Akhbar-i Mahabbat 1.3

1.3

Chanak cut through the chain with a European sword, and went on his way. He took his vessel out to sea, and proceeded towards the Dakhin. In those days the Emperor Aurangzeb was in that part of the kingdom, straitened by his enemy for provisions, and his camp was reduced to starvation. Upon this the chief of the factory in the Carnatic sent vessels laden with grain, showing great consideration for the throne, and proved of great service. The Emperor was much pleased with the English people, and desired to know the Honourable Company's wishes. The English chief requested him to grant a sanad and farmán, giving permission to establish factories in all parts of the kingdom, and particularly in Bengal. The request was granted, and the royal orders exempting the Honourable Company's ships from custom duties, fixing a sum of three thousand rupees as a peshkash to be presented to the bakhshí of the port, and giving permission for the establishment of factories, were issued. Mr. Chanak returned with the royal farmáns from the Dakhin to Bengal. He sent his agents with the peshkash and some presents to Ja'far Khán, and obtained permission to erect a factory in Calcutta. Mr. Chának accordingly erected a new factory at the place where he anchored after returning from the Dakhin, which is known by the name of Chának. He founded the city and populated it, and gave a stimulus to the trade of Bengal. That factory is well known to this day by the name of the Old Fort.