aurangzeb was one of fury. In a bid to protect his empire’s trade interests and prevent further pirate attacks, he moved swiftly. First, he ordered the British East India Company to cease all operations in several key Mughal ports. British merchants and administrators, already vulnerable due to growing tensions between the British and Mughal authorities, were arrested and imprisoned. This was not just an attack on British commercial interests, but a clear message to the British that their role in the Indian Ocean trade was in jeopardy.
Although the British East India Company had no formal connection to Every’s piracy, there was widespread suspicion among the Mughal authorities that British officials had at least been complicit. Many believed that corrupt British merchants had been turning a blind eye to piracy, or worse, aiding pirates by providing intelligence about lucrative targets. This was a period when European powers, including the British and the Dutch, had entered into murky agreements with local rulers and pirate factions in exchange for protection or profits. The Mughal authorities, deeply distrustful of British intentions, saw the East India Company’s involvement as indirect, yet real.
In response to the attack, the British East India Company was left with little choice but to placate the Mughals. The Company agreed to provide additional protection for Mughal ships and offered a substantial monetary compensation to appease the empire’s anger. The British also agreed to assist in the hunt for Every and his crew, offering a bounty for his capture. This effort marked the beginning of an international manhunt—a manhunt that would span across continents and involve several nations. The British, who were already facing the aftermath of the recent Child’s War with the Mughals, were keen to avoid further conflict with one of the most powerful empires of the time. Aurangzeb, while still seething with rage, was pragmatic enough to accept the Company’s concessions, fearing that any further escalation could lead to irreparable damage to his empire’s stability.
The implications for British trade in the region were serious. Not only had they lost key trading rights in Mughal ports, but they had also been publicly shamed by the attack. Despite this, the British East India Company could not afford to allow the situation to spiral into open warfare with the Mughals. So, a compromise was struck. The British agreed to offer a monetary settlement of 350,000 pounds, which would be the equivalent of around $69 million in modern currency. The settlement was designed to show good faith, compensate for the lost goods, and restore British operations in the region. In exchange, the Mughals allowed the British to resume their trade activities.
For Every and his crew, however, the situation had become dire. Their successful heist was still fresh in the memory of both the British and the Mughal authorities, and every major naval power in the region was now on the lookout for them. Every, who had once commanded a formidable pirate fleet, was now a hunted man. The bounty on his head was substantial, and the international manhunt intensified. The pirates who had helped Every carry out the daring raid now found themselves trapped in a game of cat-and-mouse, with authorities across multiple empires determined to bring them to justice.
The Legacy of Henry Every
As the dust settled from the immediate political fallout of the Mughal treasure fleet heist, the story of Henry Every’s audacity and wealth began to spread far and wide. His raid became the stuff of legend, a symbol of piracy’s golden age, and a reminder of the thin line between heroism and villainy on the high seas. Every’s legacy, however, is not merely defined by the riches he amassed, but by the indelible mark he left on the history of piracy and his lasting influence on the political dynamics of the time.
The treasure that Every and his crew captured from the Gang-i-Sawai and other ships was vast—worth between $350,000 and $600,000 in the currency of the day, or roughly $120 million today. Yet, despite the incredible wealth that flowed into his hands, Every’s story did not end in the lavish retirement of most pirate legends. The aftermath of his success was marked by evasion and secrecy, as the pirate captain and his men scrambled to cover their tracks. Every knew that the bounty placed on his head was not just a figure to be ignored—it was a very real threat to his freedom.
To evade capture, Every and his crew embarked on a journey that would take them through various pirate havens and hidden coves. Their first stop was the island of Réunion, where the crew divided the treasure and spent some time living relatively free from pursuit. It was here that Every’s crew purchased 90 slaves—likely to use as currency and to help keep their operations discreet. The pirates hoped to lay low and avoid detection by both the authorities and other pirates who might be eager to claim a share of their loot.
However, the international manhunt for Every and his crew was relentless. Even in the relative safety of Réunion, the authorities were closing in. The pirates’ next move was to sail to Nassau, located in the Caribbean, which was known as a haven for pirates at the time. Nassau, with its lax governance and pirate-friendly environment, seemed like the perfect refuge. The pirates, under Every’s leadership, bribed local officials to allow them to stay, but the game of cat-and-mouse continued. Eventually, the manhunt caught up with Every and his crew when the authorities traced their movements to Nassau. But once again, the pirates managed to escape.
The true fate of Henry Every remains shrouded in mystery to this day. Some accounts suggest that Every returned to England under the alias “Benjamin Bridgeman,” settling into a quiet, though inconspicuous, life. Other accounts, however, propose that he may have chosen to live out his days in seclusion on a tropical island, far from the reach of the law. Regardless of where Every ended up, his life as a pirate was marked by a paradox: he became one of the most successful and wealthy pirates in history, yet his legacy is tainted by his violent methods and the endless pursuit of his fortune.
One of the most enduring aspects of Every’s legacy is the fact that his treasure has never been found. Despite numerous efforts to locate the wealth he seized from the Mughal fleet, the whereabouts of the treasure remain a mystery. This, perhaps, is the ultimate pirate myth—the treasure that never came to light, forever locked away in the annals of pirate lore.
Henry Every’s tale serves as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition, the complexities of power, and the fine line between myth and reality in the world of piracy. His exploits may have been steeped in violence, deceit, and greed, but they also captured the imagination of generations, ensuring that his name would live on as one of the most infamous figures in pirate history.
Conclusion
The story of Henry Every is one that encapsulates the thrilling allure of piracy, the consequences of unchecked ambition, and the complexities of historical power dynamics. Every’s audacious heist of the Mughal treasure fleet remains one of the most remarkable episodes in the annals of piracy, combining a masterful attack with the kind of fortune that could reshape lives and empires. His success in looting a fortune worth millions, however, was not without far-reaching consequences. The political repercussions were immediate and profound, leading to a rapid escalation of tensions between the British Empire and the Mughal Empire, as well as the launch of an international manhunt for Every and his crew.
Though the treasure Every seized has never been recovered, and his final fate remains a mystery, the legacy of his raid endures. The heist itself, and the way it reverberated across the geopolitical landscape, serves as a testament to the power of ambition and the risks of defying established powers. Henry Every’s tale is not merely that of a pirate—it’s a story that continues to capture the imagination, inspiring tales of daring, wealth, and the precarious balance between fame and infamy. Whether as a legend or as a cautionary tale, Every’s story remains one of the most iconic chapters in the history of piracy.