A History of the Mahrattas v1.c17.187

v1.c17.187

² [The English traders began at this time to assert themselves and to claim the right of fortifying their 'factories' or commercial stations. Aurangzeb's hostile attitude was also due in part to the action of the Interlopers who began about 1680 to trade with the East in open opposition to the East India Company. The Mughals were unable or unwilling to distinguish between the rival companies, or indeed between English merchants and English pirates like John Avery, and held the President and Council responsible for all the acts of their countrymen in the East.]