History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s10.17

v4.c64.s10.17

After his failure at Janjira, Shambhuji's anger had been swelling against the Christian Powers of the western sea-board. As we have seen, he tried alternate promises and threats on the English of Bombay, who used to let the Siddi fleet anchor in their harbour every monsoon, to the great loss of the Maratha coast districts and ocean trade, "which doth highly exasperate the Rajah against us." But the English merchants, under orders from their chief at Surat, followed the delicate and difficult policy of "keeping fair with all,"* though they also honestly tried to restrain the Siddi's excesses and to prevent him from abusing the neutrality of Bombay in an outrageous manner. The Maratha ministers, on their side, long hankered for an alliance with the English as the best counterpoise to the Mughal-Siddi fleet.