The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c19.53

v4.c19.53

Shāyista Khān first set himself to create a navy anew, as the Bengal flotilla had practically ceased to exist during the Assam war and the subsequent confusion and maladministration, though there was an annual grant of 1½ million rupees for its maintenance. With great energy within one year he built and manned a fleet of 300 vessels, and protected Dacca by water on the south. Next, he conquered the island of Sandwīp, at the head of the Bay of Bengal, as it was a convenient half-way house between Dacca and Chittagong (November, 1665). He next bribed the Feringi colony of Chittagong, who were then quarrelling with the local raja, to migrate suddenly with their families and ships to Mughul territory (December, 1665)—the site of their new homes in Dacca town being still called Feringi-bāzār.