The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c6.45

c6.45

harm to the districts which were regular in the payment of *chauth*. See J. Scott, *History of the Dekkan*, Vol. II, p. 105. As for his treatment of the foreign merchants the Dutch Resident at Surat wrotes on 14 November 1670: 'A messenger had come from the invader (Shivaji) to assure us that no harm would befall us if we remained quiet' (India office transcripts of Dutch Records, English Translation, Vol. 29, No. D C C LXIII). About his attitude towards the populace of a conquered city we have the following evidence of John Child and Thomas Michell who wrote from Raibag on 7 August 1675: 'Newes was brought us early in the morning (of 30 July), that Sevajees party in Callapore had seized the Governor there for the King; many of the inhabitants were leaving the towne but Sevajees souldiers kept all in with promise of faire usage; soe that the townes people are preserved in quiet and some security.' Factory Records, Surat, Vol. 88, fol. 95.