factories, the large New Serai of the Persian and Turkish merchants, and the Tartar Serai midway between the English and French houses, which was occupied by Abdullah Khan, ex-king of Kashgarh, just returned from a pilgrimage to Mecca. The French bought off the raiders by means of ' Valuable presents." The English factory, though it was an open house, was defended by Streynsham Master with 50 sailors,' and the Marathas were received with such a hot fire from it that they lost several men, and, leaving the English alone, assaulted the Kashghar king's serai from the advantageous position of some avenues next to the French factory, which they were suffered by the French to occupy. The Tartars made a stout resistance all the day, but finding the post untenable" they fled with their king to the fort at night, giving up to plunder their house with its valuable property, including a gold palki and other costly presents from Aurangzib.
From the safe shelter of the Tartar Serai the Marathas prepared to open fire on the English factory the next day, but the resolute attitude of the handful of Englishmen cowed them, and after an angry parley they came to an understanding and agreed not to molest the English. The Dutch warehouse was untouched. "A messenger came from the invader to assure us that no harm would befall us if we remained quiet and gave him our assurances that we would not interfere for or against him." (Dutch Records, Translations, Vol. 29, Surat to Directors, 14 Nov.
