Indian Antiquary Vol 60

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

Page 299

MAY, 10311
THT SCATTERGOODS AND THE EAST INDIA COMPANY
95
Gusbaclar to Metchlepatam for the English present, 28 “You know," he said to him, "my father was very desireous to have given the English a Phirmand. I could not. My Omrahs 29 do what they please. I order you to promise no Phirmand. It is in my power to confirm their old priviledges, which I will doe, but I am not sure if giveing 'em new ones. I desire only to se the face of one or two English men. I vallow not silver or gold. Bring only a fow rarietys that may be putt in my lap. You know what disturbance there is amongst em in parting of bales of cloth and bulky goods, which I never se."30
These Gusbadars have free access to the King, whose chop,31 or seal, is putt on their turbitts 32 and on their horses, and have a mace carryed before 'em. They have power to clcar Junckanes 33 and to press the people to carry the Kings present and to cutt down the tents over the heads of those that refuse to goe to the King in the limited time, which happou'd to be done to Sho Allum, when Aureng Zeb told the Gusbbacar that he had don right." And when they are sent upon an expedition, they take place of Vice Roys, Nabobs and all others that are not of the Royal Family. There is an inferior sort which carry the Kings letters.35 Such an ono was sent to Sir William Norris, who desired him to goe and order the Governor to let his hackerys 36 (or coaches), camells, &ca., to pass, which wire stopt a little way out of Metchlepotan for customes, as they did not belong to the Old Company.37 When Sir William found the Gusbadar had not the power to doe it, he resolved to embarck for Surat, and the Governor who had ordlers to stop him, durst not venture to attempt it. Ho went off unreconciled with Consul Pitt,38 who he blamed wrongfully. The scuflling letters that passed after betwixt Madrass and that place sufficiently shewed that he was as sincerely concerned for the New Companys interest as Governor Pitt wes for the Old ones. Sir William was the occasion himself of the loss of that journey, by throwing uway such summs of money for the people to scramble for, which made him suspected to be a P- t [pirate). The Kings officers believed he had taken some ships and did not come honestly by the money and represented him to Court accordingly:39
Metchlepotan lyes about three miles to the North West from Dewy, surrounded with marrish and swampy ground. The streets are regular and the houses built all of teak, two story high. There is a bridg upwards of a mile long, of thick teak planck, which shows it to have been Regis opus. *
The King of Gullounday honoured the English by first visiting 'em in their Factory, and in particular Mr. Fleetwood by goeing to se him at his own house at Norus Porum.41 There was a throne made for him in the Faotory. He was desireous to hcar Divine Service, and highly commended the decency and order of it. He wont on board of an English ship in the Road 12 and a hunting upon Dewy.43 He was a comely person, of a merry disposi. tion, generous and curteous to all. Had he kept the English and other Europeans in his service at Gulcunday, it was believed Aureng Zeb had not taken this Kingdomo."
Tis customary for an English Chief to pay a visit to a Nabob, tho Phousdar and Wakeneves, 45 and ask leave upon the exportation or importation of goods. Tho Wakanaves business is to write to the King of all occurrances, and the Nabob, who is generally a servant of him that rents the country, is affraid of doeing any thing without his consent and approbation. The inhabitants have a great love and respect for the English and those of the Government are as much affraid of 'em. They have all of 'em known or hoard for the strength and courage of Sir Edward Winter of Couch *6 and the English that burnt their vessells and set their Banksal on fire, anno 1705, when the English Factory was beseiged by the Kings Duans foroes, on account of protecting the New Company[s] merchants, &ca. customes they had promised to pay.7 Mr. Symon Holcomb, Chief of Vizagopatan, who had then considerable effects lodged in the Factory, sent him a threatening letter, that if he continued to hinder his business, he would make him repent it. The beseigers hearing a country drum at the North gate, concluded the Vizaggopatan 38 soldiers were bome, and every one of 'em run away, some in such hast that they left their guns behind 'em," and there was a clear stage