The kantoor of Surat (more or less present - day Gujarat) was managed by a Directeur (a kind of Governor, but without territorial powers) and Council, based at the town of Surat. The most important commodity of the area were textiles. First Dutch contacts with the region date from 1602, but only in 1617, after permission was obtained from the Mughals, did the VOC set up a permanent post at Surat. Other factories were established at Bharuch, Ahmadabad, Vadodara, Cambay, Burhanpur and Agra (Hindustan). Between 1673 and 1676, Vengurla also belonged to Surat. During the years 1781 - 1784 and 1795 - 1818, the settlements were taken over by the British, to be permanently transferred to them in 1825.