History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c64.s10.2

v4.c64.s10.2

But there could be no amity between the English and Shambhuji, because the Siddi fleet, as well as occasional Mughal squadrons from Surat, used to pass the stormy monsoon months (May to October)¹ in the safe shelter of Bombay harbour every year, and the Siddis settled in the Mazagaon quarter of the island, from which they frequently ravaged the Kurlas or rich low-lying tracts of Maratha territory on the mainland east of Bombay. The Siddis also used to bring into Bombay harbour their Maratha prize-vessels and the captives seized by them for ransom in these villages, and the Bombay Council were not strong enough to always prevent such outrages on their neutrality.¹ Shambhuji by turns threatened the English and offered them his alliance if they would only exclude the Siddis from their harbour; but the President and Council of Surat, "more afraid of the Mughal's displeasure than Shambhuji's, ordered the admittance of the Siddi fleet." (Orme, 112.) Their policy is clearly stated in the instructions to Bombay on 3rd Jan. 1684: "You must use all contrivances to keep fair with them; as we would by no means quarrel with Shambhuji Rajah, so upon no account can we with prudence fall out with the Siddi at present, it being a very unfit time."