Book Title: Indian Antiquary Vol 58
Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications
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May, 1929)
GEORGE WELDON AND ABRAHAM NAVARRO
While the envoys were prosecuting their business at Court, the Dutch Company's representative endeavoured to prejudice the Emperor against them and their nation. It is noteworthy that Aurangzeb's knowledge of European politice enabled him to retort so shrewdly that the Dutchman retired discomfited. He had emphasized the fact that the new King of England was a Dutchman-& circumstance which proved the superiority of his own nation. To this Aurangzeb replied that the balance of power still in English hands was of far greater consequence. He was also reminded that England bad caused the French King to evacuate Holland after a lightning campaign of only a few days' duration.30 The Emperor realised that in the interests of trade peace was necessary.31 It was also a fact that neither the Mughal ministers nor the leading Surat merchants really desired to see the English ruined. Besides the Dutch, interlopers on the West Coast were also active in endeavouring to destroy English prestige. .
After spending a long time in consultation with ministers about the Company's affairs, the envoys with the aid of rich presents at last obtained an audience of the Emperor ; but as one writer bas observed “it was in the posture of malefactors, obtained his pardon and allow ance of trade."33 Their reception by the Emperor was unusual and humiliating to the Company whose interests they represented, for “their Hands being tied by a Sash before them, and were obliged to prostrate. The King gave them a severe Reprimand, and then askt their Demands. They first made a Confession of their Faults, and desired Pardon. . . . " Is it curious that Weldon and his colleague make no reference to this wonderful reception in their diary? We wonder !
When the formal darbár was over, Aurangzeb carefully considered the envoye' statements and then communicated to his Admiral, the Sidhi Yacoub Khan, on the 20th day of Fumada 'l-aural (February 24, 1689-90) that the English had submitted and petitioned the “heavenly palace of the King that nourishes the world" to pardon their crimes and misdemeanours. The Sidhi was therefore ordered to remove his forces from near the Castle of Bombay and to accompany the Imperial fleet to Dabul to aid in subjugating Sambhuji's castle or fort, and for other military operations.84 He did not, however, evacuate Bombay till the English had fulfilled their obligations. Weldon and Navarro, the envoys, both declared that during their stay at the Court they experienced the greatest difficulty in persuading the Emperor to order the removal of the Sidhi. This was because in their words it was " a thing never known in this Kings Reigne before ; for it is a maxime where once his forces beleaguerd a place, they either conquer or are beaten from it.” 36 When the Sidhi finally left Bombay on 22nd June, 1690, he left much ruin and destruction behind him. The lands and buildings he had taken from the Company were restored to their rightful owners, but, owing to an outbreak of pestilence, many Englishmen had died, and their forces were in consequence so much reduced that barely seventy men were left to guard the fort.36
(To be continued.)
• 30 Mr. Amold Wright, in his book Anneloy of Surat, quoted the dialogue between Aurangzeb and the Dutchman from Alexander Hamilton's book, but by inadvertence refers it to Bruce's Annale.
31 See yol. I, 225-26 of A New Account of the East Indies; and also pp. 135-36 of Annesley of Surat.
83 See pp. 16-17 of a pamphlet entitled Proposals for Settling the Rast India. Trads in Harl. MS. 7310, British Museum,
33 See vol. I, p. 224 of Hamilton's A New Account, etc. 34 See No. 5701 of 0.C. 48, L.O. 36 See No. 5738 of O.C. 48, LO.
36 See Ibid.
