History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c83.s8.52

v5.c83.s8.52

Meantime, in February 1701, Sir John Gayer had been seized and imprisoned by Amanat Khan at Surat, through the machinations of Waite, who had procured an order from Aurangzib to that effect by bribing the Surat news-writer. Poor Gayer was kept in confinement for six years with only occasional intervals of liberty, and his enforced absence gained for Sir Nicholas Waite the governorship of Bombay of which he had been made the reversionary under orders from Home. "A return prepared in January 1702 showed that the captives numbered 109 persons, including 21 English officials of the Company...and 15 seamen. Their imprisonment varied in rigour according to the caprice of the governor." [Wright, 260-282.] Gayer's captivity ended only with his dismissal from the now united Company's governorship after the death of Aurangzib. (Ibid, 293-297.)