New History of the Marathas v1.c16.76

v1.c16.76

8. Shivaji’s relations with the English.—This subject has been already treated in so far as the factors of Rājāpur were concerned. There was really no conflict of interest between Shivaji and these merchants of the East India Company. The Dutch and the English, unlike the Portuguese, had then no intention of making land acquisitions in India and confined their activities to trade, which profited them as much as it did the Indian princes. The island of Bombay had just been acquired by the English from their Portuguese neighbours, and as Surat was constantly under the threat of an attack from Shivaji, the English were planning to shift their headquarters from Surat to Bombay. The incident of Rājāpur rankled in their hearts, but no actual collision occurred. After his escape from Agra Shivaji’s power rapidly increased, and the English became anxious to secure his good will in order that their trading operations might not suffer. With this object in view the President of Surat sent envoys to Shivaji from time to time, Ustick in 1672, Nicolls in 1673, Henry Oxenden in 1674, and Austen in 1675. Of these the visit of Oxenden to Raigad at the time of Shivaji’s coronation is historically noteworthy, as that Englishman has left a full and accurate account of what he saw and heard of that important event in Shivaji’s life. Oxenden brought Shivaji presents from the Company along with their congratulations. A treaty of mutual trade and friendship was then arranged between them and their relations remained cordial during Shivaji's life-time.