History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c74.s5.6

v5.c74.s5.6

But this squeezing of its former officials could not fill the gaping void of the Maratha Government's financial distress. The ministers at Jinji looked round to raise money from the European settlements on the East Coast,—all persons living outside these strong places having been already plundered and ruined. Early in December the subahdar of Jinji demanded 3,000 hun as an advance or loan from the English factory at Kunimedu, and a like amount from the French and Dutch factories lying within his jurisdiction; the richer merchants were urged to lend 5000 or even 1000 hun each. Before the end of the month, the pressure was increased; in addition to the loan of 3,000 hun to the king, 5000 more were demanded as a fine for the buildings and fortifications of each European Company. "They will have no reason or equity, saying that they are in great want of money, having given the king (Rajaram) their estates to continue themselves in their employments, which they must seek to retrieve." [Madras Diary, 4 Jan. 1690]. At the same time the Marathas asked the governor of Madras for 100 barrels of gunpowder and 2500 weight of small shot, to carry on their war against the Mughals; but the English, not wishing to give offence to Aurangzib, managed to evade the request. In March, Rajaram visited the coast to bathe in the sea on the occasion of the lunar eclipse (on the 14th of the month.) The opportunity was taken to extort money gifts from the Indian merchants and European Companies of the region, the French at Pondicherry having to pay 200 hun. [Kaep. 274].