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From January to September, the [[Mughal]] government was effectively paralyzed. Adding to their troubles, they received alarming news that [[Shivaji]] had struck Surat with devastating force once again.[[Shivaji]], leading an army of 15,000 cavalry and an equal number of infantry, accompanied by prominent generals and officers such as [[Prataprao Gujar]] and the Peshwa Moropant, advanced from Kalyan. He followed the same route as during his previous attack on Surat, passing through what are now the Thane, Nasik, and Dang districts. On October 3, 1670, [[Shivaji]] arrived at the walls of Surat, forcing the defenders to flee under the protection of the castle's artillery. | From January to September, the [[Mughal]] government was effectively paralyzed. Adding to their troubles, they received alarming news that [[Shivaji]] had struck Surat with devastating force once again.[[Shivaji]], leading an army of 15,000 cavalry and an equal number of infantry, accompanied by prominent generals and officers such as [[Prataprao Gujar]] and the Peshwa Moropant, advanced from Kalyan. He followed the same route as during his previous attack on Surat, passing through what are now the Thane, Nasik, and Dang districts. On October 3, 1670, [[Shivaji]] arrived at the walls of Surat, forcing the defenders to flee under the protection of the castle's artillery. | ||
In March and April 1670, Surat faced repeated warnings of an impending attack by [[Shivaji]]. On March 16, the Surat Council decided to request 35 to 40 Portuguese soldiers and 6 or 7 English file leaders from Mumbai to protect their factory. While Mumbai agreed to this request, they expressed concern in their March 29 letter about losing so many men given Shivaji's proximity. By mid-April, 39 [[Portuguese]] soldiers, a sergeant, and four English soldiers had arrived in Surat. However, when [[Bahadur Khan (Moghul General)|Bahadur Khan]], the subadar of Gujarat, arrived with 5,000 horsemen, the threat seemed to diminish, leading the Surat Council to decide on April 25 to send the soldiers back to [[Mumbai]]. | |||
Fresh warnings of [[Shivaji]]’s attack emerged in September. On September 12, the Surat Council resolved to swiftly move all goods to Swally by various means, fearing Shivaji's approach. This decision was driven by the merchants' eagerness to convert their goods into money for easier transport. On September 16, it was noted that merchants were willing to sell their goods at lower rates due to the ongoing fear of Shivaji’s preparations. | |||
On October 3, 1670, [[Shivaji]], leading 15,000 troops, reached Surat’s gates. On October 2, the English Council at Swally, having received urgent news of [[Shivaji]]'s approach, decided against sending President Gerald Aungier to Surat for defense. Instead, 40 men from the Company’s ships were dispatched with Streynsham Master to protect the factory. The master and his men reached Surat at night, with about 10 remaining on a hoy for a potential retreat. | |||
[[File:Map showing location of EIC Factory in Surat, 1664.jpg|thumb|Map showing location of EIC Factory]] | |||
When Shivaji’s army arrived and briefly attacked Surat, the defenders fled to the castle, leaving the city vulnerable. The [[Marathas]] looted and burned large parts of the city, sparing only the English, Dutch, and French houses, as well as the Serais. The English house, defended fiercely, was spared from direct attack, while the Marathas turned their attention to the Old Serai, occupied by the Tartar King. The French, despite having ample resources and men, chose to appease [[Shivaji]] through gifts and did not resist the Marathas, who were rumored to have received assistance from the French. | |||
[[Shivaji]]'s forces left Surat on October 6, 1670, after plundering the city. He left a letter threatening further destruction if a tribute of twelve lakh rupees was not paid annually. After the [[Marathas]] departed, local residents began plundering the remaining property, leading to further chaos. | |||
The English seamen, stationed for defense, were later reprimanded for their behavior towards local estates. Streynsham Master’s efforts and bravery were recognized with a gold medal from the Company in 1672. The immense spoil taken from Surat was valued at Rs.6.6 million, but the city's long-term damage was severe. Continuous alarms from Shivaji’s forces disrupted trade, leading to a decline in Surat’s commercial prominence as merchants began shifting to [[Mumbai]], which offered greater security and economic advantages. | |||
==Reference== | |||