POLITICAL HISTORY
but that it possessed the right to collect dues in the town. The annual rent paid to the Seer Lascar was Rs. 4,500. At the end of that year the Madras Council, desirous of obtaining less limited privileges, resolved to send the new Chief (Mr. Browne) to the Seer Lascar with a big retinue hired for the purpose.
The mission was crowned with success. After having presented 'His Excellency' with many gifts, including a silver trunk,a case of spirits, fifteen maunds of sandalwood, a chest of rosewater, and some scarlet cloth and gunpowder, the Chief obtained a new cowle which exempted the Company's goods from land customs, granted privileges over Vizagapatam and permission to build a factory there, and brought the settlement into a position 'as good as we injoy in any part of India.'1[1] In 1685 the friendship with the Seer Lascar was further cemented by a present of saltpetre, powder and lead, which he earnestly desired owing to the imminence of a war with his northern neighbours, but which the Dutch at Bimlipatam had steadfastly refused to supply. In July 1688 Mr. Browne was charged with private trading, resigned in consequence, and was succeeded by Mr.John Stables.
In 1689 the footing in the country which had been won with such determination was suddenly lost. The Company fell out with Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor at Delhi, and the latter issued orders that the English should be driven from his dominions and all their property seized. On the 13th September, therefore, the Seer Lascar sent his 'Rashwar' (Telugu, Rájáváru, the honorific form of 'Rája') to the Vizagapatam factory —
'In order to seize and bring away the English and all their concerne. The said Rashwar with his forces coming high the town in the night, where he had pitched his Tent, etc., about nine did surround the Factory with his men, and acquainted the English with the Seer Lascar's orders. To which was replied, they could not go up without their Master's orders. Then, as the first Rashwar was taking the Chief by the hand to pluck him out of the house, Mr. Hall fires his blunderbuss and kills three of their men; upon which they murdered Mr. Stables, Mr, Hall and Mr. Croke, taking the rest prisoners, and seizing upon all the Right Honourable Company's Concerns.'2[2]
In 1690, however, peace was made with Aurangzeb 3[3] and the Seer Lascar released his prisoners and restored the Company's
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