Storia do Mogor 265.1
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 265.1
- Language
- English
265.1.1
We find confirmation of Manucci's statements in the Company's records now at the India Office. On May 13, 1686 (' Factory Records,' Fort St. George, No. 4, p. 49), it was found that the agent (wakil) at Court had not stated the English grievances ; he was therefore directed to conclude matters within a month, or return to the coast (Madras). On February 17, 1687 (ibid., No. 20, pp. 70-71), Gyfford wrote to the Great Mogul excusing delay in sending an envoy, as the French and Dutch had done, but he had feared displeasure about events in Bengal. Muhammad Sharif, their wakil, had been at Court two years, and a hearing for him is asked and redress prayed for. A complaining letter of the same date was addressed to the wakil, who was in the camp of Bahramand Khan, the wazir's son-in-law, together with a petition to the wazir, Asad Khan, entreating his mediation. The wakil could not be found, and all three letters were brought back on April 11, 1687 (ibid., No. 4, Part II., p. 53). Another letter was addressed to the Mogul on March 10, 1687 (No. 20, p. 71), reiterating the complaints, and enclosing a claim of 64,75,000 rupees for damages forwarded from Bengal. Next, on March 17, 1687 (No. 20, p. 94), Gyfford addresses Thomas Goodlad and Richard Cogan at the Mogul's camp, saying that Senhor Nickola Manuche had recommended them.
265.1.2
The Council's object was to obtain the delivery of a letter into the Mogul's own hands and the securing of an answer. This letter and the enclosure went by the hand of Manucci's servant, Hasan. Next Masulipatam was informed (June 9, 1687, No. 20, p. 1861) that no Englishman could be sent on account of the danger and expense, but that communications had been opened with their 'old friend ' Mirza Ibrahim (i.e., Mahabat Khan). On July 25, 1687, Elihu Yale succeeded Gyfford. On August 11 the new governor wrote to Job Charnock, agent in Bengal (No. 4, Part II., p. 124), announcing the arrival of letters dated July 9 from the Mogul's camp — one from Mahabat Khan, stating that he had informed the Mogul of the English complaints, and the other a long report from Khwajah Annus, the Armenian agent employed at Gulkandah. The report is to the following effect : The letters sent by Manucci's servant were made over by Senhor Thomas [Goodlad] to Bastian Weale [? Sebastian Velho]. They spoke to Ihtimam Khan, who kept them waiting three months uselessly. News of the trouble in Bengal arrived, the Mogul was angry, and they durst not deliver the letters. Abnus then applied to Mirza Ibrahim, now Mahabat Khan, but he hesitated. Manucci's servant was asked for the governor's letter ; he referred them to Velho, and Velho said the letter was given already to Eetinonghan [? Ihtimam Khan]. Then the servant informed Abnus that his master (Manucci) had also written to Nukzood (? Nekroz).
265.1.3
This letter was recovered, and given to Mahabat Khan. The Khan delivered it to the Mogul. Aurangzeb complained bitterly of the English. The Khan rejoined that the Mogul officials at Surat and Hugli had begun the quarrel, and he recommended me (Abnus) as a good agent to treat with the English. A present of oil of nutmeg and of clove was got ready ; and the letter and the claim for damages were recovered from Manucci's servant. Abnus added to the bottle of oil a ' crystal gurglet,' and a plate mounted in gold and stones. The letter and account were presented by Mahabat Khan. No answer as yet had been vouchsafed. From the conversation with Mahabat Khan, it seemed he thought he could get a farman settling disputes at Surat and the Bay (Bengal), and (1) that the English would be excused the poll-tax; (2) that they should pay no duty on saltpetre; (3) that all goods forcibly taken at the Bay or Surat would be restored; (4) that they might also settle new factories wherever they pleased; (5) that the farman would be sent by a responsible person to Bengal, and there proclaimed. The agent enjoins on the Council to write at once to Mahabat Khan, and insert something for the protection of the fort and town of Madras; for Gulkandah could not long hold out, and that kingdom would soon fall to the Moguls.
265.1.4
Bribes are all-powerful, and Mahabat Khan must be 'remembered.' Three more bottles of the oil would be acceptable. Abnus puts in a plea for his brother, Joseph de Marcoss, and their personal losses. He did not write in Portuguese, but in his own language (Armenian), as more secure. The governor's answer must be in Persian, but without mention of gifts or presents, as it would be shown to the Mogul. Yale's comments to Charnock on this report are dated August 24, 1687 (' Factory Records,' No. 21, p. 24). He dwells on the evil results of the hostilities in the Bay: for four months the Mogul would not receive their letters; his only answer was that when he had finished with Gulkandah he would call Madras to account. At last Aurangzeb took the letters, but gave no answer. But through a third person they were advised to write a smooth, flattering letter, setting forth truly the affronts and injuries received, asking compensation and the restoration of their ancient privileges. They believe this suggestion was written with the Mogul's cognizance. On September 15, 1687 (No. 21, p. 67), Yale replied to Abnus. He recounts how Gyfford selected Abnus and Senor Manuche, ' late surgeon to Sultan Shah 'Alam,' to present their letters about Surat and Bengal. It is now found that Abnus by himself is competent: ' We shall [not] hereafter apply ourselves, nor trouble any other therein.' On October 12, 1687 (No. 30, p.
265.1.5
101), Mahabat Khan advises the English to gain 'Alamgir's favour, and complains of their violence, which ' will ruin your house '; he recommends Abnus to them. Next Yale writes to Mahabat Khan on November 15, 1687 (No. 21, p. 199), begging him to procure a ' cowl ' (qaul, or agreement) for a good reception at Court, and they would send up a principal person of the Council. On the same day he wrote (p. 129 ff.) to Senhor Joan de Marke, alias Khwajah Abnus, at Gulkandah, much to the same effect, asking who is to be Mahabat Khan's successor, he having been transferred 'to these parts.' Peace had been made in Bengal. Mahabat Khan's parwanah of October, 1687, was acknowledged on December 2 (p. 140 ff.). No letter having come from Abnus, he is written to on December 8 (p. 145 ff.), and the privileges to be asked for are detailed. Monsieur Daniel Chardin and Salvadore Rodriguez receive charge on December 9 (p. 148) of 10,000 pagodas for Senhor Joseph de Marke (i.e., Abnus). Another letter to Abnus left on December 12 (p. 154 ff.), saying they heard their friend Mahabat Khan was removed [that is, he had been appointed to Lahor]. Progress was reported to Surat on December 19, 1687 (pp. 159-163).
265.1.6
In February, 1688, the desired qaul arrived from Gulkandah, sent by Ruhullah Khan, the new governor. It is dated December 6, 1687, and invites them to send a trustworthy person. At the same time I'tibar Khan reports that the letters addressed to Mahabat Khan had been made over to Ruhullah Khan, who had delivered them to 'Alamgir. A dastak, or safe conduct, for the 'Captain from Madras' was enclosed. Then follows a letter from Abnus reporting that the letters of September 7 and 9, 1687, were delivered to Mahabat Khan, and he handed them to the Mogul. A few days afterwards the Khan was transferred to Lahor. Asad Khan, the wazir, took possession of the papers. Abnus said an Englishman must be sent up, a wise and understanding man. If he (Abnus) had only had a power of Attorney in Mahabat Khan's time, he could have settled the business.
265.1.7
Yale wrote to Ruhullah Khan on February 7, 1688 (No. 21, p. 191), thanking him. A person of the Council would have been sent had not Shiva Ji's people prevented it by their plundering and seizing the letter-carriers. They cannot travel two leagues out of this town [Madras] without danger to life. Abnus will act for them. Chardin and Rodriguez report, on January 24, 1688, their safe arrival at Bhagnagar (Haidarabad). Abnus had left for Court : what were they to do with the money ? Ruhullah Khan is, they hear, honest but greedy, both in eating and in getting. Five days later they make many complaints of Abnus, after having seen him. They hear he visits the Court more for his own affairs than the Company's, and uses their money for his own purposes. The Mogul was about to leave [? for Bījāpur], and Abnūs would never carry through the negotiation. On his side, Abnūs makes bitter complaint that the Frenchman (Chardin) withholds the money, and the Armenian boasts that he will pledge his own jewels to put the English business through. He did not think an Englishman now required, and great expense would be saved by not sending one.