Page 13 - Gulf Precis (I-A)_Neat

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secured us the confirmation of our privileges and the favour of the Persian
Kings and Governors. The Armenians, who commanded the silk trade in
Persia, were given a share in the Company’s business. The Company opened a
permanent agency at Ispahan. We hear now for the first time of the
formidable power of the Maskat Arabs on the sea.
Period IX, 1608—1708.—During this period the English influence in
India suffered much by the struggle between the English and London East India
Companies, but it was a period of comparative progress in the English trade in
Persia. Iu 1697 Ispahan was made the chief settlement of the Company in
Persia, to which a visit was paid in July 1699 by the Shah wlio had renewed
their privileges.
Period X, 1708—1736.—Anarchy and confusion reigned in Persia on
account of the Afghan occupation of the country and the English trade
suffered considerably and their Agencies at Ispahan and Carmania were
withdrawn. The Basrah trade deteriorated on account of the wars of Tamasp
Khan (afterwards Nadir Shah) against the Turks.
Period XI, 1737—1747.—Corresponding with Nadir Shah’s reign, when
the Company’s affairs on the whole prospered. Their agencies were re-estab"
lished at Ispahan aud Carmania. The East India Company was very much
exercised over the pressing demands of the Shah for naval assistance
against (he Turks and the maskateers to evade which it had to resort to many
subterfuges.
Period XII, 1748—1767.—Nadir Shah’s death was followed by anarchy
and civil wars, and the Englisn trade suffered immensely. Their agency
was fiually withdrawn from Ispahan in 1750. The Carmania trade came to
a standstill. The Dutch opened a factory on the Karrak island in 1754 and
the British one at Bandar-Ig in 1755; the latter was destroyed within a
few' months by Moer Mobana after murdering his brother Meer Hossein,
who had been favourably disposed towards the British. We now hear for
the first time of Mullah Ali Shaw, the famous Persian admiral with his head­
quarters at Gombroon. The star of Karim Khan was at the close of the
period on the ascendant in Persia.
Period XIII, 1767—1762.—The struggle between Karim Khan and his
rivals ends in favour of the former. The islands of Kishm and Ormuz, and
the port of Gombroon become the scenes of constant disturbances owing to
feud between the Beni Main Arabs and Mulla Ali Shaw. The oppressions of
Jaffor Khan, a brother of Nasir Khan, the chieftain of Lars, leads the English
to decide to abandon Gombroon. In 1769, the Erench, who were at war with
the English, capture and destroy the English factory at Gombroon.
Period XIV, 1763—1769.—The East India Company’s Agency and
Council was withdrawn from Gombroon and established at Basrah in 1763,
and a factory and residency established at Bushire, under a grant of privileges
from Sheikh Sadun, a brother of Sheikh Nasir of Bushire, and a fresh grant
from Saduk Khan confirmed by his brother Karim Khan. The Dutch Factory
at Karrak was destroyed by Meer Mohana in 1766, while the English Residency
was withdrawn from Bushire in 1768. During this period the English con-
ducted operations—
(l) firstly against Ormuz; then and against the Kaab in co-operation
with the Turks and for some time with the Porsians.