History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s10.19

v4.c64.s10.19

* Surat to Sir John Child, 8th May, 1682 — "We are very sensible [that] the Siddi's wintering at Bombay will much prejudice the island, not only by a scarcity of provisions but by many other accidents which will unavoidably happen, and if the Rajah become our enemy it will be much worse. But we see not at present how it can be avoided, we having promised the [Mughal] governor here [to let the Siddi winter at Bombay.] Therefore, that the best may be made of it, let the Deputy Governor [of Bombay] send a letter to the Rajah to this effect 'That our consenting to the Siddi's wintering there was merely for the Rajah's sake, that we might save all his land within Underi Khanderi from being destroyed, which is our conditions with the Siddi and that upon his first touching of those places he shall that very hour be turned out and never receive any more benefit of the island'" (F R Surat, 90)