History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c69.s5.9

v4.c69.s5.9

The economic decay of the Maratha kingdom through Shambhuji's supine rule, the corruption of his officers, and the disorder caused by the rebels, is graphically described in the English factory records. They tell us,—"Europe commodities are afraid to come into Shambhuji's country by reason of his ministers' exactions; who not only take custom of us [the importers], but the [native] merchants too, with a peshkash exacted according to the quality [i.e., rank] of the person, which is really our loss." [Karwar 4 Sep. 1683.]