Indian Antiquary Vol 58

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 82

74
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
April, 1929
English could not expect to obtain a farmán from the Emperor before they had satisfied the demands of the Indian merchants. The English had caused great harm by having taken the "Cornefileet” of the Emperor. The above and other grievances formed the subject of a long conference between the envoys and Mir Nâzim and Qazi Ibrahim. It soon appeared that the English had failed to ensure the Nawab's support, for the latter sent a "black" report to the Emperor against them. Thus was added a further obstacle against representatives going to the Court, because their statements would be invalidated by the said "black" report. It was also apparent that were the Nawab now to write favourably of the English to his master, he would not only create suspicion, but might also quite conceivably be dismissed from the Imperial service. Mir Nazim, therefore, advised the English envoye that the best course for bringing negotiations to a satisfactory conclusion would be to satisfy the demands of the merchants first, and when that had been accomplished they (the Nawab's representatives) would join with the English envoys in trying to obtain a farmán. It was also debated, and later on agreed to by Sir John Child and his Council, that the best course for concluding a speedy peace would be to make a present to the Nawab Mukhtar Khan of Rs. 25,000 in order to “stop his mouth and keep his evill tongue from biteing more." It was further suggested that a similar present should be made to Ruhullah Khân, an influential man at Court, or in his absence to Asad Khan. The terms on which peace might be obtained were discussed at several meetings. One of the important points to be determined was the amount of damage done to English merchants and shipping by the Sidhi, who was to be held responsible.
Sir John Child had expected that the Englishmen and brokers imprisoned at Surat would at the outset of negotiations be liberated; but he was soon disappointed. During these tedious negotiations between the English envoys and the Nawab's representatives, it became evident that a satisfactory conclusion could not be reached until the Sidhi had evacuated Bombay. Neither could the sums mentioned above be paid. The terms of negotiation laid down by the English were rather hard, and for that reason the opposing party strongly advised the envoys not to insist upon them, declaring that if they did there could be no peace. Further they pointed out that it was not for the English in suing for peace to impose conditions upon the Emperor.14
In the meantime, while the negotiations were proceeding Mukhtar Khan was replaced by I'timad Khân from Ahmadabad. Sir John wrote at once to the new Governor, who replied in friendly terms, in which he strongly urged that two men bearing a handsome preserit should be sent to Court to solicit the Emperor's pardon. This circumstance inspired Sir John with renewed hope, especially as he had discovered that the new Governor was an upright man. He, therefore, consented to give effect to Iftimad's wishes16.
Towards the middle of August, 1689, it was decided to transfer the business of negotiation to Bassein. This was for greater convenience of communication with the Company's authorities at Bombay. The Nawab's representatives were at first unwilling to go, but were finally persuaded to do so. The conference began again at Bassein early in September, and after some days of strenuous discussion negotiations were satisfactorily concluded. Sir John Child and his Council agreed, in the name of the Company and at the cost of a large capital sum, to recoup the Mughal's subjects for losses incurred through the seizure of twentyone merchant ships. They trusted, therefore, that the Emperor would pardon the Company and permit them to trade freely in all parts of his dominions. He also hoped that the Emperor would command the Sidhi to evacuate Bombay and the Governor of Surat to liberate all Englishmen and brokers from prison and at the same time restore their goods. Sir John also promised to present Rs. 100,000 to the Emperor when the above conditions were complied with. All these matters wore adjusted by the envoys before their departure from Bassein.
(To be continued.) 11 Soe Sloane MS. 1910. B.M.
16 Soo Nos. 5738, 5691 of 0.C. 48, L.O.