the night before he receiv'd this News from the Governor of Amadabad he did me the Honor to make me come into the Caravansera where he was out of fear to be set upon that night by the Coullys and I was a thing incredible in Hindostan where all Noblemen are so exceeding jealous so near to this Princes Consort that the Cords of the Canates or little Houses for they had not so much as a Tent were fastned to the Wheels of my Chariot I relate this Circumstance by the by onely to shew the Extremity Darasja was reduc'd to When the Women heard the foremention'd sad News That they could not get into the City which was about the break of day they broke forth into strange Cries and Lamentations and all things were in an inexpressible confusion every one looking upon his Neighbor and none knowing what to do or what would become of them Soon after Darasja coming forth strangely terrified first spoke to one and then to another even to the meanest NURMAHAL Soldier But seeing them all amaz'd and ready to abandon him what Counsel can he take Whether can he go He must fly instantly but whether he knew not And you may judge of the extremity he was in by this small accident I shall here relate viz. Of three great Oxen which drew my Chariot one died the day before another in the night and the third was not able to go for during the small time I was with him we march'd night and day the Heat and Dust being intolerable so that to my good Fortune he left me behind not being able to get either Oxen Horses or Camels for me I saw him march away with Tears in his Eyes accompanied with four or five hundred Cavaliers at the most and with two Elephants which were said to be laden with Treasure with intention to go to Tatabacor seeing he could do no better though it seem'd almost if not altogether impossible in respect of the few Men which he had left and the vast Sandy Desarts for the most part without Water which he was to cross in the heat of Summer which destroy'd many of those that follow'd him especially several of his Women who perish'd either of drought the unwholesom Waters tiresom Ways ill Food or by the Coullys beforemention'd Yet nevertheless with much pains he reach'd the Countrey of the Raja Catche though it had been happier for him to have died also in his March thither Darasja betray'd by the Raja Gatche This Raja at first gave him a very good Reception even so far as to promise him assistance with all his Forces provided he would give his Daughter in Marriage to his Son But Jesseingue inform'd thereof soon prevail'd with this Raja as he had done with Jessomseingue so that Darasja observing the kindness of this Barbarian to cool on a sudden and that consequently his Person was in danger there he betook himself to the pursuit of his Expedition to Tatabacar Whilst Darasja proceeded forward in his Journey the War continu'd still in Bengala and much longer than was expected Sultan Chasausa using his whole endeavor to conquer Emir Jemla Yet this troubled not Oranchzef so much because he knew it was a great way between Bengala and Agra and being sufficiently assur'd of the Fidelity and Valor of Emir Jemla but that which disquieted him was to see Soliman Chekouh almost at his Gates for it is not above eight days Journey from Agra to the Mountains and being perpetually allarm'd by the Rumors which were spread That he was coming out of the Mountains with the Raja And indeed it was very difficult to draw him from thence but he compass'd his Design after this manner He made the Raja Jesseingue write divers Letters to the Raja of Serenaguer promising him very great things if he would surrender Soliman Chekouh to him and threatned to proclaim War against him if he refus'd to comply with his desire But the Raja reply'd That he would rather lose his Estate than do so unworthy an action Whereupon Oranchzef seeing his resolution march'd with his Army directly to the Foot of the Mountains where by an infinite number of Workmen he cut a Passage through the Rocks But the Raja laugh'd at his vain Attempt and indeed he had no cause to fear though Oranchzef cut never so long the Mountains being inaccessible for an Army and the Rocks able to withstand all the Powers of the Indostans which forc'd Oranchzef to return without effecting any thing The Siege of Tatabacar Mean while Darasja approaching the Fortress of Tatabacar and being come within two or three days Journey of the same receiv'd Advice That Mirbaba after having Besieg'd the Place a considerable time had at length reduc'd it to the utmost extremity insomuch that a Pound of Rice or Flesh was sold for a Crown and all other Provisions accordingly Nevertheless the Governor holding out made divers Sallies which extremely incommoded the Enemy and express'd all possible Prudence Courage and Fidelity deriding the Proposals of Mirbaba and all the Menaces and Promises of Oranchzef And when he heard that Darasja was not far off he redoubled his Liberalities and knew so well to gain the Hearts of all his Soldiers and to encourage them to fight bravely that there was not one but what resolv'd to Sally out upon the Enemy and to hazard all to raise the Siege and force Darasja's Entrance Mean while he sent Spies into Mirbaba's Camp to assure the Soldiers that they had seen Darasja approach with great Resolution and considerable Forces which struck such a fear amongst the Soldiers that had Darasja come at that instant as it was expected the Enemies Army had on sight of him undoubtedly Disbanded and a great part thereof gone over to him But he was still too unfortunate to atchieve any thing for his own advantage wherefore considering with himself that it was impossible for him to raise the Siege with such a handful of Men as he had he resolv'd to cross the River Indus and get into Persia which could not have been done without great trouble by reason of the Desarts and want of Water which is in those Parts besides those Countreys are Govern'd by Petty Rajas and Patans who acknowledge neither the Persian nor Mogol for their Superior But his Consort disswaded him from that Resolution for this weak Reason viz. That if he went into Persia he must be contented to see his Wife and Daughter Slaves to the King of Persia which was a thing no ways befitting the Grandeur of his Family and that he ought rather to die than undergo that Infamy Darasja being in this perplexity at last remember'd that not far from thence resided a Powerful Patan call'd Gimcan whose Life he had formerly twice sav'd when Schach Jehan had commanded he should be cast under the Feet of an Elephant for having rebell'd divers times against him Therefore he resolv'd to go to him hoping that he would give him sufficient
the aged People wear Cotton Coats They are taken to be a kind of Salvages divided into several Tribes The Habitations on this Plain are little Cottages and very mean according to the Nature of the Persians by the Tartars call'd Olack built of Straw and Bushes and within furnish'd with as bad Implements Five Leagues from the Entrance upon the Plain from the South towards the North stands a Chappel wherein lies bury'd Bairam Tecle Obasi who in the time of Schach Abbas when the Turks under the Command of the Bashaw Tzacal Ogli fell into Persia was a famous Robber and having under his Command a great company of the like Shifters turn'd his Praedatory Practise upon the Enemy for which the King not onely pardon'd his former Crimes but made him General of an Army of twelve thousand Men with which he did the Enemy more mischief than the King with all the rest of his Persian Forces and withal rais'd him to the Dignity of a Prince and gave him many Villages hereabouts On this Plain breed also a sort of wild Beasts not seen any where else in Persia which keep together in great Herds and are by the Turks call'd Tzeiran and by the Persians Ahu they are very swist-footed and shap'd like a Roe-Buck In most places of Mocan grows abundance of Liquorice to the thickness of a Man's Arm the Juice boyl'd out of the same is much better than our English or that which grows in Germany Ten Leagues up into the Plain from the River Cur flows a Brook call'd Baharu where many * Vulgarly call'd Turtles Tortoises are found which lay their Eggs on the high Banks and in the Fields in Holes made in the Sand against the Hills but always towards the South that so they may be the sooner hatch'd by the heat of the Sun Stream Aras Through Mogan or Mocan runs a River now call'd Aras and by the Ancients Araxis but not the Araxis in Persia by the Inhabitants call'd Cur and by some miscall'd Beademir The Ancients have perhaps given the Stream Araxis that Denomination from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is To break off or Rent asunder because by the violence of its Course it often takes away pieces of the Land leaving the Banks steep and jutting It springs from the Mountain Ararat in Aâ—menia and carries the Water of many Streams along with it the chiefest whereof are Carasu Senki Kerni and Arpa and at last sinks into the Ground near Carasu afterwards appearing again not far from Ordabath falls with great noise and violence which may be heard into the Province of Mocan for Mocan in respect of Armenia and Schirwan lies very low through Mocan it runs very slow towards the Caspian Sea and unites about a quarter of a League beyond the Village Tzawat six Leagues from the Sea in 39 Degrees and 40 Minutes Northern Latitude with the Stream Cyrus now call'd Cur which comes out of the North from Georgia or Gurstan Both these Rivers are very large each being a hundred and forty Paces broad the Water thereof smooth deep and brown-colour'd runs between two high Banks The conjoyn'd Streams of Aras and Cur are by the Inhabitants call'd Causchan The Village Tzawat The Village Tzawat hath receiv'd that Denomination from the Arabick word Tzawas which signifies a Passage or Through-fare because at the same place there also lies a Bridge cross the River over which none are permitted to come into Persia without a Pass Every Spring in March when the Water rises they have an Art to remove this Bridge left it should be broken for then the River overflows its Banks and the adjacent Plain above a League so that none can travel during that time The Province of Betziruan Description of Betziruan ON the West side of the Plains of Mocan lies a Countrey and Mountain call'd Betziruan which is water'd by a winding River so that those which travel through this Countrey to Ardebil are forc'd to cross the same Amongst several others there is one Village call'd Schechmuras where the Front of the Houses are built of Stone and the Back-parts cut into the Mountain but cover'd over with Canes Straw and the like On the top of the Mountain rises a clear and sweet Spring which passing between the Rocks breeds abundance of Craw-Fish Not far from hence are other Mountains of two Leagues long and behind them a Village call'd Disle in which the Indians that come to Trade at Schamachie built a Caravansera Anno 1639. Between these Mountains in divers place grow abundance of Fig-Trees Five Leagues from Disle lies the Caravansera Aggis built very large In this Way the Travellers never suffer their Horses or Camels to eat by reason of the poysonous Quality of the Grass of which some that have tasted dy'd soon after Somewhat farther lies the Village Tzanlu near a pleasant Hill surrounded with Gardens and Orchards Beyond Tzanlu lies Tzizetlu a Mountain three Leagues over By the foot of it glides the River Carusu which coming out of the Kilanean Mountains falls into the Aras It also runs by the Village Samiam under a Stone Bridge with six Arches Half a League from which and two little Leagues from the City Ardebil is the Hamlet Tzabedar Little Fewel is to be had hereabouts wherefore the Inhabitants burn Cows Horses and Camels Dung in stead thereof having first dry'd the same sufficiently in the Sun Having in this our Relation hitherto often made mention of the Caspian Sea it will not be amiss to give a short Description of it The Caspian Sea The several Denominations of the Caspian Sea THe Caspian Sea or Lake hath several Denominations from the divers adjacent Villages and Countreys viz. The Russians call the same Chualenca or Gualenscoi More the Moors Bohar Corsun that is Inclosed Sea which Name they also give to the Arabian Gulf the Persians Culsum a Name agreeing with the Red-sea the Latines both ancient and modern following the Greeks Mare Caspium and Hyrcanum as others from the City Bacuje in Schirwan Mare de Bacu also Kilan Giorgia Terkestan Corasum and Cunsar It s length and breadth The length of the Caspian Sea is by most Writers accounted fifteen days Voyage and the breadth eight in Boats with Oars without the help of the Wind. The length from the Mouth or Entrance of the Sea from Astrachan to Ferabath is accounted eight Degrees or a hundred and twenty German Miles and the breadth from the Province Churesin to the Circassian Mountain six Degrees or ninety Leagues Paskeart vande CASPISE ZEE The great Fish Naca There is a great Fish call'd Naca taken in this Sea having a short Head and Belly wide Mouth and round Tail three or four Yards thick This Fish doth great mischief to Fishermen for it will hang with its Head under Water and overset a Boat with its Tail if not opportunely prevented The White-Fish No less dangerous is the White-Fish
Philosophy Notwithstanding there are not so many in Persia as in Europe which learn the Liberal Arts and Sciences yet they highly esteem those that study therein which they corruptly call Filosuf The Persian Phylosophers in Matters of Phylosophy and other Sciences highly esteem the Christian Books especially such as treat of Morality natural Phylosophy and Religion They also hold Disputations with great Confidence concerning the Mystery of their Religion with People that are or another Opinion quite contrary to the Turks who out of stubborness will not admit any to speak thereof Their Universicies For the Instruction of their Knowledge there are several Universities or Schools in the Cities which they call Madresia or Madressa and the Scholars Mederis the Chiefest whereof are at Ispahan Schiras Ardebil Mesched Tebris Casbijn Com Jest and Schamachie to all which the Sedder or Governor must allow a sufficient Maintenance which he receives from such Countreys as are free from Tribute and other Taxes to the King as Cochtzeh by Erwan Utzatznik near Carabach Tabachmelick lying between Georgia and Carabach and also Agdasch and Kermeru What they study The Learning in which they instruct them is Geometry Surveying Poesie Astrology moral and Natural Phylosophy Physick and Law They have all Aristotle's Works translated into Arabick and call him Danja piala that is The Cup of the World for as we may use the Cup to refresh our selves so we may likewise to inebriation so according to their opinion we may use and misuse Phylosophy for they say that strong Liquor and Phylosophy make good Orators but excess of both makes wise men Fools They teach their Youth Arithmetick so soon as they can write and read the Common-people use the Indian Figures but the Learned the Arabian Their Poesie and Orations are comprised in short Lessons and are studied both together because their Histories and Disputations are mixt with Verses and other Eloquent Expressions Their chief Book is as we said before Culustan that is Rose-Valley made by the famous Poet Schich Saadi Their chief Books and some Years since Translated into the German Tongue by Olearius it consists not onely in pleasant Prose but delightful Verses and therefore every Persian hath this Book in his House nay some there are which carry it in their memory and are therefore accounted very learned this they repeat at all Feasts and other Merry-meetings Delight in reading Histories Moreover they delight much in reading of Histories especially those of Aly's Life and Death as also of Hossein Aly's Son which are written in a lofty Style They have likewise several other Books as Chronicles as well of their own Kings Reigns and Wars as other eminent Transactions and these are term'd Mirchond Emveri Tzami Walehi Nussegri and the like amongst which the chiefest is Mirchond who in an excellent Style hath written a Persian Chronicle in Four Volumes which are there sold for two hundred Crowns but we cannot credit the Persians much in their Histories and Matters of Religion because they often mix fabulous Invention with real Truths The number of Books that treat of Philosophy are but small in these Countreys and those few are in the Hands of the most learned Persons who keep them as a great Treasure The Books that are generally sold there are either Romances or Verses treating of their Law besides which they have no Books worth mentioning Arms. THe Persian Horse-men are arm'd with Bowes The Housemens Arms. Arrows and a bending Sword like a Scymetar their main strength consists in the Cavalry and though their Horses are small and lean yet they are strong and swift The Hilt of their Swords is onely a cross Bar yet sufficient to defend the Hand and for the most part set forth with inchased work the Scabberds are either of red or black Leather and plated after the same manner as the Hilt their Belts are narrow and plain without any other Ornament or Colour than the skins naturally bear their Bowe-men are call'd Curtschi and their Musquettiers Tufenktschi for they have Musquets and also Pistols which they say Schach Abbas first brought in use among them They also have some great Guns which they use more in their Fortifications and Sieges than in a Field Battel Yet Anno 1604. Schach Abbas had one hundred and fifty Cannons when he beat off Vlutzali Bassa from Cigale They use many Stratagems In former times the Persians always engag'd their Enemies on Horse-back but since the use of Musquets was brought amongst them they have made a Body of Foot which in these last Wars hath done them great Service Moreover they are very subtile in contriving Plots and Stratagems to circumvent their Enemies At the Siege of Iruan Anno 1633. the Persians had a sort of Poyson in little Glasses which they shot with Darts into their Enemies Forts by which means they so infected the Air that it swell'd the Inhabitants Arms and Legs to an extraordinary thickness and by that means made them unable to resist Their defensive Arms are Brest-plates Shields Coats of Mail and Helmets The Soldiers of Persia made up of three Bodies The Soldiers of Persia are made up of three sorts The first sort are Turkomans which are like Hirelings and have Ziefs that is Pensions which the Sons inherit from their Fathers and are bound to furnish the King with a certain number of Horse as often as occasion shall require The second sort is that which Leunclaivus and Soranzo call Corrises or Coridsches but in the Turks Language might more properly be call'd Curchins or Georgians which receive no pay but have onely their Dyet Horses Apparel Arms Tents and all other Necessaries The third sort are Friends and Allies viz. Armenians and other Georgians who are Enemies to the Turks Four Degrees in their Militia In Persia are four Orders or Degrees in their Militia the first are Musquetiers or they that use Fire-arms not many years since brought in by King Abbas through the perswasions of Sir Anthony Sherley one of our three famous Sherleys so much celebrated in former times All the Musquetiers are Natives and Inhabitants of the Cities Musquettiers Towns and Villages though more dwell in the Villages than the Towns or Cities and they are accounted Tat or ignoble and may not wear the Tag but the common Turbant Formerly they continually fought on Foot yet march'd on Horseback like our Dragoons All the Captains of these and other Companies are by a Turkish Name call'd Juzbassi that is The Head of a Hundred for Juz is a Hundred and Bassi the Head notwithstanding they often have above two hundred and sometimes under one hundred in their Companies Those that dwell in several Provinces or Places meeting at a general Rendezvouz march together to the Army either with the Chans of the Province or else alone especially those that have no Chans Those of Mazanderan are accounted the best Musquettiers but there are more beside them
whose number are always kept and paid by the King and are said to be twenty thousand The second Order is that of the Vassals Vaassls or the Kings Servants which are nobler than the Musquettiers and are all Christians by Extract bought in their Infancy or presented by several People as Circassians Georgians Armenians and the like The Georgians who are the most numerous are from Christians become Mahumetans they fight all on Horse-back and use several Weapons as Spears Bowes and Arrows Musquets Iron Clubs crooked Swords Daggers and Battel-Axes The Kings Vassals are permitted to wear the Tag and use the same on certain occasions they have a peculiar Commander and are to the number of fifteen thousand viz. Those that belong to the King and are in his pay for the Chans and Grandees keep many others in their own Service Besides which there are fifteen thousand more which are no Soldiers and officiate in several places at Court or follow several employments to which they are brought up from their Infancy Martial Law is also new having been first establish'd by King Abbas from the Example of the Turks Chisilbassi or Red Caps The third Order consists in Chisilbassi that is Red Caps and is more noble than that of the Vassal these also fight on Horse-back carrying such Arms as they like best in former times they us'd onely Bowes and Arrows Shields and Swords for they despis'd Guns as base Arms for a Gentleman to use but since the Year 1620. they have all carry'd Fire-Arms beside their old Weapons Moreover some especially Knights keep their first Arms which are less troublesome to carry than the other They are free and need not serve longer than they please or are paid nay they may change their Masters if they can make any advantage thereby to themselves they may leave the Kings Service and go to a Chan or Sultan or from the one to the other as it is very common The Corci The fourth martial Order of the Persians being the most noble is that of the Corci call'd from the word Corma which in the Turkish Language signifies to keep who are in a manner like to our Life-guards because their office is to guard the King at Court and all other Places All the Chizilbassi which neither serve the Chans nor Sultans or any other people but the King himself and are in his pay are call'd Corci the number whereof amounts to twelve thousand they use the same Arms as the other Chizilbassi and fight on Horse-back they have peculiar Commanders call'd Corcibassi that is Heads of the Corci In these four Martial Orders the King 's whole Militia consists there being but few besides them Moreover there are likewise the Jasakci The Jasakci what Service they do or Precursors to clear the way for the Army and detain all those they meet with that they may not come too near the King's Wives In Sign of their Office every one wears an ordinary Arrow stuck through their Turbants but their Captains one of Gold The Lasauls what they are There are also others as Lasauls which are like Centinels and have onely a Club or Staff in their hands but these are rather Officers in the King's Court than Soldiers The Titles of their Commanders The supream General is call'd Sardar a Commander of ten or twelve thousand Bowe-men Curtzschibacht a Colonel over a thousand Minbaschi a Captain over a hundred Jusbaschi a Decurion that commands ten Ohubaschi which if they have behav'd themselves valiantly and perform'd any notable Exploit they are without any respect of their Birth or Quality bountifully rewarded and promoted to greater Dignity Valor not Extract the cause of Preferment Areb Chan a Duke of Schirwan in the Reign of Schach Sefi was but a Rustick's Son in Serab where he was first a Marshal but after behaving himself valiantly in the Wars cutting off several Turkish Commanders Heads with his own Hands he was made Chan of the foremention'd Province Others have been promoted to the same Dignity from Heardsinea Grooms or the King's Slaves but those that do not encounter valiantly with their Enemies or lose an opportunity of engaging with them or without any great reason fly from them they not onely lose their lives but are first scorn'd and derided by all men being forc'd to go through the whole Army in Womans Apparel a whole day for as Herodotus affirms nothing is accounted more vile amongst the Persians than to be esteem'd a greater Coward than a Woman The Enemies to Persia The King hath powerful Enemies both on his right and left Hand which oftentimes engage with him viz. the Tartars of Zagatay or the Usbecan Tartars in and upon the Borders of Chorasan who many times invading him with ten or twenty thousand Men pillage all the Countrey But the Turks are his greatest Enemies about Bagdat or Babylon and Iruan near which places many bloody Battels have been fought the great Mogul also makes frequent War upon them for Candahar and Herat. Boterus tells us that the Sofi troubles himself but little with the Mogul because between both Realms as betwixt Spain and France are very narrow Passages and the Situation of the Borders very Rocky and troublesome by which means the conveying of Provisions that way and the keeping of Forces there is very inconvenient The Forces in pay It is said that King Abbas Anno 1620. kept constantly one hundred thousand Horse in Pay of which about thirty thousand guarded the Cities on the Frontiers from whence they never stirr'd to any Engagement onely when it was judg'd fit then they are remov'd from one Quarter to another Besides this numerous Army which receives Pay are also many Voluntiers persons of Quality of which some keep fifty nay a hundred Men in their Service which receive annual Revenues and carrying Arms are reckon'd amongst the Militia as likewise Sutlers Merchants Handicrafts Cammel-drivers and Commissaries which all bear Arms besides their Wives which are no less in number than the Men according to the antient Custom of the People of Asia which as Xenophon affirms carry their Families with them to the Wars so that the King's Army consisting as well of other men as Soldiers amounts to between two and three hundred thousand Men. The City Ispahan with the Villages belonging to the same is able in a short time to raise sixty thousand Men besides the standing Forces The Soldiers marching in the Army observe a good Order and make little noise Their order in marching using neither Drums Trumpets nor any other Musical or Warlike Instruments none daring to take any thing but what they pay for where ever they are Quarter'd by which means the Countrey-People receive great benefits by the Army 's marching through their Towns or Villages and the Merchants or Handicrafts without any suspition of being wrong'd of their Goods let the Soldiers have such things as they want Sutlers travel with Fruit
Sweet-meats and Snow in the midst of Summer to such places where they expect the Army to come For their better accommodation the Inhabitants of those Countreys in hopes of gain store up great quantities of all manner of Provision against the time that they expect the Army to come thither where they dispose of them at their own Rates which is not ordinary The Pay which a Trooper receives Their pay amounts yearly to five Tomans each Toman is sixteen Crowns with which he may maintain himself very handsomly there the Officers pay is either more or less according to their places Olearius tells us that the yearly pay of a private Soldier viz. of a Curtschi or Bow-man is three hundred Crowns with which he must maintain himself and his Horse and that of a Tufenktschi is two hundred The pay allow'd certain persons of Quality exceeds all the rest and extends to two or three hundred Tomans a year these also maintain whole Companies at their own Charge notwithstanding these Grandees are listed but as private Soldiers in the King's Book All the Persian Soldiers which receive the Kings pay are oblig'd to be ready upon his Command and if need require immediately to go to such places as they are call'd to No orderly Discipline in Battels The Persians observe no order of Marshalling their Forces in Field Battels the King onely placing the Chans over the Sultans and other Commanders according to the number of men which they have under them The Office of a Captain is onely to guard the place where he is appointed The Soldiers are not drawn out in good Order but confusedly mixt together and it often happens that the Musquettiers Bow-men Pikemen are all intermingled after a confused manner March close near an Enemy They for the most part make a running fight and turn about so soon as they have discharg'd upon their Enemy like our Men who retreat so soon as they have fir'd to make way for others Moreover when they draw near the Enemy or they come to a place where they apprehend any danger they keep close together in one Body Their Bag and Baggage with their Wives follow them at a good distance Their Train and Baggage riding on Camels if they go to meet the Enemy but at their return they ride before and the stoutest men between them and the Enemy their Encamping themselves is also in a confus'd manner and without Order taking up as much room as they can which though it be for their ease yet many times proves dangerous By this means the Ordu that is The Camp like a City the Army or Camp is like one of the greatest Cities in Persia and stor'd with all manner of Provision like a Market They cut off the Hair of their slain Enemies and carry the same about with them according to the Custom of the Countrey as a certain testimony of their Victory and Valor Rewards of valiant Men. Such Commanders as behav'd themselves valiantly are Presented with Suits of Cloth of Tissue as a requital for their good and faithful Service which as soon as they have receiv'd they immediately put on and give that which they put off to the Bearer Their Tents They use certain little Huts Tents or Pavilions in the Fields which are call'd Scervanli from the Province of Scervan where they are made They are for the most part cover'd with a strong Stuff and wrought like a Quilt which is very substantial against the Cold and Rain as also against excessive Heat they are round on the top like a Canopy and oval in form at the bottom There are likewise other smaller places of repose call'd Saivan or cover'd Places which serve onely as Tilts to keep off the Weather and the Sun Their Coyn. Their several sorts of Money THe currant Money in Persia is Silver and Copper The Silver Coyns are an Abas or Abascy Garem Abas or Chodabende Schahi Bisti Laryns or Lari Piasters and their Copper Coyn call'd Pul or Casbechi An Abascy is about a Crown in value though not above a quarter of an Ounce in weight These Abascies have their Denomination from Schach Abbas who caus'd them to be Coyn'd as also the half Abas and the Chodabendes because Schach Chodabende was the first maker of them The Schahis make each a quarter of an Abas and two Bisties and a half being the least Silver Coyn one Abascy The Laryns or Lari are two pieces of Silver of a certain weight bow'd together in two parts and stamp'd at the end with the Governor of Lar's Arms and hath its Name from the City or Dominion or from the Princes of Lar when they were absolute and not subject to the Kings of Persia And because the value of this Coyn consists onely in the weight and goodness of the Silver it passes currantly through all the Eastern Countreys and not onely allow'd by the Chans and Princes of Lar who first Coyn'd it but by all the Princes of Asia for the Turks Persians Mogulls and others Coyn the same with their proper Names But after the uniting of the Dukedom of Lar with the Persian Realm this Coyn hath much declin'd as Olcarius affirms In former times they had another Coyn call'd Lari which was of bended Silver Plate beaten out and stampt in the middle Some account five Laryns to make a Spanish Ryal and one Laryn passes amongst the Hollanders on the Island of Ceilon for twelve of their Stivers In Persia as also in all other Countreys passes a Coyn call'd Piaster each piece whereof is valu'd at a Crown Their Copper Money is in general call'd Pul and in particular Casbechi of which forty make an Abascy Each great City hath its peculiar Copper Coin which goes in no other Place and no longer than one year because the Stamp is alter'd every year The Coyn of one City is mark'd with a Deer and of another with a Goat Satyr Fish Serpent or whatever they fancy Moreover against their new Year which happens in February the old Casbechies are either call'd in or cry'd down after which two are not worth one and are forc'd to be brought to the Mint again where they are beaten out and stamp'd anew A Pound of Copper is sold here for one Abas of which they make sixty Casbechies They have also Xerafs or Xerafies or Xerafins of Gold which make eight Laryns and likewise Deniers which are about one Spanish Ducat and a half apiece But Texeira doth not clear this Point because in one place he saith that a Million of Gold Deniers makes almost twelve Millions of Spanish Ducats and in another place that fifteen hundred Deniers are near upon two thousand Spanish Ducats and in another place that fifty thousand Deniers are about seventy thousand Spanish Ducats But a Xerafin is by the Hollanders on the Island Ceylon accounted to be four Shillings Others affirm that the Coyns in Persia are Besorchs Pays Soudy Chay Mamoudy Laryn and
she clear'd from all those of whom she had any suspicion either by Marrying of them to some of the Kings Nobles or some other means At the Court she made likewise great alterations by putting all the old Officers out of their Places and new ones in their stead who were her Favorites and Relations When the King declar'd her Queen he call'd her Nurmahal that is Light of the Court She had a Brother nam'd Alaf Chan who by the King's favor was grown very powerful Sultan Chosrou Selim's Son Marry'd one of her Daughters and Sultan Scebriar another both which she had by her first Husband for she had no Children by Schach Selim. Several Opinions concerning Selim's Issue Robert Covert tells us That this Selim had five Sons the first whereof was call'd Paheschau Sehelbam which signifies The next Heir to the Crown who being blind was kept as a Prisoner the second was Sultan Naubrea appointed to succeed his Father the third Sultan Lawle the fourth Sultan Lill and the fifth and youngest Sultan Caiwone Hawkins calls these five Sons Sultan Cusseru Sultan Peruis Sultan Chorem Sultan Shairer and Sultan Bath Della Valle calls the eldest Sultan Chosrou the second Sultan Peruis the third Sultan Chorrom to whom his Father gave the Sirname of Schiah Gihon that is King of the World after his return from the War which he had succesfully maintain'd in Decan and the youngest Sultan Scheriar Chosrou rebelling against his Father is defeated Sultan Chosrou the eldest Son a very hopeful Prince and a great Friend to the Christians having been setled in a peculiar Lordship rebell'd against his Father Schiah Selim in the Year 1606. under pretence that the Kingdom belong'd justly to him because King Ecbar his Grandfather had on his Death-bed given his Realm to him as being his Grandchild who was then born and had excluded Selim his Father and onely Son to Ecbar Wherefore he took up Arms against him to obtain that from his Father which his Grandfather had in his last Will and Testament given to him But Chosrou being defeated and overcome in the Battel was forc'd to lay down his Arms and surrender himself up to his Father who with mild Words blam'd him for his rashness and ask'd him why he would take this preposterous course since the Crown on necessity would fall to him and that he was onely the Preserver of it whilst he liv'd Yet he caus'd all the Commanders which had serv'd Chosrou in this War to be put to miserable deaths and their Bodies to be laid in the way where Chosrou was to pass and trampled over them as a Victor over his Enemies Nor ended the business so for Chosrou was bereav'd of his Liberty not being permitted to converse with the People as before but was committed though after an Honorable manner to the Custody of several Noblemen his Father likewise causing his Eye-lids to be sew'd up that so he might bereave him of his Sight without putting out his Eyes and at once deprive him of the means to make any further trouble in the Kingdom But after the expiration of some days Selim causing his Eyes to be open'd again prevented Chosrou from being always blind yet though he beheld the Light of the Sun again he enjoy'd not his Liberty but was kept a close Prisoner for the space of two Years not being allow'd according to the King's Command to have above one Man to wait upon him Mean while Nurmahal the King's Consort us'd her endeavors to perswade Chosrou to marry her Daughter before she bestow'd her in Marriage to his Brother Sultan Scheriar for she certainly believ'd that Chosrou should succeed Selim after his death But Chosrou could never be brought to consent either out of love to another or because he dislik'd Nurmahal's Daughter although being a Prisoner he was upon condition to marry her promis'd his Liberty But she whom he really affected and who lov'd him no less The mutual Constancy of Chosrou and his Lover obtain'd of his Father King Selim to serve her Lover in Prison where she behav'd her self very nobly towards him always perswading him to marry Nurmahal's Daughter telling him she would be very well satisfi'd to serve him as a Slave provided she might but see him at liberty and setled in a Condition according as his Birth requir'd But he not minding her Perswasions contentedly spent his time with her in Prison two whole years after which his Fathers anger being somewhat appeas'd he was restor'd to his Liberty though under the charge of several Guards the King 's great Confidents But by his refusal to marry his Step-mothers Daughter he incurr'd her hatred and displeasure and forc'd her contrary to her first resolutions to give her in Marriage to his Brother Scheriar Of Sultan Peruis the second Son who had his Residence in the Kingdom of Bengala near the Mouth of the River Ganges and Govern'd by the Title of Vice-Roy no further mention is made At the same time the third Son Sultan Chorrom rebell'd against his Father with intention to make himself Master of the Kingdom of Surrat Wherefore Schiah Selim sent one of his Chief Chans call'd Ajat Chan to Agra to convey his Treasure from thence before Sultan Chorrom came thither This Chorrom was Governor of that part of Decan which he had conquer'd for the Mogol his Father and the occasion of this Rebellion was as followeth The occasion of Chorrom's Rebellion Chorrom by his own subtil Contrivance and Conduct and by the high esteem of his Father-in-Law Ajat Chan and his Sister Nurmahal had so wrought with the King that the Prisoner Sultan Chosrou was committed into his Custody but with Commands to use him well and take special care of him Which being effected Chorrom would neither go to his Territory nor march into the Field with an Army though his Father requested him unless he might carry Sultan Chosrou along with him under pretence that it would not be convenient for him to depart from the Court and leave Chosrou his great Enemy there No sooner was Chosrou deliver'd up to him but he immediately went from thence and kept him two Years in an honorable manner But at last Chorrom who had no other design but by his Brothers death to secure himself of the Kingdom practic'd all the time since his coming from his Father's Court as some affirm to poyson him in order to which he charg'd all those that waited upon and guarded him to force him to eat the poyson'd Meat whether he would or no or else destroy him after another manner which they accordingly attempted several times but Chosrou having notice thereof would not eat any of the Meat that was brought to him by them expresly telling them that it was poysond The Keepers seeing no way to perform their Masters Command by Poyson fell all upon him with drawn Swords and after long resistance strangled him with a Bowe-string Some affirm That Sultan Chorrom kill'd Chosrou
design had not the Hollanders assisted teaching them to spring a Mine which overthrowing a piece of a Wall drove the Besieg'd to the utmost extremity But this Conquest did not a little advantage his Design the fame thereof being spread all over the Countrey That Moradbech had won Surat by springing a Mine Which sounded strange in the Indians Ears who till that time knew not the Invention Yet notwithstanding all this Fame and good success in the beginning added to the continual Letters and great Promises from Oranchzef the Eunuch Chan Abas a Man of great Understanding Courage and really inclin'd to his Master's Interest did not at all approve of Moradbech's joyning with Oranchzef thinking it much better to keep him in suspence with Words and let him march to Agra whilst they might receive certain News of Schach Jehan's death advising him also to Fortifie Surat which was a good Place and would make him Master of a great Tract of Land and large Revenues and by degrees he might secure Brampour which is a great Through-fare and as it were the Key to Decan But the continual flattering Letters from Oranchzef added to the small Forces Goods and Moneys which he had besides his Ambition to Govern absolutely made him slighting all advice march from Amadabad and desert Surat and go through Woods and over Mountains to be the sooner at the Place of Randezvouze where Oranchzef had staid expecting him two or three days Oranchzef and Moradbech joyn Great demonstrations of Joy were exprest in high Feasting at the meeting of the two Armies The Princes visiting one another Oranchzef made thousands of Promises to Moradbech alledging anew That he had no pretence at all to the Crown nor any other Design but to assist him against Darasja their common Enemy and settle him on the Throne After this meeting and confirming of Friendship the two Armies March'd together Oranchzef still continuing his Promises and Protestations of Kindness to his Brother and treating him both in Private and Publick like a King which perswaded Moradbech into a certain belief that Oranchzef was real in his intentions and that his exceeding love towards him made him so submissive and therefore willingly and without returning the like Ceremonies he receiv'd the Services shew'd him by his Brother in stead of thinking on what had hapned in Golconda and considering that he who had with such great danger adventur'd to conquer a Kingdom was not inclin'd to live and die like a Fakier They march forward These two Armies thus united made a considerable Body which made a great noise at the Court and gave cause of fear not onely to Darasja but to Schach Jehan himself who knew the Policy and Subtilness of Oranchzef and the Valor of Moradbech and also foresaw that a Fire once kindled was not so easily quench'd Wherefore Schach Jean wrote divers Letters in a courteous Style to this effect That he was now better in health That they should return each to his Government and that he pardon'd and forgot all which had been hitherto acted But these Letters kept them not from coming forward And as Schach Jehan's Distemper was reported to be mortal and they wanted no Intelligence so they always said and perhaps believ'd the same that the Letters were writ by Darasja that Schach Jehan was either dead or lay a dying and that they were resolv'd if he liv'd to kiss his Feet and deliver him out of the Hands of Darasja The Mogol raises Forces though unwillingly The unfortunate Mogol observing that his Sons regarded not his Commands and hearing that they hastned in the Head of their Army towards Agra whilst he lay sick in the custody of Darasja a Man who design'd nothing but War and the destruction of his Brothers was necessitated in this extremity to leave his Treasures at his disposal and sending for his eldest and trustiest Officers whom he knew had no very great kindness for Darasja commanded them to fight for Darasja against the rest of his Blood against his Children and against those whom they most respected In order whereunto he immediately sent an Army to meet Sultan Chasausa who was come nearest to Agra and made ready another to send against Oranchzef and Moradbech who also approach'd the Metropolis Soliman Chekouh Darasjas Son made General against Chasausa Soliman Chekouh eldest Son to Darasja a Prince about twenty five Years old of a well-shap'd Body good Conduct Courteous and belov'd by most Persons especially Schach Jehan who had already enrich'd him and design'd to make him his Successor rather than Darasja was made General of this Army against Chasausa Schach Jehan nevertheless who rather desir'd to see Chasausa return to Bengala than to engage in a bloody Fight which must undoubtedly prove very hurtful besides the danger of losing one of his Sons sent an ancient Raja call'd Jesseingue one of the richest and most powerful of all Indostan and the ablest in his whole Realm to accompany this young General with private Orders not to engage in a Battel unless forc'd thereto but endeavor by all means possible to perswade Chasausa to return and save his Forces till there was more need to use them viz. when Schach Jehan should be dead and he see Oranchzef and Moradbech approach the Court But as this young Prince Soliman Chekouh full of Courage thought on nothing but how by some Heroick Exploit he might make himself Famous and Sultan Chasausa fear'd that Oranchzef by the winning of a Field-Battel would first make himself Master of the Treasures and Cities of Agra and Deli So it was impossible for Raja Jesseingue to prevent their engaging one with another For the two Armies were no sooner in sight but they prepar'd to fight He fights Chasausa's Army and gets the Victory and staid not long before they saluted each other with a Volley of small Shot The first On-set was very fierce on both parts but at last Soliman Chekouh with great force and eagerness broke the Ranks of Chasausa and forcing him to retreat soon after put his whole Army to flight insomuch that if Jesseingue and Patan Delickan one of the Chiefest Commanders and valiantest Men but a private Friend to Raja without whose advice he did nothing had faithfully assisted him Chasausa's whole Army had been destroy'd and he himself in danger of being made a Prisoner But Raja besides that he was commanded to the contrary was too subtile to lay Hands on a Prince of the Blood and Son to the King so that he gave Chasausa time to retreat without losing of many People But because Soliman Chekouh was Master of the Feld and had gotten some Guns the Report immediately went at Court that Chasausa was utterly destroy'd This Victory made Soliman Chekouh very famous and lessening the esteem which the People formerly had of Chasausa made all the Hearts of the Persians which were formerly inclining to him grow very cold The young Prince having spent
some days in pursuing Chasausa and having daily Information from Court understood that Oranchzef and Moradbech approach'd with a great Army and knowing also that Darasja his Father had many private Enemies he resolv'd to give over his Pursuit and return speedily to Agra where Darasja might perhaps give Battel to Oranchzef and Moradbech This was the best course which he could have taken for doubtless it he had come thither time enough Oranchzef could not have had any advantage of his Enterprise nay some are of opinion that he durst not have given Battel by reason of his small Party but Darasja's bad fate would not suffer it Whilst all things were thus carried on the side towards Elabas which is a Place where the River Gemna unites with the Ganges there was quite another Scene acted towards the side of Agra At the Court they fear'd that Oranchzef might cross the River of Brampour and have pass'd the troublesom Way between the Mountains and therefore sent several Troops to prevent his passing over the Stream Eugenes whilst the whole Army was made ready and two of the chiefest Nobles of the Realm were chosen to Command the same one of them call'd Casemcan a famous Captain and a great lover of Schach Jehan but having no kindness for Darasja he went thither against his will yet was perswaded to undertake that Office by Schach Jehan The other nam'd Jesseingue was a mighty Raja and Son-in-law to that Raja Rana who in the time of Ecbar was as if he had been Emperor of the Rajas Darasja before their departure made great Presents to both and protestation of Friendship whilst Schach Jehan found out a means to tell them in private the same which he told Jesseingue before he went with Soliman to meet Chasausa Moreover they neglected not during their March to send time after time to Oranchzef and Moradbeck to perswade them to return to their own Countreys but all in vain neither did their Agents come back whilst the Army marched with that speed that from the top of a Hill lying not far from the River it was seen sooner than they expected and by reason of the great Heat it being in the midst of Summer the River was fordable which made Casemcan and the Raja to prepare themselves for Battel at the same instant before they knew Oranchzef's Intentions for he endeavor'd to oppose them although his Army was not all come up for he saluted them with a Volley of Shot thereby designing onely to deter them for he fear'd that they would come over the River and not onely prevent his passing over but also hinder him from chusing a convenient place to Encamp his Army in which was in great disorder and so weary'd with Travel and Heat that undoubtedly they might easily have been destroy'd if they had been immediately set upon but they were satisfi'd according to the Order they had receiv'd to Guard the opposite Shore and prevent Oranchzef from coming over After Oranchzef had rested his Army two or three days and by retarding the Enemy had so order'd his Business that he could get over the Stream he commanded his Guns which were planted along the Bank of the River to Discharge on the Enemy whilst his Men cross'd the Water Whereupon Casemcan and the Raja also Discharging their Guns and standing in a posture to oppose their Landing began a fierce Battel especially where Jesseingue Commanded but for Casemcan though he was always accounted a valiant Man yet he gave no great proofs of his Valour in this Fight nay some accus'd him of Treachery and affirm'd that he bury'd the Powder and Shot in the Night under the Ground But however it was the Fight slackned not for whilst one Party endeavor'd to get over the Water the other as much striv'd to oppose them The middle of the River being full of Rocks prov'd very troublesom to Oranchzef's Party who also found the Banks very high and craggy in many places At last Moradbeck cast himself into the Water with such fierce eagerness that the Enemy not able to oppose him he got over a good part of his Army which made Casemcan retreat and put Jesseingue in great danger of losing his Life for the Enemy falling so thick upon him and having slain most of his Ragipous that were about him had also undoubtedly slain him if he had not fled speedily from thence and left all his Bag and Baggage to the Enemy nor durst he go to Agra by reason he had lost so many of his Soldiers for of seven or eight thousand he had not above five or six hundred left The courage and passion of Jesseingue's Wife Great anger did Rama's Daughter express against her Husband Jesseingue in reference to his Flight and Defeat for when her Servants heard that their Lord was hard by and had inform'd her what had hapned in the Fight viz. that Jesseingue had fought with extraordinary valour losing all his Men except four or five hundred and at last not able to resist the Enemy any longer was forc'd to flie she commanded in stead of sending to receive him and condole his Misfortunes to lock up the Gates of the Castle strictly charging not to let in so base a Blot to her Family adding that he was none of her Husband and that she would never see him The Son-in-law of the noble Rama could never have so mean a Soul that he must think since he was entred into so noble a Family he ought to follow their Vertues and to speak in one word either to have conquer'd or dy'd The next moment she was in a greater Passion than before commanding a Pyle of Wood to be laid for her that she might burn her self when to pacifie her they endeavor'd to perswade her that her Husband was slain and that it could not possibly be otherwise then on a sudden her Countenance changing and her Gall rising she broke out into thousands of Exclamations against him In this frantick humor she continu'd nine days before she would consent to see him but at last her Mother comforting her promis'd that as soon as the Raja was refresh'd he would raise an Army against Oranchzef and regain his lost Honor though at never so dear rate A violent Humor of Darasja Mean while Darasja inform'd of all that had hapned at Eugenes was so exceedingly incens'd against Casemcan that he would certainly have cut off his Head had he been there present and inveigh'd bitterly against Emir Jemla as being the first and chief occasion of all this Mischief having furnish'd Oranchzef both with Men Money and Artillery therefore he resolv'd to Execute his Son Mahomet Emircan and to expose his Wife to publick Sale on the Bazar amongst the common Strumpets and undoubtedly he had perform'd it had not Schach Jehan mildly perswaded him that Emir Jemla could not be so weak nor so familiar with Oranchzef that for his Favor he would offer up his Family that undoubtedly Oranchzef
had trapann'd and by his subtilty deceiv'd him Oranchzef â—s policy Mean while Oranchzef and Moradbeck were exceedingly encourag'd by their first good success in the foremention'd Battel and Oranchzef to animate his Soldiers the more boasted that in Darasja's Army there were thirty thousand Mogollans who were at his command Moradbeck desir'd nothing more than to come to a second Battel and therefore hastned his March which Oranchzef delay'd perswading him that it was convenient for the Army to refresh themselves a while on the Banks of that pleasant River whilst he wrote to his Friends and receiv'd Advice concerning Affairs at the Court and a true Information of all Businesses In the interim Schach Jehan clearly perceiving the Design of Oranchzef and Moradbeck and that he had no hopes of perswading them to return he knew not in that Exigent what to do fain he would have prevented this Battel on which all depended and to which Darasja made all imaginable Preparations but what could he do to oppose it he was still very weak and in the custody of Darasja in whom as is said before he repos'd no great confidence wherefore he was forc'd to leave the management of all things to his discretion and surrendred to him the chief Forts and Castles in his Dominions and likewise commanded all his Officers to obey him Whereupon all Persons were immediately put into Arms so that an Army was form'd as it was reported of a hundred thousand Horse and twenty thousand Foot and a vast Train of Artillery Yet notwithstanding this was the most compleat and biggest Army that ever was seen in Hindostan and sufficient to defeat three or four such as that of Oranchzef who had not above thirty five or forty thousand Men in all and those tir'd and spent by their long and troublesom March by reason of the excessive Heats a thing almost incredible there was scarce one Person but ominously presag'd Darasja's ruine especially because none of the Omrahs had any respect or kindness for him and all the prime Soldiers on whom his dependance lay were in Soliman Chekou's Army To venture a Battel all his Friends as well as Schach Jehan disswaded him from His Father also proffer'd himself in the heighth of his Sickness to be carry'd into the Field before Oranchzef which undoubtedly would have been a great introducement to Peace and also very beneficial to Schach Jehan for certainly Oranchzef and Moradbeck would never have dar'd to fight against their own Father and though they had bin powerful enough to have attempted they would certainly have suffer'd for it not onely because their Forces were not equal and all the great Omrahs were so fix'd for Schach Jehan that they would not have fail'd seeing him in the Head of the Army to have fought very resolutely but also because that Oranchzef and Moradbeck's Commanders had so great an affection for this Prince whose Creatures most of them were that they would have turn'd their Swords against them their Generals and perswaded the whole Army to Declare themselves for their old Prince Then they perswaded Darasja since he would not hearken to any Advice not to march with his Army into the Field but to stay till Soliman Chekou came to joyn with him which would be very suddenly he being already on his March to Agra which also was good Counsel because he was a Person belov'd by all having return'd victoriously and the most loyal and brave Soldiers being still in his Army But Darasja would not regard any Propositions that were offer'd to him how reasonable and advantageous soever thinking on nothing but giving speedy Battel to Oranchzef whom he resolv'd to Encounter in Person and certainly he did not amiss herein in respect to his own Honor and particular Interest if Fortune had befriended him but things fell not out as he had contriv'd them and very probably for these reasons He look'd upon himself as Master of Schach Jehan whom he knew he could sway as he pleas'd He was at that time Owner of all his Treasures and strong Holds Chasausa was half defeated and his two other Brothers came with a faint and tir'd Army to throw themselves into his Hands which they could not miss if he won the Battel That then he should at once be absolute Master at the end of all his Troubles and attain to the heighth of his Wishes without any ones contradiction when as on the contrary if his Father should go into the Field all Affairs would be accommodated and his Brothers return to their Dominions Moreover that if he should stay for Soliman Chekou his Son Schach Jehan might plot some Design to his Disadvantage or contrive something with Oranchzef and that whatever he should do to gain the Victory the Reputation his Son had already gotten would give him all the Honor thereof What would not he be capable to undertake swoln with so much Glory and Success and especially being supported as he was by the Favor and Affection of Schach Jehan and the greatest part of the Omrahs What did he know whether he would keep any Respect or Duty for his Father and what his Ambition might prompt him to These Considerations made Darasja conclude to refuse all Persons Advice and act according to his own Humor and thereupon immediately commanded his whole Army to march into the Field and went himself to take his leave of his Father then in the Castle of Agra who shed a multitude of Tears embracing him and thus bespeaking him Well Darasja you are resolv'd to follow your own Will go and God bless you but remember these few words if you lose the Battel take heed of ever coming into my Presence But all this making no great impression on him he went away boldly and taking Horse rode with his Army to block up the Passage through the River Schembel about twelve Leagues from Agra where Intrenching himself he resolutely expected his Enemy But Oranchzef who being more subtil and crafty wanted not good Spyes that inform'd him of all Transactions knowing it there to be very difficult never attempted to force it but coming to Encamp himself on the other side opposite to Darasja's Army was seen by them whilst he sent to a rebellious Raja nam'd Chempet several rich Presents and made him many Promises if he would permit him to march through his Countrey that so he might find a place where the River was more fordable Chempet not onely consented but proffer'd to be his Guide to lead him cross his Countrey through the Woods and Mountains Whereupon Oranchzef raising his Camp privately in the Night left onely some Tents standing thereby to amuse Darasja and marching night and day got over the River before he had any notice thereof but as soon as ever he receiv'd the news he left his Station and hasted to Engage his Enemy who was said to march with great speed towards Agra to gain the River Gemna and there without trouble and at his pleasure
to use the Water and fortifying himself expect Darasja's coming This Place formerly call'd Samongues and now Fatabad that is The Place of Victory is not above three Leagues from Agra Not long after Darasja appearing on the Shore of the said River Encamp'd with his Army between Agra and Oranchzef whilst Schach Jehan wrote several Letters to Darasja acquainting him that Soliman Chekou was not far off and therefore it would be prudence in him not to begin the Battel but to draw nearer to Agra and chuse a good place where he might fortifie himself and expect his Son 's coming But Darasja return'd him in answer That before three days pass'd he would bring Oranchzef and Moradbeck bound Hand and Foot before him to punish them as he should think fit and without any farther delay at the same hour drew out his Army planted all his Guns before and fastned them together with Iron Chains to prevent the Enemy's Horse from breaking in upon him behind these Guns he also plac'd many Camels each with a Musquet made fast on their Breast which a Man might Charge or Discharge without setting a Foot on the Ground behind these Camels were drawn up the greatest part of the Musqueteers and behind them the rest of the Army which chiefly consisted in Horse Arm'd with Sword Bowes and a Quiver full of Arrows as commonly the Mogols by which Name are understood the white People as Mahumetans Persians Turks Arabians and Usbeques or with a Sword and a Half-pike like those which the Ragipous carry The Wings how order'd and their strength Of all these foremention'd sorts of Men he made three Bodies the right Wing whereof being Commanded by Cali-lullahkan consisted in thirty thousand Mogols the left was Commanded by Rustam-kan Dakny a very eminent and valiant Commander besides Raja Chatresale and Raja Ramseingue Routle Mean while Oranchzef and Moradbeck on the opposite side drew out their Army almost after the same manner onely they privately plac'd in the midst of the Troops of some Omrahs several Field-pieces an Invention of Emir Jemla with no ill effect they also plac'd here and there several Men to throw Bannes which being a sort of Granadoes fastned to a Stick are cast amongst the Horse which often frighting them puts them into disorder and many times do great mischief The Horse very expert All their Horse fall back and draw up with exceeding swiftness and Discharge six several Flights of Arrows sooner than the Musquets two Volleys They also keep close together in a Body under their respective Officers especially when they come up to Fight Hand to Hand with their Swords The Battel Being thus drawn out the Guns began to play from both sides for they always Discharge their Cannons first and Arrows were now seen to flie through the Air when on a sudden there fell a mighty Shower of Rain that interrupted the Combat which began again as soon as it ceas'd Darasja mounted on a stately Elephant commanded his Men to fall on on all sides whilst he advanced in the midst of a Body of Horse directly towards his Enemies Artillery which receiv'd him so valiantly that abundance of Men were kill'd round about him and not onely that Body which he Commanded put into disorder but also the other Horse that follow'd him nevertheless he being seen to sit firm on his Elephant without offering to retreat and courageously looking about and making signs with his Hands to advance and follow him This disorder soon ceas'd and every Man resuming his Rank march'd on with him but he could not reach his Enemy before he was saluted with another Volley of Cannon-shot which caus'd a second and great Disorder amongst his Men making many of them Retreat yet Darasja without changing his Countenance sat fast on his Elephant and encourag'd his Men giving them still signs to follow him and to advance with all possible speed without any loss of time Thus vigorously pressing forward he forc'd the Enemies Artillery broke their Chains entred into their Camp and hewing down the Camels and Infantry which stood in his way on that side he open'd a good Passage for the Cavalry that follow'd him when the Enemy's Horse facing him they began a fierce Combat A shower of Arrows fill'd the Air from both sides Darasja himself letting flie several amongst them But these Arrows do but little Execution most of them being broken either in the Air or faln on the Ground without doing any hurt The first flight of Arrows being made they fell upon one annother with their Swords whilst Darasja sitting still on his Elephant encourag'd his Soldiers call'd and made signs to them and at last advanc'd with so much resolution and force against all that oppos'd him that he overthrew the Cavalry and forc'd them to retreat and flie Oranchzef who also sat on an Elephant seeing this disorder was exceedingly perplex'd yet labour'd with all his might to defend them though to little purpose wherefore he drew up the Body wherein his choicest Men were to make a Head against Darasja who likewise forc'd them to retreat in great disorder notwithstanding all that Oranchzef could do to hinder it yet nevertheless he lost neither his Valour nor Courage though he saw the whole Army in a confus'd and flying posture insomuch that he had not above a thousand some say but five hundred that stood to defend him he also saw that Darasja notwithstanding the difficulty of the Way which was uneven and full of Holes in many places made as if he would rush in upon him yet still his Courage abated not but he kept his Station without the least apprehension of fear or thought of retreating and calling every one of his Commanders that were about him by their several Names cry'd out Delirane Codahi that is Take courage my old Friends God is what hope is there in flying know you not where our Decan is Codahi Codahi God is God is and that none might doubt his Valour but see how far his Heart was from recoiling he instantly commanded in the presence of them all that Chains should be put on his Elephants Feet which had certainly been done but that all those that were near him declar'd their courage and resolution to live and die with him Mean while Darasja endeavor'd to break in upon him though he was a good distance from him but the difficulty of the Way much hindred him and also the opposition he met with from the disorder'd Horse which cover'd all places he was to pass This Encounter with Oranchzef he look'd upon as that which was to assure him of the Victory and decide the Battel and doubtless he would have overcome all the soremention'd Difficulties and Oranchzef with the small number which he had left would not have been able to resist his till then victorious Army but Darasja not knowing how to make use of his advantage fail'd in the whole of which I will now shew you the occasion and
speak three sorts of Languages viz. the Arabian Persian and the peculiar Language of the Country which differs from that of the other Provinces The Inhabitants of Decan Cuncan and Golconda speak the Persian Tongue which at the Princes Courts is as common as their own Language They Betroth their Children at seven or eight Years of Age and Marry them at twelve They keep a continu'd Feast for fourteen days before the Wedding concluding each day with the sound of Drums and Trumpets On the Wedding-day all the Relations walk seven times about a Fire made for that purpose after which they hold the Marriage confirm'd The Bride brings nothing to her Husband save onely her Person and a few Jewels of an inconsiderable value They always burn the Bodies of the Deceased and if a Married Man dies the Widow is oblig'd either to cast her self into the Fire with the Corps of her dead Husband or to live the rest of her days in infamy and disgrace The King of Cuncan is in the Country Language entituled Adelcan that is The true Governor or Adel Scach that is Real Lord or Lord of Justice and by the Portuguese corruptly Dialcam or Hialcam by the Netherlanders Adelchia by others Cadum Schach or Schach Gean He is also call'd Sabay that is Lord. Dotexara call'd that King from whom the Portuguese took Goa Sabyb Adelcan that is Ruler and King of Justice and not Sabay dalcan as we read in History According to Della Valle the King's Title besides his own Name is Adil Sciah or Idal Sciah which as some render it signifies A Just King for Adil in the Arabian signifies Just But others maintain that Adil or Idal which is an Indian Word signifies A Key and therefore must be call'd King of Keys perhaps from the Office which formerly belong'd to this Prince viz. The keeping of the Keys which lock'd up the Books that containd the Accounts of the Treasures of the Mighty Kings of Bisnagar and Sceherbeder unto whom this King and several other petty Princes were subject as we have already related The King keeps a splendid Court and when he rides abroad is attended by all his Nobility and a great number of Horse and Foot besides many Elephants and Camels and the sound of many Instruments The Kings eldest Son always succeeds his Father in the Government and maintains his Sisters till they are Married King Adel Schiah who deceas'd Anno 2586. Great-grandfather to the King Idelxa took Goa twice from the Portuguese but seeing at last that his Forces were not any longer able to oppose them he entred into a League with them on this Condition That the Portuguese should keep in possession the City and Island of Goa and the adjacent Provinces viz. Salsette on the South-side of Goa with sixty seven Villages the Country of Bardes with twelve Villages and the bordering Country of Tisvary with thirty Villages Provided that the King of Visiapour's Subjects should peaceably and quietly Trade into all Parts of India and on condition that the Portuguese should not buy any Pepper in any other Place but in Goa upon Forfeiture of their Ships and Goods But these Articles were broke several times by the Kings of Visiapour yet the Portuguese Vice-Roy residing in Goa as often reconcil'd the Difference by sending Ambassadors with great Presents to them The Father of this present King maintain'd great Wars against the Portuguese Anno 1654. he sent a Letter to the Governor of Batavia the Lord John Maetzuiker desiring him to send a Fleet of twenty six Sail of Ships to Goa to help him drive the Portuguese from thence and afterwards surrender the same to his Army The Letter by reason of its unusual Stile will not be amiss to be inserted here The Contents thereof are as follow THE Good Firman which are sent to the Person of Honor and Strength besides Valiant Famous and sought after by the Grandees as the most Eminent Person of your Country is John Maetzuiker Chief Vice-Roy of the Hollanders in India who by Friendship and Goodness of the Kings is very much favoured Makes known to your Excellency That the Person of Honor Greatness and Happiness Moelan Abdulakiem who sits in the King's Presence hath made known to me that you are a Person of a good Nature and candid Reality and inclin'd to shew service to this House which I gladly understood Send therefore according to Abdulakiem 's Request a Fleet of twenty six Sail well Mann'd with valiant Soldiers and provided with Guns and Ammunition or at least as many Ships as you can procure to fight against the Portuguese at Goa which Place you must endeavor to clear of those People and after the Conquest thereof deliver Goa to our Army This done you shall always remain in our Favor and 't will redown to your Honor and Glory And whatever Abdulakiem shall write to you concerning it freely credit the same and do that which this Firman here requests Given in the Year after Mahomet 's Birth 1064. the second of the Month Sillekada According to our Stile On the thirteenth of August Anno 1654. The King likewise wrote another Letter to the same purpose to a Dutch Merchant call'd Leonard Johnson to whom also Abdulakiem wrote the following Letter THE Person whose Strength and Conduct is esteem'd of amongst the Great Ones is Learned Johnson a Dutch Merchant whose Prudence must continue for ever How long hath your Excellence maintain'd the War of Ceilon with the Expence of much Powder and Shot and the loss of many valiant Soldiers which yet remains still unconquer'd because the Portuguese have always fresh Aid come to them Now to take Goa and to banish the Portuguese out of his sight the King hath made me Commander of his Army with which I am already come to the Borders of Salseet And since you were formerly enclin'd when a good Firman or Letter was sent to you from the King to assist him against his Enemies your good Intentions to serve his Majesty were made known to the King who thereupon order'd two Firmans to be sent away viz. One to the Person of Honor Eminent of Great Command and Respected amongst the Nobility of your Country John Maetzuiker Vice-Roy for the Hollanders in the Indies And the other to your Excellency Wherein is mention'd That your Ships being well furnish'd with Victuals and Ammunition should come hither according to my Directions And therefore I desire you will send your Fleet with all the expedition you can well provided with all things to the Bay of Goa And when we have obtain'd the Victory and routed the Portuguese we shall consequently in few days be also Masters of Ceilon after which your Valour shall be renown'd in the King's House you ever continue in his Favor and your Trade shall flourish in these Countries If in case you cannot resolve to this Proposal then consider what Charge you may be at in this War and what Loss you think you may