Riyaz al-salatin 119.2

119.2

After they settled down at Surat, the trading factories of the English Christians, like those of the Christian Portuguese and the French, &c., gradually sprang up at different centres both in the Dakhin and in Bengal, and they paid customs-duties like others. During the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir, the English rendered loyal services to the Emperor, and were, therefore, granted an Imperial Farman, permitting them to erect trading factories in the Imperial dominions generally, and in Bengal especially, and also remitting customs-duties on the ships of the English Company, in consideration of an annual payment by the latter of three thousand rupees, as has already been mentioned in connection with the foundation of Calcutta. From that time, the English acquired much prestige in Bengal. In the year 1162 A.H., Nawab Muzaffar Jang, maternal grandson of Nizamu-l-Mulk Asaf Jah, at the instigation of Husain Dost alias Chand, who was one of the leading men of Arkat (Arcot), allied himself with the Christian French, and attacked Anwaru-d-din Khan Shahamat Jang Gopamani, who was Nazim of Arkat from the time of Nawab Nizamu-l-Mulk Asaf Jah, in order to wrest the province of Arkat. A great battle was fought, and Nawab Shahamat Jang, on the battle-field, displaying bravery and heroism, was killed.