Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 384
CHAPTER XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast. §1. English factors of Rajapur kept in prison, 1660-63. We have described in Chapter X how the Marathas came into collision with the English traders of Rajapur early in 1660, and how the same factory brought upon itself the vengeance of Shivaji by giving unofficial assistance to the Bijapuri army besieging the Maratha chief in the fort of Panhala five months later. In the following December Shivaji surprised Rajapur, plundered the English factory and carried off four of the factors, namely Henry Revington, Richard Taylor, Randolph Taylor, and Philip Gyffard, as prisoners to Raigarh.
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
pp. 384-385
While they were still at Rajapur, the Brahman agent of Shivaji told the prisoners that his master would give the English a fine port named Meate Bandar, on the coast, if they helped him in taking Danda-Rajpuri; but they declined to "discourse about it" unless he set them free.
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 384
Meate Bandar is not the name of a place, but a general term for salt-ports, it being a compound of the Marathi word mith, salt, and Persian bandar, port. The term occurs in old Marathi letters. (Vide Rajwade, viii. 22, and Sanads and Letters, 57.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 385
Then Shivaji laid a ransom on the captives, and sent them to Waisati fort. Many other persons—Hindu merchants (banians), Indian Muslims, Persians and Arabs—were kept there in his prison in a miserable plight and beaten to extort ransom. The Englishmen steadily refused to pay any ransom and tried to secure their liberty by feigned negotiations for helping the Marathas with English ships in capturing Danda-Rajpuri, but taking care to impose such terms as always left the English "a hole to creep out of their obligation" after recovering liberty. Then they tried the effect of threat by saying that if they were not released their countrymen at Surat would grant Aurangzib's desire by transporting a Mughal army into the Deccan [i.e., the Konkan district] by sea. (Orme MSS., Vol. 155, pp. 1-21, letter from the English prisoners at Songarh, 28 June 1661.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
pp. 385-386
Raoji Pandit had been sent by Shivaji to take charge of all the prisoners in Songarh and "do with them as he thought fit." The four Englishmen were well-treated. But their captivity was prolonged past endurance. To the demand for ransom they replied that they could pay nothing, having lost their all in the sack of Rajapur. Shivaji's absence on an expedition near Kalian (June, 1661) also delayed the progress of negotiations about an alliance with the English against the Siddis. The "disconsolate prisoners in Raigarh," after more than a year's confinement, lost their temper and wrote in disrespectful and abusive terms to the President and Council at Surat, charging the latter with making no exertion for their release.
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 386
The reply of the Surat Council was a stern but well-merited rebuke (dated 10th March, 1662): "How you came in prison you know very well. 'Twas not for defending the Company's goods, 'twas for going to the siege of Panhala and tossing balls with a flag that was known to be the English's. None but what [is] rehearsed is the cause of your imprisonment." (Ibid, also Surat to the Prisoners in Rairi castle, 10 March, 1662, F. R. Surat, Vol. 85.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
pp. 386-387
It seems that the four Englishmen made an attempt to escape from Songarh, but were caught and sent off to Raigarh to be kept in "closer confinement." Towards the middle of 1662, when their captivity had lasted a year and a half, the Council at Surat, finding all appeals to Shivaji and his suzerain fruitless, commissioned some of the English ships to make reprisals by capturing on the high seas Deccani vessels, whether belonging to the king of Bijapur or Shivaji or any merchant of the country, especially the one bringing the Dowager Queen Bari Sahiba back from Mecca. They hoped that such a success would compel the Bijapur Government to put pressure on Shivaji to release the Englishmen. But no good prize offered itself to the English privateers. The Surat Council also influenced the Mughal governor of Surat to write to Shaista Khan, who was then reported to be pressing Shivaji hard (about November 1662), to importune him to move for their release. (Surat to R. Taylor, 17 May, 1662, F. R. Surat, Vol. 85; Surat Consult., 21 July, F. R. Surat, Vol. 2; also under 21st July, 19th August and 14th November in Vol. 85.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 387
On 3rd February, 1663, the Council commissioned the captain of H. M. S. Convertite to capture two vessels of considerable burden which Shivaji was fitting out at Jetapur for Mocha and loading with "such goods as were driven by storms upon his coast, which was of considerable value." (F. R. Surat, Vol. 2.) But such a step became unnecessary, as Raoji Pandit, the Maratha governor of Rajapur, sent for the four captives from Raigarh and set them free (about 5th February) with solemn assurances from Shivaji that the English would enjoy his protection in future. (Rajapur to Surat, 6th February, 1663, in F. R. Surat, Vol. 103.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
pp. 387-388
The Council at Surat say that they "had desisted from calling that perfidious rebel Shivaji to an account, because they had not either conveniency of force or time." They were still resolved to avenge the wrong done to their masters' property and the sufferings of their "loving brethren," but sadly realised that "as yet we are altogether uncapable for want of shipping and men necessary for such an enterprise, wherefore patience." (Surat Council to R. Taylor, 9 Oct., 1663, in F. R. Surat, Vol. 2.) Therefore, instead of resorting to force, they began negotiations with Shivaji for compensation for the loss done to their factory at Rajapur. These were protracted for many years till the hearts of the Englishmen grew sick. Even when Shivaji agreed as to the amount of the damages and admitted his liability for it, the actual payment was repeatedly put off and never fully carried out.
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 388
With the help of the Factory Records preserved in the India Office, London, we can clearly trace the history of these negotiations through their successive stages,—the alternate hopes and disappointments of the English, their diverse tactics, their series of embassies, and their final conviction, at the close of Shivaji's life, that they would get nothing at all from him. The records of this long-drawn diplomatic intercourse afford striking examples of the perseverance and patience of the English traders, though one is apt to smile when he reads how they held diametrically opposite views of Shivaji's character and feelings at different stages of the negotiations, as they hoped or despaired of a settlement of their claims. Our psychology is naturally coloured by our emotions.
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 388
Shivaji's encounter with the English during his two raids on Surat (in 1664 and 1670) and the dispute between them in connection with his fortification of the Khanderi island have been dealt with in earlier chapters.
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
pp. 388-389
§2. Negotiations for Rajapur factory damages. The policy of the English traders is thus clearly set forth in a letter from the Deputy Governor and Council of Bombay to the President and Council of Surat, dated 25th November, 1668: "According to your commands, we shall at convenient time enorder such as we employ to treat Shivaji's servants civilly wherever they meet them, but not to enter into any contract with them, letting them know the great damage the Hon'ble Company hath suffered and the abuses offered to our people on several occasions, for which we expect satisfaction and reparation before we enter into any league with their master,—all of which, we suppose, will come to his ears by one or more of his servants, though we are not of opinion that ever he will be brought to a peaceable treaty till he be forced to it." (F. R. Surat, Vol. 105.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 389
In a letter from the same to the same, dated 17th March, 1669, we read, "Shivaji Rajah having by his servants requested a favour of no great import, not exceeding Rs. 300,...we... having much occasion for a good correspondence with his people on the main[-land] from whence most of provisions come hither, and wood [i.e., fuel] in special, (which is not to be had other where), we were the more ready to gratify Shivaji Rajah." (Ibid.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
pp. 389-390
On 5th March, 1670, the President and Council at Surat instruct the Deputy Governor of Bombay thus: "The war broke out between Shivaji and the Mughal hath put a check to some overtures which were made to the President of an accommodation with Shivaji touching the Company's demands on him; but we hope they will yet go forward,...but we would not have you appear too forward lest you undervalue our pretence [ = lawful claim] and make him cool." (F. R. Surat, Vol. 3.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 390
In October Shivaji tried to put the English of Bombay in distress, evidently because they refused to sell him war-material (esp. lead) for his contest with the Siddi of Danda-Rajpuri. Bombay writes to Surat on 14th October, 1670: "A few days since we, as usually, sent our boats to the main[-land] for wood to burn our chunam with; but...our boats returned empty, being forbid by Shivaji's people to cut any more wood in those parts." (F. R. Surat, 105.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 390
On 12th August 1671 Bombay writes to Surat, "The Deputy Governor [of Bombay] received an answer from Shivaji, by which your Honour, etc., will see how he slights our friendship." (Ibid.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
pp. 390-391
But in September 1671 Shivaji sent an ambassador to Bombay to treat with the English. His chief motive was to secure English aid against Danda-Rajpuri, especially a supply of "grenadoes, mortar-pieces and ammunition." The Bombay Council immediately realised that unless he obtained these war-materials he "would not pay a penny" of compensation for the loot of their factory at Rajapur. The President of Surat sent the following instructions to the factors at Bombay: "Let him know that if he gives us such encouragement that we settle in his port, he may obtain from us those advantages that other nations do in whose ports we trade. But we would not positively have them [the English representatives in these negotiations] promise him those grenadoes, mortar-pieces and ammunition he desires, nor absolutely deny him, in regard we do not think it convenient to help him against Danda-Rajpuri, which place if it were in his possession, would prove a great annoyance to the port of Bombay; and on the other side, our denial is not consistent at present with our interest, in respect we believe the keeping in suspense will bring him to a speedier conclusion of the treaty, hoping thereby to be furnished with those things he desires." (F. R. Surat, 87.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 391
The negotiations, as might have been expected from the diverse aims of the two parties, could not possibly end in an agreement. They were protracted till December, when Shivaji was out on his forays and "now not easily to be found or treated with." The English proposed to send Lieut. Stephen Ustick to treat directly with Shivaji. (F. R. Surat, 106, Bomb. to Surat, 8 Nov. and 15 Dec., 1671.) This envoy was directed to "set out in a handsome equipage befitting the Company's honour," with Ram Shenvi, the Company's interpreter. (F. R. Surat, 87, Surat to Bombay, 30 Sep., 1671.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
pp. 391-392
As early as the end of November, the Council of Surat lost all hope of a settlement. They write to Bombay (30th November, 1671), "Ram Shenvi hath private[ly] discoursed with us [as to] what Shivaji proposes to us by way of accommodation and what he demands from us in order to the supply of his wars against Danda-Rajpuri, in both which we find so much subtility, self-policy and unsecure inconstancy on his part, and so great difficulties and apparent hazard on the Company's to deal with him on these terms, that we begin to despair of bringing the business to any issue in the way it is now carried. ...We do confirm our former resolution that till the matter of satisfaction for the Company's and nation's former losses be first determined, we cannot with honour or safety concede to any thing which he proposeth."
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 392
The instructions to Lieut. Ustick were "that he endeavour to end the dispute touching satisfaction of past damages..., as also to procure his [i.e., Shivaji's] general qaul or farman for us to trade with freedom and security in all the ports of his country and inland cities whatsoever, paying 2 per cent. custom." (F. R. Surat, 87.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
pp. 392-393
The Maratha envoy had brought with himself to Bombay Rs. 6,000 worth of the cloth looted at Surat in October 1670, consisting of katanis, rumals, etc., and asked the English to buy them; but "they being not commodities proper for the Hon'ble Company to deal in" the factors refused to buy them. (F. R. Surat, 87, Surat to Bombay, 1 January, 1672.) But as Shivaji had presumably no ready money to spare, the English were prepared to accept these goods in part payment of "what shall be agreed on to be due for satisfaction of our former losses, provided that the commodities were not over-rated, but cheap and good in their kind." (Ibid, 30 November, 1671.) A compromise was, however, made with the Maratha ambassador; the English lent him Rs. 1,500 upon his goods payable at two months' time.
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 393
Lieut. Ustick was to have set out on his embassy on 15th January, 1672, but was detained at Bombay by a message from Shivaji saying that he was too busy fighting the Mughal generals in Baglana to receive the envoy then. (F. R. Surat, 106, Bombay to Surat, 13 and 20 January, 1672.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 393
§3. Mission of Lt. Ustick to Shiva fails, 1672. At last Lieut. Ustick was sent on his mission on 10th March, 1672, and came back on 13th May, with failure. "He, after a long and tedious attendance, had half an hour's discourse with him (Shivaji) and his Brahmans to little effect, but at last [Shivaji] proffered 5,000 pagodas towards our losses, and promiseth, if your Honour will please to settle a factory at Rajapur, to show all kindness and civility imaginable to the said factory." (Bombay to Surat, 13 March and 14 May, 1672, F. R. Surat, 106.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
pp. 393-394
The negotiations broke down on the question of the amount of the indemnity. A Bombay letter to the Company, dated 21st December, 1672, (O. C. 3722) states, "We demanded one hundred thousand Rupees, they offered 20,000, declaring that Shivaji never made more advantage by what was robbed of the English;... that what was taken in the chests, trunks and warehouses of particular men (i.e., European private traders), it may be was plundered by his soldiers, but he never had anything thereof, and therefore would not satisfy for it; but what (booty) was received and entered into his books he was willing to restore and make satisfaction for... While these things were transacting, Shivaji was engaged in a great design against the Koli country, whereupon the (Brahman) minister appointed to treat (with Mr. Ustick) being called away, Mr. Ustick also returned to Bombay."
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
pp. 394-395
But the English factors deliberately held off from pressing the negotiations to a close. As they write, "We have a hard and ticklish game to play, for the King (Aurangzib) being highly enraged against Shivaji, should he understand that we... hold any correspondence with him, it might probably cause him to order some disturbance to be given to your general affairs, not only in these parts but in Bengal also. On the other hand, we are forced to keep fair with Shivaji also, because from his countries we are supplied with provisions, timber and firewood, and likewise your inhabitants of Bombay drive a good trade into the main[-land], which would be a great prejudice to your island if it were obstructed. On these considerations we judge it your interest to suspend the treaty at present....We shall have great difficulty to recover anything for those gentlemen (i.e., private traders) who suffered particularly in that loss at Rajapur, for Shivaji... by the merchants of Rajapur hath understood what did belong to the Company and what to particular men; the latter he disowns totally....Had it not been for our standing on some satisfaction for them, we had ended the dispute before now." (Ibid.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 395
§4. Embassy of Thomas Niccolls, 1673. Between May and December 1672 two envoys were sent by Shivaji to the English factors at Bombay. In February 1673, a third envoy, Pilaji, came from Shivaji, but was dismissed without effecting anything. In May the Bombay Council resolved "to send Mr. Thomas Niccolls with a Banian broker to make a final demand of the damage done us at Rajapur, and now lately by his forces in Hubli." (F. R. Surat, Vol. 3, Surat Consultation, 24 May, 1673.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 395
The latter amounted to 7,894 pagodas, or £3,500.
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
pp. 395-396
On 19th May, Niccolls left Bombay with 37 persons in all for Rairi castle, which he was permitted to ascend on the 23rd. He interviewed Shambhuji on the 24th in the absence of Shivaji on a pilgrimage. On 2nd June Shivaji returned to the castle, and next day Niccolls was received in audience. The Rajah took the English envoy by the hand and showed him where he should sit, which was on the left hand near one of his side-pillows, and then asked him his business. But in spite of the kindness of his manners, Shivaji did nothing to settle the dispute and on the 6th dismissed Niccolls, saying, "He would send on an answer to the President by one of his own people named Bhimaji Pandit, a day or two after me." So Niccolls returned to Bombay (17th June) without achieving anything. (Niccolls' diary in O. C. 3787.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 396
Soon afterwards Bhimaji arrived at Bombay (21st) and after some discussions left with Narayan Shenvi (the interpreter of the English) to represent matters to his master. Late in September the two returned to Bombay with the following letter (O. C. 3952):— From Shivaji Rajah to the Honble Gerald Aungier, Governor of Bombay: "I received your Honour's letter by Bhimaji Pandit and Narayan Shenvi, who manifested the good correspondence that your Honour doth use with me; likewise they treated with me about the business of Rajapur which I have answered and do send them again to treat with your Honour, my desire being only to keep the same correspondence which your Honour doth with me. I shall not say more but desire you that there may be no difference in our friendship, for I am very well acquainted of your Honour's prudence. I sent your Honour a present, which I desire you to accept of."
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
pp. 396-397
A Committee of the Bombay Council was appointed to meet on 1st October and receive Shivaji's objections to the Company's demands. On 3rd October the Maratha envoy offered 7,000 pagodas, which was refused. Later he increased it to 10,025 pagodas, to be allowed in custom duties, etc. (O. C. 3758; F. R. Surat, Vol. 106, Bombay to Surat, 29 September, 1673.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 397
Surat agreed with Bombay (10 July, 1673) "to accept so small a sum as eight to ten thousand pagodas, which is not the quarter part the damage the nation sustained in Rajapur;" of this amount 8,000 pagodas were to be paid in money or goods, and the balance in the form of exemption from all custom duties at the port of Rajapur for five or at least three years. (F. R. Surat, Vol. 3.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 397
The evasions of Shivaji thoroughly disgusted the English merchants. As the Surat Council records (F. R. Surat, Vol. 3, 19 July, 1673), "Seeing there is no probability of security from such a heathen, who, while we are in treaty with him for satisfaction for our losses at Rajapur, gives orders for the robbing our factory at Hubli, we can think of no better way to recover the Hon'ble Company and nation's right than by taking what vessels belong to his ports." A little earlier, on 24th May, they had concluded, "It is absolutely necessary to break with him, but not at this time when we have war with the Dutch."
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
pp. 397-398
But by 1st October an amicable settlement was in sight, "Shivaji holds a fair understanding with us and we with him, the old difference of Rajapur being in a manner concluded upon honourable terms, to our advantage and reputation." (O. C. 3779.) The hopes of the English ran high; on 23rd October Bombay writes to Surat (O. C. 3870), "We are near a conclusion with our neighbour Shivaji for the old wrongs of Rajapur... The new controversy touching Hubli we have reserved for another time, so that if Shivaji attempts Surat you may be somewhat the safer, though we advise you not to trust him, yet we daresay if he hath a kindness for any nation it is for the English, and we believe he will not disturb any house where the English flag is."
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 398
But the treaty though fully agreed on between Shivaji's envoy and the English in the third week of October was not signed and confirmed by Shivaji himself for more than two months afterwards, as he was absent on a long campaign (O. C. 3910, Bombay to Co., 13 December, 1673.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 398
§5. Embassy of Henry Oxinden, 1674. The English, therefore, decided to send a formal embassy to Shivaji to conclude the business, especially as his grand coronation was to take place in June 1674. Mr. Henry Oxinden was chosen for the mission, and Narayan Shenvi was sent to Raigarh (arriving there on 24th March), "to prepare business against Mr. Henry Oxinden's arrival to him." (F. R. Surat, Vol. 3, Surat Consult., 16 April, 1674.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
pp. 398-399
The story of Oxinden's mission to Shivaji, from 13th May to 16th June, is graphically told at great length in his Letters and Memorial or Narrative which also give valuable details about Shivaji's coronation, the course of the negotiations, and the final agreement.
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 399
Shiva held out for some time on the question of restoring to their owners the ships of the English or of the inhabitants of Bombay wrecked on his coast, but on 11th June Naraji Pandit sent word to Oxinden that "the Rajah had granted all our demands and articles, except our money passing current in his country." On the 12th all the ministers (ashta pradhan) signed the treaty, which was formally delivered to Oxinden at Narayan Pandit's house. (F. R. Surat, Vol. 88.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 399
In November Shivaji's request for being sold 50 great ordnance from 40 to 60 cwt. weight and 2 great brass guns, was politely declined by the English as "so public an action as that must needs provoke this king" [Aurangzib.] (Surat to Bombay, 13 November 1674.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
pp. 399-400
§6. English traders of Rajapur interview Shivaji, 1675. In the terms of the above agreement, the English factory at Rajapur was re-opened in 1675, with some difficulty, as the following letter from the Rajapur factors to Surat, dated 6th February 1675, shows:— "It was thought fit to send the broker with the President's letter to Annaji Pandit and the Subahdar, giving them notice of our arrival. Mr. Ward being earnest for our old house, Annaji told him that he should not have it, and that he did not care whether we stayed here or no; if we did not, his master would save 1,000 pagodas by it; and further will have it [that] the house was allowed for in that sum granted us by his master towards satisfaction for our losses. He is not only one of Shivaji's great favourites but Governor in Chief of all Konkan, so that we cannot settle in any place but it is under his jurisdiction." (F. R. Surat, 88.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
pp. 400-401
In March next the factors of Rajapur had an audience with Shivaji of which a detailed and very interesting report has been preserved (Rajapur letter, 20 April 1675. F. R. Surat, 88):— "The Rajah came on the 22nd [March] about midday, accompanied with abundance of horse and foot and about 150 palankins. So soon as we heard of his near approach, we went out of our tent and very near met him. He ordered his palankin to stand still, called us very near him, seemed very glad to see us and much pleased [that] we came to meet him, and said the sun being hot he would not keep us now, but in the evening he would send for us. [23rd March?] The Rajah came. He stopped his palankin and called us to him. When we were pretty near him we made a stop, but he beckoned with his hand till I was up close with him. He diverted himself a little by taking in his hand the locks of my periwig and asked us several questions; at length asked us how we liked Rajapur and said he was informed we were not well pleased there, but bid us not be in the least dissatisfied for what [had] passed. He would order things for the future to our full satisfaction, and that we might be sure
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 401
that no reasonable request we should make to him would he deny us... The next morning [25th March] we were sent for again in the Rajah's name. We were admitted into his presence. I was placed so near him on his right hand that I could touch him. With him we continued about two hours, which was most part spent in answering many of his questions. At length we presented him our paper of desires [previously "translated into the country language"], which after had been read to him with a little pause, seriously looking on us, [he] said that it was all granted us. He would give us a farman for all." But the siege of Ponda, which Shivaji began immediately afterwards, delayed the granting of such a farman.
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 401
§7. History of the Rajapur indemnity. In September 1675 Mr. Samuel Austen went to Raigarh on an embassy from Bombay to demand satisfaction for the damage done to the Company's factory at Dharamgaon in Khandesh. This Shivaji refused to pay, saying that the factory was looted by "vagabonds and scouts without order or the knowledge of his general." He, however, "after a strict debate" gave his qaul (assurance of safety) to all the English factories "to prevent like injuries." (O. C. 4106.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
pp. 401-402
But the Rajapur damages long continued unpaid. On 19th July 1676 Surat wrote to Bombay suggesting that a "discreet and sober" Englishman with Giridhardas should be sent to dun the Rajah for the money, as Narayan Shenvi was dilatory.
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 402
On 11th October news was received from Narayan Shenvi at the Maratha Court, that Shivaji was willing to satisfy his debt to the Company in "vairats or batty," and the Council agreed to accept them if no better terms could be secured. Six days later the Surat Council in disgust order the Rajapur factory to be withdrawn, since, "so long as that pirate and universal robber [Shivaji] lives, that hath no regard to friend nor foe, God nor man, there can be no security in any trade in his country." This was only a threat to Shivaji's ministers, and the factory was dissolved only in 1681.
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
pp. 402-403
Early in 1677 the patience of the English seemed to have been exhausted. Surat wrote to Bombay on 26th January 1677, "If Shivaji still continues to baffle you, we desire you to seize and make prize of some of his vessels belonging to Dabhol, Chaul or Kalian or any other of his ports, letting the men have their liberty and taking care that none of the goods be embezzled or made away, for this will be the only way to make him rightly understand himself." (F. R. Surat, 89.) The threat, however, was not carried out.
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
pp. 402-403
The people of Bombay were entirely dependent on Shivaji's territory on the mainland for their fuel, timber, fresh provisions, and cattle, and he could also have effectually stopped the passage of their export merchandise across the Konkan and Kanara coast-strip, the whole of which was now in his hands. He, on his part, depended on Bombay for salt.
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 403
In January 1678, as we learn from a Surat letter, "for Shivaji's former debt, they [i.e., the Rajapur factors] are forced to take betel-nuts as Shivaji's ministers will rate it at." (F. R. Surat, 89.) But even thus the indemnity was not paid. The Surat Council, in April, May and July, express their indignation at the deceitful fair promises of Shivaji's ministers and that Rajah's evasion of the demands made upon him, and decide to withdraw the factories at Karwar, Hubli and Rajapur, if matters did not improve. (Ibid.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 403
On 18th March 1680 Bombay writes to Surat, "We are very glad the management of the business with Shivaji is to your liking. He hath confirmed all...A hundred khandi of betel-nut is sent us on account of our demand for satisfaction of the two vessels lost." (F. R. Surat, 108.) On the 5th April following, the Rajah died.
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
pp. 403-404
Shivaji never paid the promised indemnity in full as long as he lived, and the Rajapur factory was closed in Shambhuji's reign (December 1682 or January 1683.) (F. R. Surat, 91.)
Chapter XIV. Shivaji and the English merchants of the West coast
p. 404
In 1684, after Richard Keigwin, the usurping Governor of Bombay, had made a treaty with Shambhuji, the latter wrote to his subahdar of Rajapur: "Captain Henry Gary and Thomas Wilkins, ambassadors, and Ram Shenvi, interpreter, on behalf of the English, came to me earnestly desiring peace with me, intimating that my father Shivaji Rajah did contract to pay them 10,000 pagodas Padshahi on account of goods taken from them, of which account 3367 being paid, there remains 6633, requesting me to pay the same... I have promised them to satisfy what remains unpaid of the said 10,000 pagodas." (To be paid in kind by rebuilding the English factory-house at Rajapur, and in cocoa-nuts betel-nuts, &c., by degrees.) (F. R. Surat, 109.)