Muntakhab al-lubab 96.9

96.9

The total revenue of Bombay, which is chiefly derived from betel-nuts and cocoa-nuts, does not reach to two or three lacs of rupees. The profits of the commerce of these misbelievers, according to report, does not exceed twenty lacs of rupees. The balance of the money required for the maintenance of the English settlement is obtained by plundering the ships voyaging to the House of God, of which they take one or two every year. When the ships are proceeding to the ports of Mocha and Jedda laden with the goods of Hindustan, they do not interfere with them; but when they return bringing gold and silver and Ibrahimi and rial, their spies have found out which ship bears the richest burden, and they attack it. The Mahrattas also possess the newly-built forts of Khanderi, Kalaba, Kasa, and Katora, in the sea opposite the island fortress belonging to the SabsMs. Their war-ships cruise about these forts, and attack vessels whenever they get the opportunity. The sakanas also, who are sometimes called bawdril, a lawless set of men belonging to Surat, in the province of Ahmadabad, are notorious for their piracies, and they attack from time to time the small ships which come from Bandar 'Abbasi and Maskat. They do not venture to attack the large ships which carry the pilgrims. The reprobate English act in the same way as the sakanas.