16 EARLY COMPETITION FOE INDIAN COMMERCE

traders in Asiatic waters had to fight their own way and hold their own ground; they could expect little or no help in Asia from their own governments, and noth- ing but merciless hostility from their European rivals. Trade was more valuable, to the maritime folk, than THE MOGHTTL MOSQUE AT FATHPUR - SIKRI. territory, and commerce than conquest. But traffic with distant lands could not be carried on without taking up stations and arming ships, since the understanding among European nations was that regular diplomatic relations practically did not extend beyond certain well- known lines of longitude. According to a treaty made between France and