[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [General history and culture](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general) › [The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.fleet-1882) › c7.s9.234 # The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c7.s9.234 The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c7.s9.234 - **Language:** English ### [c7.s9.234](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.fleet-1882.c7.s9.234) As early as 1611 the English East India Company had directed their attention to Dábhol with a view to the establishment of a factory, but they were opposed by the Portuguese.¹ Sir Henry Middleton with three ships went there in February 1612, and stayed some little time, receiving great civility from the Sidi governor, and procuring some trade.² But the Company's settlement at Surat was for some years sufficient for their requirements. In 1618 further attempts were made to trade at Dábhol,³ and in 1624 and for two or three years afterwards difficulties both with the Dutch and the Moghals caused a proposal that the factory and establishment should be removed there from Surat, as the inhabitants had made most friendly offers of accommodation and protection.⁴ This was not carried out, but ten years later a phirman for a factory at Dábhol was asked for and refused, and no further attempt seems to have been made.⁵ In 1638-9 the first Freetraders or Interlopers, the association of Sir William Courten, established a factory at Rájápur in the Southern Konkan, and when, owing to the great power of the Dutch, in the following year the English East India Company desired a place which would be secure from them and capable of fortification, Rájápur was recommended as the best after Bombay. In 1649-50 the Musalmán governor offered the trade of this town to the President at Surat because of the bad character of the Interlopers, who had incurred heavy debts there. The offer was accepted as at Rájápur pepper and cardamoms could be obtained without exposure to the opposition of the Dutch,⁶ and it is also said that the finest batelás and muslins were at that time produced about there.⁷ But just about this time Courten's association was incorporated with the East India Company, so that the factory at Rájápur was continued on the same footing as before. In 1660 several factories were abandoned but Rájápur was retained.¹ It appears however to have been given up after its plunder by Shiváji in 1664² and not re-established till 1674, though for some years previously there had been proposals for replacing it; for Shiváji, and Sambháji after him, though they oppressed the factors and hampered their trade, always professed to be very anxious to have a factory there.³ But it did not succeed, and in 1676-77 its withdrawal was resolved on owing to the continual extortions of the Maráthás. Shiváji would not however let the factors go and the establishment was not withdrawn till 1681. The list of factories in 1702-3 includes none in the Konkan,⁴ but according to Milburn⁵ that at Rájápur was again established between 1698 and 1708. It could however have been continued but a short time. A French factory had also been established there in 1670.⁶ - [Previous: c7.s9.233](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.fleet-1882.c7.s9.233) - [Next: c7.s9.235](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.fleet-1882.c7.s9.235) - [Up: c7.s9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.fleet-1882.c7.s9) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.fleet-1882.c7.s9.234](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.fleet-1882.c7.s9.234) · Pramāṇa