great Copper Spout made fast in the Wall is convey'd thither in Pipes from the Mountains lying a League from thence and serves those for Drink that are Dieted there At the end of the Garden on the same side is a fair spacious and round Arch of green and blue Stone in the middle whereof are two great Copper Candle-sticks Round about the Walls are Seats wherein the Priests Cloth'd in white Apparel us'd to Sing It is a Tradition that Schach Sefi us'd to sit every year forty days together here Fasting and Praying his daily Sustenance being onely one Almond and a little Water from whence it is call'd Tschillachane Out of this Court you pass through another Gate where there also hangs a Silver Chain given by Allican Chan of Gappan The Entrance into the Tomb is under a pretty large Room over which is a round Tower through a Door Plated with Silver and adorn'd with thick Silver Rings The Floor at the Entrance is spread with Carpets on which those that will pass to the Tomb must walk bare-footed When Schach Abbas came to visit this Tomb he pull'd off his Shoes half a League before he came to the City and walk'd thither bare-footed in testimony of the great zeal he bore to this Saint This Entry hath a little Wicket on one side cover'd with Plates of Gold which leads to a stately Room It is said that Schach Abbas made this Door as also another at the Meschet in Chorazan before Imam Risa's Tomb upon the making of a certain Vow at the time of his marching against the Usbechies in Chorazan viz. That if these Saints would help him to drive the Enemy out of Chorazan he would give each of them a Golden Door which he accordingly perform'd after his Victory The Vault is forty eight Foot long and thirty broad and set round with many Silver and Gold Branches for Lamps of an extraordinary large size near which commonly sit twelve Singing Priests call'd Hafisan with little Stools before them on which lie great Parchment Books in which as they look they move their Bodies after the same manner as those in the Tschillachane Passing through this Vault you come into a kind of Sacristy ascended unto by three Silver Steps with Rails and Balasters likewise of Silver The Persians commonly kiss these Stairs before they go up the same This Room is exceeding costly and rises with another Step upon which a Rail of massy Gold runs cross the Room and behind it the Tomb of Schach Sefi made of polish'd Marble not of Gold as some say three Foot high from the Ground about nine long and four broad The Door of the Golden Rail is always lock'd and may not be open'd to any mortal Man not to the King himself On the left hand of this Room is another Vault in which Schach Abbas the First with several other Kings lie bury'd On the right side of the foremention'd Entrance is a great Vaulted Room curiously Gilded and resembling a Church the Cieling adorn'd with several pieces of Carv'd Work but not supported by any Pillars This Room being call'd Tzenetsera is the Library where the Books lie in seveveral Chests not set side by side but heap'd one upon the other and lock'd up they are most of them in Arabick but some in the Persian and Turkish Language written neatly either on Paper or Parchment and the Histories adorn'd with various Sculptures In divers corners of this Room are Shelves and Cupboards full of Porcelane Dishes and other Vessels of which some contain the quantity of three Gallons wherein the King and other Lords are serv'd when they come hither for this being a sacred Place and a holy Gift no Silver or Golden Vessels are to be us'd in it and it is said that Schach Sefi was wont out of zeal and humility to eat here out of woodden Platters Opposite to the Library or Tzenetsera is the Kitchin the Door whereof Schach Abbas causâ—d also to be Plated with Silver Every thing in the same is kept very neat divers large Cauldrons or Boyling-places are made in the Wall with great Covers to them The Water convey'd in Pipes round about the Kitchin and let into great Vessels by Copper Cocks Out of this Kitchin above a thousand Servants belonging to the Temple besides a great number of Alms-People receive their Allowance three times a day namely Morning Noon and Night The two first times of Serving are from Schach Sefi's Donation in which are daily spent about a hundred and fifty Aba's or three Tomams which is fifty Crowns but the third Service is on the King's Account These Meal-times are proclaim'd by two Officers who go about beating on Kettle-Drums which as 't is said were us'd by Mahumed and brought thither by Schach Sedredin together with Medine's Flag upon which Signal every one repairs thither and receives from the Butlers and Manciples in a Dish Broth Flesh and Rice in such plenty that many not able to cat all themselves sell it to those that are asham'd to fetch it Out of the Kitchin you go into the Garden where are the Graves of Sultan Aider Schach Thomas and other Kings that lie bury'd under the open Skie without either Tomb-stone or any thing else The chiefest Persons that lie bury'd in several places of this Meschaich are Schach Sefi Son of Seid Tzeibrail Schach Sedredin Son of Sefi Schach Tzinid Son of Sedredin in the European Histories by a mistake call'd Guined Sultan Aider Son of Tzinid who was flay'd alive by the Turks Schach Aider Son of Sultan Aider Schach Ismael Son of Aider Schach Thomas Son of Schach Ismael Schach Ismael the second Son of Schach Thomas Schach Mahumed Chodabende Son of Ismael Ismael Myrsa and Chodabende Hemsa Myrsa Brothers and Sons to Schach Abbas By whom this Tomb was built The Persians relate that a Platform of this above described Tomb was dictated by Schach Sedredin to the chief Architect whom he employ'd in building it after a wonderful manner that is to say he caus'd him to shut his Eyes and shew'd him as in a Dream a stately Edifice according to which he built the foremention'd Structure which Schach Tzinid hath enlarg'd adding a base Court and several Houses to it so that now it is like a great Castle with a continual concourse of People walking up and down there as in a little City It hath great allowance from the King The great Revenues belonging to it besides other Revenues and daily Presents which makes it worth many Millions nay 't is said that this Metzid is able in time of War with ready Money to raise more Men than the King for besides the great Sums in yearly Money it hath many Houses and Lands belonging to it which either pay Rent or Taxes to the same which amounts in all to to a considerable Treasury viz. in Ardebil are two hundred Houses nine Hamans or Baths eight Caravansera's the great Vaulted Exchange with all the Shops and Walks
also from all kind of Pleasures Many poor People digging a deep Hole in the most populous Street go into it where standing up to the Chin they cover their Heads with an Earthen Vessel full of Holes in which manner they stand a whole day whil'st another poor Man sitting near begs Alms of those that pass by Others as an extraordinary sign of sorrow anoint their Bodies with a black shining Colour which makes their Skin like Jet some paint their Bodies red thereby to represent the innocent Blood and cruel Derth of Hossein and Sing several Elegies in a doleful Tone in which they relate the Circumstances of his Death One of the Molla's or Priests especially of those that boast their Extract from Mahomet stands every day at Noon in the Maidan or other open place upon a high Stool with a green Turbant where he makes a Sermon declaring the noble Acts and Holiness of Hossein and the Circumstances of his Death The like Sermons are Preach'd in their Metzids or Temples Another Feast and Procession On the tenth of the Moneth Muharrem which they call The Murthering Day and is our eighth of January they go in Procession through all the Streets in Ispahan as on the day of Aasly's Death for they wear the same Clothes and have the other things belonging to that Ceremony as Pennons Ensigns and Horses richly caparison'd and loaden with Armor and Turbants Moreover they have a Camel which tarries a Basket wherein are two or three Children which represent the Children of Hossein that were carry'd to Prison These are follow'd by Biers cover'd with Velvet on the top whereof stands a Persian Tag or Turbant In these Processions the Men for the most part go Arm'd and oftentimes Fight one with another thereby to represent the Confusion and Hurry in which Hossein was Martyr'd certainly believing that whosoe're is kill'd in this Bussle goes directly to Paradice nay they affirm that during these Days of Asciur the Gates of Paradice stand always wide open and the Mahumetans which die in that time go directly thither without stop or stay Lastly all the Ceremonies for Hossein's Martyrdom are one and the same with those of Aaly's though the first are kept with greater State and Magnificence The night before the last day the Effigies of Abubeker Osman and Omar and some other contrary Parties are burnt publickly in the Maidan or Market-place On the twenty fifth of November the Persians keep a Feast of the Brotherhood as is already mention'd The Feast Abrisan On the fifth of July they keep a Feast by them call'd Ab Pascian or rather Abrizan that is Sprinkling of Water for Ab in the Persian Tongue signifies Water and Risan to Sprinkle on which day the King and all his Nobles Clothe themselves in short Vests after the Mazanderan manner and wear little Caps in stead of Turbants in which Dress they repair to a Brook or some other pleasant watry place where taking up the Water in little Cups they poure the same over one anothers Bodies but at last they grow so zealous that throwing away the Cups they endeavor to force each other into the Water with such eagerness that this Day never passes without the loss of many Persons This Feast is kept in Ispahan near the River Senderuth at the same place where it flows under the great Bridge in the Street call'd Tziaharbah Rui Gonzales Clavio tells us that this Feast is kept in Ispahan on the Bridge of Senderuth whither resort all the Townsmen and People from the adâ—acent places where they do as we have before related From whence this Feast hath its original we do not certainly know neither do the Persians themselves as we suppose Some ascribe the rise thereof to the Christians in commemoration of John the Baptist and this Opinion they strengthen with this Reason viz. That the Christians and almost all People of Asia keep the same though not upon one day or as others say in memory of the three Kings and because our Saviour was Baptiz'd at the River Jordan by John the Baptist The Armenians call this Day Cackciuciran that is Cross-water-day for they place a Cross in the Water on that Day from whence this Festival Day hath receiv'd its Denomination The Chineses Japanners and many other of the neighboring People keep such a kind of Feast as this which they call Tuonu The Feast Istend The Persians also observe a Feast call'd Istend so styl'd from an Herb of the same Name which shoots first out of the Ground in the Winter Season at the appearance of which this Feast begins and consists onely in the abundance of lighted Candles and Torches which they burn all the day and the following night in their Shops as a sign of their joy that the Winter which about that time ends in those hot Countreys is so near expiring This Feast is kept on that day when the Sun passes by the twenty fifth Degree of Aries which generally happens to be on the fifteenth of February The Feast of Freedom On the fifteenth of the Moneth Schabahan the Persians keep a great Feast call'd Scebiberat that is The Night of Freedom or Choise on which they do nothing but Pray give Alms to the Poor and the like pious Actions which they do in commemoration of the Souls of their deceased Friends Their Policy in Government Oeconomy and Splendor of the Court. The Government absolutely Monarchical THe Government of this Countrey is by absolute Monarchy for the King being the Chief hath all things in his own power to do whatsoe're he pleases being able to make or break Laws without any contradiction nay to take away any ones Estate or Life though he be the greatest Lord in the Countrey in short his Will is a Law in all things to his People The Kings Title The general Title of the King is Sophy deriv'd from the Arabick word Suff which signifies Woolly because the last Kings have instituted an Order to wear Woollen and not Cotton or Linnen Turbants as the Turks do or else because Sophy signifies Wise or Experienc'd according to the Greeks Olearius tells us that Writers call the last Persian Kings Sophy because the Promoter of their Sect was call'd Schach Sefi from whom it is become a Title of Honor as Defender of the Faith to his Majesty of Great Britain Most Christian to the French and Catholick to the King of Spain King Ismael also caus'd himself to be nam'd Schach Sade that is The Son of Schach as a token of his Extract from Schach Sefi who was so highly esteem'd amongst them Some say that this Name Sophy signifies a Man which renouncing the World endeavors onely to serve God so that Xeque Ismael bore the Title of Sophy because he appear'd to be the greatest Promoter of his Sect. And sometime before him Halilah being advanc'd to great Dignity was for the same reason call'd Sophy But since Schach Ismael none of
of Cloth-of-Gold or embroider'd Sattin with rich Fringe The Dishes wherein the Meat is brought to the Table are of massie Gold as also their Drinking-Cups which hold about a Pint and a half But Schach Abbas had all his serv'd up in Glass for a distinction from others They deliver with every Cup a great woodden Spoon or Ladle with a long Handle which they use more to drink out of than to eat withal neither do they make use of any other Spoons but what are made after that manner and of sweet-smelling Wood which having been once us'd are never brought to the Table again They never use Forks or Knives but the Steward who performs the Office of a Carver cuts the Meat with a great square Golden Slice which he always carries in his Hand How their Meat is serv'd up In the setting the Meat on the Table the Servants bring not the Dishes together but standing in a row from the Kitchin they hand them from one to another to the Table They commonly have but one Mess for they set all their Dishes at once upon the Table Each Person also receives Wine from a Waiter in order according to his Quality out of a golden Tumbler Every one is permitted to rise from Table without shewing Reverence to any and if their Occasions chance to call them out of the Room they go away without taking leave of any though the King himself be present The Water with which they wash their Hands is brought in gold en Basons The King and other great Persons seldom drink any Wine without Ice or Snow The Ice which they use is made of the clearest Water after this manner viz. Not far from the City in a great Plain a Bank is rais'd or cast up directly from East to West which being about a hundred and fifty Foot long and very thick is so high that it shadows the Plain from the Sun-beams when the Sun is at the heighth At the end of this Bank are two Arms which extending from the South to the North are full as high as the main Bank and about twenty four Foot long and keep off the Morning and Evening Sun so that this Plain lies shaded all the day long In this shady place is a Moat of about twenty or thirty Foot deep extending from the one Arm of the Bank to the other In the midst of Winter when it Freezes hardest they Plough this Plain which lies open to the Northern Winds full of small Furrows about three or four Fingers deep and so letting in the Water overflow it which in one Night freezing to the bottom is the next Morning before the rising of the Sun thrown into the Moat and Water pour'd upon it to make it condense the harder and this Practice they continue for a whole Moneth together or longer till the Moat is fill'd to the top with Ice then they cover it with Straw to prevent the melting thereof by the heat of the Sun and to keep it from Rain In the Summer this Ice being broken with Pick-axes is carry'd through the City to be sold on Horses or Mules two or three pieces being a sufficient Burthen The Ice being broken with a Hammer into greater or lesser pieces is either put into the Vessel with the Wine or into the Cups when they drink They also lay pieces of Ice in their Dishes with Fruit and other Cates which is very pleasing to the Eye especially if that which lies under the Ice appears through it The King's Dishes Urns and Drinking-Cups which he uses at his Table are all of massie Gold The Chans and other Nobles have their Pilao or Rice colour'd black and yellow and made savory with Herbs or else dulcifi'd with Sugar brought on their Tables also in Gold and Silver Dishes The Government of the peculiar Provinces How the Provinces are Govern'd ALl the Provinces in Persia which are remote from the King's Court are Govern'd by Chans Sultans Calenters Darago's Visiers and Caucha's The King chuses the Chans who are as much as Princes or Vice-Roys and makes them Governors of what Provinces he pleases but commonly he elects them who by their valiant Exploits Piety or other noble Vertues have gain'd the love of their Countrey wherefore many in hopes to attain to that Honor behave themselves very valiantly in any Engagement and desperately venture their Lives for the Title of Chan. But the Children of those who are thus chosen Inherit not amongst the Persians for though they are held in great Respect and enjoy their Father's Goods yet they are not honor'd with his Title nor succeed him in his Office except they are judg'd worthy thereof by their own Merits But Della Valle tells us that the King gives the Dignity of Chan to one of his Subjects not onely for his Life but also permits his Children to succeed him after his Death and that there are Families found that have enjoy'd this Title above two hundred years As soon as the King hath made any one a Chan he immediately gives him Lands and Men to support his Grandeur which he enjoys as long as he lives but if at any time he chance to be suspected by the King he is immediately turn'd out of his Employment and all his Goods seiz'd Each Province hath a Chan and a Calenter who resides in the Metropolis thereof The Chan being the King's Vice-Roy Executes the Law doth Justice to all and passes Sentence of Death on Criminals without any special Order from the Court. The chiefest Chan is he who Governs Sciras the Metropolis of the Province of Persia properly so call'd who is able to bring an Army of thirty thousand Men into the Field the Countrey which he Commands being said to be bigger than Portugal The Calenter is as a Collector or Treasurer of the Province gathering all the Revenues and giving an Account thereof either to the King or Chans A Darugo or Darago otherwise Hacom is like a Governor or Mayor of a City every City having one A Caucha is as much as an under Sheriff The Equipage of Ambassadors The King usually sends the Chans and Sultans as Agents to foreign Princes and fits them out after this manner viz. The King orders them to give great Presents to those Princes unto whom they are sent of which the one half is given out of the King's Treasury and the other part as also all other Necessaries the Province which the Chan Governs is to provide which often causes great disturbance and confusion In some Provinces the Chans must maintain a certain number of Soldiers for the King which besides their own must be ready for Service on all occasions but then the King receivs no Tribute from them The Chans make great Presents to the King The Chans commonly on New-years-day make great Presents to the King Some Provinces especially where there are no Chans but onely Darago's and therefore no Soldiers kept as in the Towns of Caswin Ispahan
which they travell'd always Entertain'd them at a Banquet on which they spent above twenty or thirty Talents They generally Din'd alone but sometimes their Wives and Children were permitted to sit with them at their Table as also the Kings Mother and Brothers If the King invited any to eat with him they sat with a Curtain drawn between them in such a manner that the King could see them and not be seen again King Cyrus as Xenophon observ'd plac'd those in whom he repos'd greatest confidence on his left and others on his right side because they say the left side lies more open to those that design to do Mischief than the right But these Entertainments were without freedom because the Guests were forc'd to cat with bowing Heads and cast-down Eyes The Kings never appear'd on foot to the People but always came out of the Palaces either in a Coach or else on Horseback Their care in visiting their Provinces They were wont to visit their several Provinces or else to send faithful Lieutenants to such Places where they could not go themselves to give order to all Husbandmen to let no Ground lie waste that the Merchants should promote their Traffick and Handicraftsmen be diligent in following their Employments that so they might be the better able to pay them their Tribute They also kept several Noblemen call'd Megistanes who always waited at their Doors to receive their Commands besides the Surene or Magistrate who set the Crown on the Kings Head and several who constantly attended to receive Ambassadors or all such as had Business with the King into whose Presence they could not be permitted without them Great numbers of Eunuchs were also kept at the Kings Court who attended on the Queens and Concubines The Kings Secretaries The Kings likewise kept their Secretaries who going into the Wars with them writ down all the Passages thereof as also the Edicts or Letters Patents which were given to the Governors the beginning whereof were to this effect The King saith thus Moreover when he writ to his Commanders he wish'd them Peace as also they to him His Letters were not onely written in one Language but in the several Languages of those People whom they Govern'd There were also some whose Office it was to tell the King the hour of the day and many other such like Officers amongst whom were some call'd The Eyes and Ears of the King Those Kings that liv'd lasciviously endeavor'd to die without pain by means of a Poyson which they kept onely for themselves and their Mothers This Poyson was made of the Dung of a small Indian Bird call'd Dicodre a piece whereof about the bigness of a Barley-corn being put into their Liquor caus'd them to die an easie and also a sudden Death They had stately Tombs at Persepolis Their Tombs Pasargades and Ecbatane on all which were Motto's and Inscriptions Engraven Education of their Sons The Kings Sons were highly reverenc'd and taught in the seventh year of their Age to Hunt and Ride the great Horse The eldest who was to succeed in the Throne was in his fourteenth year committed to the Charge of four Tutors who amongst the Persians were accounted the most wise just sober and valiant Men in their Dominions the first taught him Wisdom and the Rules of Government the second admonished him to affect Truth the third to curb the Desires of the Flesh and the fourth to fear nothing The Reward of approved Counsel If it hapned that any Man undertook to give the King Advice or Counsel in Business of great consequence he was plac'd on a square Cushion of Gold which he was permitted to carry away with him if his Advice was approv'd of but if not he was whipt about the Court. One of the Gentlemen of the Bed-Chamber wak'd the King every Morning and desir'd him to rise and mind the Concerns of the Kingdom which the God Merosomasdes had given to him They themselves judg'd and determin'd Causes pass'd the Sentence of Death on Criminals whom they kept some time in Prison before they were Executed They never condemn'd any Man for one single Crime but enquir'd what the general course of his Life had been and if they found that he had done more good than bad Deeds they releas'd him but if otherwise he was punish'd They also chose their Judges out of the most experienc'd Men in the Persian Law who enjoy'd their Places during their Lives What their Law prohibited Their Laws forbad Stealing Burglary to use violence to any and to rebell against their Princes Malefactors were committed to Prison with silver Shackles and golden Handbolts In the latâ—er time of the Persian Monarchy they had a Prison call'd Lethe into which were onely put Criminals that were condemn'd to die The Punishment of Nobles If any of their Nobility had committed a a Crime they de-oculated them but others were punish'd after another manner They cut not their Heads off with an Ax but a Rasor Sometimes they cut off the Head and right Hand of a Malefactor and nail'd them on a Cross others they burnt flay'd alive or ston'd to death Such as have many Children highly rewarded The King gave Gifts to all those that increas'd their Families by many Children and Registred the Names of those that at any time had done them good Service that when time and opportunity serv'd they might be requited nay they permitted them to sit by them kiss'd them and gave them a Silk Coat made after the fashion of the Medes and gave them leave to wear a Chain of Gold about their Necks and golden Armlets also a golden Simiter which is the greatest Mark of Honor amongst the Persians and as highly reverenc'd as the Star and Garter by us besides golden Reyns for their Horses They also gave them the Revenue of some Towns and the Command of an Army but the greatest of all his Royal Gifts was a golden Slipper The Division of the Countrey The whole Kingdom was divided into Satrapia's Counties or Lordships though Writers differ in the number of them for as some affirm Darius divided the same first into 360 Lordships over which three more principal Satrapae were plac'd Others write that Darius had onely a hundred and twelve Satrapia's or Lordships whose Governors were forc'd to give an Account of their Government to the first three Some also make more and others less But after the Parthians had made themselves Masters of Persia they divided the whole Realm into twenty Satrapia's several of them being Govern'd by one Person These Lordships were given to the Kings Sons and the King often in his Will gave all the Cities thereof to his youngest Son The Office of these Governors was to Command the Inhabitants protect their Goods gather in the Revenues and advise the King of all Transactions Besides these Governors of Countreys there were others who order'd Husbandmen Tradesmen and other People to be
whom the Great Mogol is displeas'd The Skins of the foremention'd Chans being stuff'd were hung on a high Pole erected near the Maidan and their Flesh thrown to the Dogs Soon after which the King caus'd their Wives and Children to be Beheaded and sent out Soldiers to kill their Relations which dwelt up and down in the Countrey which was accordingly perform'd and their Heads brought before the King The Court Splendor Magnificence and Riches of the Great Mogol THe Ancient Seat of the Mogol Kings was at Deli but King Ecbar remov'd his Court to Agra and by reason of the loss of his two Sons there built another Magnificent Palace and call'd the same Pateful or Fatefur Since the Conquering of the Kingdom of Lahor the Metropolis thereof being of the same denomination with the Kingdom was chose to be the Royal Seat of the Kings Texeira tells us That the King spends one part of the Year in the City Lahor and the other in Agra the two eminentest Cities of the Kingdom and in the Heart of Indostan Others affirm That the City Agra is the Chief Residence of the King in the Winter besides which he hath several other Towns and Fortresses wherein he resides in the Summer Season viz. from the latter end of March till the beginning of August sometimes at Gasmir sometimes at Cabul and sometimes in Mandoa The King's Houses are generally built of Marble or white Alabaster and the Wall 's inlaid with Gold The Description of the Mogols Court at Lahor The Court at Lahor is seated in a very delightful place near the River Zunnenena being inclos'd within a fair Freestone Wall on which are mounted several Guns On that side which is towards the City it hath a Gate or Entrance before which is a spacious Quadrangular Plain on which the most eminent Traders keep their Shops On each side of the Gate is a huge Elephant cut in Stone where stand several Centinels About half a Mile inwards from the Gate you come to the Namchas or the Court where the King appears daily to his Subjects which being a large Place is built round with Lodgings for the Amurouwen or Nobles who stay in them till the King comes to his Throne when every one of them must appear before him standing in their several Places The King's Throne is first encompass'd with a large Wooden Rail within which stand all the Servants with Wooden Clubs and within this Rail is another of Silver about which stand the Kings Guards clad in red Cloth embroyder'd with Gold and Arm'd with Swords Shields and Silver Truncheons Within this Rail lie many rich Golden Quilts In the midst of the Square stands the Throne rais'd about a Mans height from the Ground and is of massy Gold emboss'd with Precious Stones and richly enamell'd As to what concerns the Kings Attendance at Court it is very Magnificent and exceeds all the other Eastern Princes The Persons which wait upon him daily are 12000 in number besides 1200 Concubines and 600 Eunuchs which he buying as Slaves trains them up in all manner of Warlike Exercises so to enable them to serve him on any occasion t' Hof vanden grooten Mogol Assafchan Lord of twelve thousand Horse on an Elephant Matemetchan Lord of five thousand Horse Assaletchan Lord of four thousand Horse Chalilchan Lord of three thousand Horse Serrendas Bhadux Lord of two thousand Horse Mocker Metchan and Jufferchan each of them Lord of five thousand Horse The Contelwael of the Army Lord of a thousand Horse Zabberdeischan Lord of a thousand Horse Chaine Waschan and Terbiatchan each of them Lord of three thousand Horse The King 's second Son Sultan Siousa Lord of twenty five thousand Horse accompany'd by the following Noblemen ziz Zatschan Lord of five thousand Horse Ragia Siessing Commander of seven thousand Horse Nosebetchan Lord of three thousand Horse Ragia Ammersing Lord of five thousand Horse All which were to meet with these Lords following about Candahar viz. Noosserichan Commander of seven thousand Horse Chanchan and Chamia Statchan each Commanders of seven thousand Horse Vasuerchan and Zeldchan each Commanding five thousand Horse A Ragia Governor of Candahar Commander of ten thousand Horse besides many other Grandees as well Ragias as Eunuchs of great Command The King's Train Behind the King came about a hundred and fifty Elephants with Blunderbusses and Field-Pieces fastned in little Towers on their Backs then came a great number of Soldiers carrying several Fire-works as also a mighty Train of Horse and Foot and the Eunuchs of Zackebbegem the King's Daughter famous for her Beauty sitting in a Chair which being cover'd with Cloth of Gold and rich Embroidery was carry'd on the Backs of two Elephants accompany'd by four hundred Ladies on Horseback and in Sedans besides sixty of seventy Elephants which in Houses cover'd with Sarsanet carry'd also many Ladies of Honor Before the King's Children came several hundreds of Horses richly caparison'd with golden Saddles and Bridles beset with Diamonds Rubies and Saphires the rest with silver Saddles and Bridles next follow'd sixty or seventy Elephants with the King's Standards and golden Caparisons then came twenty Wayns with four Wheels and a hundred with two as also fifty Palakins and Sedans all richly cover'd The King's Baggage was laden on several hundreds of Wayns Camels and Mules besides three hundred Elephants which carry'd the Tents and Ammunition Upon the King's coming to Lahor the Chancellor Asselchan dying Issalamchan Lord of five thousand Horse and Governor of Bengala being chosen in his stead went on the tenth of September through Agra to Lahor There also dy'd Matemetchan General of the King's Horse which Office he gave to the Duke of Asselletchan The King not long after sent for his second Son Sultan Siousa from Candahar to Lahor whe he was no sooner come but he had the Government of the great and little Kingdoms of Bengala given him whither he went with Hastchan a Commander of five thousand Horse After his departure the King went with his whole Army to Cabul but without effecting any thing At the same time the Mogol sent an Ambassador to the Tartar with an exceeding rich Present valu'd at thirty six thousand pound in return for which he sent an Agent with forty or fifty lame Horses seventy starv'd Camels and a hundred Sheep whereby it appear'd how little he regarded the Mogol The splendor King Choram's Court King Choram kept an incomparable splendid Court his Dishes Basons Urns Kitchin Utensils Candlesticks which ten Men were scarce able to carry the Poles which supported his Tents the Palakins the Houses on the Elephants Bridles and Stirrups for the Horses Sedans and Chariots of his Concubines Bedsteads and many other things being all of Gold and beset with Diamonds Rubies Emeraulds Pearls and other Precious Stones This King also wore an Armlet of Diamonds valu'd at ten Tuns of Gold the biggest thereof weighing above a hundred and twenty Carracks was ground oval and
King of Bisnagar and the Northern by the King of Sceherberder Those that afterwards came to be the Chief Princes thereof were formerly but mean Officers who took the Dominion of their Supreme Lords upon them and dividing the Countrey amongst themselves Govern'd as Absolute Princes over their several Territories not owning any Person to be above them Amongst all these Princes the Chiefest were the Kings of Decan Golconda and Telengone who lay nearest to the Mogol's Countrey possess'd large Territories and were able to bring great Armies into the Field Adil Schiach a King of Golconda having an Army of a hundred thousand Men. The King of Persia was generally in a League with all the three and they often corresponded by Ambassadors and Presents and were always in Amity one with another which Leagues they maintain'd onely to be the better able to resist the Mogol whose Power they dreaded exceedingly The signification of Chan. These three Princes were formerly call'd Nizam Chan Adil Chan and Cutb Chan for Chan among the Turks hath the same signification with Meleck or Malack which signifies King in the Arabick after the same manner as Schach among the Persians And in regard these three Languages are very common amongst the Moors therefore they use these Words without distinction But it seems that the then reigning Princes have since laid aside the Names of Meleck and Chan and taken upon them that of Schach that is King which they like best as being newer and better agreeing with their Authority wherefore they have lately been call'd Nizam Schach Cutb Schach and Adil Schach But at last all these peculiar Princes and Kings besides many other Governors in India were one after another reduc'd under the Mogol's Jurisdiction The Extract and Descent of the Mogol Kings The Great Mogol from whom descended THe present Great Mogol and his Predecessors boast their Descent from Tamerlane or rather from one of his Nephews or Grand-children But after what manner this hapned deserves to be declar'd here at large When the Mogols whose greatest or most powerful part were by a peculiar Name call'd Giagatynse or Zagatayse Tataas or Tartars dwelling South-east beyond the Mountain Imaus had brought all the other Tartars or Scythians for so they were anciently call'd especially the Eastem by the Conduct of the General Amochtan Chan under subjection he having setled his Dominion took upon him the Title of Chingiz or Tzingiz and was the first that had the Sirname of Great Chan which was about the Year of our Lord 1214. This Tzingiz Chan drawing out his Army consisting of four hundred thousand Horse after a peculiar manner viz. into Parties of eleven thousand one hundred and ten in each Company the one part he order'd to march towards the East and the other towards the West where falling upon China Machina and Catay he conquer'd the powerful King of the Chorasmians Gelalodan Another Expedition After this Anno 1224. he made another Expedition to Catay though with the loss of many of his Men three Years after which he dying was succeeded by his third Son Ocotay Chan or Octay Cahon who by Abraham Zacuth is call'd The King of the Catayans He being setled in his Dominions by Laws Arms and Conquest also died and was succeeded by his Son Gayung Chan who likewise Reigning but a short time was with the consent of the Princes and Supreme Governors succeeded by Mango Chan who being Nephew to Tzingiz Chan was chosen Emperor Anno 1255 he sent his Brother Hulako Chan with an Army beyond the River Oxus to Assyria to compleat the Conquest whereof he took Bagdad or Babylon and destroy'd all the Inhabitants thereof in the space of seven days and here fell Mustasem the thirty fifth Calif or Emperor of the Abbasidas After the death of Mango Chan his youngest Brother Coblai Chan was Crown'd in his stead After the expiration of four years Prince Hulako Chan eldest Brother to Mango Chan also dying left his Son Abgai Chan to Govern the Western parts of his Dominions being Media and Assyria Next Coblai Chan Temur Chan Nephew to Coblai and youngest Son to Mango Chan succeeded in the Throne All these six Chans or Princes Govern'd over Cathay and China besides a great many other Countreys The eleventh was Buzengir Chan or Bugancan the original or first Parent of the Mogol Kings and Father to the famous Temur Chan by some call'd Teimurlang and Tamerlane that is Teimur the Decrepit or Maimed This Tamerlane the thirteenth in order from Chingiz Chan who dy'd on the Mogol's Borders at a Place call'd Anzar Anno 1403 had four Sons viz. John Guyr who being the eldest dy'd a year before his Father and left two Sons the one call'd Mahumed Sultan and the other Pyr Mahumed the last of whom succeeded Tamerlane in the Kingdoms of Oaznehem and India and being afterwards slain by Pyr Aly left a Son call'd Abusaid The second Son of Tamerlane nam'd Hamar Xeque being Governor of Persia was in his Father's time kill'd in a Wood belonging to Chormatu now call'd Cormawata in Orestan The third nam'd Mirunxa succeeded his Father in Governing of the Countreys of Hierack Aderbajon and the Lands extending to Damas he was slain by Cara Issuf Anno 1401. or as others say Anno 1407. This Mirunxa had two Sons viz. Homar Lord of Bagdad was taken by his Brother but at last getting his Liberty he conquer'd him and became King of Tabris or Tebris Not long after which he was defeated by Cara Issuf in the Year 1407. and forc'd to flie first to Corman and afterwards to Siston from whence coming the next year with a great Army he was kill'd The fourth Son to Tamerlane being Myrza Xarack always accompanying his Father succeeded him in the Throne Abusaid succeeding his Father Pyr Mahumed Son to John Guyr conquer'd Myrza Adulla King of Maurenahar of whose Kingdom he became Master in the Year 1452. After the death of Abusaid his Son Myrza Sultan Hamed became King of Maurenahar and having Reign'd twenty eight years dy'd Anno 1495. Myrzah Babor Nephew to Hamed inheriting the Kingdom of Maurenahar was driven thence by Xaybeck Chan King of Usbeck in the Year 1500. and forc'd to flie to Garnehem and from thence into India where he setled himself and after a Reign of thirty eight years dy'd An. 1532. leaving two Sons Hamayon Myrza and Camoran who were both created Kings after his Death This Myrza Babor is by some as Peruschi call'd Baburxa who drove the Patanes from Indostan of which they had made themselves Masters and forc'd them to flie to the Isles before the Bay of Bengala After Babor's Death Hamayon Myrza obtaining the best and richest Kingdom of India kept a Vice-Roy call'd Xyrcan who mutinying maintain'd War against him and forc'd him to desert his Kingdom and flie to Persia where King Schach Tamas Son to Ismael Reigning at that time lent him twelve thousand choice Soldiers under the Command of Byrancam who
Garden Fruit. Barley mix'd with chopt Straw serves in all those Eastern Countreys the Horses in stead of Oats there growing none here Candahar often changes its Lords The Territory of Candahor hath many strong holds viz. Calabust on the Borders of Persia Samandower lying between Calabust and Candahar and many others The Countrey and City of Candahar lying between Persia and the Mogol's Realm often changes its Lord being one day under the Jurisdiction of the Persians and another under the Mogols though at present under the first and hath in this later Age been the occasion of a great War between the Mogols and Persians Ananias from the information of a Persian call'd Anvadat saith that the King of Balassy first gave this Countrey to the Persian for assisting him against the Mogollans and Tartars yet Jarrick tells us that the King of Candahar whom he calls Candazar gave his Realm to the Great Mogol when he was not able to defend it any longer against Abduxan King of Usbeck The King of Persia himself pretends in a Letter written to the Chans of Sciras that the Province of Candahar always belong'd to the Crown of Persia and that the Mogol had unjustly taken it from him which is confirm'd by F. Bernier who saith that the Mogol King Ecbar taking Candahar from the Persians by force kept the same during his Life When it became subject to the Great Mogol and its several vicissitudes Anno 1618. the City of Candahar became subject to the Great Mogol for the Persian Governor thereof whether out of dislike to the Persian Government or whether Brib'd with a great Sum of Money selling the Countrey and Garrisons to the Great Mogol entred into his Service according to the Examples of other Persians Chorazans and Usbecks who Listed themselves in the foremention'd Prince's Service The Persian hath often demanded the same again by Ambassadors as in the Year 1622. a little before it was re-taken by Schach Abbas King of Persia who march'd thither some Months before with a mighty Army to Fight against the Great Mogol According to the Letter which the King sent to his Peers the City Candahar was not taken by violence but the Townsmen surrendred themselves and most of the Inhabitants de serted the same with all their Goods because they were sensible that the City could not be defended against so vast an Army there being not above eight hundred in it After this Candahar fell again into the hands of Schach Jehan not by force of Arms but by means of the Governor Alimerdancan who also surrendred himself he having before been suspected of Treason by the King of Persia who had sent for him to give an Account of his Transactions Anno 1649. in February the Fortress Candahar after a Siege of forty days and discharging of many great Guns which made two Breaches in the City Walls was taken again by Schach Abbas the Second The Indostans had not surrendred the Fort so soon had they not wanted Provisions and Gunpowder It is a wonder that this Fortress of Candahar standing on the Borders of two mighty Kingdoms and having been so often contested for was not better furnish'd with Ammunition and Provisions but perhaps the Mogol suppos'd that his Ambassadors whom Schach Abbas put off with Delays would have concluded a Peace the Soldiers in Garrison else fighting very valiantly insomuch that they could not be discern'd to abate any thing of their courage notwithstanding the foremention'd want After the conquering of the City a Persian Horseman or Quizilbasci was commanded to stand upon the Guard without the Gate till such time as all the Indostan Soldiers were come out of the fame as a testimony of the Persians Victory against the Indostans he was Accoutred in this manner viz. On his Back hung a Tyger's Skin on his Head in stead of a Turbant he wore a round Copper Helmet with a Plume of Feathers hanging down behind on both sides of the same in his Hand he held a Truncheon On the fifth day after the Conquest the Indostan Soldiers march'd out of the City to Cabul lying eight days Journey from Candahar They were according to the Agreement not allow'd to take any thing with them more than what each Man could carry on his Horse and not without being search'd because some things were forbidden them to meddle with The Citizens for the most part promising to be obedient to the King of Persia staid in the Town Myrub Chan who had conquer'd the Fortress Bust was made Governor of Candahar and charg'd on pain of Death to be very careful in the preservation of it After Schach Abbas had conquer'd the City and Fortress of Candahar and given order for repairing of the demolish'd Walls he went with his Army back to the City of Herat. Some days after Myrub Chan the new-made Governor of Candahar sent a flying Post to the King to inform him That it was certainly reported the Mogol was coming towards Candahar with six hundred thousand Men and that one of his Sons was already entred into the City Cabul with ten thousand Men which being affirm'd by several Messengers that came one after another the King sent his Chans back with the Army immediately to Candahar where the Persians in good order expected the Mogol to give him Battel The Mogol's Army coming thither three days after Encamp'd at first about half a Mile distant from the Persians whilst the Trumpets sounding the Indostans with loud shouts fell in amongst their Troops which consisted most in Oxen and some ordinary Tartarian Horses the Persian Horses being too dear for a common Mogol Trooper to buy The Battel being very fierce at first the Persians behav'd themselves very valiantly and when their Reserve came up with them they unawares fell upon both Wings of the Enemy breaking their Ranks and killing their General who had behav'd himself nobly but ventur'd too far amongst the Persians and putting them to flight kill'd great numbers of them in the pursuit yet there were about six thousand Persian and not above two thousand Indostans slain in this Battel The Indostans left all their Ammunition and Provisions to the disposal of the Persians whilst the Mogol having no mind to adventure any farther march'd back with his Army The Persian Chans leaving half their Army before Candahar Encamp'd themselves before the City and march'd back to Herat with the other half Candahar Besieged Whilst the Persians possess'd Candahar it was twice Besieg'd in vain by the Mogol Schach Jehan the first time it escap'd being taken partly by ill Conduct and private Correspondence of the Persian Omrahs that were in the Mogol's Service and the most eminent at his Court and partly by the Respect they bare to their native Prince for they all behav'd themselves very ill and would not follow the Raja Roup who had already planted his Standards on the Walls towards the side of the Mountains The second time it was hapned not to be taken
They make them of two several sorts of Stuffs namely Inland Wooll which is much softer than the Spanish and another sort of Wooll or rather Hair call'd Touz which grows on the Breasts of wild Goats which breed in Tibet These last are much dearer than the first the Hair of Beaver not exceeding it in softness but it is very subject to Moths and Worms if not beaten and air'd They are much worn by the great Omrahs who give for some of them a hundred nay a hundred and fifty Ropias each Ropia being 2 s. 2 d. whenas those made of Inland Wooll cost not above fifty It is said that the King of Caximir Govern'd formerly over all the Mountains which extend to Tartary and over all Indostan quite to the Island of Ceilon The Histories of this Countrey make mention that the Dominions of the Raja of Gamon Cachguer and Serenaguer were anciently under the Jurisdiction of this Kingdom the Inhabitants whereof were all Heathens till about three hundred years ago that the Mahumetan Religion was instituted so that the greatest part are now Saracens Caximir conquer'd by the Mogol To prevent all Invasions the Great Mogol keeps four thousand Soldiers in Caximir which was formerly a Kingdom by it self and was Govern'd by an absolute King who pay'd Tribute to none till Anno 1665. that Ecbar conquer'd the Countrey at a time when the Inhabitants were at Difference and maintain'd War one against another for otherwise he could never have master'd it because Caximir is the most powerful of all the neighboring Kingdoms At present Caximir is Govern'd by a Vice-Roy of the Great Mogol's The present Governor is call'd Diaretcan sent thither by Oranchzef Moreover the Great Mogol Ecbar took this Countrey by force from the last King Justef Chan after the following manner viz. When Ecbar was about to conquer the Kingdom of Maurenahar and the King of Caximir lying between was preparing to prevent him he sent Alli Myrza to tell him that he should immediately come to Lahor and bring his Son with him where he should be well Entertain'd and receiv'd with as much kindness as could be expected from a neighboring Prince and Friend who would leave him in quiet possession of his Countrey and assure him of his Fidelity but if he resolv'd to hazard his Fortunes on an uncertain War he would not onely drive him out of his Realm but also make him his Slave and banish his Son The King of Caximir affrighted with these Threatnings surrendred himself immediately to Ecbar But Jacob Chan his Son who was not able to brook this Oppression fled and was immediately followed by so many Friends that he had Strength sufficient to drive the Indians out of his Fathers Kingdom and caus'd himself to be proclaim'd King yet he enjoy'd the benefit belonging to that Title not long for Ecbar being exceedingly enrag'd at his rebelling sent Ally Myrza and Cassem Chan with thirty thousand Men against him with Command to give him Battel But the young Prince not daring to Engage with such unequal Forces fled into the high Mountains of Bunkery whither Cassem Chan pursuing him by the guidance of some of the Natives made himself Master of all the Mountains and forc'd Jacob Chan to flie to Serenaguer where in a short time after he was Besieged and though the Place was very strong and he had Men enough he was forc'd to surrender himself and being bound Hand and Foot was carry'd to Indostan The Territories of Banchish Jangapore and Jenba Their Situation and Bounds THe Territory of Banchish lies Eastward a little Southerly from Chismeer from whence it is separated by the River Indus it borders Northward upon the People Cackares and Southerly at Jangapore The chief City thereof is call'd Bishur The Province of Jangapore lies on the Stream Caul one of the five Rivers which water Penjab It hath Siba on the East Banchish on the North Jenba on the South and Penjab on the West The Territory of Jenba Eastward from Penjab hath Jangapore on the North Nagracat on the East and Dely on the South The Metropolis thereof is Jenba The Countrey is very mountainous The Kingdom of Dely. Situation and Limits THe Kingdom or Province of Dely or Delly is by Terry call'd Dellee and by others Dely which signifies A Heart because it lies in the heart of the Mogol's Dominions and as Terry saith between Jenba and Agra Maginus places this Kingdom between those of Decan Narsinga Orixa and Cambaya and extending about the Province of Narsinga is separated from the Kingdom of Cambaya by great Mountains The River Jeming running along one side thereof serves for a Moat over which a Bridge with ten Arches leads into the City The ancient Metropolis being also call'd Dely was once a fair and large City and the Seat and Burying-place of the Mogol Emperors who afterwards remov'd from thence to the new-built Dely. Its Glory consisted in many Tombs in which above twenty great Kings and Lords lie buried The superstitious Indians flock thither in Pilgrimage It hath plenty of all things and was anciently the Seat of King Porus who near this Place was conquer'd by Alexander the Great when he came to Invade him with Elephants and abundance of Horses Three Leagues from the City on a place call'd Old Dely where King Homayon Father to Ecbar lies buried stands a great Marble Pillar or Pyramid which having a Greek Inscription is the greatest Remark in all the Province notwithstanding the Letters are almost worn out with age About fifty years ago Schach Jehan Father to the present Great Mogol Oranchzef causing a City to be built not far from Old Dely call'd it Schach Jehan Abad that is The Peopling of Schach Jeham and made the same the Metropolis of the Realm in stead of Agra where he said the Heat was too great in Summer Jehan Abad 2 new City how seated By reason of the nearness of the two foremention'd Places the Ruins of the old City hath serv'd for the new one and there is at present scarce any mention made of Dely but altogether of Jehan Abad which is a new City lying in a barren Field on the Banks of the River Jemna and built onely along one side of the Stream there being but one Bridge over the same which is laid cross several Hulks It is quite unwall'd on that side which respects the Water The Walls are of Stone yet not very tenible or defensive there being no Moats nor any Breastworks but round Towers after the old fashion about a hundred Paces distant from one another and behind them a Mud Wall about four or five Foot thick The circumference of the Wall with the Castle which is inclos'd in the same is about two Leagues and a half but if you include a long Suburb which runs to Lahor and being a Rellick of the old Dely is inhabited it will make above a League in a direct Line and a Circumference which cannot justly
call'd Banda or Dando but by Della Valle Danda Rajiapori Near this lies the City Ziffardan or Zeferdani the utmost Limits of the Kingdom of Decan In the same Tract towards Banda is a Bay call'd Kelsi the Country on the South side whereof is very Mountainous In Decan is also a City call'd Petan or Patan which produceth abundance of fine Callico The Country of Decan is very fertile producing all things in great plenty and agrees in most things with that of Cuncan and the Inhabitants also agree in their Constitutions Habits and manner of Living Wherefore we will here give an accout of them promiscuously and at large The Air at Chaul is more hot than cold The Soil thereabouts plentifully produces all things except Raisins Nuts and Chess-nuts Oxen Cows and Horses are here in great numbers The Inhabitants of Decan are call'd Decanyns as those of Cuncan Cuncanyns After what manner the Countries of Decan Ballagate and Cuncan or Visiagour which were formerly under the Jurisdiction of one Prince are become subject to several Lords I shall here give this brief Account About three hundred years since the King of Dely brought all the neighboring Kingdoms but particularly those of Decan Cuncan and Ballagate and the Country of Goa under his Subjection At the same time when the Country of Cambaye was conquer'd by the Mahumetans who treated the Reisboutes Inhabitants or the Country very tyrannically The Kingdoms of Ballagate and Decan were formerly govern'd by Heathen Kings and inhabited by a mighty People of which the Venasars and Collers the present Inhabitants are Successors They joyn themselves with the Reisboutes and commit many Robberies forcing Tribute from the Inhabitants of Decan and Ballagate without being punish'd for the same by their King After the King of Dely had made these Conquests the Mogols took up Arms and made themselves Masters of the greatest part of Dely. About the same time there was an eminent Lord of Bengale who to revenge himself of his King for putting his Bother to death unjustly bereav'd him both of his Crown and Life and afterwards fell into Dely forc'd the Mogols to fly and at the same time made himself Master of all the Country of Ballagate and Cuncan extending to the Borders of Cambaye But he not being capable of Governing so many Countries and being also desirous of qâ—iet resolvâ—d to return back to Bengale and committed the Care of Governing the Kingdoms of Decan Ballagate and Cuncan to one of his Nephews who being a Lover of Strangers divided those Countries amongst several Lords of divers Nations as Arabians Turks Rumeans and Corasons giving to one whom the Portuguese call'd Idalcan the Country of Cuncan otherwise call'd Visiapour or Gingive lying eight Leagues from Goa He also gave to one of his Captains nam'd Nizzamaluko the Country of Siffardan which extends it self six Leagues to the North along the Coast of Negotana He divided the Kingdom of Ballagate into Provinces and gave one part thereof to Imademaluko another to Coralmaluko and a third to Melik Vervide But all these immediately rebell'd against their Lord and Benefactor and marching to the Metropolis Beder took the King Prisoner committing him to the custody of Melik Vervide They also procured several other Heathen Princes to joyn with them in this Conspiracy amongst whom were Mohade Koja and Veriche who possess'd rich Countries replenish'd with Towns and Villages Amohade got the Cities Visiapour Solapor and Paranda lying near Goa but not long after the City Paranda was taken by Nizzamaluko and Salapor fell into the Hands of Idalcan who was also call'd Sabayo that is Lord. He possess'd the Island Goa of which the Portuguese afterwards made themselves Masters His House or Palace stands yet at Goa but is now converted to a House of Inquisition The Place lying between the Great Church and the said House bears the Name of Sabayo Idalcan who Reign'd Anno 1535. was Grandson to one of those foremention'd Kings After this Division thus made there was a Quarrel between Idalcan and the King of Narsinga his Neighbor who by his Power subduing Idalcan and the other Kings of Decan made them Tributaries to him But in process of time Idalcan or his Successors subdu'd all those Countries which were possess'd by peculiar Kings or Lords except that of Melik which the Mogol had conquer'd F. Bernier relates That all this great Island of Hindoslan reckoning from the Bay of Cambay to that of Bengale near Jagannate and from thence to the Cape of Comori was all some Mountainous Parts onely excepted about two hundred years agoe under one particular Lord or King who was a very great and Powerful Prince But at present it is divided into many Dominions and the People are likewise of several Religions The Reason of this Division was as followeth A certain Raja or King nam'd Ramras the last of those which Reign'd absolute in this Country imprudently promoted three of his Slaves to too great Dignities by making them Governors viz. The first he made Governor of a great part of that Country which the Mogol at present possesses in Decan round about Daulet-Abad from Bider Paranda and Surratte to Narbadar To the second he gave the Government of all those Countries which are now comprehended in the Kingdom of Visiapour and to the third that Part which is known by the name of the Kingdom of Golconda These three Slaves growing very Rich and Powerful and being supported by many Mogols which were in the Service of Ramras and of the same Religion with the Persians agreed together to rebell against and kill their Lord and Benefactor which having effected they return'd into their several Dominions each of them taking upon him the Title of Schah or King The Successors of Ramras finding themselves not able to engage in a War against these Usurpers were content to retire and seat themselves in a Place call'd Carnateck or Bisnaguer where to this day they Reign as Rajas or Kings The three Slaves and their Successors defended their Kingdoms very valiantly so long as they agreed among themselves and assisting one another maintain'd great Wars against the Mogols but when they went about to defend their several Countries they were immediately sensible of their Division to their great prejudice being soon after reduc'd under the Subjection of the Mogols Decan belong'd formerly to a peculiar King but is at present Govern'd by one of the Great Mogol's Vice-Roys The Great Mogol Akebar or Ecbar was the first which conquer'd the Kingdom or Country of Decan He sent his Son Sultan Morad Anno 1595. against Melik Amber Vice-Roy of Decan to whom belong'd formerly the City of Chaul who setting forth from Cambaye as being the nearest Place to this Province was kill'd with many of his Officers After this in the Year 1598. he sent one of his youngest Sons to maintain the Wars against Melik and revenge the Death of Sultan Morad And soon after he follow'd in his own Person
the King's Grandfathers Seal The right Coronation of their Kings is perform'd at Chirer Ridder a principal Place in the Realm of Visiapour When the old King lay a dying Chan Channa was sent for to him by the Queen who being come the Queen told the King Here is Chan Channa but she receiv'd no Answer Soon after Fettechan being also call'd thither the Queen spoke to the King saying The Lord Fettechan is also here present but the King not answering lift up his Eyes and departed this life which when Fettechan perceiv'd he threw himself after many mournful Expressions on the Ground and shew'd great signs of sorrow The young King was committed to the Care and Government of Chan Channa being the second Person in the Realm whilst Fettechan sorrowfully repair'd to his House where he mourn'd eight days for the King's death no Man being able in that time to perswade him to come to Court notwithstanding the new King had several times invited him But at last Chan Channa sent him word That it was then no time to mourn the King's death any longer That there was a necessity for him to make his appearance before the new King which if he again refus'd to do he should be necessitated himself to fetch him and to bring him before his Majesty Upon which Message Fettechan made his appearance before the King and in all humility fell down at his Feet but was immediately taken up and embrac'd by the new-Crown'd Prince The Queen sitting â—ll this while silent behind a Curtain at last spoke thus to Fettechan Why would you obscure your self in this juncture of time when your Presence is so much requir'd in all Business 'T is true here wants no Counsel but we cannot in these dangerous times repose any Confidence in them Whereupon the young King added You must banish the death of his deceased Majesty out of your mind I intend to promote you higher and bestow more Honor upon you than hitherto you have enjoy'd Immediately after he gave him the Cane whereby he held his former Offices which Fettechan humbly receiving was presented by the King as a Testimony of his Favor with eight thousand Penas which he modestly refus'd saying That it was customary the Present should be made to Chan Channa Among several other Persons of Quality the Lord Abdullachan came to Complement the King with a Present of nine thousand Penas and to wish him a long and prosperous Reign But the King would not accept his Present telling him That in stead thereof he should encrease the number of his Horse The King likewise commanded all Officers that were unde his Subjection to appear at Court charging them on forfeiture of a hundred thousand Penas constantly to maintain a thousand Horse The Inhabitants were at this time in a great Consternation fearing to be surpriz'd by the Mogol Prince Oranchzef But the King causing an Edict to be publish'd commanded them to be at quiet and encourag'd them with the hopes he had to lie down in a short time with his Army before Agra The King professes the Mahumetan Religion as also the greatest part of his Subjects the rest are Pagans and Idolaters of which Opinion are the Canaryns of Goa the Naires and other Indians They observe several Fasts and other Religious Ceremonies like the Bramans Linschot mentions a sort of Religious Persons among them call'd Jogues In most Parts of the Country reside Portuguese who are permitted to Trade and enjoy all Privileges except Religion yet nevertheless they privately make many Proselites The Kings of Decan Visiapour and those of Golconda maintain the Religion establish'd by Mahomet after the same manner with the Turks and are therefore call'd Soanies yet the King of Golconda is said to encline to that of the Persians But notwithstanding they are all three Moors and have instituted the Mahometan Doctrine in their Countries yet they still retain many Idolatrous Customs of the Heathens The Netherland East-India Company have a Free Trade through the whole Kingdom of Visiapour and Store-houses in several Places the chiefest whereof is at Wingurla The Bay of Wingurla lies in 15 Degrees and 17 Minutes Northern Latitude Northward from Goa and three Leagues Southward from Ilhas Quimadas or The Burning Island It hath a pretty large River which runs some Leagues up into the Country and is Navigable by small Vessels At the entrance of this River several Streams of Fresh Water which come down from the Mountains fall into the Bay The King allows the Netherlanders great Privileges which are confirm'd to them by a Letter dated the tenth of May 1655. viz. That they may lawfully claim as their proper Goods all such Commodities or Things whatsoever as shall happen to be Stranded coming out of any of their Ships cast away upon his Coast And they are likewise freed from all manner of Taxes and Impositions as will appear more at large from the following Firman or Letter written to the Lord General John Maetzuiker GReat Firman to all Honweldares Tannadares and other Inferior Officers under the Jurisdiction of my Crown on the Request of Leonard Johnson Merchant who desires That if any Ships belonging to the Lord General John Maetzuiker which Trade along this Coast should happen by Storm Fire or other Misfortune which God forbid to be Cast away or Stranded near any of my Harbors nothing might be lost or taken away from them but all their Goods be deliver'd to them again Which Request I freely grant them Therefore I charge you by vertue of this Letter that no Honweldares or other Inferior Officers which have any Command in any of my Sea-Port Towns shall presume directly or indirectly to keep or detain any Goods or Merchandises which by the casting away of any of the Hollanders Ships shall happen to be found Stranded or floating on the Sea but on the contrary assist them in the saving of any of their Goods and Merchandize and freely without any Money restore such Goods as shall be taken up or found by any of you He that transgresseth herein shall be punish'd as an Example to all others I have also receiv'd lately several Complaints from the Hollanders concerning the paying of Customs and the detaining of their Servants of which they were formerly freed and Traded without any Molestation which is contrary to my former Edict Therefore I charge all those whom it may concern a second time not to demand any Custom or Duties of them nor trouble them in the least that I may not have any more Complaints concerning it And that they may freely Trade without any molestation through my whole Dominions let several Copies be taken of this Letter and sent to the respective Places that this Great Firman may be exactly perform'd in every particular Given at our Court at Visiapour the eighteenth day of the Month Jumandelaer in the 1055 Year after Mahomet's Death The End of the First Volume of Asia A TABLE OF THE KINGDOMS PROVINCES CITIES TOWNS
each side of this Structure is forty Foot of Ground in which are ten eight-square Ponds which are each half a Fathom deep to serve the House with Water This Edifice is not cover'd with Tyles but with Lome and chopt Straw or Chaff which being temper'd together and bak'd becomes so hard that no Water will soke through but runs off into Gutters join'd to the Wells On this Roof as also on those of all other Houses stands a Marble Pillar of about three or four Foot long and one thick On the top of the Seraglio you have a Prospect of the whole Garden as also a cool walking-place in the hot Summer Nights This Garden affords all sorts of European Fruits but especially Pears and Grapes of divers sorts beautiful to the Eye and very large also Pistacho's Almonds and Filberds Sixty or seventy Paces from the Haram appears a square Fountain with a handsom Ascent each Square is about a hundred Foot long and Wall'd with Marble also fill'd with Water in which are kept two Pleasure-boats for the Women to recreate themselves with All the Walks are on both sides Hedg'd in with Province-Roses out of which they Distill abundance of Rose-water and send it in great quantities to Ormus and India and other remote Countries In this large Garden are abundance of great Pheasants Woodcocks and other Fowls which are there as in a Cage breeding and hatching up their Young Ten Leagues from Schiras is a Village call'd Maragaskan otherwise Mardash it lies in 28 Degrees and 48 Minutes Northern Latitude four League North-West from the Village Mahin between which the Way is very straight pleasant and delightful being overgrown with Grass This Village contains about two hundred Houses so inclos'd with Trees that at a distance it appears to be a Wood divided into several small Parks The Air thereabouts is very temperate and the Water good and fresh besides which all sorts of Provisions very cheap Near Mardash at the end of a neighboring Plain nigh the Foot of a high Mountain not far from the Brook Sirt may be seen the Ruins of an old Castle in the Persian Tongue call'd Tzehilminar that is Forty Towers though at this Day only thirty of them remain viz. nineteen high ones and eleven broken ones but as Della Valle affirms there are not above twenty which may be true and the Place not misnam'd for though now so few remain without doubt there were more at first the Persian word Thehil signifying Fort and Minar A Tower Joseph Barbaro affirms that the Towers before mention'd are as big as three Men can Fathom and as Mandeslo relates consists of black and white Marble The Persians relate that this Edifice was erected by a King call'd Tzemshied Schach famous for Wisdom but Olearius questions that Others say That King Solomon built it and some believe that Darius was the Founder thereof and that Iskander which is Alexander the Great ruin'd it But Aelian ascribes the erecting thereof to King Cyrus The Foundation or Platform of this Structure is about eighty Yards being cut out of an intire Rock of Marble They ascend the same on four pair of Stairs consisting of ninety five Steps cut out of white Marble On the top not far from the Stairs appear four Pieces of a broken Wall that seem to have been two large Gates on the first two are cut two great Horses with strange Furniture and on the other two are other kind of Beasts with Bodies like Horses but Heads like Lyons with Crowns upon them and Wings at their Shoulders Not far from hence on the right side stand the thirty foremention'd Pillars A little distant from these Towers and somewhat higher were two indifferent large Chambers of which are remaining some of the Doors and Windows which are of Marble as also the Walls which are so polish'd that one may see their Face therein as in a Looking-Glass Farther in on the side near the Doors are all manner of ancient Shapes and Figures hewn in Stone and bigger than the Life some sitting others standing with long Hair broad Beards and long Coats down to their Feet with wide Sleeves a Sash about their Middle and strange round Caps on their Heads Not far from these Chambers stands a square Pillar with a great polish'd Stone in the top which some judge to be a Jasper on this also as on several other Columns are strange Characters Engraven which none can Read All that remains of the Relicks or Ruins of ancient Persepolis we find very well describ'd in Mr. Herbert wherefore we shall give you the Description in his following words The Ribs or Ruins of Persepolis saith he are at this Day call'd Chill-Manor or Chehel-Manor that is Forty Towers in the Idiom of Persia and might more properly have said Hashtot-Manor or Eighty Towers for so many are easily told two Yards out of the Ground and if from so many Pillars as are perfect and lofty then may they say Nouzda-Manor or Nineteen Towers at this Day no more standing one excepted at the East below above a Bowe-shot thence The whole Basis is cut by incredible toil out of the solid Marble Rock twice the compass of Windsor Castle ascended by fourscore and fifteen easie Steps dissected from the durable black Marble so broad that a dozen Horses may go abreast the Perpendicular is two and twenty Geometrick Feet and where the Stairs are not the Rock is precipitious near the highest Step is the Entrance into the Palate the Breadth is visible in despight of Flame and Weather on one side of the Gate stands a monstrous great Elephant on the other a Rhinoceros the distance is about twenty Foot the Portraicts are cut out of the shining Marble ten Yards high either of them fixt and perpetual A few Paces thence are of like Work Bulk and Matter two gallant Towers and to finish the Porter's Lodge near them is another Ruine a Pegasus an Invention of the Sculptor to illustrate his Art And being past this Portal the Apollo opens a fair even Ground deplorable in many Ruins a hundred white Marble Pillars whole and broken dignifying this once most excellent Structure Upon many of these white Marble Pillars the Storks have builded their Nests where the rage of Wind and Weather is more offensive to them than any dread they have of the People who inhabit near them In all unseasonable stormy or cold Weather they forsake the Region and fly where the Sun can comfort them The Persians have many superstitious Stories concerning them and suppose them as else-where I have noted the Emblems of Piety and Gratitude The Pillars which are at this day standing but seem to groan under the Tyranny of Time are betwixt fifteen and twenty Cubits and rise beautifully in forty Squares or concave Parallels every Square having full three Inches whereby the Circuit may be gather'd Most excellent is the Matter most elegant the Work and no less commendable the Order and Shape how they are
Muscur This Countrey of Muscur is every where very pleasant to the Eye affording a green Prospect till November The Soil is fertile producing plenty of Barley Rice and Wheat besides all manner of excellent Fruit and Trees of delightful shade and harbor to melodious Birds The Cattel lie abroad in the Fields as well in Winter as in Summer so that they have little need of providing Hay more than what just serves for Travellers and Strangers The Vines grow up and down without Planting and run upon the Elms or such like Trees as in Italy There is likewise variety of wild Fowl here especially Pheasants also store of Hares and a sort of Foxes call'd by the Inhabitants Schacal having thick Wooll on their Backs white Hair under their Bellies black Ears and a less Tail than ordinary which they call Tulki In the Lakes and Pools about the Village Mardow are abundance of wild Swans which are commonly taken in the Winter much esteem'd for the fineness of their Down The Rusticks keep Buffalo's which are us'd in their Draughts their Fodder is Schenbile or Grecian Hay with which whole Fields are Sow'd it is Mow'd when green and given Seed and all to the Buffalo's which makes their Milk so rich that it yields Cream two Inches thick of which is made excellent Butter They never make Cheese of Cows Milk but all of Sheeps ISFAHAN The Province of Parthia or Erack The modern Names and Bounds of Parthia THe Province anciently nam'd Parthia is at this day call'd Arach Harach or Erach as also in the Countrey Language Erack and by some Jex but according to Texeira its proper and true Name is Hyerack or as Olearius will have it Erack But it is to be observ'd that the Name Hyerack or Erack is given to two distinct Provinces one whereof lies in Arabia or as Olearius says it comprises Bagdat or Babylon and was anciently Assyria and is by some nam'd Eracain the other lying in the middle of Persia and is generally call'd Erack Agemy or Erack Atzem whereas the first hath the Denomination of Erack Araly This Province of Erack borders Eastward at Arie and by a long Road at Corazan on the West it conterminates with Media on the North with Hircania and juts Southerly towards the Wilderness of Caramia The Metropolis of Erack is Ispahan the other chief Towns are according to Olearius Casuwin or Casbin Solthanie Sencan Caschan Ebbeher Saway Rey Hemedan Com Scha-Herrisur Dercasin and Theheran The City Ispahan by Josaphat Barbaro is call'd Spahan by Contareno Spaa or Spaam by Peter Bizarro Aspacham Spaha was by the ancient Greeks for its largeness nam'd Hecatompolis that is A hundred Cities A little before Tamerlanes time it was call'd Sipahan partly from its populousness and partly because there the Armies had their Rendezvous for Siphan is the same with the ancient Persian word Sipa which signifies an Army wherefore they at this day call the General of an Army Sipesalar but since Tamerlane's time it hath had the Denomination of Ispahan by transposing the Letters and placing the I before the S. An Arabian Writer call'd Ahmedbin Arebscha who writ the Life of Tamerlane calls this City Isbahan and some modern Writers of the Persians Isfahan Situation and Bounds of the City Ispahan This City lying in 32 Degrees and 26 Minutes North Latitude and 86 Degrees and 40 Minutes Longitude is situated upon a Plain and half environ'd with Mountains at three or four Leagues distance viz. towards the South and South-West with the Mountains Demawend and towards the North-East those of Jeilack Perjan It is eight Leagues in circumference with its Suburbs but it is fenc'd onely with a a slight Wall of Earth six Yards thick at the bottom and not above a Foot on the top with several Stone Redoubts The Moat about the same is almost quite dry insomuch that one may go over it dry-foot in several places both in Winter and Summer The Castle which is also the Treasury is built pretty strong and Plaister'd over with Lime On the South-West side of the Town runs an indifferent large Stream call'd Senderuth which springing out of the Mountain Demawend divides it self into two several Branches call'd Haws and Burke Besides which there are divers Wells and Springs up and down so that the whole City is very well serv'd with Water Out of the same River runs a third Branch just above the City into a Park of Deer call'd Hazartzirib and in another place it is convey'd in Pipes under Ground into the King's chief Garden call'd Tzarbag a little below which Allawerdich Chan of Schiras built a fair Stone Bridge cross the Stream Schach Abbas during his fourteen years Reign made it his principal Business to lead another Stream which passes on the other side of the Mountain Demawend through the said Mountain though in a manner all Rock into the River Senderuth employing daily a thousand Men about it allowing each man four Abas a day but by reason of the excessive Cold and abundance of Snow which falls thereabouts they were never able to work above three Moneths in a year which very much retarded the Work yet through the alacraty of the Nobles and Grandees in assisting the King it was brought to a great forwardness and had been quickly finish'd had Schach Abbas liv'd but after his Death his Successor never employ'd a Man about it The Description of the City This City was also twice laid waste by Tamerlane first when he conquer'd it and next when it rebell'd against him In Schach Ismael's time it began to flourish a little but when Scach Abbas by reason of its pleasant Situation remov'd his Royal Seat from Casvyn thither he not onely enlarg'd and beautifi'd the City with fair Buildings but also made it very populous by reason of the great concourse of People that flockt thither from all parts insomuch that at this day the Inhabitants thereof are estimated to be above five hundred thousand Every House of the City which much enlarges it hath two fair Gardens being generally much esteem'd by the Persians who though they beautifie them not so much with all manner of various colour'd Flowers as is usual in Europe yet they Plant them very handsomly with divers sorts of Fruit-trees Vines and especially the Tzinar Tree besides which they adorn them with pleasant Fountains and conveying the Water from one Pipe to another cause them at their pleasure to overflow the whole Garden Persons of Quality have also commonly two or three Pleasure-houses in every Garden which are better furnish'd than their Dwelling-houses Besides the Citizens ordinary Habitations there are several Palaces in the City which are not so beautiful without as within they are for the most part built of Sun-dry'd Brick and square Tile and after the Persian manner many two some three and others four Stories high each having a peculiar Name the Cellar they call Sirsemin the lower Story or Hall Chane the Rooms
or Chambers above it Cush the third Story Tzaufe the fourth Casser and the upper Chambers or Garrets being built like Galleries winding about the top of the House Eiwan which by reason of their coolness serve them for Sleeping-Rooms in Summer the Windows which are almost as big as their Doors and reach down quite to the Floor have no Glass but are onely Bars or Rails like Balconies which in the Winter they close up with Oyl'd Paper Their Winter Rooms are commonly below and have Stoves in them Most of the Houses have Courts through which they go into their several Apartments It is said that the Lanes and Streets were formerly so broad that above twenty Men could Ride abreast in them but since Schach Abbas built more Rows of Houses most of them are become so narrow that two can scarce pass one by another especially not far from the Maidan and Basar where there commonly walk many People who are forc'd when Mules come loaden which frequently happens twenty or thirty one after another to stand still tâ—ll they are all pass'd by Description of the Maidan or Market-place On the East side of the King's Palace is a Maidan or Market-place of seven hundred Paces long and two hundred and fifty broad the like whereof is not in any other City On the West side where the King's Court stands are two Arches built along the Maidan one against another under which Goldsmiths Jewellers and other Handicrafts drive a Trade in Eiwans or open Shops before which stand Trees by the Persians call'd Schin-schad which with their large Boughs shade the Shops before the Trees are long Troughs or Gutters of Stone by which fresh Water is convey'd all about the Maidan The East side which is opposite to it hath a broad Walk Arch'd and supported with Pillars under which also all manner of Artificers have their Working-places for the Persians seldom or never work in their Dwelling-houses Agaâ—nst this Walk near the King's Court is a Structure which having two Entries is call'd Nacarachane where the Kettle-Drums Sackbuts and Cornets are play'd on every Evening at Sun-set and whenever the King passeth either in or out This playing at Sun-set us'd through all Persia in those places where Chams and great Lords dwell hath been in use ever since Tamerlane was Lord of this Countrey Description of the King's Place The King's House or Court which is near the Maidan by the Persians call'd Dowbet Chane or Dor Chane Schach hath a high Wall about it but is not otherwise fortifi'd against any Assault Before the Palace Gate lie several great pieces of Ordnance which Nicholas Hemming a Hollander who travell'd through most parts of Persia affirms to have been brought from Ormus the least carrying a Bullet of thirty six Pound weight the biggest of forty eight Over the Gate is a large Forum or place of Judicature where the Diwanbeki or Judge commonly Executes Justice In the day-time the Gate is guarded by three or four and in the Night by fifteen Halberdeers but at the King's Chamber thirty Men most Chans Sons Watch whil'st as many more go the Rounds The Kischicktzi or Captain of the Guard delivers the King an Account every Evening of such Persons as are to Watch that Night that so he may know what People are near him The said Forum over the Gate is a very high Room glittering with fair Windows on all sides and adorn'd with rich Pictures and gilded Carv'd work The other chief Rooms of the Court are first the Tabchane or great Hall in which the King with his Chans and other great Lords keeps a splendid Feast on Naurus or New-years-day next an open Room call'd the Divanchane that is House of Justice in which the King hears and determines all Businesses of State and gives Entertainment to foreign Princes The Tabchane or Banquetting-house ascended by three Steps is twelve Yards long eight broad and abought six high The Pillars which support the Roof being eight-square are of Wood and Gilded The Room within is also adorn'd with Gilded Sculpture or Carv'd-work The Floor is commonly cover'd with rich Carpets and hath a Fountain in the middle of it Before the Divanchane is a long narrow Walk Planted with Tzinar-Trees These kind of Walks they call Chiewan The third is the Haramchane or Hall for the Women in which his Casseha or Concubines which are at other times kept up in private Apartments come together to Dance before the King to the Musick of several Instruments or the Voices of Eunuchs The fourth is the Deke or place in which the King spends his time most part of the day and ever but at Festival times or when busied about State Affairs Dines with his Queen and the rest of his Wives Besides these there are other fair Apartments which contribute to the splendor and accommodation of a King's Palace besides divers brave Banquetting-houses and pleasant Gardens But above all the rest about forty Paces from the chief Gate is a Door on the right-hand which leads to a great Garden in the middle whereof stands a Chappel This Garden being a priviledg'd Place is by the Persians call'd Allacapi that is Gods Gate Hither Debtors Man-slayers and other Malefactors flie for sanctuary and so long as they can maintain themselves there at their own Cost and Charge they are unmolested but Thieves they will not suffer to be there long Behind the Palace is the Taberick Cale or Treasury being rather a Castle than a House for the word Cale signifies a Castle It is an indifferent large Structure encompass'd with high Walls and Redoubts of Earth which Nicholas Hemmius takes to be Towers This Castle is constandy Garrison'd with divers Companies of Soldiers and the King having a considerable Magazine often keeps his Court in it Moreover on the other side of the Maidan in a peculiar Street is another Sanctuary or priviledg'd House call'd Tseche hit Sutun so call'd from forty Beams or Pieces of Timber all which resting upon one single Pilar which stands in the middle of the Metzid belonging to it support the Roof thereof Hither the Persians flock'd in great numbers when Tamerlane going to destroy the rebelling Citizens resolv'd to spare onely the Temple and all those that were in it for he put to the Sword them that were in the Temple Court and caus'd all the Houses thereabouts to be pull'd down which Schach Abbas re-building made it a priviledg'd Place The Persians Belief concerning Mehedi On the South side of the Maidan is a large and sumptuous Mosque which being begun by Schach Abbas and almost finish'd his Successor compleated it and overlaid the Walls with a rich sort of Marble brought from Erwend Anno 1037. this Mosque was Consecrated to Mehedi the last of their twelve Imams or Saints of the Race of Aali of whom it is vulgarly believ'd that he lies slumbering in a Cave near Cusa from whence he is expected to return at the Day of Judgment and Riding
about the World on Duldul Aaly's Horse to convert all People to the Alcoran wherefore it is call'd Metzid Mehedi Saheseman which words are inscrib'd over the biggest Gate in Persian Characters At the end of the great Hejat or Court before the Metzit is a Gallery or rais'd place Pav'd with square Stones in the midst of which is a large Cistern of Water where those that go to Pray wash themselves Behind this Cistern you ascend by Steps to a Porch through a Row of Marble Pillars and one Step higher to the Temple it self that being very large and high and supported with large Marble Pillars where the Meherab or Altar and the Cahib or Vestry is The Gate is of fine Marble and as high as that at Sulthanie at the Meschaich of Chodabende the entrance through which is under an Arch of an exceeding heighth of blue Stone Gilded beyond which is a broad Walk the Floor whereof is spread with Mats on which the Persians kneel when they Pray Over the lower Walks are lesser ones like Galleries supported by Marble Columns gilded On the right-side of the Mosque is a large Garden The greatest splendor and magnificence of this Mosque is that all the Walls Galleries Gardens and the chief Temple are from the bottom four Yards high upwards cover'd with polish'd Marble each piece which is for the most part white and excellently well polish'd being five or six Foot square The Marble is all cut out of one Stone except the two Pillars on each side of the Pulpit Schach Abbas caus'd the like Metzid though smaller to be built at Tabris in honor of the same Mehedi all of pure white Marble and as slick as Glass being fetch'd from the Mountain Erwan Places of Games and Exercises In the middle of the City not far from the King's Palace stands a Pole not unlike our Posts in which we put the â—ings that are to be run at on which they often put a Melon Arupus or Apple and sometimes a Silver Plate with Money upon it at which the King and his Chans run full speed for great Wagers and whoever hits off the same comes off with great honor and applause but the Money which falls from the Plate is taken up by the Pages and Footmen Great Lords also have another Exercise call'd Kuit Schaucan which they perform in the same place viz. Riding full speed they strike a Ball with a crooked Stick to a set Mark and also toss the Tziud or Bar. Near the Maidan stands a little woodden Hut nam'd Chaneschin which is set upon four Wheels for the conveniency of its moving from place to place in which the King often sits a Spectator of the foremention'd Games Hereabouts especially on the West side not far from the Dewletchane sit divers Soothsayers Houses of Entertainment Opposite to the Northern part of the Maidan stand several Houses of Entertainment the first whereof is the Schire Chane to which resort the most loose und debauch'd sort of People who hire the Surkers or Dancing-Boys as also common Strumpets to Dance before them naked with all kind of leud and obscene Postures The second is the Tzai or the Chattai Chane that is The Catayan or Chinese Tee-house in which they generally play at Chess The third is the Caweh Chane or Coffee and Tobacco-house These three Houses are also frequented by their Pot-Poets and Comedians who commonly sitting in the midst of the House on high Stools tell all manner of pleasant Tales and talk continually with a little Stick in their Hands like our Juglers Barbers Shops Not far from these Houses two sorts of Barbers keep their Shops some whereof practising Chirurgery and call'd Tezerrah never shave or Trim Men the other call'd Dellack shave and cut Hair and are made use of to Circumcise Children To this last sort of Barbers there is continual resort of People because they always keep their Heads shav'd and every one brings his own Rasor with him because the Persians fearing the Venereal Distemper will not suffer a strange Rasor to touch their Heads From the North part of the Maidan you go directly to the Bazar or Street full of Shops where there is a square large Portico under which are all manner of rich Merchandise to be sold over the Entrance of which is a stately Dial which is said to have been made in Schach Abbas's time by an English-man call'd Festy which at first there being then no Clocks nor Dials in all Persia was look'd upon as a great Wonder The Bazar or Market-house it self is divided into many Divisions with Passages between them like little Lanes which are most of them cover'd on the top where all manner of Goods that the Countrey affords are to be sold every thing in a peculiar place The famous Coffee-house in Ispahan In the Caravansera near the Bazar where the King receives foreign Ambassadors is a House which is one of the fairest in the whole City Ispahan and call'd The Coffee-house from the Liquor which is sold in it In this House also are brought up Youths of several Nations but most Mahumetans though some are of Christian Parentage as Circassians Georgians and Armenians who are taught all manner of Dances At the Entrance of this House is a Court with a Fountain in the midst of it The King oftentimes Dines here with foreign Ambassadors but is satisfi'd with few Dishes having sometimes but two whereof one is Mutton the other roasted Poultrey which whil'st he is eating the Youths Dance before him in a very strange and ridiculous manner In Ispahan dwell also Merchants and Shop-keepers of several Nations of which some sell their Goods by Wholesale others by Retail for besides the Persians Indians Tartars from Chuaressam Chineses and those from Buchare there are English Dutch French Italians Spaniards Portuguese Turks Jews Armenians and Georgians The Indians who generally have their Shops next to the Persians Trade in Silk Cotton and other such like Stuffs By reason of the great Trade in Ispahan there are many Caravansera's where the several Commodities are dispos'd of by Wholesale Amongst other places the Kings Parks for wild Beasts are none of the meanest having towerd Lodges call'd Kelemenar inclos'd with Walls made of several sorts of Deers and other Beasts Horns mix'd with Earth The Garden Izarbag Without the City Walls not far from the great Bridge on the South side is a Garden call'd Tzarbag which hath not its equal for curiosity and delight in all Persia Tzarbag signifies a Garden or whatsoever else divided into four parts this being so branch'd into four Squares by cross Ways and a Brook nam'd Vendemith about a Mile in compass and having four Gates and four stately Banquetting-houses one on each side On the South side stands a Hill plain on the top in the middle whereof and on each side are three Aqueducts of Stone whose Channels are a Yard broad which lying very steep cause the Water to
descend in great abundance from whence there are lesser Pipes that convey the Water under Ground which supplies with much variety several artificial Fountains which gliding from thence fall into a Lake on the farther side of the Garden The Suburbs of Ispahan About this City of Ispahan are several Suburbs the greatest of which they call Tzulpha having in it three thousand Houses and twelve Mosques or Churches which in beauty are not inferior to any within the Walls being the Residence of rich Armenian Merchants whom Schach Abbas remov'd from Armenia thither they pay the King yearly two hundred Tomans for Tribute On the other side of the River Senderuth lie the Suburbs Tabrisabath otherwise Abasabath so call'd because Scach Abbas brought the Inhabitants thither from Tabris Another part of the Suburbs call'd Hassenabath is inhabited by Castilians brought thither from Georgia they are great Merchants and like the Armenians travel from one Countrey to another The Manners and Religion of the Kebbers Another eminent part of the Suburbs lieth on the West side and is call'd Kebrabath and the Inhabitants thereof Kebbers who are also rich Merchants they have long Beards and wear other fashion'd Clothes than the Persians viz. long wide Coats which are open in no place but about the Neck and on the Shoulders where they tie them together with Ribbons The Women go without Shoes and bare-fac'd They are accounted a civil and courteous People Extracted from an ancient Pagan Family and to this day suffering themselves neither to be Baptiz'd nor Circumcis'd They have neither Temples nor Priests neither do they with Hottinger's good leave worship the Fire as the ancient Kebbers did When any one dies they drive a Cock into the Fields out of the House of the Deceased which if it be caught by a Fox then they believe that the Soul of the Deceased is taken up into a better World but if this proof chance to be hindred by any Accident then they try another way on which their assurance chiefly depends viz. they carry the Corps clad with their best Apparel and adorn'd with Gold Chains and other Ornaments to the Church-yard where they set the Body up against the Wall propping up the same by placing a Pole under the Chin where if the Fowls of the Air pick out the right Eye then they assuredly believe the Soul to be ascended to Heaven but if the left they judge it to be gone to Hell They have also two sorts of Graves in one they tenderly lay the Bodies of their supposed Saints and into the other those whom they believe to be Damn'd are thrown headlong In a small circumference about the City Ispahan are reckon'd a thousand four hundred and sixty Villages and Hamlets all inhabited by Weavers The City Jarustan A League from Ispahan and seven from the Village Mahier lies the City Jarustan pleasantly situated as it were in the midst of a Garden on the Bank of a River It is full of Inhabitants and hath plenty of all manner of Provisions and several fair Structures but one more magnificent than all the rest surrounded with a Gallery and containing many handsom Rooms the biggest and chiefest whereof is built after the fashion of the Chappels belonging to the Jesuits Cloysters in Europe with many Windows on the top The Persians tell us that this Structure was formerly a Colledge wherein Schach Thamas's time Disputations were held Near this House is also a Garden with several Springs and Fountains in it but not always flowing KOM SABA In the Way from Casbyn to Ispahan are several Places whence Salmon is brought salted from Kilan where the best Salmon is caught in the Mouth of the River Araxes From Ispahan runs a straight and pleasant Way on both sides of which are several fair Houses and delightful Gardens Situation and Description of the City Cashan The City Caschan or Cashan lies according to the Persians in thirty five Degrees Longitude and thirty four Northern Latitude But Olearius after three days observation found the same to lie nine Minutes more Southerly It being built long extends half a League from East to West and is surrounded with Walls and Bulwarks of a clayie sort bf Earth round about the same is good arable Land On the South side of the City is a kind of a Tilt-yard with a Post in the middle where the Persians use to run at the Ring On the left side of the foremention'd Way is one of the King's Orchards in which are two Banquetting-houses one near the High-way and the other in the middle which last hath very many Windows which according to the manner of the Persian Gardens open the Doors into as many Walks two Doors amongst the rest generally stand open opposite one against another the Walls are a Yard thick When the King comes hereabouts he commonly takes up his Residence in this Garden Cashan is one of the most populous and greatest Cities of Trade in all Persia having many fair Houses stately Caravansera's and above all a magnificent Bazar and Maidan set out with arch'd Portico's and Rooms and being every where so neatly built that no City in Persia is comparable to it It is inhabited by all manner of People but especially Persians and Indians who have every one their peculiar Trade or Manufacture which they exercise in Shops open to the Streets but most of them are Weavers of Cloth-of-Gold and Silks The several Names with the Description of the little Town Natens Twelve Leagues from Caschan lies the little but pleasant Town call'd Natens but by Contareno in the Description of his Travels Nethas and by Clavius and Herbert Natan by Ananâ—as Jesâ—i by Texeira Yazd and by Thevet Jex from whence it is said that this Province hath receiv'd the Name of Jez The several Streams of fresh Water which run through the same make the Countrey very fertile in the production of Corn and Grapes It lies in a pleasant Valley at the end whereof towards Ispahan appears a fruitful Mountain over which they travel to Ispahan The Valley is full of little Villages interspers'd with neat Gardens and lying at so small a distance from each other that they seem to be one entire Town and therefore have no peculiar Names Opposite to the City lie two high spiring Rocks or Mountains on the highest of which stands a Turret which Schack Abbas built in commemoration of a Falcon that conquer'd an Eagle for the foremention'd King travelling by this Place took up one of his Falcons which spying an Eagle broke loose and flying at him after a long and fierce Combat brought him down According to Mandeslo's observation the Tower on the foremention'd Mountain is built of eight-square Brick or Coctile Stone and runs up sharp with a glaz'd Roof about which is a narrow Walk The Arch underneath is eight Paces crossways and by the multiplicity of Windows and Doors is very light Besides this there are several other Structures upon
and barbarous Cruelties of Osman's Soldiers But in the Year 1603. Abbas having obtain'd the Crown of Persia march'd with great expedition to Tauris and what with the inclination of the Citizens towards him by reason of their extream aversion to the Turkish Government and the use of the Cannon he brought with him which till that time the Persians scorn'd as not becoming valiant Men after six Weeks Siege took the City Notwithstanding all the several Brunts that this City underwent Minadoi affirms that Anno 1607. it had six Leagues in circumference but since that time also the Calamities and Ruines of War have fall'n heavy upon it especially in the Year 1618. wherein Schach Abbas caus'd it to be wholly deserted and lest desolate upon the Turkish Armies approach The Countrey about Tebris may all be over-flow'd The Towns and Places of note in Aderbeitzan The most eminent Places near this City are 1. Salmas not far from which Scander and Joonxa Sons to Cara Issuf defeated Xarock the Son of Tamerlane 1. Maragag or Mararga 3. Cuzaculan 4. Sancan 5. Sofian perhaps the ancient Sofia Sancan by the common People call'd Sengan but by the Learned Persians Zengian that is to say Sighing of the Soul was of old before its destruction by Tamerlane and divers Invasions by the Turks a great City for Commerce and Trade and full of handsom Buildings and had also another Name for it receiv'd this Denomination of Sencan from a Tartarian King of the Family of the Usbechies who having taken and demolish'd it put all the Inhabitants to the Sword and thereupon it is become at this time a little unwall'd Town and meanly built It lies on a Hill between Tebris and Sultanie upon a parching sandy Ground and in some places overgrown with low Brambles Half a League from the City on the right side runs a Ridge of the Mountain Taurus in the Countrey Language call'd Keider Peijamber from one of their old Prophets who is said to lie there bury'd It extends from North to South as far as Curdistan At the foot of this Mountain lies a pleasant Valley wherein are several Villages as Keintze Hazimur and Camal By Sengan run two Ways Northerly though the one which leads to Tebris bends more Westerly and the other on the right hand leading to the City Ardebil more towards the East Three Leagues Northward from Sengan flows a a Brook in the Countrey Language call'd Sarmusack Ciai The Situation of the City Sultania The City Sultania a Boundary between the Province of Arack and Aderbeitzan lies in 84 Degrees and 5 Minutes Longitude and in 36 Degrees and 30 Minutes Northern Latitude three days Journey Northward from Caswin or Casbin on a pleasant Plain It hath on each side pretty high Mountains especially on the right side where stands the foremention'd Moâ—ntain Keider It is much more in length than breadth and appears at a great distance by reason of its many high Houses Spires and Turrets but the Walls very much decay'd and ruinous It is said that in former times it was one of the most eminent and stateliest Cities in this Countrey Sultania built by Sultan Choda bende About half a League from this City on the right hand of the Way which comes from Hamedan stands a large Stone Gate and Tower belonging to the City and is said to be the remainder of an old Palace which as likewise the whole City was built by Sultan Muhammed Chodabende a Tartar of the Family of the Usbechies out of the Ruines of the City Tigranocerta of which Tacitus makes mention in several places as appears by the Name of Sultania for till after his time the Kings of Persia did not Intitle themselves Schach but Sultan as the Turks do at this day as also from an Inscription on his Tomb yet to be seen The Fields about this City as the Inhabitants relate were formerly very unfruitful but King Chodabende Cultivating the same made it not onely very fertile but also exceeding pleasant moistening it with Water which was convey'd a great way under Ground in Pipes They add moreover that the same Night that the foremention'd King dy'd who was going about to add to the Building of the City and to fill the same with a new supply of Inhabitants fetch'd from other Countries the People that were then in it began to leave it insomuch that in that Night fourteen thousand Women march'd out of the same on seven thousand Cammels two on each Cammel Nevertheless after this it flourish'd for some time and was daily increasing in Riches and Repute when Chotza Reschid King of Persia whom Josaphat Barbaro calls Giausam upon a Mutiny of the Inhabitants destroy'd a great part of it and not long after Tamerlane compleated the destruction thereof There remains a great part of the Walls of a very strong and sumptuous Castle which was also the King's Palace built of Freestonâ— with many square Towers of which some are yet to be seen but the onely Structures standing yet in view are two Meschaiches or Mosques wherein Sultan Mahumeth Chodabende lies bury'd The Description of Chodabende's Tomb. the Inscription on whose Tomb as we said before speaks him the Builder of Sultania all things about the same being exceeding curious and above all it s three Gates though not of Copper as Bizarro writes yet of polish'd Steel The greatest Gate which is opposite to the Maidan or Market cannot as they say be open'd though never so many Men endeavor it unless they speak these words Beask Aly Buckscha that is Be open'd for Aly's sake and then it turns so easily upon the Hinges that a Child may open it The Roof is very high and rises by degrees towards the middle into a round Tower The Walls are overlaid with white and blue glaz'd Stones form'd into several Shapes and Characters It hath a Gallery or long Walk jutting out like a Balcony over which are certain Repositories where there lie several Arabian Books some a quarter of a Yard deep and three quarters long the Characters in them are three Inches long and every second Line neatly written with Gold and Ink all transcrib'd out of the Alcoran Several Leaves of one of these Books came to the hands of Olearius who kept them as a great Rarity At the farther end of this Temple in the Way towards the Meherab or Altar the Tomb of the Sultan Mahumed Chodabende appears through a very fine polish'd Grate which is accounted a great piece of Art because it is made of Indian Steel each Bar about the thickness of a Man's Arm and all of them so neatly joyn'd together that no Joynts are seen it is said that it was cut out of a whole Piece as also the Gate and that seven years were spent in India about the making of them Moreover there are two great Guns to be seen in the same Emerad or Mosque with a Mortar-piece each plac'd on Carriages with four Wheels besides Demi-cannons
about it a hundred other Shops in the Bazar the Cattel Corn Salt and Oyl-Market the Afrabnischins which are those that sell their Goods in Tents of the Villages belonging to Ardebil thirty three belong to the said Tomb as also five Houses in Serab in the City Tabris sixty Houses and a hundred Shops besides two Villages near the City several Caravansera's and Baths in the City Caswin as also in the Provinces of Kilan and Astara in the Plains of Mochan the Villages Abchur and Eleschur with divers others in the Counties Chalchal Kermuth and Hascheruth besides what comes out of Tartary and India where several Places inclin'd to the Persian Religion pay also Tribute to the same Moreover it is a Custom amongst the Persians that when they go to Travel or undertake any Business of concernment or when they are in Sickness or Trouble they make great Vows to Schach Sefi which they perform as surely and willingly as they would desire to be sav'd nay many of them when they come to celebrate the annual Obsequies of their Saint bring great Presents with them and often in their Wills and Testaments leave their whole Estates to the foremention'd Tomb where also there are daily Offer'd Sheep Horses Camels Money and other things Those that bring the Presents receive a handful of Anniseed in testimony that their Souls shall receive an extraordinary Consolation for the same The Presents are receiv'd by two sworn Stewards by them call'd Nessurtzian from the Arabick word Nessurt which signifies a Promise or Vow they sit every day in a House on the left side near the Metzid Tschillachane where between them stands a round Coffer cover'd with red Velvet into which is put the Money through a slit at the top The Camels Horses and Mules that are Offer'd are immediately sold and converted into Money but Sheep and Oxen are kill'd and distributed amongst the Poor To these Stewards Schach Ismael gave the Revenue of a large Village call'd Sultanabeth a League from the City Ardebil for their Maintenance but Anno 1618. this Village was demolish'd by Schach Abbas upon the approach of the Turkish Army together with the City Ardebil ARDEBIL Opposite to this Tomb is another little Chappel in which several eminent Persons also lie bury'd Four Leagues from Ardebil near Sultania Village Bâ—sun lies Busun a large Village with several other smaller thereabouts in a Valley full of good Pasturage for Cattel Five Leagues from Busun is another Village call'd Sengoa Sengoa beyond which are several steep Mountains and four Leagues farther another pleasant Valley with a remarkable Fountain Not far from this Valley Northwardly appears the Mountain Taurus by the Persians thereabouts call'd Perdelis near which on the South side is a Cavity which is worn by time above three Miles deep from the top of the Mountain and two Miles broad and serves for a Receptacle or Den for Thieves by whom Travellers sustain great mischief if they have not a considerable Party in company with them Through this Chasme or Gap runs the River Kisilosein which from thence precipitating it self River Kisilosein and descending through Kilan at last disembogues its white Water into the Caspian Sea Four Leagues from this Valley lies the Village Keintze and two Leagues from thence on the right hand a Village call'd Hatzimir and six Leagues farther there is another Town call'd Kamal beyond which lies Sencan to the Southward whereof appears a large Sandy barren Desart The City Caxem Caxem which Texeira calls Cahem and which Davity places in Margiana is the first City in Media upon the Road from Pâ—rsia It is considerably large comprising at least five thousand Houses standing on a Plain where sometimes they feel excessive Heats being under 32 Degrees and 5 Minutes Northern Latitude In this City is a very long Street being rather a Market-place full of Shops with all sorts of Commodities which though it be not so long as that of Schiras yet is much broader and beautifi'd with Trees that stand ranging on both sides and are a shade to the Houses But that which is most ornamental to this City is their stately Caravansera built An. 1610. being able to Lodge very many Strangers with all accommodation and convenience of Reception Near this stands a stately Palace erected by King Abbas which though but indifferent on the out-side yet magnificent and beautiful within and indeed one of the best contriv'd Houses that the King hath in his whole Dominions within whose Walls having pass'd one Garden you enter into another larger than the former being the Haram or Seraglio for his Women and surrounded with a Hedge of delicate Fruit-Trees The City Caxem is none of the biggest nor the least in this Province yet the Kings of Persia always held the same in great esteem partly because the People were civil and quieâ— and in their Dealings just and honest and party for its Wealth and flourishing Trade in all manner of Silk-Stuffs but especially the best and fairest Carpets of all Persia made in the Villages belonging to the Jurisdiction of this City none in all Persia comparing with them except those of Ispahan The Weavers live all together in a little part of the City inclos'd with a Wall and all those other Workmen who prepare and make ready the Silk But the Suburbs are much more pleasant than the City it self being full of delightful Gardens and having many fair Caravansera's for the reception and accommodation of Strangers There is no Water about this City but what is in Wells which nevertheless is very wholsom Moreover there is little good Water all the way between Ispahan and Casbin by reason of the thirsty and hot Earth but this want is supply'd by the abundance of Snow which lies thick on the tops of the Mountains all the year A days Journey from this City is a Village Village Cencem call'd Cencem whose adjacent Hills exhale bituminous and sulphureous Vapors which makes the Air very unwholsom especially in the Night when these Vapors chiefly rise they also make the Summer Heats extream sultry This Town hath onely one small Mosque in it and that not remarkable for any thing that may require a Description In the Year 1617 it had a hundred and fifty Families but the next year following they had been all swept away with a pestilential Distemper had not the Spanish Agent Garcias de Silva coming there by chance in his way to Hispahan given them advice to be Let-blood which prov'd a present Remedy Places lylng between Ardebil and Caswin In the Way from Ardebil to Caswin according to Della Valla lie these Places viz. Halfa League beyond Ardebil is a Village in the Turkish Language call'd Task-Chiesen that is Stone-cutters Town from the Artificers that Carve there in Stone Four Leagues farther stands Tagi Bujur and five Leagues beyond that Chivi where the Way which leads to Caswin parts into two Roads one whereof runs through
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
of which so many breed here that the Fishermen dare not go into above four Fathom Water which Pomponius Mela seems to have observ'd when he saith in his Geography This Sea is more dangerous than any other by reason of the many Monsters that breed therein It hath been reported that in Kilan over against the Mountain Sahebelan where they breed most they are taken with Hooks fastned to thick Lines and Baited with Flesh Divers other sorts of Fish Nor doth it onely breed Monsters for contrary to the Opinion of Contareno and Bizarro it produces several sorts of excellent Fish as Salmon Sturgeon Carps an Ell long a sort of Herrings great Breams call'd Chascham Scwit or Schivit and a sort of Barbels a Yard and a half long but others less which are tough and not fit to be eaten The Inhabitants there catch another sort of Salmon-Trouts which they dry in the Smoak and Dress after this manner viz. They lay the smoak'd Fish wrapt in a Linnen or Cotton Cloth upon a hot Hearth and then cover it with Ashes till it be enough whereby it gaineth a most delicate taste This abundance of Fish breeding in the Sea causes the King of Persia to Farm out the Fishing thereof towards the Mouth of the fresh Rivers which brings him yearly considerable Sums of Money This Fishing Farm begins in September and lasts to the end of March during which time the Rivers are shut up to prevent Intruders that have no right to Fish there but all the rest of the year not onely the Rivers but the Sea it self lies free and open to all Persons This Sea in the Summer the Persians Tartars and Russians Navigate in sleight and miserable Vessels with which they dare not Sail but onely before the Wind nor venture from the sight of the Shore There are but few Harbors and those neither good nor safe the place between the Island Tzenzeni and the main Land is counted one of the securest and therefore the Persians always Anchor there in the Night they also us'd to Ride with their Vessels near Bacu Lenkeran and Ferabath according as the Wind favors them But the best in all that Sea is towards the East on the Tartars side and is call'd Chuaresm and Minkischlack but by some nam'd Manguslave This Sea according to Herodotus Ptolomy and Aristotle is distinct from all other being wholly inclos'd within the Land so that it may justly be call'd a Mediterranean from whence appear the Errors of Dionysius the Alexandrian Pomponius Mela Strabo Pliny Solinus Basilius Magnus and others who would make it to mix with the Scythian or Tartarick Sea or else a Bay of the Northern Ocean and not totally surrounded by the Land The Province of Mazanderan Borders of the Province of Mazanderan THe Province of Mazanderan or Mazanderon conterminates in the West with Gilan or Kilan the East Borders upon Estarabat the South touches Erack Media and a part of Gilan and the North verges with the Bacu or Caspian Sea Its length is accounted to be thirty Leagues and Compriseth twenty five Cities the Metropolis of which bears the same Denomination with the Province but Della Valla and Olearius name it Ferhabad and aver that formerly it was call'd Tahona Description of Ferhabad The City Ferhabad which lies about two thousand Paces from the Caspian Sea is in a great Plain and as Della Valla witnesseth in a few years after the first Building grew to the bigness of Rome or Constantinople but was not inclos'd with Walls Nor have the chief Cities in this Countrey any such Inclosures The Teggine Rude that is The Swist-River runs through the middle of the City over which there is but one Bridge but that neatly built in that place where commonly the greatest concourse or People is in other parts a good distance from the Bridge they Ferry over in slat-bottom'd Boats made of one great Tree This Place by reason of its nearness to the Caspian Sea and convenience of the beforemention'd River is accounted a Sea-port Town because the Ships Sail up to the aforenam'd Bridge where they drop their Anchors and though the Vessels are not very big yet all that drive this Trade viz. to the City Gilan Esterabad Bacu Demircapt and to Astracan in Muscovia lade and unlade here King Abbas not long since call'd it Ferhabad that is The City of perfect Joy which is an Arabick word compounded of Fer which signifies Joy and Habad that is Finished Two Reasons induc'd the King to build this City the one was a desire he had to beautifie his Kingdom and extend the Limits thereof for he built divers Cities in several other places the other was his kindness to this particular Region partly because it was the Birth-place of his Mother and partly because it was the strongest part of his Dominions for it lies on one side surrounded with the unnavigable part of the Caspian Sea and on the other with inaccessible Mountains through which none can come but by narrow and craggy Paths besides all which this Countrey lay remotest from the Enemy especially from the Turks The Houses in the beginning were not above a Story high and cover'd onely with Canes to keep out the Weather The Walls consist of a certain Stuff very common in this Countrey which being mix'd with Straw is call'd Calghil that is Straw and Earth to which a quantity of Sand being added and beaten like Mortar makes a most strong and durable Cement But the King's Palace is built of Sun-dry'd Brick which in the time of a great Fire proving a safeguard to it self and all within caus'd the King to command all the Houses to be built of the like Materials The City Eskerf Eastward from thence lies a City call'd Eskerf about two Leagues from the same Sea at the end of a large Plain near the foot of a Mountain which environs the same on the South side This City was also built by Abbas at the same time with Ferhabad It hath many Gardens and a great Bazar or Street full of Shops besides divers other meaner Houses standing without order among shady Groves in a delightful Plain which is full of Inhabitants sent thither by the King and is much frequented especially when the Court Resides there which is the greatest part of the Summer for in Winter Ferhabad was the Royal Chamber and this the King did to draw Inhabitants thither and cause a Trade and likewise because it was well seated for Hunting and other Recreations The Houses are built under high Trees and so shaded with the Boughs that they are scarce to be seen insomuch that one may doubt whether Eskerf be a City erected in a Wood or a Grove inhabited like a City In the middle of the Gardens behind the Houses stand Chambers or rather Galleries because they are onely cover'd on the top which being about a Man's heighth above the Ground are ascended to by Steps and serve both for Eating
Tomams Ten Besorchs make a Pays which is Copper and made like a Dutch Doit four Pays a Chay or Four-pence-halfpeny English twenty Pays a Mamoudy or Nine-pence English twenty five Pays a Laryn five Laryns a Crown and a hundred Mamoudies a Tomam which is sixteen Crowns How they value Commodities Rich Commodities are valu'd by Tomans or Tumains each Toman reckon'd at fifty Abascies and notwithstanding this sort of Money which amounts to so much is not stamp'd yet they reckon them by the number as the Russians do their Rubbles and we here by Pounds Sterling A Toman is six Rixdollers or Three Pound twelve Shillings English Anno 1644. according to the Kings Command no Person whatsoever durst carry or convey any Ryals Ducats or new Money to Hindostan on pain of extream Punishments because the old Money was much lighter and of worse Metal than the new Their Weights and Measures AS for their Weights and Measures they are of two sorts the one is the King 's and the other that of Tebris the King's Weight or Measure is double to that of Tebris though the last be much more us'd First there is a Weight call'd Patman which according to the Measure of Tebris weighs compleat nine Venetian Pounds This Patman is divided into nine Cehareck or four Quarters the Quarters into Siahs the Siahs into Mithicali But Manchia is a Weight about ten Pound and a half Texeira also makes mention of a Weight call'd Man or Men perhaps one and the same with Patman which the Portuguese in the East-Indies call Mano but the value and weight thereof is distinct according to the several Countreys and is by Zacharia King of Chorazan who made a great Book of the Weights and Measures of Persia call'd Mim Davity will have this Mano to be the Batman which Vincent Della Alexandri makes mention of in his Relation of Persia and that ten of them make forty Venetian Pounds each Pound being twelve Ounces so that one Batman should make four such Pounds Others will have three sorts of Man viz. a Man which contains seven Pound Dutch a Man Cha of twelve Pound and a Man Sarat of thirty Pound Olearius tells us that they weigh their Goods all with Batmans which according to the several Places are different A Batman of Tebris contains six Pound a Schach's or King 's Batman which is most us'd in Kilan is twelve Pound a Schamachies or Carabachs Batman is sixteen Pound Howi they reckon the distances of Places The distance of Places from one to another through all the parts of Persia is reckon'd by Miles which they call Ferseng deriv'd from the old Name Parasanga of which Herodotus Xenophon and others make mention The length of a Furlong is according to Della Valle about one Spanish or four Italian Miles as also in the time of Herodotus who affirms that a Parasanga compris'd thirty Furlongs of which according to Strabo's Account eight make an Italian Mile In the Turkish Language which is spoken through the whole Countrey the Miles are call'd Agag that is Trees Their Trade What Merchants Trade into Persia with the Commodities they carry thither and what they bring back in Return THe English Netherlanders and Portuguese Trade through the whole Countrey of Persia onely the Portuguese though having the same Trade are not permitted to come to Ormus Gamron Lareca Cismy c. At Bander-Gamron the Netherlanders have their Factories as also in Lar and Ispahan The Persian Trade being very considerable to the Holland East-India Company doth not a little add to their Gain from the Indian Commodities for the Trade which the said Company drives from the Island Ceylon and the Coast of Malabar to Persia is not onely for the utterance of their Pepper Cinamon Cardamom and other Commodities which are Transported to Persia and turn to a good Account but chiefly for the ready Money which they carry from Persia to Ceylon for they Import yearly unto Persia about eight hundred thousand Pound weight of Cardamom seventy thousand of Japan Wood and between twenty and thirty thousand of Cinamon The Hollanders us'd also from Taiowan to send Chinese Commodities to Persia as Pepper Sugar-Candy Japan Camphire Porcelane Preserv'd Ginger China Roots China Anniseeds Tee c. They also carry'd thither Cloves Nutmegs Mace round and long Pepper Cinamon from Ceylon Gum Wax Benjamin Sandal Ebony and Aguil Wood Copper Cubebs Cauna and most of the Indian Commodities but especially Cloves Tin and Sugar The Merchandise which the Netherlanders bring in Return from Persia to Batavia consists in Pearls which are purchas'd in Barain and Congo red Skins dress'd red Earth from Ormus pack'd up in Bales several Jewels compos'd of Diamonds and Rubies Emeraulds Rings Rose-water and other Commodities but especially Silk which is most plentiful in the Northern Provinces of Persia and also their so much esteem'd Persian Carpets But they are not the onely Traders there for the Banians Moors and other Eastern People supply their Markets with the like Merchandise For the promoting of Trade in Ispahan the Hollanders are forc'd every year to make great Presents to the King and his Courtiers who believe that they are oblig'd thereto if they receive but a Grant to buy thirty or forty Cara's or such inconsiderable quantities of Silk from peculiar Persons for else they are bound to Deal onely with the King for their Silk which they Transport without paying any Custom The Portuguese having a Factory on the Island of Barain receive half the Custom there as also divers Sums of Money of all Moorish Vessels and Arabian Pearl-Ketchers extending their Trade into the Persian Bay near Bassora Congo Bander-Gamron Cabo de Jaques and several other Places From Persia are likewise Transported to India abundance of Tukoises which are to be had there at reasonable Rates What the Persian Metchants carry out and whither The Persian Merchants carry also great store of Wine in Flasks and Cases to Mogostan and Ormus whither they Travel in like manner with great Cafiles or Caravans from the particular Provinces to Trade with the Christians and other People there resident The Merchandise which they carry thither are Gold Silver Silk Silk-Stuffs Brocades Carpets Horses Allom Tutty Rhubarb Rose-water and the like which they barter for Cinamon Cloves Pepper Cardamom Ginger Nutmegs Mace Sugar Tin Sandal and Japan Wood Chinese Porcelane Musk Amber Aloes Precious Stones Pearls Indigo Wax and the like The Inhabitants and Foreigners may travel whither they please and Trade to all Places paying onely the Custom and some small Imposts to the Crown But this is of special remark that by virtue of an Agreement made between the Turks and Persians they drive an unmolested Trade both in or out of the Countrey as well in times of War as Peace the Caravans travelling from place to place without any disturbance to the great advantage of both Countreys Their Artificers Manufactures and several Employments THe Employments which
piece of Marble unpolish'd and of an unhandsom shape for all the Asian People take but little care to beautifie their Houses on the outside The Rooms of Entertainment are generally open before like Galleries and look either into Gardens or other spacious Walks At the farther end of the Hall opposite to the Entrance is an Apartment cover'd on the top with glaz'd Tyles so also is the Floor and Walls but the last not above four Foot high that those that sit on the Ground may lean against them with their Backs After the same manner the Kitchin Walls and Floor are also Pav'd in the Floor are several round Holes into which putting Fire they either stew or bake Meat or keep it hot The Fire being under the Floor like a Stove you can neither perceive Smoak nor Flame because the Smoak hath a peculiar place to go out at Under these round Holes are little Springs which spouting up the Water is receiv'd in Troughs and serves to wash their Meat with as also for other occasions after which it runs away through private Drayns The Houses are but indifferently Furnish'd having neither Chests of Drawers Their Furniture Cabinets Tables Chairs Stools or other Lumber as is usual amongst us but onely Carpets Cushions Mats Quilts and the like to sleep and sit upon The Floors of the Lodging Rooms are cover'd with very fine Carpets on which they sit and walk without their Shoes eitheir when they talk one with another or eat together and also sleep on them In these Chambers no Dogs are suffer'd to enter and to keep them clean they have always a Tuftan or empty Platter standing by them into which they throw all their Bones Shells and the like These Tuftans are much us'd at Meals being set betwixt every two Persons Caravansera's what they are There are likewise two kind of Buildings in Persia call'd Caravansera's which are erected at the King's Charge the first up and down in the High-ways for the accommodation of Travellers and the others in the Towns for Merchants Goods Those which are in the Countrey are common Inns and built like Cloysters viz. with a spacious Court in the middle and many Chambers round about As to what concerns the Place it self any one may dwell therein a whole year and not pay any thing for his Lodging Those which are in the Towns and serve for Store-houses have many large Rooms on the Doors whereof hang great Padlocks In these the Merchants keep their several Goods for very small Rent which is bestow'd upon Locks In these Rooms are nothing but the bare Walls He that comes first thither makes choice of as many empty Chambers as he hath occasion for and for as long time as he intends to stay Their Summer-houses In the Villages especially between Eskerf and Ferhabad in the Province of Mazanderan are divers Summer-houses built against the heat of the Sun which are call'd Balachane consisting of high Poles cover'd both on the tops and sides onely with Mats made of thin Reeds which they use like Curtains rolling them up or letting them down according as they find it for their convenience They go not up to these Balachanes by Steps but on a piece of Timber which lies sloaping and at easie distances hath several Notches to set their Feet on in stead of Stairs Houses like Beehives The Roofs of the Houses in the Villages Aranzague and Polesofium are round on the top like a Bee-hive after the manner of the Arabian Huts and Tents Their manner of making Fires In Ispahan and other places where there is but little Wood and likewise through all Curdistan necessity hath taught the Inhabitants a means to keep themselves warm in Winter in their Houses viz. they make a Hole in the Earth which they call Tenur or Tennor whereinto they put burning Coals over it they set a kind of Table with a broad Carpet upon it about which setting themselves they cover half their Bodies with the Carpet and also sleep about it in the Night It warms a Room very considerably with a few Coals and for conveying away the Smoak Pipes are laid under Ground from the Tenur to the Garden or base Court The Fewel which they burn is according to the nature of what the Countrey affords either Wood and Shrubs or else Cows and Camels Dung Amongst the Nobility in the Diwanchane or places of Audience are us'd long Wax-Candles which weigh about three pound apiece and serve three or four Evenings the remaining Ends being us'd in other places that are not so much frequented Their Candles and other Lights They also burn Tallow in Candlesticks made of Silver or other Metal like Lamps under which is plac'd a Bason or Platter to receive that which drops down that it may not fall on the Carpets They also use round Iron Fire-pans in which they burn old Rags dipt in Grease which kindling instantly give a greater light than our Links or Torches These Pans they commonly carry about on Sticks which serve them in stead of Flambeaux they sometimes set them on Poles in the open Air before the Diwanchane nor may they be carry'd in the Night before any other than Persons of the greatest Quality Lastly it is a sure sign that the King or at least his Haram is near the place where three such Fire-pots are set out Of their Travelling How the Persians travel THe Persians travel after this following manner viz. By reason of the time that is spent in lading the Camels they cannot not go far the first Night but when they are once laden and upon their Journey they unlade no where till they come to the place where they design to Lodge They journey for the most part in the night and in the day rest in cool and shady places for they certainly believe that if any one should begin a Journey in the day especially in the midst of Summer he would undoubtedly lose his Life or at least fall into a great Fit of Sickness The King and Noblemen travel after this manner viz. The Haram and Women go before with all the Camels and Carriages The Attendance of the Haram attended by a great Train of Servants who are well Arm'd the Overseer of the Women or Captain of the Haram also accompanies them on Horseback well Arm'd and is most commonly an Eunuch so also do the rest of the Officers They onely use Oxen and Cows for Carriage in some places The Rusticks in Adirbeitzan and about Ardebil neither use Mules nor Horses for the carrying of their Goods but onely Oxen and Cows which are for the most part black or spotted and less than ours neither do they put Saddles upon them but cover their whole Bodies with a course Linnen Cloth quilted with Wooll or the like and that is all their Furniture Their Religion The divers Sects THe King of Persia's Subjects are either Mahumetans Xiahies otherwise call'd Scheichs or Schiati or
to follow it Sofy's are as much as Clergy-men The Clergy as we may so call them are term'd Sofy's living poorly and receiving daily Alms from the King's Court they dwell altogether under one Superior call'd Basci-Sofi with great appearance of Humility so that they are highly esteem'd not onely by the Common-people but by the King because they are the Successors of Schach Ismael Sofi whom Schach Abbas accounted the Head of their Sect which he manifested in his Prayers for having nam'd God then Mahomet and Aaly he addeth Sofi Sciah Imam Dinum that is Sciah Sofi the High Priest of my Law They live at the King's Allowance At all times there are two or three hundred of these Sofy's with the King where so e're he goes Every Evening they have several Dishes of Meat brought them out of the King's Kitchin which they eat either in publick in the first Court or some other place appointed for that purpose whither many of the Nobility repair to see them at Supper There are some Zealots which fall down at the feet of these Sofy's confessing their Sins They confess their Sins and imploring Absolution for the same whereupon he gives the Penitent several blows on the back with a small Cane by means whereof they believe their Sins to be pardon'd how great so ever they are This kind of Absolution is in the Persian Tongue call'd Astaraet There are also amongst them several Sects Other Sects viz. Camaraths and Mutazelis which allow of nothing but what they can make out by Natural Reason like our Scepticks There are also Mahadelis or according to Ananias Molochadis which denying the divine Power affirm that all things are govern'd by the Starrs especially the Planets The two chiefest Teachers after Sofi and in high esteem amongst the Persians were Xeque Aydar and Imam Harust these the Turks and all other Mahumetans in Barbary and other Parts of Africa and also in Tartary abhor more than all others being transported with much fury against the whole Nation so that they think they do God and Mahomet greater Service in killing one Persian than a hundred Christians nor do the Persians less resent the Turks upon the same account holding them a hundred times more pernicious and less Believers than the Christians The Parties that follow the Persians are spred over all Armenia Assyria Diarbeck Hierack The Followers of the Persians Persia Corassan Hircania Carmania Sagistan and a Part of India It is very common in Persia to see the Metzids without a Roof yet notwithstanding they are very large nay some that were built by King Abbas at Ispahan are yet uncover'd Their High-Priests They have also a High-priest call'd Mustaed Dini that is the Head of the Law who is like the Mufti of the Turks and hath his Seat in the Metropolis Ispahan In the lesser Towns are others nam'd also Mustaed Dini but they are inferior to the first Their inferior Priests yet he hath not power to elect them because they are onely chosen by the Grand Sophy under these Mustaed Dini are the Califs who perform daily Service in their Temples Two other Sects and their Opinions In several Provinces of Perfia especially in that of Lar are two other Sects the first was introduc'd above two hundred years since by one Magmud of Babylon and these have the most Disciples which are call'd Ehl el Tabquid that is Men of Truth These affirm that there is no other God but the four Elements which they conclude out of the Name Allah that is God in the Arabick as also from the four Parts of the World They hold also that there is no rational Soul nor another life after this but that each Creature is a mixture of the Elements of which likewise Man is compos'd during his life after which the Soul who kept he Elements together being fled they return to their first Principles They mock at all things that have either been written or said by the Prophets Saints or ancient Law-givers alledging that they were either ignorant in the Truth or else would not reveal it to them Paradise and Hell they affirm is in this World for he that hath once enjoy'd the Nature of Man returns again into the World after Death either in the shape of a Beast Plant happy or unhappy man great and powerful or poor and despicable according to his Merits and this is all the Reward or Punishment of a good or bad life What Books Novices may read The Followers of this Sect have many Books which they will not permit people differing from their opinion to read If it happens that any one of their own Sect which is not fully instructed therein or another desirous to embrace their Religion requests to see the Books they first give him an Oath of Secrecy which they call the little Oath and then give him such of them as contain the lesser Mysteries upon perusal whereof if he continues in his Resolution then they give him another Juramentum magnum a greater Oath which impowers him freely to receive all their Books for his better Satisfaction and Instruction in the more mysterious parts of their Tenents They bear great respect and kindness to each other dealing with the greatest Amity imaginable and shew extraordinary obedience to their Governors or Chiefs in the Persian Tongue call'd Pir that is old men whom they also furnish with all things necessary for their Subsistance The greatest part of the Inhabitants of a Village built near the way to Sciras hold many of their opinions so also do the Provinces of Arak and Persia proper Another Sect and the Tenets of it's Disciples The other Sect hath not so many Upholders and is call'd Tarick Zena Deca that is the way of the Covetous they deny the transmigration of Souls and believe that God is in all places and performs all things from whence they conclude that whatever appears to the eye is God These resemble either the Saduces or Manichees Della Valle thinks that this Sect may be a Relict of the Saduces because they are of the same opinion concerning Transmigration or else are Manichees for Manes as Suidas relates had his Original from the Indian Brachmans and was flead alive by Behram King of Persia and therefore this Sect is sometimes call'd Manei Zendick that is Manes the covetous Reverence old Trees The Persians shew peculiar Reverence to old and great Trees out of a superstitious belief that they are the Residence of happy Souls and therefore call a Tree Pir that is old man from the signification which that word hath in the Persian Language wherefore when they call a Place or Tree Pir they mean thereby the Soul of a happy Person residing therein The Seyds have great Priviledges Amongst the Persians are also many Mahumetans call'd Seyd which in the Arabick signifies Lord which name is onely given to those in Persia who boast themselves to be
his Successors have us'd that Title and though there are a great number of Sophies through all Persia yet we must know they are all Ecclesiasticks The right Name which the Persians give to their King is Schach or Sa after the Italian pronunciation which signifies King or Patxa which others write Padischa that is The supream Schach or King of Kings They also call him Sahib that is Lord or Governor Some also affirm that the Kings are likewise nam'd Choda or Chodohon which in the Persian Tongue signifies God but that is onely a mistake for Choda or Chodabende as the Sir-name of Schach-Abbas's Father the natural signification of the word is one that is oblig'd to God At the Persian Court are many which bear the Title of King as Chan and Sultan have the significations of King the one in the Turkish and the other in the Persian Tongue which proceeds from hence because the chief Princes of Persia to make themselves the more eminent will have Subjects that are styl'd Kings though in truth they are but Vice-Roys Mirza its signification Mizza or Mirza is in the Arabick properly a Title of Honor and signifies Prince or more peculiarly A Prince of the Blood according to which signification the eldest Son who is Heir apparent to the Crown bears no other Name being generally call'd Sultan Mirza i.e. Prince of the Realm Persons of Quality generally bear two Names besides a third which is a Title of Honor which last is commonly put behind as Assa Chan Beid that is Isa or Jesus Chan Lord which is quite contrary to the Christians who always place their Title before their Name How the Turks style the Persian Kings The Turkish Emperor in his Letters to the King of Persia doth not style him Schach but Schach Ogli that is A holy Mans or Prophets Son The King to be distinguish'd from other Persons wears a red Turbant differing in fashion from others with twelve Ribbons instituted by Schach Ismael in commemoration of the twelve Sons of Aaly from whom he boasted his Extract This Turbant which some call Tage or Tache is as much with them as a Crown with us Minadoi tells us that the first Calif or Mustaed Dini puts the said Turbant on the King's Head at his Coronation or taking upon him the Government The King also wears his Turbant after another manner than other People for that which they wear before he wears behind which none in all Persia dares do but himself upon pain of Death The Kingdom descends by Inheritance This Kingdom is Hereditary and the King 's eldest Son always succeeds him in the Throne So long as there be any Heirs of the lawful Wife they Inherit but for want of such those that are begotten on the Chassees or Concubines and for defect of such it devolves upon the deceased King's nearest Relations These as also those that boast themselves to be deriv'd from the old Sefi are call'd Schach Elwend or Schachavends that is Successor of Schach and have great Priviledges in the Countrey yet for the most part live very sparingly The Houses in which the King's Children are born they make priviledg'd places and if it be from the Court and in any remote place the House is immediately inclos'd with a Wall The Kings Arms. In ancient times the Kings of Persia bore a Crescent proper for their Coat of Arms as the Greeks the Sun but now it is quite contrary for the Persians bear a Sun and the Turks which possess Greece a Half-Moon But Schach Sefi bore in his Great Seal which was about the bigness of a Half-Crown nothing but this Inscription I Schach Sefi am a zealous Servant of the onely God and about the edges was Engraven Aaly they may say of you what they please I am always your Friend who before this Seal doth not account himself Dust and Earth though he be an Angel may he be turn'd to Dust and Ashes His Coronation The Coronation is celebrated in Ispahan though formerly at Cafa or Cufa near Bagdad but remov'd from thence by reason of the too near neighborhood of the Turks the manner of it is as followeth On a Table an Ell high they lay as many rich Carpets as there have been Kings of that Dignity since the beginning of Schach Ismael Sefi upon these they set their new King to whom the chief Chans carry the Crown which he kisses three times in the Name of GOD Mahomet and Aaly and then rubbing his Forehead with the same his Chamberlain whom they call Lele sets it upon his Head at which they all cry God save the King God grant him to Reign from one to a thousand years then kissing his Feet they bring him great Presents and spend the day in Mirth and Jollity Minadoy tells us that the chief Calif sets the Turbant or Tage on the King's Head at his entring into the Throne but they take no Oaths nor have any Restrictions laid upon them Their Burying-place The Kings and those of the Royal Family are generally bury'd at Ardebil and lie interr'd round about Schach Sefi's Tomb. When the King appears at any publick Meeting he is generally accompany'd besides twelve Courtiers with the Seder Minatzim and Hakim The Hakim is his Physician and tells him what Meat is wholsom and what unwholsom The Minatzim is his Astrologer who acquaints him with all the good and bad Hours wherein he is to undertake any great Design and is herein credited like an Oracle the King undertaking nothing without his Advice The Seder is the chief of the Clergy and is as the Muffi amongst the Turks elected by the King and Casi being generally a Learned Man well skill'd in the Alcoran and must be ready to give his Opinion on all such things as are demanded of him because according to his Judgment they pass Sentence Some Decrees are also Pass'd by the Seder himself who Sealing them with his own Signet sends the same to die King who writes under him This is the Opinion of the Seder which We confirm under which he puts his Great Seal The Causes of Citizens are Judg'd by other Lawyers who are call'd Orf and are under the chief Judge Diwanbeki who is no less experienc'd in the Mahumetan Tenents than the Seder Their Juridical Courts The Days on which they keep their Courts of Judicature are Mondays and Thursdays on which they meet at Ispahan near the King's Palace in a publick arch'd place where they hear and determine Causes and if any thing chance to come before them which they judge to be of too great consequence for them to decide then they order it to be heard before the King The Punishments of Offenders All Offenders or Criminals are punish'd with extream severity the manner whereof is several and many times invented by the Judges according to the nature of the Crimes but the most asual are to cut off their Noses Hands and Feet ripping
occasion requires he wets the Seal with Ink which the King constantly wears about his Neck to make an Impression with from whence he also receives his Denomination Dawat or Ink-carrier for the Persians Print all their seals wetted with Ink on Paper in stead of making Impressions in Wax Mohur signifies a Signet or Seal-Ring and the word Dar which hath a general signification of Officer is us'd in a commanding sense in stead of having as if you would say Haver or Keeper of the Seal Besides the Great Seal the King hath a less Signet to seal his Letters withal which he sends to his Vice-Roys and Governors and other publick Writings wherewith no Person is intrusted for the King wears the same in his Ring and makes an Impression with his own Hand therewith The Myrachurbasschi is the Master of the Horse Myrischicar the chief Falconer Sechhahnbaschi the Huntsman Jesaulcor like our Knight Marshal which rides before the King and with a Cane clears the way is under the Lord Marshal and hath a Deputy under him call'd Jesaul which are as our Marshals Men whom he imploies on all occasions and sometimes to apprehend Malefactors Suflretzi the King's Carver Abdar the King's Cup-bearer who has deliver'd to him the Wine or Water for the King 's drinking in a seal'd Vessel which he publickly opens and so presents it to the King Chasinedar the Treasurer Ambadar the Purveyor of Corn Jesaul Nesar the Person that keeps the Kings Shoes when he goes into the Hall Mehmandar or Mehimander he that provides Lodgings and all other Necessaries for Forraign Ambassadors and not onely waits upon them but also acquaints the King with their business he being the first that hath any knowledge thereof given him nay all Affairs of what consequence soever must pass through his Hands though the Agents were sent from other Princes to treat of nothing else but Matters of State which makes the Mehimander to be in great Esteem and Reputation The King also ordains another peculiar Mehimander to take care and provide for such Ambassadors as he esteems more than ordinary the other Officers are of meaner degree viz. the Isauly are a People who as Messengers wait at Court and are sent abroad on all occasions The Kischiktzibaschi is Captain of the Guard as the Tzabedar is Master of the Ordnance and the Tzartzi chief Herald at Arms who proclaimeth all the King's Edicts The Tzelaudarbaschi is Captain of the King's Horse-Guard and Master of the Stirrop The Mostofi is the principal Secretary of State who is permitted to keep several Clarks The Seraidar or Surveyor of the Works who keeps in repair pair the King's Pallaces The Clitar serves as Porter the Muschrift is the Clark of the Kitchin the Cannati is the Confectioner the Sbherbedar buies all the King's Sweet-meats the Omatzdar being an Archer teaches His Majesties Pages and other Courtiers to shoot at Marks the Bildars are Pyoneers which keep constantly at the Court and attend when the King travels cleaning the ways or cutting steps in rocky Ascents which otherwise the Camels having round feet are not able to climb they also help to pitch the Tents and dig deep Pits in the ground for water The Schatir are the Footmen the Rica carry Battel-axes and oftentimes perform the office of Execution and always attend the King as his Life-guard All Officers or Servants belonging to the Court have each according to their Qualities great Pension or Salary which is not paid them out of the King's Revenue or Treasury but from several Villages which are allotted for that purpose The Allowance of the Chans The Chans have certain Lands and Villages thereto belonging allowed them yet they receive the Revenue and are as Magistrates judging and determining all things but Matters of Life and Death some have certain Customs given them others receive for their Salary the Taxes laid on Houses of Entertainment They hold durance beneplacito All the foremention'd Officers keep their places during the King's pleasure who seldom discharges them but for Misdemeanor or else to prefer them to some greater Dignity The most eminent Officers and Courtiers belonging to the King which were living Anno 1640. in the time of Schach Sofi and had serv'd also his Predecessor Schach Abbas being of a mean condition Schach Sefi kill'd all but two viz. the one a Herdsman's Son the other a Slave to Schach Abbas who were afterwards by Sefi promoted to greater Dignity Those that he put to Death were Eahtemad-Dowlet a Scriveners Son born in Mazanderan The Wakenuis or Privy-Counsellor a Rusticks Son born in the Village Dermen near Casbijn most of them had Christian Parents viz. Georgians Circassians or Armenians for the Persians repose greater confidence in a Chistian if he be circumciz'd than in one of their own Religion Their highest Oath The King is exceedingly honor'd in his Realm when any one takes an Oath they never swear but by the King's Head which is accounted the most sacred and solemn of all other Their Complements In their wishing of Joy and Happiness one to another they say not God give you Joy but in the Turkish Language Schach Mura di sun that is I wish that the King may shew his favor to you and many other things they attribute to their King which belong to God onely All see the King once a year According to an antient Custom in Persia and the Command of King Abbas none dare though a person of but an indifferent Estate neglect to see the King and shew him Reverence once a year On their Neuruz or New-years Day the King according to an antient Custom receives Presents from all his chief Officers unless the day be suspected ominous for then the King never comes out of his Haram or Seraglio How the King gives Audience to Ambassadors as we have before mention'd The King seldom grants Audience to any Ambassadors in private but always at a publick Dinner and in presence of all the Guests notwithstanding their business be never so secret No Persian whatsoever whether Subject or Stranger may appear before the King without great Presents nay not the Ambassadors from strange Princes which is a very antient Custom and was as Philostratus tell us us'd in the time of the Kings of Media The King expects Presents The Kings of Persia demand Presents from those that are their Homagers who pay no Tribute and this Custom is kept amongst all Eastern Princes to this very day they publickly provide that if any Foreigners bring Presents that are not thought fit for the Emperors Greatness they make him remain still there with more of the like Petitioners so by that means their Presents make the greater shew and appear the more glorious to the Spectators they report further that if the Present seems not equivalent to the King's Greatness there is an addition out of the Wardrobe silently hinting that they or whoever else cannot come too well provided
or their next Addresses But the reciprocal presenting of these Princes one to another they look upon as such a Due that they expect it as a Debt and the neglect thereof hath bred so much animosity as hath caus'd a War and particularly between the Turks and the Persians Anno 1618. because King Abbas had many years neglected his Presents which amounted to a very considerable value to the Grand Seignior Those that bring the Ambassador's Presents to the King are a poor sort of people kept by the King for that purpose To every Present are order'd as many people to carry it as there are pieces and several sorts of things for every man is to carry but one piece though never so small And makes great returns Moreover the Persians make very great Presents especially to Strangers who are oblig'd to make a Return of a greater value and if the Person that is presented fail therein he that presented him doth not onely cry and lament as if he had sustain'd a great loss but also demands his Gift again or the value thereof The King's Wives call'd Begum The Kings Wives are three or four besides a great number of Concubines the Queen is in the Persian Tongue call'd Begum which is properly a Turkish Word and signifies a Lady but this name is by the Persians not onely given to the Queen but also to the King's Daughters Sisters and Aunts This Queen is the chief of all his Wives to whom the rest shew obedience The rest have another Name besides that of Begum viz. Maria Begum Zeineh Begum c The King's Concubines cannot attain to the Honorable Title of Begum but are styl'd Chanum No Concubines so styl'd Chanum signifies properly amongst the Turks and Tartars my Queen but amongst the Persians onely an eminent Woman wherefore the Relations and Consorts of Noblemen bear that Denomination But if there be more than one Chanum in the house viz. a Consort a Sister a Mother or any else they distinguish them to avoid mistakes according to their Age Quality or Office calling the Chief the great Chanum the others the little Chanum the second Chanum c. if there be but one the Husband the Son and all else call her my Chanum except the Servants who say our Chanum and hereby they know the Masters of the House but this is onely customary amongst persons of great Quality The King's Concubines are commonly of several Foreign Nations for the King especially King Abbas Persian Women not respected delighted not in Women of his own Countrey nor in those of his Relations wherefore there are but few Persian women seen at the Court except it be some or the Chans Daughters or other Ladies of Honor. Most of the Kings Women are either born in Georgia Circassia Muscovy or Armenia and many of them Christians but are oblig'd upon their coming thither to turn Mahumetans There are also Tartars extracted from the Family of the Usbeghi but most of the King's Concubines are Georgians which are very beautiful of good deportment and noble Extract in their own Countrey How the King bestows His Concubines The King oftentimes gives his Concubines in Marriage to some or other of his Nobles and with her a Portion viz. a Camel to carry her to her Husband if he doth not live in the City a Chieceve that is a coulor'd Seat which according to the Custom of the Countrey being set upon the Camel she may sit therein with great ease as also a Chest with her Clothes and Bedding Linnen Plate Jewels and all things which she possess'd in the Haram also two thousand Duckets which his an inconsiderable Portion for they are bound to maintain her at another Rate In any Progress the King's Wives always travel before in the Night to prevent being seen by the vulgar Sort and in his absence ride in little close Seats which hang on a Camels side viz. on each side of the Camel one which when the Camel-drivers have fitted they retire while the Eunuchs help in the Ladies Eunuchs onely attend the Haram and why which Custom was first instituted by Schach Abbas upon this occasion The King on a time marching with his Army in the Night and overtaking a Camel that belong'd to his Haram whose Seat hung down on one side he call'd to the Camel-driver who not appearing the King in a rage lighting off from his Horse endeavor'd with his shoulders to lift up the same but finding it too heavy and remounting his Horse to discover what might be the Reason of it's extraordinary weight he saw the Lady that was therein embracing the Camel-driver which so enrag'd the King that calling several of his Officers about him he immediately caused the two Malefactors to be beheaded and since that time the Camel-drivers never meddle with any thing but hanging on the empty Seats and taking them off The Order how the Haram travels If the King's Wives travel in Company with him they always ride on Horse-back unveyl'd but strongly guarded Moreover the King on all such occasions always rides in the Middle of his Haram and spends his time in Discourse first with one and then with another And when the Women of the Haram travel alone or in company with the King they always go in the following order A League before march a certain number of Eunuchs who drive all those that they meet with both by Night and Day out of the Way that they may not meet the Haram nay they have Power to clear whole Towns and Villages and wound and kill all such as contest and will not retire The Women never seen unveyl'd The Eastern Princes account it a great Abomination for any of their Women to be seen by their Subjects for not onely Ladies of Quality but also the meanest Slaves that belong to the Court are never seen by any strange men but onely the King himself and his Eunuchs After them follows a Company of Soldiers call'd Jasacksi which are like the King's Life-guard who prevent all Persons of what Quality soever from passing to the Haram Haram what it means Because the Word Haram is often mention'd we will explain what it means Haram is an Arabick Word and signifies properly amongst the Arabians that which is forbidden and disallow'd by the Law The Persian-Mahumetans and those that inhabit the Eastern Countreys of Asia understand by the Haram the Seraglio of Concubines and accordingly when they intend to say that the King or Prince is in the Womens Lodgings they say The King c. is in the Haram the Servants of the Haram and so with all other things The Recreation of the King's Wives The King never travels abroad nay not to the Wars without his Haram The King's Wives recreate themselves every Wednesday in Ispahan with great freedom in the Street Tziaharbag and in the Gardens thereabouts where they are attended by many Ladies of Honor but during their
slew Constantine in Battel who then was King of the Countrey An. 1507. it was Govern'd by a King call'd Pancrace after which the King dividing his Kingdom into four parts gave the same to his four Sons giving them equal Power leaving onely the Superiority to the eldest to whom he had given the best and biggest part wherefore this Prince is respected by all the other and being of greater eminency is honor'd with the Title of Mepet-Mepe which in the Countrey Language signifies The King of Kings the rest being contented to be call'd Princes of Georgia which at this day are six in number for besides the four before mention'd Extracted from Royal Blood there are two others who at first were Deputies to Mepet-Mepe being Governors of two great parts of hâ—s Dominions beyond the Black Sea but at last rebelling against him made themselves Masters thereof as we shall hereafter relate more at large The Province of Imereti or Basciaciuk THe Province of Imereti or being the Centre and strongest part of the Countrey was without doubt the ancient Iberia It is fortifi'd with several Mountains especially towards the South side of Persia wherefore the Persians never make any Inroad that way It borders on the West at Dadian or Mengrelia and at Gunel This Countrey hath a City of the same Denomination besides many other inferior Towns The King's Title The King or Prince or King that Governs this Countrey is call'd Ghiorghi that is Georgian and with a shorter Title of Mepet-Mepe which they use onely in writing but speaking they generally call him Giorghi Mepe that is The Georgian King but the Turks call the Princes as well as the Countrey People thereof Basciascive or Basciaciuk that is Bare or Uncover'd Head Formerly the Princes of Dadian and Guriel were subject to the Prince of Basciaciuk or Imereti and serv'd him as Gentlemen of the Horse one holding his Stirrup and the other the Bridle when he mounted on Horseback but being of late grown more powerful they have not onely freed themselves from his Authority but made themselves his Equals nay by their Warring against him are fear'd not onely by him but by other neighboring Princes Anno 1622. when the Prince of Dadian had obtain'd a Victory against the Prince of Imereti and done him much hurt he forc'd him to send Agents into Persia to request Aid there with promise to become Tributary to the Sofi if he would send him the Soldiers which lay in Garrison in the Towns of Teflis and Gori under the Command of a Georgian Nobleman call'd Battoni Mehrab but Schach Abbas receiv'd the Message with much displeasure refusing their Presents and Request saying that they did it out of a private Design and treacherous Intention yet proffer'd him some Persian Soldiers but the King disliking to admit Strangers into his Countrey refus'd that Offer and Espous'd one of the Prince of Dadian's Sisters so closing the Breach that had been made upon him The Province of Cacheti Situation of this Province EAstward from the Province of Imereti lies Cacheti which being a part of Iberia and perhaps also of Albania was the Dominion of the youngest Brother of the four before-mention'd call'd Teimuraz who kept his Court in a City nam'd Zagain or Zagam which is one of the chiefest in this Countrey and next to that Grim or Grien The King and Nobles whom they call Asnauri take more pleasure in living in Huts in the Countrey than in the City which they account a fit place for Handicrafts Mechanicks and the vulgar sort of People to dwell in All the Georgians are wedded to this Opinion that all those who are not Asnauries or Noblemen will not debase themselves to live in the City or drive any manner of Trade but leave it to be perform'd by Strangers as Armenians Jews and many other the like People themselves spending their time either in the Wars or in Tilling of their own Lands for which reason they were by the ancient Greeks justly call'd Georgi that is Agricultors or Husbandmen The reason of the Name Georgian For this reason also there are but few Cities in this Countrey and those but of small consequence yet is it every where well inhabited and full of large Timber Houses after the fashion of the Countrey and likewise many handsom and well built Churches This Countrey was formerly Govern'd by peculiar Princes the last whereof was call'd Teimuraz The Province of Cardel or Carduel The Bounds of this Province THe Province of Cardel or Carduel lying Southward from Cacheti or Imereti borders with its South side upon Persia a extends Westward to that of Teimuraz and lies near Great Armenia of which perhaps it is a part The chiefest City call'd Teflis lies in a very secure place which being water'd by a small River nam'd The Chiur gliding from an adjacent Mountain and falling into the Araxes is accounted to be the Zogocara of Ptolomy a City of Great Armenia and as Joseph Barbosa affirms there are yet to be seen the Tombs of the Kings who Rul'd this part of Georgia which in the beginning of this Age had a Prince call'd Simon who afterwards dy'd in Prison at Constantinople and afterwards another nam'd Luarzab Heir and Nephew of Simon who with Teimuraz Prince of Cacheti was by the Persians driven out of his Countrey and carry'd alone to Persia where he dy'd without Issue After him about the Year 1622. the King of Persia plac'd a Mahumetan Son to a deceased Bagred Myrza and Nephew to the Prince of Luarzab in this Dominion not to possess it as supream Governor but as a Deputy or Chan as all other Chans of Persia the occasion whereof hapned thus How the Kings of it came to be dispossess'd In the War between the Turks and Persians whil'st they Treated about a Peace and the Armies of both Parties stood each on their Defence and disputed the Business of the two aforesaid Georgian Princes under whose Subjection they were to stand for the Turks would have them under their Jurisdiction the King of Persia told the Turkish Agent who Treated with him about Peace That Teimuraz and Luarzab were and ever had been his Subjects in testimony of which he could command them into his Army when he pleas'd Whereupon the Agent reply'd That they should be his if he could make them come Upon which the King sending for them they in obedience to his Command were coming but seeing the Turkish Army so near durst not declare themselves for the Persians but flatter'd the one as well as the other excusing themselves to the Persians but came not into his Army which highly incens'd the King against them and as soon as a Peace was concluded and the Turkish Army gone out of his Dominions the King of Persia growing subtilly malicious and plotting Revenge sow'd the Seeds of Contention between Luarzab and Teimuraz and at last wrought it to that heighth that they fell to open War one with
another notwithstanding they were nearly related for Teimuraz his second Wife was Sister to Luarzab and had undoubtedly given Battel to one another their Armies being already drawn into the Field if they had not been prevented by means of some faithful Councellors who offering themselves to be Mediators between them in order to a Reconciliation discover'd to them that their Difference was occasion'd by the King of Persia who sought nothing but their utter ruine Moreover the King of Persia bred also Discontent and Difference between Teimuraz and his Mother Ketevan Dedupali or Queen Ketevan who then was a Widow for he perswaded Teimuraz into a belief that she was resolv'd to Marry with an eminent Commander in whom for his valor and grand policy in State Affairs she repos'd great confidence and that she endeavor'd first to destroy him that so she might bestow the Realm on another Son which she might have by her second Husband all which so incens'd the innocent Teimuraz that he caus'd the foremention'd Commander who was the prime Man of the Countrey to be put to death and took the Government from his Mother but being young unexperienc'd and little regarded by his Nobility he found himself involv'd in great troubles for the King of Persia still prosecuted his Design making him to be despis'd and esteem'd but a Child amongst the Nobles who whensoe're they came into Persia were courteously receiv'd by the King who also gave them great Presents and permitted them to use their own Religion which highly satisfi'd and pleas'd them and by this means they grew Strangers to their natural Prince After the King had for a considerable time thus acted his part he march'd with a great Army into Georgia and conquer'd the same Anno 1613. The Persian Invades Georgia under pretence that Teimuraz had Marry'd the Princess of Chaurascian Sister to Luarzab who had first been promis'd to him against his Consent Wherefore coming upon their Borders he commanded both Teimuraz and Luarzab to come into his Army to give an account of their Transactions and bring the Bride with them whom he himself had so long desir'd and that he might break off the Match with Teimuraz which had been so long before celebrated as if that which the Mahumetans make a common practice were also allow'd amongst the Christians The Georgian Princes being betray'd by their Nobles who freely shew'd the King the Way into this Countrey were exceedingly amaz'd not knowing what they should do but Luarzab being the weakest surrendred himself to his Majesty who sent him to the Province of Esterebad near the Caspian Sea very remote from Georgia where the Chan of that Countrey kept him a long time though with all civility imaginable giving him liberty to go wheresoe're he pleas'd whil'st the King without any opposition or going thither himself sent one Rairei or Bagred Myrza to Govern his Countrey And though this Bagred Myrza was of the same Family and Grandson to Luarzab yet he had long before deny'd the Christian Faith and turn'd Mahumetan Luarzab imprison'd and murther'd About the Year 1621. there Reign'd one of the said Rairei's Sons not as absolute Prince but Tributary to the Persian After Luarzab had spent some years in Esterabad the King that he might the better be assur'd of his Person commanded him to be sent to the Province of Fars or Persia where he was kept in a strong Prison not far from the City Schiras and lastly Anno 1621. when those of his Party had greatest hopes of his Enlargement and the King on a certain day had appointed to see him it fell out contrary to all their expectations for the King being inform'd by an eminent and powerful Georgian a Mahumetan and an Enemy to Luarzab who had formerly promis'd to take one of his Sisters to Wife which he afterwards refused and despised that he would never possess Luarzab's Countrey in quiet so long as he liv'd because his Subjects had a natural affection for him and had still hopes during his Life at one time or other to have him again Whereupon the jealous Persian pretending that he had discover'd a Plot of some Georgians against his Person wherein Luarzab was concern'd commanded that he should be strangled with a Bowe-string in the Castle where he was kept Prisoner But Teimuraz being more subtil would no ways venture to come to the King though commanded but excus'd himself alledging that he durst not come for fear of his Majesty's exceeding displeasure which he was inform'd of neither was it possible for him to send his Wife it being contrary to the Custom of the Christians nor would his Honor give him leave to deliver his Wife yet to shew how willing he was to obey him he sent his own Mother and Sister then a young Virgin in his stead and also his two little Sons Levan and Alexander hoping thereby to reconcile and pacifie him but all in vain for he would by no means be reconcil'd unless he might enjoy the Princess Chuarascian Teimuraz's Consort and though he knew that his Request was unreasonable and that which Teimuraz neither could nor would grant he again commanded Teimuraz to come and surrender himself which he refusing the King kept his Mother never suffering her to return but sent her with her Grandchildren to Schiras to be kept there by Imaneuli Chan of that Place and Son to Allackverdi Chan. And besides this the King march'd with his Army into Georgia that was under the Jurisdiction of Teimuraz to whom all the Nobles treacherously submitted Whereupon the Georgian Prince seeing his destruction so near at hand and having no Army ready nor time to raise one fled with his Wife and a great number of Christians into the strongest part of the Province of Imereti where he stay'd a while with the Prince of that Countrey and after that going farther tarry'd with the Prince of Odisci or Dadian whil'st many of the Nobles tempted with vain hopes surrendred themselves freely to the King of Persia deny'd their Religion and took up Arms against their own natural Prince The Persian quits the Countrey By this means the Persians possess'd Georgia but weighing the difficulty and charge of maintaining their new Conquest they not onely resolv'd not to keep the Countrey but judg'd it convenient to march thence with their Army the nearest and safest way But though they could not keep the Countrey yet they would not lose so great a Booty of so many brave People as they had taken and such as perhaps were worth more to them than the Countrey it self for which reason they forc'd them all both Men and Women as well Noble as Ignoble great and small with what Moveables they were able to carry to forsake their native Countrey whil'st the King's Army marching behind drove them into Persia where afterwards they were sent into several Provinces remote from Georgia and by this means the Provinces of Persia proper Kirman or Garmania Mazanderan at the
they go to sleep How Persons of Quality live Persons of Quality live after a noble manner and when they are either in a Coach or on Horseback cause a Taffaty Flag to be carry'd before them The priviledge of the Inhabitants here is very great in this point for not onely great Persons but also every private Man of what Countrey or Religion soever may live at as high a rate as he pleases and imitate the King in his Fashions if he fancy them and his Estate be able to maintain it Every one that is able keeps a great number of Servants wherefore most of them live like Lords which they may easily maintain partly because the King notwithstanding he sees his Subjects richly Cloth'd and that they live with a great Retinue like Princes which have great Revenues yet he lets them live in quiet and undisturb'd never taking any thing from them though it justly belongs to him because the Indians are naturally inclin'd thereto for by reason of the abundance of mean People and cheapness of Provisions they may live nobly for a small matter allowing a Servant not above three Ropia's a Moneth each Ropias being 2 s. 6 d. Sterl to buy him Provisions and Clothes with There are likewise an innumerable company of Slaves which cost little or nothing the keeping for they wear nothing but a white Cotton Coat which is very cheap and eat little else but Rice and Fish a very common Food in this Countrey so that with small charge they can keep a great Family and the rather because the Commodities and Goods which are made by the Inhabitants are many and the increase of their Land by reason of its extraordinary fruitfulness almost incredible The Women good Dancers The Women are very expert in Dancing to the sound of divers Bells and other such like Instruments on which the Men play In Zuratte and divers other places in India are several Women-Dancers who are hir'd to Dance for Money having Rings about their Legs Strings of Pearl about their Necks and many other rich Ornaments Some also wear Breast-plates of Leather almost round like a Shield beset with Precious Stones and the like which glitter exceedingly in the Sun The Chans and other Nobles cause the foremention'd Dancers to Dance before them after Meals either to their own Voices or to the sound of a Cymbal and Tumbeck which is a kind of Tabor and two small Drums These People go stark naked from one City to another nay through the whole Countrey and sometimes to the Borders of other Countreys and maintain themselves onely by Dancing and Singing They wear gilded Rings on their Fingers Toes and in their Noses and each of them five gilded Copper Rings and two red Silk Armlets with Gold Buttons below their Elbows on their Arms. After the same manner they adorn their Legs also These Women besides their Dancing prostitute themselves to all those who desire them Their Games and Pastimes The Indians especially the Mogolleans spend much of their time in Hawking and for that purpose keep several sorts of great and small Hawks Their Dogs with which they Hunt are as Terry tells us like our Greyhounds though much smaller but Peruschi affirms that they have no Hunting Dogs but make Leopards and Tygers tame and teach them to Hunt and at one Leap to seize and kill the Game They also carry Guns with them when they go a Hunting and kill their Game with a single Bullet for smaller Shot they have none They are very expert in Shooting with a Bowe and Arrow their Bowes are made of Buffalo's Horns and their Arrows of Canes with which they shoot Birds flying and Beasts as they run at full speed The wild Fowl which keep in the Water they catch after a subtil manner viz. a Man going into he Water with an artificial Bird of the same kind which he designs to take imitates its Voice whil'st he swims under Water in such a manner that the artificial Bird being on the Crown of his Head appears just above the Water by which means coming near the Birds he pulls them down by the Legs and takes as many of them as he pleases As to what concerns their Pastime within their Houses they have Cards though differing from ours in the Pictures and in the number they also are expert in playing at Draughts They delight very much in the company of Quacks Juglers and the like the Quacks carrying poysonous Serpents in Baskets and suffering themselves to be bitten or stung by them at their pleasures the stung part swelling they immediately cure the same with Oyl and certain Powders which they lay thereupon afterwards proffering to sell the same Medicaments to the Spectators Juglers Their Juglers also are very dexterous in their Art and do strange things by the sleight of Hand viz. they set Dishes or wide open Baskets on the Ground three or four one above another which seem to be all empty as they set them down but in the taking them up one after another there seems to be living Birds in them either Turtle-doves or others which they seemingly cover again with the same Dishes turning them backwards and forwards as if they took them away the Birds being afterwards no more to be seen the Spectators not being able to discern either how they are brought thither or taken away The manner of the Great Mogol's Hunting The Great Mogol often goes a Hunting with a thousand sometimes two thousand Men. About Agra and Dely along the Stream Gemna as far as the Mountains as also on each side of the High-way which runs to Lahor is a large quantity of untill'd Land some parts are wooddy others overgrown with Grass of a Man's heighth In all these places are many Game-keepers who go from place to place to prevent Hunting or Hawking there except for Partridges Quails and Hares which the Indians catch in Gins or Snares so that there are abundance of wild Beasts in all places When these Keepers of the Game know that the King or Mogol is in the Field a Hunting and near their Station they acquaint the chief Master Huntsman with the quality of the Beast which is Hunted and where there are most of them whereupon all the Avenues to that place are guarded that Travellers may not go through that place but pass by on one side or other They Hunt several Beasts as Gazelles What Beasts they chiefly Hunt Nilgaux or grey Oxen Lyons Cranes and others They Hunt Gazelles with tame Leopards after this manner When they discover a Herd of Gazelles for they commonly graze five or six in a company they unchain the Leopard that lay Chain'd in a little Wagon where they are kept he being let loose doth not immediately run at them but goes creeping along to hide himself till the Gazelles passing by he leaps with incredible swiftness upon them and seizing one of them strangles the same satisfying himself by onely sucking the Blood
unlimited is far greater than that of the Omrahs for at the Court are generally 2 or 300000 besides those that are up and down amongst the Army in the several Provinces The Rouzindars The Rouzindars are also Horsemen but in Pay onely for a day as the Word signifies Yet nevertheless it is often far greater than that of most of the Mansebdars but not in that Quality nor yet so Honorable The number of these People is very great but they perform small Offices for most of them are Secretaries Clerks and Sealers of Barattes or Bonds The Common Troopers are under the Omrahs the chiefest whereof and those that receive most Pay are such as keep two Horses which are mark'd with the Arms of their Omrahs Their Pay is not limited but is left to the discretion and generosity of the Omrah who can pay them as he pleases though according to the Mogol's Order their Pay is no less than 25 Ropias a Month or thereabouts and at that rate he reckons with the Omrahs The Mogol's Infantry The Salary of the Footmen is less They are generally Musquetiers but very unexpert for when they discharge they sit on the Ground and rest their Piece on a Stick being always fearful of burning their great Beards and Eyes and lest one or other Dogen or Evil Spirit might make their Musquets fly to pieces Yet some of them have twenty Ropias others fifteen and some but ten There are nevertheless some Musquetiers and Gunners who have great Pay especially the Franks or Christians as English French Portuguese and Hollanders who deserting the English and Dutch Service went over to them from Goa Before the Mogols knew the Use of Great Guns they gave very great Pay to the foremention'd Gunners to instruct them nay there are some who to this day have 200 Ropias a Month though the common Pay for a good Gunner is but 52. Their Guns are of two different sorts the first great and heavy the second light Some of their heaviest Guns must be drawn by 20 Pair of Oxen besides Elephants to help them by turning the Wheels of the Carriages round with their Trunks when they come into bad Way or go up a Hill When King Oranchzef Anno 1662. March'd with his whole Army to Caximir one of his Northern Provinces to spend the Summer there he carried 70 great Copper Guns with him besides 2 or 300 small Field-pieces which were carried on Camels Backs and 50 or 60 little Brass Guns mounted on handsom Carriages each drawn by two brave Horses adorn'd with red Flags and driven by the Gunner His whole Military Strength computed The Militia which is kept abroad differs no way from that which is kept by the King there being Omrahs Mansebdars Rouzindars common Troopers and Footmen in all Places Neither is there any difference but in the number for the Soldiers which are kept abroad are very numerous The Army which the Mogol is oblig'd to keep constantly in Decan only to curb the mighty King of Golconda and the King of Visiapour with all their Assistants is seldom less than about 25000 Horse The Kingdom of Cabul requires for its usual preservation against the Persians Augans Balouchs and other People which inhabit the Mountains 12 or 13000 Horse the Kingdom of Caximir above 4000 and the Kingdom of Bengala many more So that the number of the Horse which are really kept always by the King with the Horse of the Rajas and Patans amounting to 35 or 40000 added to those which are abroad in the Field will be found to be about 200000. The Foot as we said before is of little consequence for those which the King keeps by him with the Musquetiers and Gunners will scarce amount to 15000 from whence we may judge of the number which may be abroad in the Field-Army Wherefore the great numbers of Foot which some affirm to be in the Mogol's Army cannot be well apprehended unless they take in all those Sutlers or Tradesmen which follow the Army which being reckon'd up together with the Soldiery they may then account near 300000 Men in the King's Army onely and especially when he hath been long out of his Metropolis Pyrard affirms That the Mogol is able in a short time to bring 300000 Elephants 80000 Horse and 200000 Foot which are generally kept within five Leagues from the Place of his Residence into the Field When any come to speak with the King either about State or other Affairs they are conducted by the first Watch they meet withal to the second and so from one to another till they come to the Royal City where they are presented to those whose Office it is to receive them But the first Watch which conducts them to the second takes from the Commander of that Guard a Receipt for their delivery as also he from the third and so likewise the rest And by this means they have certain knowledge of all Persons that pass and repass The Kings Militia or Army with which he in Person march'd into the Field Anno 1630. to pursue the fled Duke Chaen Chan consisted of 154500 Horse besides many Camels Elephants Mules and other Beasts of Burthen yet nevertheless there remain'd 62400 Horse in Garison at Barampour According to a Custom amongst the Indians no Person may use any other Arms than what he hath been train'd up to nor change them though in the Wars from whence it happens that there are Soldiers which fight onely with the Sword others with Sword and Shield some with a Lance others with Bowes and Arrows and others with Musquets and so likewise every one with such Weapons as he hath been ever us'd to which makes them to be very expert and undaunted in any Engagements Most Troopers wear two great Tassels made of fine white Hair of certain wild Indian Oxen which are highly esteem'd fastned behind to the Saddle-tree and also two more before at the Pummel and two on the Rains near the Bit or Curb so that each Horse hath six of them The Horsemen ride half naked nor do the foremention'd Tassels any way trouble the Rider but swing to and fro with the moving of the Horse in such manner that at a distance they seem like Wings The Mogol punishes all Persons that do not behave themselves valiantly or that deal treacherously in the Wars after a severe manner Anno 1646. the third of February two Chans Hassan Aly and Sahad Chan were for surrendring the Fort Darund to the Usbecan Tartars condemn'd to die a miserable death viz. to be flea'd alive to the great sorrow of the Inhabitants One of the King's Eunuchs an intimate Friend to one of these Chans being assur'd that they were necessitated for want of Provisions and Supplies to surrender the Fort deliver'd a Petition to obtain their Pardon from the Great Mogol who was so inrag'd thereat that he immediately caus'd the Eunuch's Head to be cut off none being allow'd to intercede for those with
for if a Father Commanded over a thousand Horse he will make the Son Commander over fifteen hundred and afterwards increase or decrease his number according to his Deserts The King's Treasure is not a little increas'd by the many Presents which are made to him for none whether Stranger or Subject may appear before him without a Present especially on Neuruz or New-years-day for then rich Presents are sent him from all parts of his Dominions They make their Presents with great Ceremony and Cost some giving ten nay a hundred and twenty thousand pound Sterling worth in Jewels Moreover he receives Custom from the Commodities of his Countrey and causes all Travellers to pay Toll at every Town through which they pass Weight Measure and Coin THe Weight in Zurratte being all of one sort is call'd Mao that is A Hand with which they weigh Butter Flesh Sugar Indigo Wood Salt and the like each Mao containing forty Ceer that is thirty pound and a half English and a Ceer eighteen Peyses a sort of Copper Money like our Farthings each Peyse weighing three quarters of a pound Troy weight In Measuring they use two sorts of Ells nineteen of the biggest making about seventeen Yards and a half The least differ onely an Inch from the Dutch Ell or three quarters of a Yard The Mogol Coins several sorts of Money in divers places of his Dominions viz. Mamoedys and Ropias both of Silver The Mamoedys which are Coin'd in Zurratte of course Silver are worth about an English Shilling and go currant onely in the Towns of Brochia Cambaya Brodera and Zurratte The Ropias otherwise Ruky Rupias and Copias Chagamy make each 2 s. 2 d. they are good Silver and pass through all Zuratte There are also Tols Savoys and Jagaries the Tols make each a silver Ropia and ten Tols a golden Ropia a Savoy is one Tol and a half and five Jagaries six Tols On the Coast of Cormandel is a Coin call'd Pagode from an Idol which is stamp'd on the same and goes for 7 s. 8 d. There is likewise a Coin call'd Fanos of ordinary Gold which are pieces like the Scales of Fish and go for Five-pence-halfpeny Their small Money being of Copper is call'd Peysa and resemble our Farthing but are heavier according to the common Accompt ten Peny Weights five or six and twenty of them make a Mamoedye and three or four and fifty a Ropia Moreover Almonds in the Shells pass for Money thirty six of them making a Copper Peysa as also a sort of Cockles with a black Speck in the Countrey Language call'd Cauries which are found on the Shore along the Sea-coast eight whereof make a Peysa There are also Laryns a Persian Coin of good fine Silver of an oval fashion each worth 1 s. 6 d. Moores or Xeraphins Eckbars so call'd from King Eckbar who first Coin'd them is a golden Coin worth thirteen Ropias and a half but are not very common the Nobility usually hoarding them up There is also another sort of Coin call'd Jeckas or Jeckai The Money of this Countrey doth not always bear one Price but rises and folls very often according to the Exchange in which many Benjans drive a vast Trade to their great advantage for they buy all the Gold and Silver upon the coming of the English Dutch and other European Ships and the Moors Vessels from Aden and Persia when commonly they are at the lowest and afterwards raise the Money when any quantity is to be sent up to the places lying up in the Countrey All the Gold and Silver both Coin'd and uncoin'd which is brought thither out of other Countreys is melted and Coin'd into Money stamp'd with Persian Characters expressing the Name and Dignity of the Kings But there is great deceit in this Coin wherefore in many places and corners of the Streets sit Benjan Exchangers of Money call'd Parastes who for a small Reward looking upon the Money try the same with such nimbleness and exactness that they distinguish all the good from the bad so that few receive any Money without shewing it to these Parastes who are oblig'd after it hath been shewn to them if there be any clipt or nought amongst it to make it good but this seldom happens because they are very exact in the telling and looking of it over They reckon great Sums by Crous otherwise Carroras or Caroor and by Lecks though there be no Coin of so great a value a Carrora being a hundred thousand Tun of Gold or as others affirm a hundred Lecks a Leck being a hundred thousand Ropias They reckon also with uncoin'd Gold or other precious things by a certain Weight call'd Barman or Maun which is fifty five pound English Their manner of Travelling They travel on Horseback Mules and Camels both Men and Women as also in Coaches or Chariots The Grandees use Elephants and Palakins which are carry'd on the Shoulders of several Men especially Noblemen and Persons of Quality who account it a great Disgrace to go on Foot In Zurratte and several other Places in India and most part of the Mogol's Countrey they travel in a pretty sort of Chariots with two Wheels the bottoms whereof are square and rais'd very high from the Ground above the Wheels there are no Seats in the same but they sit on the Floor after the Eastern manner with their Legs across under them both before and behind are Cushions to lean against These Chariots are very like those us'd by the ancient Indians and mention'd by Strabo they are for the most part us'd in the Plain-Countrey to travel withal from one Town to another and also to ride abroad in for Recreation they being very light and easie When they come to a bad Way or Hills they take out their Oxen and the Wheels from the Chariot which also if occasion require may be taken in two pieces and with ease carry'd by two Men on the top of a Mountain or Hill and put together again when they are past the troublesom Way After our manner of sitting two would scarce be able to sit in one of these Chariots but after the Indian manner four with ease They are drawn by Oxen in stead of Horses two to each Chariot generally fastned to the Axletree which is made like a Yoke These Oxen are of a curious shape and colour the best are generally white and some speckled black they are very slender and have on their Shoulders towards their Necks a Bunch like the Camels they trot and gallop as fast as Horses and are able to travel thirty five or thirty six Miles in a day they are guided by a Cord run through Holes made in their Noses and are as easie to be commanded therewith as Horses In like manner the Chariots are neatly adorn'd with the like crimson Cloth or else with Velvet When any Women ride in these Chariots they shut them close round about to keep them from being seen Persons of Quality who are allow'd
to use Elephants travel on them in little Towers which are like Bedsteads hung round with Cloth of Gold and Silk they stand longways cross the Beast and are so long that a Man may easily lie at his full length in them but the breadth is such that two can but just lie together side by side They also use these kind of Towers on Elephants in the Wars placing nine or ten Musquetteers or Bowemen in them according to the manner of the Countrey He that guides the Elehant sits stradling upon his Neck and governs him not with a Bridle but with a sharp Iron Hook with which he pricks his Ears Mouth or any other part The Palakins being like little Beds cover'd with Cloth are carry'd by four or six Men with a great Cane which reaching from one end to the other lies on their Shoulders These Bearers go not on the sides but two before and two behind This way of being carry'd is very easie and common in India insomuch that all Europeans when they travel are carry'd after this manner Their Musick The common Musick of the Indians is very unpleasing consisting onely in making of a strange noise But they have amongst them an Instrument not altogether unharmonious which is made of two black varnish'd Globes of Wood with Holes through for the sound to pass through These two Globles are fastned to both ends of a little Board about three spans long on which are strung several Brass or Copper Wyres which are supported in as many places as there are Notes in the Tune which they intend to play The Musician playing with his right Hand takes away the Supporters of the Strings with his left when he pleases to alter the Notes though not with his Fingers but with certain Iron Wyres made fast to little Rings which he moves on the ends of his Fingers with which striking gently on the Strings he makes a pleasant noise For the more ease in playing the Musician hangs this Instrument about his Neck and holds it before him like a Lute The Indians also have Flutes so big that an Elephant carrying one on each side and an Indian in the middle hath a sufficient Load They have also Trumpets of a vast bigness Many of the Sea-bordering Places of India are at present under the Subjection of the English Hollanders Spaniards and Portuguese who there possess several Towns Forts and Factories for the accommodation of Trade The greatest Monarch which is at present in India is call'd The Great Mogol and not Mogor as Boterus and other Geographers have wrongly pronounced because he possesses the greatest part of India which is the most considerable part of Asia The chief Officers of the Mogol's Court. The chief Offices and Employments at the Mogol's Court are officiated by Eunuchs His first and prime Councellor is the Visier or chief Chancellor of the Realm who Commands like a Vice-Roy hearing and determining all grand Causes that are brought before the Mogol But though this Chancellor's Honor be very great yet he is in continual danger of his Life as may appear by several Examples of which this is one A certain Chancellor perswading his King not to War against Schach Abbas King of Persia was flea'd alive Next to the first Visier is the Wasanbasi or Treasurer who keeps one and twenty sworn Secretaries who attend every forenoon with their Books before the Corchana or Treasury keeping an exact Account of all things that come in or go out of the same The Accompts being adjusted are Sign'd by the Mogol himself the first Visier Treasurer and Diwanbeck or Judge This Officer being one of the powerfullest of all those that belong to the King is commonly clad in a long Coat of Cloth of Tissue He is often carry'd in a Palakin with four silver Scepters and ten Standards before him all Men shewing as much honor to him as to the King himfelf The Execution of Criminals The third Person of Quality in order is the prime Judge who Condemns and Examines all Criminals who are not Executed by a common Executioner but by one of the People that are present when they receive their Sentence who willingly perform the Office If any Person have committed Murder he is deliver'd into the hands of his Relations who Execute him according to the Sentence pass'd upon him The King's Guard The next Person in order is a Rassy or Ragia who Commands twelve thousand Slaves who always are at or about the Court at Lahor or Agra and are as the King's Guard travelling with him wheresoe're he goes The Nassire or King's Steward is also in high esteem and provides all Necessaries and Provisions for the Court. The Nobles that attend upon the King are styl'd Omrahs and receive a Sallary from him more or less according to the number of Horse they Command Besides these Omrahs there are several eminent Lords call'd Chans or Ragias who are always near the Mogol and wait upon him with great humility though not without fear for he that is in favor one hour often chances the next to be in high displeasure and danger of losing his Life Three Orders of Chans Della Valle tells us that there are three prime Persons in the Realm who are next to the King the first whereof is call'd Chan Chanon that is Chief of Nobles or Lord of Lords for Chan properly signifies Lord. The second bears the Name and Quality of Mir Miron or Emir Emirs which signifies also Lord of Lords though in a meaner sence than the former The third is the Chani Alem that is Chan or Prince of the People Many of the Mogol's Commanders are Quizilbascies from Persia who constrain'd by poverty forsaking the King of Persia's Service offer themselves to the Great Mogol where they generally come to great Preferment Besides these there are several other Officers and Magistrates who hear and determine Causes and pronounce Sentence verbatim and not in writing for they having no written Laws not onely the King's word is absolute but also his Governors being authoriz'd by him The King sits in Person in Court Once a week the King sits in Person in open Court and passes Sentence on Criminals and also gives Judgment in Civil Causes It is not the practice of the Great Mogol to strangle his Brothers or put out their Eyes when he comes to the Crown as is usual with several of the Eastern Princes Variety of punishment for Crimiâ—â—â—â— Criminals are punish'd several ways some they sew up in an Ox or Asses Hide while it is moist that when drying it comes to shrink it may crush them to death Some they condemn to go through every Street in the City with Oxes Horns on their Heads Some they deoculate Poyson some and Hang others But when Noblemen are condemn'd to die they have the priviledge to fight for their Lives with a Lyon which the King never refuses them except they are convicted of High-Treason Those that
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
not knowing what to do and began to fear his own Person as if he foresaw what afterwards befell him to lock them up in Govaleor which is a Fort where Princes are generally secur'd and invincible by reason of its situation on an inaccessible Rock and the abundance of fresh Water and Provisions for the Souldiers in Garrison was no small Business they being already very powerful and liv'd in the State and Splendor of Princes Moreover he could not in honor send them away to any Place without giving them Dominions according to their Birth and therefore timorous that they might rebell and make themselves absolute Princes in their respective Jurisdictions as indeed afterwards they did yet nevertheless out of fear least they should destroy one another in his Presence which might chance to happen if he kept them at his Court he resolv'd to send them away The Sons sent to Govern several Provinces onely the eldest stays at the Court. and accordingly seat Sultan Chasousa to the Kingdom of Bengala Oranchzef to Decan Moradbeck to Zurratte and gave the Government of Cabul and Multan to Darasja The three first left the Court well satisfi'd with their new acquir'd Dominions where they made themselves supream Governors and kept the Revenues of the Countreys for the maintenance of strong Armies under pretence to keep their Subjects and Neighbors in quiet But Darasja being the eldest and Heir to the Crown dwelt not from the Court which was the Design of Schach Jehan who always fed him up with a Promise that he should succeed him and also granted him to give Commissions and had a small Throne underneath his amongst the Omrahs so that there seemingly were two Kings but as two equal Powers can scarce agree so Schach Jehan notwithstanding Darasja was very respective to him and shew'd him great Reverence was still in fear of being poyson'd by him and the more because Darasja was jealous of Oranchzef whom for his excellent Parts his Father judg'd fitter to succeed him than any of his other Sons Schach Jehan's Wife being exceeding beautiful was call'd Tage Mahalle that is The Crown of the Female Sex But for the better explanation of this Story concerning the foremention'd four Princes and the Mogol Schach Jehan we must relate what hapned a little before these Troubles between Oranchzef the King of Golconda and his Visier Emir Jemla because this will declare the Nature and Constitution of Oranchzef who afterwards came to be the Mogol and King of India Hereby also it will appear after what manner Emir Jemla was employ'd to lay the first Foundation of Oranchzef his Royalty At the time of Oranchzef's residing in Decan the King of Golconda kept the foremention'd Emir Jemla as his Vice-Roy and General of all his Forces He being a Persian born and very famous in India was of no high Extract yet a Man fit to undertake any Design being a great Captain and of a noble Spirit He had amass'd together great Riches not onely by his careful management of State Affairs but by the Trade of those Ships which he sent to divers Coasts as also by the Diamond Mines which he alone Farm'd under borrow'd Names keeping always many Men at work in them insomuch that that the whole Countrey talk'd of him and his abundance of Diamonds which were not reckon'd but by Bags full He also rendred himself very famous and powerful by keeping several Troops of very choice Men besides the King's Army at his own proper Charge and had also very good Artillery which was manag'd and look'd after by Franks or Christians In short he was rich and potent especially after he had found out a means to get into the Kingdom of Carnate and pillag'd all the Heathen Temples in that Countrey that the King of Golconda beginning to grow jealous of him resolv'd to do him a great Discourtesie and the rather because he was not able to bear what he heard of him for it was reported as if he had been too familiar with the Queen his Mother who was very beautiful Yet nevertheless he made no Person privy to his Design but waited with patience till Emir Jemla should come to the Court he being at that time with his Army in Carnate But not long after when he was told of several other Passages that had hapned between his Mother and him he was not able to contain his Passion but flew out into many threatning Invectives which quickly came to Emir's Ears he having many of his Wives Relations at the Court who inform'd him thereof and the King's Mother who no ways hated him was also inform'd thereof who oblig'd Emir with all speed to write to his Son Mahomet Emurcan he being then at the Court giving him order upon sight of his Letter under pretence of going a Hunting immediately to come away to him Emurcan neglected not to use many means but because the King commanded him to be always near him and kept a continual Eye over him he was not able to stir out of his sight which exceedingly troubling Emir made him take a strange Resolution which put the King in no small danger of losing both Life and Crown insomuch that the Proverb was here verifi'd That he which knows not how to dissemble Emir Jemla's Plot against the King of Golconda knows not how to Govern He therefore wrote to Oranchzef who then was in Daulet Abad the Metropolis of Decan and fifteen or sixteen days Journey from Golconda that the King of Golconda intended to ruine him and his Family notwithstanding the great Services which he had done him wherefore he was forc'd to flie to him and beg that he would please to receive him under his protection Moreover if he would take his advice and repose confidence in him he would so contrive the Business that he would at once deliver both the King and Kingdom into his Hands and to make the Business seem the easier he inform'd him to this effect You need not pick above four or five thousand Horse out of the Army and march speedily with them to Golconda reporting along the Way that you are an Ambassador sent from Schach Jehan about extraordinary Business to Bagneguer The Dabir who is the Person to whom all Agents that have any Business with the King make their first Addresses is my real Friend and Creature therefore think of nothing but to make speed I will so order that you shall come safe to Bagnaguer's Gates out of which when the King shall come according to the Custom to receive his Letters you may easily secure him and all his Attendants and do with him what you think fit his House where he resides having neither Walls not Moat about I will be at the charge of this Expedition my self and allow you fifty thousand Ropias a day during the time of your March The King of Golconda escapes narrowly from the hand of Oranchzef Oranchzef who always watch'd for such an opportunity would not
by means of Oranchzef who would not Storm that part of the Wall where the English French Portuguese and Dutch had planted great Guns for which this was his reason viz. because he would not have it to be said that the Fortress of Candahar should be conquer'd in Darasja's time who was the first Agitator of this Design and at that time resident with his Father in the City of Cabul Schach Jehan some years before these last Troubles was also resolv'd to Besiege Candahar a third time had not Emir Jemla and Aly Merdaman disswaded him from it and advis'd him to send his Forces towards Decan Lastly King Oranchzef like his Predecessors in these later years made Preparations to Besiege Candahar whether because he was provok'd thereto by Letters which the King of Persia had sent to him or for the bad Entertainment and Disgrace which his Ambassador Tarbietcan receiv'd from him is uncertain but being inform'd of the King of Persia's Death he retreated alledging as some say that he would not War against a Child but this seems not very probable for Schach Soliman who succeeded his Father was then twenty five years old Calabust taken by the Persian An. 1649. the Persians took the Fortress Calabust from the Mogol which hapned after the following manner viz. On the fourth of January in the Afternoon the Persian Army came before the Fortress which was Garrison'd with seventeen hundred Indostans under the Command of an Indian Prince call'd Bourdelchan the principal Officers were Alichan of Meschet and Asolachan from Kilan with twenty thousand Men but the chief Command was given to Myrub Chan because he had formerly surrendred the said Place to the Mogols upon Articles of Agreement Mean while Schach Abbas King of Persia went from thence to his grand Army at Candahar ten days Journey with the Cafili or Caravan from Calabust Moreover they cast up onely one Battery having no convenient place to raise any more from whence they daily play'd their great Guns at the Walls being continually answer'd not onely with great but small Shot This continu'd one and twenty days when having made a Breach in the Wall they Storm'd three several times yet were beaten off with the loss of three hundred Men. On the same day a Tzapor or Royal Messenger came with a Letter to the General who in the presence of two other Chans opening the same with great Reverence they read it one after another Whereupon all the prime Commanders as also some of the chief Quizilbascies being sent for the Letter was publickly read before them all the Contents whereof was to this effect Myrub do you eat the King's Bread and Salt and not press on with the Souldiers under your Command Remember that you formerly surrendred Calabust to the Mogol Cleanse your self from your Crime and look you gain me the Fortress in a few days which if you do not expect to receive a Sword from me The next night they Storm'd more fiercely than before and Myrub Chan whether out of fear of the threatned Punishment or out of Despair press'd on daily more and more nay resolv'd to lose all his Men rather than break up the Siege but after a sharp Encounter the Persians forc'd their way into the City and slew above ten thousand Men the rest flying into the upper Castle the Governor of which nam'd Bourdel Chan coming down alone with his Sword drawn was espy'd by Myrub Chan who saluted him with the word Hoschammedi but Bourdel Chan making no answer still advanc'd towards him and laying down his Sword fell at Myrub Chan's Feet who bid him rise up then Boardel standing up said There lies my Sword at your Feet I am conquer'd I am your Slave do with me what you please onely spare my Wife and Children Myrub Chan hereupon commanded his Men not to hurt him nor any that belong'd to him and stretching out his Hands laid them under Bourdel Chan's and withal kissed him Then causing the Trumpets to be sounded he commanded all the Indostan Soldiers that were remaining to lay down their Arms and acknowledge themselves the King's Slaves which if they refus'd to do they must expect no Quarter But the Indostans not regarding this Threatning would not lay down their Arms and so were every Man kill'd Many of the Quizilbascies deoculated the slain Indostans cut off their Hands and then flead and stuft up the Skins The Heads they carry'd on their Launces as Trophies of their Victory some carried four or five stuck one above another on long Pikes to Candahar for amongst the Persians he who brings home most of his Enemies Heads is not onely accounted a brave Soldier but also advanc'd to the highest Offices As to what concerns the Countrey of Balassy it is also as Ananias affirms a part of the ancient Paropamisa The City of Balassan The Metropolis of Balassy is Balassan a great City lying on the River Gehun or Gelcon An Arabian Writer nam'd Abulfeda Ismael Prince of Hamah seems to call this City Balassagun and places it over the River Sihun near Cashgar It lay formerly on the Turks Confines but was afterwards reduc'd to the Tartars Jurisdiction On the Banks of the foremention'd River stand also Semergian and Bocan the Residence of the Kings of Balassy wherefore he is call'd The King of Bacan Eastward from these Places is the Indus near which lies the great Mountain Bellor and the far spreading Countreys of the Mountain Pamer The Goverrment of Balassan Balassan is a Place of great Trade many Merchants resorting thither from China and all parts of India and a very strong Town fearing neither Persian nor Tartar It is Govern'd by peculiar Kings who call themselves Dulcarneim or according to our pronunciation Zulcarneim which Name the Eastern People gave to Alexander the Great from whence these Kings perhaps boast their Extract The Towns and People of Sablestan Sablestan lies Eastward bewond Chorazan The Towns which it comprehends are Becksabath Meimine Asbe Bust and Sarevitz The Inhabitants thereof are a rude ill natur'd and ignorant People destitute of all kind of Civility The Kingdom of Cabul THe Kingdom of Cabul The Borders otherwise Caboul is the utmost Northern part of the great Mogol's Dominions It borders Eastward at Caximir being separated from it onely by the River Bhat Southward it faces Penjab Westward Candahar and Northward verges upon the Usbeck Tartars The Derivation of the Name Cabul is deriv'd from a Syriack word which signifies Unfruitful as indeed the Countrey is very barren cold and subject to great Winds except along the Banks of the River Nilab which rising in this Countrey glides Southward and falls near Lahor into the Indus The City Cabul very large The chief City is Cabul of the same Denomination with the Territory which some as Ananias take to be the ancient City Arachosia or Cosen and is as big according to the relation of a Persian nam'd Aviadat as Cairo the other
colour'd Silks which they use for Carpets Boxes Cabinets and other curious Wood-work Inlay'd with Mother-of-Pearl which by the Portuguese and others are carried from thence to India Tatta is one of the most eminent Provinces for Traffick of all India Many great Barques by the Inhabitants call'd Risles and Capuses come fraighted with all sorts of weav'd Stuffs Sugar Anniseeds and other Commodities down the River Sind from Lahor Multan Agra Dely Nandou Citer Utrad and other Places and putting into the Haven Lowribandel lay the said Commodies aboard of bigger Ships for Ormuz where they are unladen by Netherlanders Portuguese and Mahumetans The Inhabitants are all Mahumetans yet by reason of the great Trade which is driven in this Countrey there are commonly People of all Religions found in the same The Great Mogol Ecbar first conquer'd this Territory The Provinces of Sorit Jesselmeer and Attack SOret The Borders a small but rich Province borders Eastward at Zurratte in the West at Tatta in the North at Jesselmeer and in the South at the Sea The Metropolis is call'd Janagor or Ganagor The Territory of Jesselmer The Limits or Jesselmure verges Southward at Soret Eastward at Bando Northwards at Attack and Westward at Buckor and Tatta The chief City bears the same Denomination with the Countrey The County of Attack conterminates in the West The Bounds with Haiacan the River Indus onely parting them in the North it is bounded with Penjab and in the East with Jenba and Mando The Metropolitan Town bears the Name of Attack The Province of Penjab or Pangab The Name THe next is the Province of Penjab or Pangab which in the Persian Tongue signifies Five Waters for its Situation between five Streams viz. the Ravy Behat Obcan Wiby and Sinde or Sindar all which discharge their Waters into the Indus and make a great Lake somewhat Southward from Lahor The City of Lahor The chief City of this Territory according to Terry is Lahor but others affirm Lahor to be the Metropolis of Multan The City being very large and ancient is one of the most eminent Towns in all India and is no way inferior either in bigness or beauty to Agra It lies in 35 Degrees and 50 Minutes Northern Elevation and hath large and well pav'd Streets The Air in and about Lahor is very healthful The Air. There are also many remarkable Structures in the same as the Palace Mosques Hamans or Baths Tanks or Springs Gardens and many other delightful Places It is a spacious and fruitful Territory and the most pleasant Spot of Ground in all India and is that part of it which according to Della Valle was in the time of Alexander the Great Govern'd by King Porus. There is a Castle which being very large strong and artificially built in a delightful place of white hard polish'd Stones hath twelve Gates three whereof respect the City and the other nine lead into several parts of the Countrey Within this Castle is a stately Palace into which you enter through two Gates and two base Courts and after you have pass'd through the last you come to two parting Ways the one leading to the Durbar or Joreo where the King appears daily before the People and the other to the Diwanchane which is a great Hall wherein he spends part of the Night viz. from eight of the Clock till eleven with his Omrahs On the Walls of this Castle are Engraven the Images of Kings Princes and other Great Men as Schach Selim the great Mogol Ecbar's Son sitting on a rich Carpet under a costly Throne with his Son and his Brothers d' Han Schach or Daniel and Schach Morat on his right Hand and opposite to him Emorza Sherif eldest Brother to Chan Asorn With many other Persons of note The River Rawy which springs out of Mount Caximir and runs through the same with several Rivulets having finish'd a Course of three hundred Miles along a deep Navigable Channel discharges its Water into the Indus near the City Tatta not far from Diul It lies in 23 Degrees and 15 Minutes Northern Latitude The Kingdom or Territory of Caximir THe Kingdom of Caximir or according to some Cascimir and Cachmire by Mercator taken to be the ancient Arachosia or Archotis of Ptolomy and by Herbert for the ancient Sogdiana The Borders borders in the North at Mount Caucasus in the North-West at the Province of Banchish the Indus onely separating them in the South-East at Penjab in the West at Cabul and Northerly at the Kingdom of Maurenahar Jarrick conterminates this Kingdom with that of Rebat It is but a small Countrey and lies as Texeira tells us fifteen days Journey from Lahor and according to Herbert in 41 Degrees and 9 Minutes Northern Latitude about three hundred Miles from Agra Jarrich gives the Name of Syranacar both to the chief City of this Kingdom and to the Countrey it self lying in 30 Degrees Northern Latitude About three Leagues from the City is a Lake or Pool of sweet Water about fifteen Miles in circumference Navigable for great Ships yet not above half a League broad In the middle of it lies a pleasant artificial Island with a Royal Banquetting-house therein whither as Jarrick affirms the King resorts when he intends to recreate himself in catching of wild Geese and Swans Through the midst of this Lake as also through the Countrey glides the Stream Behat or Bhad which by its trending or meeandring Bays makes many Islands and at last unites it self not far from Jahor with the River Indus or as others say with the Ganges which last is somewhat improbable because of its distance towards the East Another River call'd Chanab by Jarrick Chenao and by Terry Nilab having also its original in this Countrey unites it self likewise with the Indus The Countrey abounds in Rice Wheat and other Provisions and also hath plenty of Grass Woods Gardens and Springs Of the Roots of their Mulberry-trees they plant Vines This Countrey formerly lay under Water The ancient Histories of the Kings of Caximir make mention that this Countrey was formerly a great Lake and that a certain ancient Man call'd Cacheb open'd a Passage for the Water through the Mountain of Baramoule But this seems to be incredible yet not but that this Countrey was formerly overflow'd with Water but to open a Passage for it through the foremention'd Mountain is a thing altogether impossible the Mountain being so very high and broad rather an Earthquake to which this Place is very subject opening the Earth swallow'd up a part of the Mountain and so open'd a Passage for the Water But however it was dreyn'd It s Extent and Situation Caximir is no more a Lake but at present a most fertile Soil about eighteen Leagues long and three or four broad interlac'd with many little Hills It is the farthest part of Indostan to the Northward from Lahor and inclos'd by Mount Caucasus the Mountains of the
with Water-courses Channels and some little Lakes and Rivulets and every where planted with European Trees and Flowers as Apples Pears Plumbs Apricocks Nuts and Vines European Plants and Herbs here in great abundance In the private Gardens of this Countrey grow Musk-melons Patequos or Water-melons Beets Raddishes most of our Potherbs and some which we have not yet these Fruits are not so good as those in Europe which proceeds rather from the ignorance of Gardners than the Soil wherefore the Mogols have not improperly call'd this Countrey The Terrestrial Paradice neither did the Great Mogol Ecbar without just reasons take so much pains to get it from the lawful Kings and his Son Schach Selim was so much taken therewith that he could not possibly forsake it often saying That he would rather lose all his whole Kingdom besides than Cachemire When Oranchzef came Anno 1664. from Deli to recreate himself in this Countrey in the Month of March all the Poets strove to exceed one another in making Verses in praise of the same which Oranchzef receiv'd rewarding the Authors of them very bountifully The Description of the City and Lake of Cachemire The chief Town of this Countrey bears the same Denomination with the Kingdom and being without Walls is three quarters of a Mile long and half a Mile broad It is situate in a barren Field about two Leagues from the Mountains which seem to make a Semi-circle about a Lake of sweet Water of about four or five Leagues in circumference This Lake is made by running Springs and Brooks which glide from the Mountains and discharges its Water through a navigable Channel into a River which runs through the middle of the City and hath two Bridges over it This Lake is also full of Islands which resemble so many pleasant Gardens with delightful Walks and Arbors and are surrounded with Poplar and other Trees which have Leaves about two Foot broad and are as tall as the Masts of Ships with Boughs onely on the top like Date-trees On the other side of the Lake upon the hanging of the Mountains are also abundance of Banquetting-houses and Gardens for which that place is most convenient because it hath a delicate Air a Prospect on the Lake Islands and a City and is full of Springs and Rivulets The best of all the Gardens being the Kings is in the Persian Language call'd Schach-Limar that is The King's Garden Out of the Lake they go into this Garden through a Channel between two rows of Trees planted along its Banks about five hundred Paces long This Channel leads to the King 's Sugar-house which is also in the midst of the Garden where begins another brave Moat reaching to the upper end of the Garden The bottom of the foremention'd Channel is pav'd with Freestone and the sides thereof rais'd also with the same Stone in the middle thereof are many Springs of Water which being in a row fifteen Paces distant one from another shoot up above the other Water Moreover there are Receptacles of Water like Ponds out of which by means of several Springs the Water rises up in many small Streams which make divers Figures This Channel ends at another great Banquetting-house not much unlike the former The foremention'd Pleasure-houses built almost like Cloysters lying in the middle of the Moat are surrounded with Water between the two rows of Poplar Trees they have Galleries or Balconies built round about them and four Doors opposite one to another two whereof fronting the two rows of Trees have two Bridges which lead cross the Water one on each side the other two front the two ends of the Channel Each Summer-house consists in a great Room in the midst of four lesser which make the Square the Walls of both the great and small Rooms are richly Gilded and Painted and full of Inscriptions in large Persian Characters the four Doors are very stately of large Stones with two Columns fetch'd out of the ancient Pagan Temples which Schach Jehan caus'd to be ruin'd The value of these Stones is not known nor of what species they are unless Marble or Porphyrie Most of the Houses are built of Wood two Storeys high not for want of Stone there being many old ruin'd Deuras or Temples but for the cheapness by reason of the abundance of Wood which grows on the adjacent Mountains from whence it may be fetch'd for a small matter and carried to the City along a little River The Houses built along the River side have each of them a Garden which hath a Prospect on the Water The other Houses that do not stand near the River have Gardens also and many of them a little Channel which runs into the Lake into which they can Row from their Houses in small Boats At one end of the City appears a very steep Mountain at the foot whereof are many fair Houses with Gardens and on the top a Mosque with an Orchard and Garden belonging to it In regard whereof the Inhabitants in their Language call this Mountain Hary Porbet that is Green Mountain Opposite to this appears another Mountain being also crown'd with a Mosque and likewise an ancient Structure which seems to have been a Deura or Pagode but it is call'd Tackt Souliman that is The Throne of Salomon because as the Mahumetans say Salomon built it when he came to Cachemire A wonderful Spring At the Confines of this Kingdom two or three days Journey from the City Cachemire a Spring near the foot of a Mountain works Wonders as the Mahumetans affirm in May when the Snow melts on the Mountains viz. it ebbs and flows for fifteen days together three times in a day in the Morning at Noon and at Night after the first fifteen days its Course is not so exact and after a Months time it stops altogether the remaining part of the year except in the time of great and long Rains when it overflows like other Springs The Heathens have on the Brink of this Spring a little Deura or Pagode built in honor of one of their Idols wherefore they have call'd it Send Brary as if they would say Water of Brary whither many People go in Pilgrimage to Bathe themselves Many strange Relations they give concerning the original of this Spring the Mountain at whose foot it springs extends in length from North to South and appears at a distance like a Plain somewhat rising in the middle and is about a hundred Paces broad on the top the North side hath some Verdure but quickly decaying for want of the Suns influence the other side on the West is shaded with Trees and Brambles Some distance from the High-way is a pleasant Seat of the ancient Kings of Cachemire and at present of the Great Mogol call'd Achiavela The most remarkable thing belonging thereunto is a Spring whose Water runs round about the Structure and through all the Gardens in many little Channels This Spring boyls with such great force out
be limited because between this Suburb and the City are spacious Gardens and Fields without any Buildings The Castle within which is the Mahalle or Seraglio besides other Royal Apartments is built round orather in a Semi-circle and looks upon the River between which and the Walls is a large sandy Plain where they generally let the Elephants fight and often Muster the Rajas or principal Omrahs Soldiers in the King's Presence who beholds the same out of his Hall Windows The Walls of the Castle in respect of the round Towers built after the old fashion are almost like those of the City but rais'd with Bricks and red Stones which appearing like Marble makes them much more beautiful than those of the City than which they are also much higher stronger thicker and more substantial against small Field-pieces Besides it is surrounded except on the Water side with a Moat of good Water abounding with Fish rais'd on both sides with Free-stone yet nevertheless a Battery planted with great Guns may easily beat it down Round about the Moat lies a large Garden which in all Seasons is full of green Trees and Flowers which with the red Walls make a pleasant Prospect Round about this Garden runs the great Street or rather a great Royal Court or Plain on which open two of the greatest and chiefest Gates of the Castle leading into the most eminent Streets of the City On the foremention'd Plain also stand the Tents of the Rajas who being in the King's Service watch every week by turns whilst the Omrahs do the same Duty in the Castle the Rajas delighting more to be in the Field than lock'd up in the Fortress On the said Plain they also breathe the King's Horses every Morning it serves also for a Bazar or Market-place where all sorts of Merchandise are sold and is the Meeting-place of several Philosophers and Astronomers as well Mahumetans as Indians Here also the great Cobatcan or Commissary of the Horse takes a special Account of all the Troopers Horses that enter into the King's Service viz. if he finds the Horses to be Turkish that is from Turkestan or from Tartary and big and able to do Service then he marks them with a hot Iron on the Buttock with the King's Mark and also the Omrahs under whom they Serve and this is no ill Invention to prevent the Troopers from lending their Horses one to another The foremention'd eminent Streets which end over against the two Gates of the Castle and on the Plain are about twenty five or thirty Paces broad and extend in a direct Line as far as the Eye can discern though that which comes out against the Gate of Lahor is much longer than the other but all the Buildings are like one another There are Arches on both sides of the Streets flat on the top without any Rooms over the same neither are the Walks underneath intire but the Arches are separated by Walls the space between which serves several Handicrafts and Artists for Shops to work in in the day-time and for Exchangers of Money to do their Business in and Merchants to dispose their Commodities to Sale which at Night they lock up in Warehouses The Arches over these Warehouses are built under the Merchants Houses which appear very fair at a distance and are very convenient for standing very high they are not onely out of the Dust but stand very cool and being in a manner even with the flat Roof of the Arches they walking on them may look into the Street and sleep on the same for coolness in the Night But besides these two eminent Streets there are five others which are not so direct nor streight but very like them in all things else Many other Streets indeed there are which run from all parts of the City and have most of them Arches but because they are built for Dwelling-houses for private People who are not curious in the uniformity of their Buildings they are neither so streight nor so broad nor so firmly built as the rest In all the Streets stand the Houses of the Mansebdans or petty Omrahs Persons of Judicature Merchants and others which are not meanly built It is certain there are many which are built of Brick or other Stones and divers of Clay and cover'd with Straw yet they are nevertheless very convenient having Gardens and Orchards belonging to them they are also very handsom within for besides the good Furniture the Straw Roofs are supported by long hard and strong Canes and the Walls Plaister'd and Whitened Amongst these indifferent fair Houses there are abundance of lesser which being built of Lome serve for Habitations for the Troopers and other meaner People belonging to the Bazar and the King 's Court. By reason of these slight Houses Dely is very subject to Fire Anno 1663. there were above sixty thousand Thatch'd Roofs consum'd by the Flame which was the greater as being augmented by the strong Winds that blow in the Summer which made it so fierce that it destroy'd many Camels and Horses there being no time to save them and also many of the King's Concubines which having never been out of the Seraglio were so bashful that they chose rather to be burnt than be sav'd by strange Men. By reason of these slight Houses of Lome Dely cannot be said to be any thing else than a company of Villages joyn'd together or rather a Camp with Tents onely erected in a better order and more convenient than usuall in the Fields As to what concerns the Houses of the Omrahs they stand also in most parts of the City especially along the Rivers and in the Suburbs If a House in these warm Countreys bears the Name of Handsom and Large it is infallibly very convenient viz. it is seated in a place where the Wind can come to it from all Corners especially the Northern it hath Gardens Orchards Fish-ponds and Springs large Vaults or Cellars with great light Holes to let the Wind in at The Inhabitants retiring into them in the heat of the day stay in them till about four or five a clock or else they have Cascanays which are little Houses of Straw or sweet-smelling Roots being very curiously made and commonly plac'd in the middle of a Park near a Pond or Spring that the Servants may with their Leather Jacks wet them on the out side The eminent Houses stand in the midst of a large Square and have not sloaping but flat Roofs on which they may sleep in the Night The Furniture of the Houses As to what concerns the inside of the principal Houses the Floors are cover'd with Cotton Quilts of four Fingers thick with a white Linnen Cloth laid over them in the Summer and with Carpets in the Winter In the chief Chambers near the Wall must also lie two or three Quilts cover'd with Silk and embroider'd with Gold and Silver for the Master of the House to sit on or for Persons of Quality that come to
which are opposite to a Square interlac'd with several Brooks of Water and Springs During the time that they are on the Guard the King sends them all their Victuals ready dress'd which they receive with great Ceremony and Reverence repeating three several times the Taslin or Thanks and laying their Hands upon their Heads turn their Faces towards the King's Lodgings There are yet many more Divans and Tents erected in several places which are the Apartments of divers Officers Moreover there are a great number of Carcanays which are Shops wherein Handicraftsmen follow several Employments as Embroiderers Goldsmiths Painters Taylors Shoemakers and Silkweavers each in a peculiar Shop All these Tradesmen come every Morning to work in this Carcanays and staying there all day return home to their Houses in the Evening each Man living very peaceably and quiet none aiming to be higher than their Condition hath allotted them for a Taylor breeds his Son a Taylor and so the rest and no Person converses with any Man but those of his own Trade which Custom is punctually observ'd not onely by the Heathens who are oblig'd thereto by their Laws but also amongst the Mahumetans which is the occasion of many beautiful Virgins living unmarried when as they might Match to the raising their Fortunes if their Parents would permit them to Marry a Man of another Trade or Quality which they account meaner than theirs After having pass'd all these Places before mention'd you come to the Amacas which is a large Square with Piazzaes which have no Houses over them but are divided by a Wall with a little Door or Gate through which you walk out of one part into another Beyond the great Gate which is in the midst of one of the sides of this Square you come to a large Divan which is all open towards the side of the Court and is call'd Nagar-canay because it is the place where the Trumpetters or rather Cymbal-players are who in their Turns play both day and night But this seems at first a strange sound in the Ears of Strangers who are not us'd to it there being sometimes ten or twelve of these Trumpetters and as many Cimbal-players who play all together They have Trumpets which they call Carna a Cubit and a half long with an opening at the bottom of a Foot diameter So likewise there are Cymbals of Copper or Iron half a Yard wide from whence one may judge of the noise which they make their sound is so harsh in the Ears of Strangers and so loud that they cannot endure to hear the same yet custom makes it pleasant especially in the Night when it is heard at a distance on the tops of Houses wherefore those that are appointed to play are plac'd on high at a distance from the King's Lodgings Opposite to the great Gate of the Court over which this Nagar-canay is kept is a spacious Hall built on several high Columns and open on three sides all which look towards the Court. The Pillars and Floor of this Hall are gilded and painted In the midst of the Wall which separates this Hall from the Seraglio is a very high and broad Window where the King sits on his Throne with some of his Sons by his side and some Eunuchs standing near him who either keep the Flyes from him with the Tails of Peacocks or cool him with great Fans whilst others in other postures wait to receive his Commands Below him stand all the Omrahs Rajas and Ambassadors with cast-down Eyes and their Hands on their Breasts Below these stand the Mansebdars or inferior Omrahs in the same humble postures whilst the remaining part of the Hall or Court is fill'd with divers sorts of other People In this place the King gives Audience to all Persons every day about Noon for which reason this great Hall is call'd Amcas that is The Place of Audience During the foremention'd Assembly the King to recreate himself causes a certain number of his best Horses to be led by before him that so he may see whether they are well kept which he also doth by his best Elephants which are wash'd and colour'd black all over except two broad red Stroaks which running from their Heads cross their Backs unite near the Tail The Elephants at that time also are richly caparison'd with Embroider'd Cloths and two Silver Bells which hang on each side by a thick Silver Chain which lies cross their Backs and have large and curious Cow Tails brought from Tibet hanging about their Necks Moreover two lesser Elephants are led by their sides as if their Slaves and appointed to serve the bigger These mighty great Beasts as if proud of being set forth in such a manner walk very stately and coming before the King the Riders of them sitting on their Shoulders prick them into the Skin with an Iron Hook and speaking to them make them bow their Knees throw their Noses up in the Air and make a certain kind of noise which the People look upon to be a Taslin or Salute After the Elephants they bring out several sorts of Beasts as the Nilgaux or grey Oxen a sort of Elands Rhinocerots and great Buffaloes from Bengala to fight with their great Horns against a Lion or Tyger tame Leopards or Panthers with which the King goes a Hunting This done they lead by the King's Greyhounds sent him from Usbeck Lastly divers Birds of prey amongst which some are taught to seize on a Hare The Course of the River Jeminy The River Jeminy by Pliny and Herbert call'd Jomanes and by Ptolomy Hynamanes taking its original out of the neighboring Mountains runs through and by Agra from whence it glides with many trending Bays to Piage where it discharges its Water into the Ganges The nature of the Tree Baxama There grows a certain Tree call'd Baxama with such a poisonous Root that it immediately kills those who eat thereof but the Fruit thereof which is call'd Nirabix or according to Thevet Rabuxot expells the Poison and cures those that are infected by the Root yet Thevet tells us that the Fruit of these Trees growing on the Island Queixom lying in the Bay of Persia is so poisonous that it immediately kills those that taste thereof The same power he saith the Shadow of the Tree hath if any Person lie under it but a quarter of an hour Nevertheless the same Thevet affirms that the same Root in other Countreys is an expeller of Poison The Inhabitants as well Moors as Heathens are valiant Soldiers and good Horsemen Their Arms are Bowes Arrows Lances Daggers and Steel Plates call'd Checharany two Inches broad and round like a Dish they carry seven or eight of them under their left Arm and put one of them on the fore Finger of their right Hand which turning several times they throw it at their Enemy and if it chances to fall either on their Arm or Leg it certainly cuts off the same and with this Weapon which the most
But the Inhabitants call it Gazoraste or Zurratte and the Persians The Countrey of the Gaores or Cow-Worshippers because they adore those Beasts Some suppose Zurratte though improperly to be the ancient Gedrosia because Gedrosia is without the Limits of India and this Countrey or Kingdom within wherefore the King of Cambaya is call'd King of the first India The Extent and Limits of Zurratte This Countrey extends into the Sea like a Peninsula having a great Bay on each side the one lying towards the South is eighteen Leagues broad at the entrance of the Mouth but grows narrower and narrower and runs up North-East and by East above forty Leagues It verges in the West and South at the Indian Sea in the North it hath a broad ridge of Mountains and beyond them the Territories of Soret Jesselmeer and Bando in the East Chitor and Candish in the South the Kingdom of Decan with the River Gate between Maffaeus borders this Countrey in the East upon the Kingdom of Mando and other Provinces belonging to the Tartars or Mogols in the West with the Countrey of the Nautaques or Gedrosians in the North at the Kingdoms of Dulcinde Sanga and Chitor and in the South at the Indian Sea and the Province of Decan The Limits of this Countrey extended formerly much farther viz. from the Indian Sea to Gualor or Gualer eight days Journey from Amadabat The Sea-coast of this Kingdom which is very large extends according to Twist above four and forty Leagues along the Sea according to Maginus a hundred and fifty Italian Miles viz. from Circan to the River Bat yet Zurratte doth not extend to Circan lying beyond the Indus which proves the Limits of Maginus to be erroneous This Countrey is full of Towns Villages Hamlets and People and reckon'd formerly twenty thousand inhabited Places besides many more ruin'd by the Wars and at present under other Dominions The Sea-port Towns The chief Sea-Ports are situate on both the Bays as followeth Between Cape Jaquete eighteen Leagues from the River Sinde to the City Diu a Tract of thirty Leagues lie Gigat Cortiane Mangalor Choras Pattan Patepatan Corimer and Diu between which and Cambaya being a Tract along the Sea of thirty three Leagues are the Towns of Madrelaba Mocas Talaia Gundim Goga and Cambaya Next you come to the City Goga lying twelve Leagues farther from Cambaya In these two Promontories of the City Cambaya and Jaquette is comprehended a part of the Kingdom of Zurratte with the mountainous Countreys of the Resbites From the City of Cambaya to the Stream Bate or rather to that of Nagotava are seventy Leagues in which space lie the Towns Machigan Gan and the City Baroch where the River Narbada hath its original Eight Leagues farther is the Mouth of the famous Stream Japety or Tapte on whose Banks lie the Towns Zurratte and Reinier or Reiner Farther along the Coast towards the side of Decan are the Towns Noscary Gandiu by Robert Covert call'd Gandeve and Balsar all three lying about two Leagues up into the Countrey the first six the second nine and the last fourteen Leagues Southward from Zurratte with great Havens convenient for many Ships Next you come to Daman Danu Tatapor Quelmain Agacim and Bazain There are yet along the Coast the Towns Maim and Nagotava four Leagues from Chaul which belongs to Decan and also the Town Bate near a River of the same Name in the utmost Limits of this Kingdom Besides this City there is another call'd Sabaja six Leagues from Gandiu and Nawdon three days Journey from Zurratte between which Towns you travel two days Journey through pleasant Fields without any Villages Many other Towns there are which lie up into the Countrey and amongst others Amadabat the Metropolitan of this Kingdom which deserves a large Description The City Amadabath or Ahmedabath THe Metropolis of this Kingdom of Zurratte is not the City of Cambaya though the Portuguese have given the whole Kingdom its Denomination from thence But Amadabath or Ahmedabath otherwise Amadavar and Hamed Ewat that is The City of Homed or Amad for Bath in the Persian Tongue signifies a City and Amad or Hamed is the Name of the King who laid the first Foundation thereof nine hundred years ago Mr. Herbert tells us That the City Amadabath is very ancient by Ptolomy call'd Amastis and by Arrianus Amadavastis and that King Hamed onely enlarg'd the same Anno 375. after Mahomet's flight from Mecha Amadabath is one of the four Cities where the Mogol as a peculiar Favor keeps his Court. It lies in the middle of the Countrey in a delightful Plain on the Bank of a small River call'd Saker Mati a Branch of the Indus in 33 Degrees and 10 Minutes Northern Latitude or according to Herbert in 23 Degrees and 18 Minutes but according to Mandeslo in 24 Degrees and 109 Minutes Longitude eighteen Leagues from Cambaya sixty two or as some say forty five Leagues from Zurratte and sixteen from the Sea It is surrounded with a Wall of Free-stone about six Miles in circumserence forty Foot high and fifteen thick and fortifi'd with many round Turrets About the Wall runs a Moat about six Paces broad though quite decay'd and in many places dry The Streets are streight and broad yet lie unpav'd and very troublesom to walk in by reason of the Dust which by means of the continual Drought is very great The chiefest Streets are planted on both sides with Coco Terri Orange and Tamarind-trees The Houses which are for the most part built of Sun-dry'd Brick are pretty large but very low and flat after the Eastern manner There are likewise several Bazars or Exchanges the biggest and most eminent whereof is call'd Bazari Colam that is The great Bazar or Exchange It is a broad streight and long Street full of Shops on both sides in the midst thereof stands a Stone Structure cross the Street like a Bridge on three Arches in a triangular manner Beyond this Edifice is also in the midst of the Street a great Well inclos'd within a square Earthen Bank the Water in it is very useful to the Inhabitants who flock thither in great numbers to fetch the same Near the end of this Street stands a great Portal with its Front towards the Street between two Towers and is the Gate of a small Burrough in the Persian Tongue call'd Cut. Near this Burrough at the end of the Street Maidan are two Galleries one on each side rais'd a little from the Ground where the King's Edicts or Proclamations are generally read going from hence through a great Gate on the right hand you behold at a little distance from thence on the left side the Vice-Roy or Governor's Palace or Castle which as others say lies in the midst of the City on the Bank of the River inclos'd within a Wall of Free-stone This Castle which is accounted the best and strongest Fortress which the Mogol hath in all India except that
Cambaya erected in a Temple which is much frequented by the superstitious Benjans A Mile from the City is the Garden and Palace of Chanchonna Son to the great Byram Chan of Persia The Countrey of Cambaya to Amadabat is for the most part desolate and uncultivated In the Way are several Pits each above thirty Yards deep in which is salt Water though at a great distance from the Sea it is drawn out by Oxen. The Countrey about Amadabath is nothing but a vast Wilderness and the Ways very dusty and troublesom for Travellers The High-ways are Hedg'd in on both sides with a certain Fruitless and Leafless Plant which shoots forth onely little long Stalks of a deep Green both Winter and Summer out of which when broke asunder drops a milky Juice like that of green Figs and being very sharp eats into that part of the Skin on which it drops The Fields which border the High-ways are full of Ambe-trees which bear a Fruit like great Olives and also af Tamarind-trees Without the City are many great Tombs of Marble erected by the Moors and are much statelier than their Houses A League and a half from the City lies a great Village call'd Zirkes or Sirkesia where there is a very magnificent Tomb the whole Structure with its Floors being all of polish'd Marble and distinguish'd into three parts one whereof rests on a a hundred and forty Marble Pillars each thirty Foot high curiously adorn'd with Festunes and Pedestals after the Corinthian Order This Structure is said to be the Tomb of one Cacis Tutor to one of the Kings of Zurratte to whom they ascribe great Sanctity and Wonders and that the said King who with three other Kings lies buried in another Chappel built the same in commemoration of his Tutor At a certain time of the year most of the Mahumetans come hither in Pilgrimage firmly believing thereby to obtain pardon for their sins On one side of it is a large Pond About a Mile from the City is another fair Tomb of an eminent Mahumetan Merchant call'd Hajom Majom who being enamor'd of the Beauty of his Daughter and threupon Ravishing her was Beheaded by the King's Command and buried here with all his Family wherefore the Inhabitants to this day call the same Betychint that is The uncover'd shame of your Daughter De Stadt Souratte The Water of the foremention'd River is convey'd round the said Banquetting-house not far from which you come into another Garden over a high Stone Bridge four hundred Paces long and though this Garden be but small yet it is very pleasant and high and hath also at the end against the Bridge a brave Banquetting-house The Water in the droughty Season is drawn up but of the Wells by Oxen and put into two great Stone Cisterns before the Banquetting-house This Garden wherein commonly young Women Bathe themselves in the foremention'd Cisterns is call'd Nicunabag that is The Garden of Precious Stones and is said to have been made by a beautiful and rich Lady There is yet another delightful Garden with a Banquetting-house which was built by the Great Mogol Ecbar in commemoration of his conquering the last King of Zurratte call'd Sultan Mahomed Begeran in that very place whereby the Kingdom of Zurratte became subject to the Great Mogol Ten Leagues from Amadabath lies a little Town full of pretty Houses and Pagan Temples call'd Niervant Six Leagues from the said City also lies another Town call'd Mamadabad on the Bank of a pleasant River on the North side of it is a fair Palace The Inhabitants of this Town are for the most part Weavers Description of Suratte The City Surat or Surratte according to Davity the Village Surastra or Syrastra of Ptolomy is for its neatness by the Moors call'd The Mogol's Beard and lies in about 21 Degrees and about 30 Minutes Northern Latitude near the River Reinier or Reunier otherwise call'd Pani Hind that is The Water Indus and Tapi or Tapti and Tyndee two Leagues up into the Countrey from the Bay or Gulf of Cambaya The City extending along the Banks of the foremention'd River built square lies open towards the Water but inclos'd on the Land-side with Mud Walls and dry Ditches It hath three eminent Gates which are lock'd every Evening the one leads to the Village Brion which is a Throughfare for those that travel to Brotcha Cambaya and Amadabat the other to Brampour and the third to Nassary It is adorn'd with many fair Houses with flat Roofs built after the Asiatick manner There are also many stately Palaces in this City which for its defence hath a strong Castle near the River built after the manner of the Romans and surrounded with Walls of Free-stone and deep Moats which receive their Water out of the River Reinier It is an ancient Structure built by the Inhabitants long before the coming of the Portuguese into these Countreys or as some say by the Romans According to the Relation of the Inhabitants to Mandeslo the Turks coming thither with many Ships out of the Red-Sea and conquering several Places built this Fort which hath but one Gate towards the side of a great Plain or Market and is very strongly guarded none daring to come into the same but those that are upon Duty nor are any Persons Listed to serve in the same but native Indostans the Rasbutes though valiant Soldiers often mutinying against the Mogol the Benjans and Usbecks being accounted Enemies and the Benjans and Cambayans never serving for Soldiers accounting it a great sin to shed Blood Next to the Castle is the Nabab or Sultan's House and next to that the Custom-house and the Market to which the Inhabitants of the neighboring Villages and Strangers bring their Goods to sell The City Surratte is very populous and inhabited partly by native Indians and partly by Strangers and Foreigners for Trade The Indians of these Parts consist generally of Zurrattans Cambayans Benjans Brahmans Decans and some Rasbutes who are all generally Idolaters or Mahumetans the last mention'd are the smallest number and the Benjans are the richest driving the greatest Trade All these People live very quiet one amongst another for the Great Mogol though himself a Mahumetan makes no distinction amongst his People of several Religions but gives them Offices alike both at his Court and in his Army Amongst the Foreigners or Strangers the English and Hollanders drive the greatest Trade here besides which there are Portugueses Arabians Persians Armenians Turks and Jews wherefore Suratte is accounted one of the most eminent Cities for Trade in all India both in respect of its Haven and because the convenience of carrying the Commodities through all Suratte from Cambaya and other Places draws the Merchants thither The English and Dutch Traders have many fair Houses in the City very convenient to dwell in and also to stow their Goods The People of several Nations have each of them a Church here and their own Teachers Without
and building their Nests of long withered Grass make them fast to the Boughs of Trees that so they may be freed from Vermin These Parrots do great mischief to all Fruits and Corn especially Rice The Ancient and Modern Inhabitants of Surratte The ancient Inhabitants and Natives of Surratte being formerly all Heathens were by a general Name call'd Hindous but are at present either Heathens distinguished by the Names of Benjans and Brahmans Mahumetans or Moors which have Setled here since this Countrey hath been brought under the Mogols Jurisdiction The other Inhabitants are Persians Tartars Arabians Armenians and many other People of Asia and Europe except Chineses Japanners and Jews which are seldom found there In most Places of Surratte dwell a sort of Persians or People derived from the ancient Persians which the Benjans and other Heathens call Garoisdees and Persees or Parsis which last Name according to the testimony of Bollayle le Gouz they give themselves the Moors Guenure the Persians Atech Peres Zarduzts Kebbers and Gauri They boast their Extract from Persia and have for several Ages before Mahomet been Governed by peculiar Kings of their own Countrey till the Wars which commonly occasion great Revolutions in States and Empires reduc'd them at last under another Government which hapned after the Birth of our Saviour Anno 640. in the twenty ninth Year of the Reign of the last Persian King call'd Jazdgerd or Yesdegerd otherwise Jesdagird Son to Xarear who resided in the City Yesd near the old Ispahan The Turks coming from Turkestan or Turky through the Province Naohaad into Persia ruin'd all the Countrey and forced Jasdagird who went with an Army to meet them with the assistance of the Arabians who fell into Persia at another Place to retreat to Corazan where after a Reign of twenty nine years he deceased when most of the conquer'd Persians which would not embrace Mahomet's Doctrine nor suffer themselves to be Circumcised left their native Countrey and travell'd towards India there to enjoy Liberty of Conscience under the Rajaâ— and coming to the Persian Gulf a Fleet consisting of seven Ships was order'd to carry them and their Followers which some affirm consisted in eighteen thousand Persons Men Women and Children as Merchants over to India Five of the said Fleet arriving safely at St. Johns-Land in the Haven of Swaly they resolv'd to go to the Raja who then resided at Nuncery where they declar'd the Occasion which forc'd them to come thither and requested the Raja that he would please to receive them as a People that would willingly live under his Government provided they might enjoy their own Religion whereupon they were received on paying Tribute and taking the Oath of Allegiance One of the remaining two Ships went to a Raja residing at Baryacy near Surratte where the People aboard her were receiv'd upon the same Conditions as the former But this Raja being at Wars with another Raja was defeated his Countrey taken from him and all the Persians as his Abetters destroy'd by his Enemies The seventh and last Vessel Sailing along the Coast touched at Cambaya where the People that were in the same were receiv'd on the same Conditions as the former So that these People after what manner soe're spread through India had certainly their Extract from one of the foremention'd Places where they liv'd so long that they forgot their Original and Religion nay they could not remember from whence they were Extracted till at length after the expiration of many years the Name of Persians was made known to them by those that having remain'd in Persia disclos'd to them the History of their Predecessors instructed them in their ancient Religion and taught them how to serve God for the future so that at present wheresoe're they are they strictly maintain their ancient Religion or Sect and many Persians have since Setled themselves along the Sea-shore where they have liv'd quietly among the Natives But Herbert contrary to the opinion of all Historians tells us that King Jazdgerd banish'd them to India because they refus'd to embrace the Mahumetan Doctrine and to be Circumcised The Apparel or the Persians of Surratte As to what concerns the Apparel of these Persians they are Clothed after the same fashion as the Inhabitants except that they ware a Girdle or Sash of Camels Hair or Sheeps Wooll which going twice about their Middle is ty'd behind with two Tassels This Sash or Girdle is by them call'd Cushee and worn as a publick testimony of their Faith in the nature or our Baptism or the Circumcision of the Mahumetans and is given them at their being initiated into their Religion in the seventh year of their Age. When accidentally they lose one of these Girdles or Sashes they are not permiâ—ted to eat drink work speak or stir before they have obtain'd another And these Girdles are to be bought of their Priests As well Women as Men are obliged to wear these Sashes from the seventh year of their Age or as others affirm from their twelfth year which is from the time of their being initiated They live here like the Natives free and undisturbed and drive what Trade they please They are very ingenious and for the most part maintain themselves with Tilling and buying and selling all sorts of Fruits tapping of Wine out of the Palm-trees which Wine they sell in Houses of Entertainment for their Law debars them not from drinking strong Liquor so it be not the Juice of the Grape Some also Traffick and are Exchangers of Money keep Shops and exercise all manner of Handicrafts except Smiths-work for they are not allow'd to quench Fire with Water In point of Eating and Drinking their Law hath given them great Priviledge Their Diet. but to avoid displeasing of the Benjans amongst whom they live and the Moors under whose Jurisdiction they stand they abstain from Wine that is the Juice of the Grape and Swines-flesh but of the Palm-Wine they drink very greedily insomuch that it is usual among some making up a Palm-leaf in form of a Tunnel to let the Palm-Wine run through the same into their Throats They always eat alone by themselves judging that they are able to live pure and undefiled that if they should eat with any person they would certainly be defiled They also drink out of several Cups and if any Person chances accidentally to drink out of anothers Cup they wash the same three times and set it away for a considerable time before they use it again Some affirm that their Law forbids them to eat of any thing that enjoyed Life except in times of War or great Necessity for then they are permitted to eat Mutton Goats-flesh Venison Poultrey and Fish and all manner of Flesh except that of Cows Oxen Horses Camels Elephants and the like Beasts which they account a deadly sin to kill but they chiefly abstain from Cows or Ox-flesh affirming that they will rather eat their Father or Mothers
Hoggi's or Saints There likewise go yearly from Surrat Brotchia and Cambaya several lesser Vessels to Persia laden with the same Commodities which are carried to Arabia and Aden and they bring back also the same Returns besides abundance of Gold and Silk Stuffs Chamlets Cloth Velvet Pearls Fruit viz. Almonds Raisins Nuts Dates and some Rose-water and other Persian Commodities The Ships set Sail in January or February and return in April or May. There also go yearly Ships of about a hundred two hundred and three hundred Tuns to Achin and Quedda laden with Anfion Cotton and all sorts or Clothes made in Surrat and bring in return Brimstone Benjamin Camphire Porcelan Tin Pepper and other Spices Many lesser Vessels of sixty eighty or a hundred Tuns Trade also to Goa Diu Daman and other Portuguese Factories with Corn melted Butter in Pots and other Provisions for which they bring in return Course Salt from Ormus and a sort of Sedge or Rushes whereof they make Paper The Portuguese used formerly to drive a great Trade to these Places but at present are bereav'd of most of their Chief Factories by the Hollanders It cannot certainly be said what the just Revenues are which the Mogol receives yearly from Surrat but it is related that they amount to 150 Tuns of Gold The Customs of Brotchia onely raise 134400 Mamoedys or 6720 l. a Mamoedy being reckoned at 12 d. The Customs of Brodera 400000 Mamoedys The Government of Surratte Surrat being formerly a Kingdom of it self was Govern'd by a peculiar Pagan King not at all subject to the Mogol And amongst others of these Kings Maffeus makes mention of two the one called Madrafa Scha and the other his Son Mamud who Reign'd Anno 1508. both of whom maintain'd great Wars against the Portuguese But when the Great Mogol Ecbor had driven all the Patans out of Bengala he also Conquer'd the Kingdom of Surrat and bringing it under his Jurisdiction caus'd the same ever since to be Govern'd by a Vice-Roy whom the Moors generally call'd Sultan or else by a Supreme Governor sent thither by the Great Mogol Under him are all other Petty Governors of the peculiar Towns and Provinces which are obliged to give him an Account of all The time of enjoying their Places is at the King's will and pleasure and therefore they commonly make good use of their time minding more how to enrich themselves than regarding the welfare of their Countrey and oftentimes especially at the coming of a new Governor Accusations are brought against Rich Merchants so to get great Sums of Money put of them by Imprisonment and other kinds of cruel usage The State of Chan or Supreme Governor The Supreme Governor lives in great State keeping commonly four hundred Men to wait on him which are all fed out of his Kitchen When he rides abroad which for the most part is on a well-caparison'd Elephant he is attended by all the Nobility and several Horsemen to the number of two hundred Persons armed with Bowes Pikes Shields and Swords Before him are led several Elephants with rich Trappings adorn'd with Pennons and Flags and accompanied with Drummers Trumpetters and others Yet nevertheless he goes but mean in Apparel and commonly in Black Cotton Cloth whilst on the contrary his Servants go very rich and gay The Chan is obliged always to keep 1200 Lescheri or Troopers for the Mogol and fifty Elephants besides fifty for his own use The Revenues with wich they are maintain'd are rais'd from the Towns and Villages under their Jurisdiction as likewise the Forces with which the Chan is guarded the City Amadabat eighteen substitute Towns and a thousand Villages being able to raise 140000 Men. There is likewise a Tziabander or Farmer of the Customs in each City He is Royally attended and served in his Palace none daring offer without his leave to speak to him He gives publick Audience once a Week seated on a Royal Throne and administers Justice to all Persons that make their Complaints to him He is not allow'd any Counsellors or Judges from the King but in Businesses of Consequence he calls some of his Nobles to consult with Yet whatever he thinks fit is decreed so that these Counsellors signifie little All Forfeitures Revenues and Customs which amount to an incredible Sum of Money come into the Chan's Treasury besides which he receives Pay for 12000 Horse when as he seldom keeps above 2000 So that all the Remainder is spent in his Court. All petty Businesses 〈◊〉 decided by the Cowtewaels or Sheriffs who generally shew most favour to the Plaintiff whether he deserve it or not The Punishment of Criminals Matters of Life and Death are determined by the Magistrates of the Towns who refer giving the Sentence to the Coutewaels But if they be rich People that are condemn'd they commonly come off for a Sum of Money which they give to the Governor Poor Criminals are for petty Thefts and other small Offences whipp'd several days together with a great Whip call'd Siambak but for grand Faults as Breaking open of Houses and the like they have their Hands and Feet cut off or some other severe Punishments inflicted upon them Robbers on the High-way if they buy not their Lives with a great Sum of Money are Decollated and their Bodies put on Stakes plac'd alog the Roads Murder is amongst them accounted an unpardonable Crime as also Adultery especially in Women of Quality And for the preventing of the last Common Whores are freely permitted to dwell in every City who with permission of the Sheriff to whom they pay a certain Acknowledgment may go to any Person that sends for them or be visited in their own Houses which rather tends to their Honour than Disgrace for there are no Feasts accounted Compleat and Noble unless there be present some of these Common Women to Dance and Sing before the Guests The Religion of the Surratteans As to what concerns the Religion of the Surratteans some of them especially the Chiefest are Moors or Mahumetans the rest Benjans Brahmines and other sorts of Pagans There are in Surrat many Gioghi's a People much resembling the Romish Monks being in severity of Life and outward Penitence inferior to none for they go stark naked in the coldest Weather and sleeping on Horse-dunghils cover their Heads and Faces therewith and wear very long Hair which makes them look frightful and deform'd The People are very Charitable being much inclin'd to the giving of Almes to the Poor very Pious and sollicitous of their Salvation though deluded by their Teachers some giving twenty five others fifty Ducats at a time and some more Perushi affirms That Anno 1595. there was on one day viz. the eighth of January above a Tun of Gold given in Alms. The reason of this great Charity on that day is upon the account of some grand Tradition mentioned in their Law-book Their two main Duties next to giving of Alms are Pilgrimage
Garrisons like the Omrahs but in their Tents for they cannot brook being lock'd up twenty four hours together in a Fort nor do they ever go into any of them but with a great Company of resolute Men which have sworn to die by them on the Spot as it sometimes happens when any Design has been plaid upon them The Mogol is oblig'd for several Reasons to keep these Rajas in his Service First because the Rajas People are very warlike and valiant and there are several of them able to bring above twenty thousand Horse into the Field Secondly that he may be the better able to keep in Subjection those Rajas which are under his Pay and force them to pay Tribute when they refuse or when out of fear or otherwise they will not venture out of their Country to come into the Field when the Mogol has occasion for them Thirdly to heighten or increase their Jealousies one among the other the more by shewing greater Favor to one than to another Fourthly to employ them against the Patans or his Enemies the Omrahs and Governors in case any should offer to rebell against him Fifthly to use them against the King of Golkonda when he refuses to pay Tribute or against the King of Visiapour when he offers to Plunder them or bring them under his Subjection at which time the Mogol cannot repose any confidence in his Omrahs which are most of them Persians and of another Religion viz. not Sounnys but Chias as the King of Persia and the King of Golkonda is Sixthly and chiefly to employ them against the Persians when any opportunity presents for then he cannot confide in his Omrahs who as we said before are most of them Persians and consequently can have no inclination to Fight against their natural King The Country of the Resbutes borders on the side of Persia to the Motages on the sides of the River Indus at the City Cambaya also to the Kingdom of Dely and Southerly to the Sea According to Purchas this Country lies in the Road that leads from Surratte to Agra and as Maffee affirms borders on the West at Carmania though more probably as Davity hath it Gedrosia or the Country of the Motages or Nautaques The Towns of this Country are Agra Crodi Vamista Argeng and Saurou which last hath a very strong Castle besides the great City Sarruna from whence it is fourteen Leages to Sinde the Metropolis of this Kingdom The Inhabitants also possess several strong Places amongst which is Dewras This Country is very fruitful and of an exceeding fat Soil producing abundance of all sorts of Provisions having plenty of all things on the very Mountains The Resbutes or Subjects of these Rajas or Indian Princes were anciently in the time of the Heathens Kings of Countries and Peers of this Realm who defended their Country against Invaders maintaining a continual War but â—ow they live in the Mountains maintaining Wars against the Moors to avoid paying Tribute This Tribe hath spread it self very much and is extreamly inclin'd to Robbing and Stealing from whence in India they call a Robber Resbut or Rasapout Ram granted them the liberty of taking as many Wives as they pleas'd as also other warlike Families that so the Soldiers might not settle their Affections in one Place but might be the freer to make Conquest and propagate wheresoe're they came for were they confin'd to one Woman they might perhaps take her along with them to their conquer'd Places and setling there be unwilling to depart thence The Resbutes are a rustick deceitful ill-natur'd but yet a strong valiant and undaunted People fearing no Dangers though threatned with Death whereas other Indian Heathens are mean spirited and timerous carrying their Arms in their Mouths and esteem Railing before Fighting They are very famous for Robbing and Stealing for they Plunder the Caravans and murder all Travellers they meet with if they make the least Resistance They have several little Harbors for small Barques with which they Pyrate along the Coast They go naked from their Navel upwards and wear Turbants which differ in fashion from the Mogols Their chiefest and only care from the eldest to the youngest is how to handle a Sword well The Rajas or Kings of the Ragipous give their Subjects Lands for their Subsistance on condition they shallal ways be ready to Fight when call'd to it so that they might properly be styl'd a sort of Nobles if the Rajas gave them Lands for them and their Children They drink Amfion in great abundance which they use from their Infancy and when at any time they go to meet their Enemies they take a double Portion for Amfion emboldning or rather inebriating makes them fearless of any Danger so that they maintain a Battel like so many ravenous Beasts never retreating but die resolutely at the Feet of their Raja They want nothing but good Discipline to make them good Soldiers for Strength and Valor they have enough It is very pleasant to see them intoxicated with the foremention'd Amfion how they embrace and bid each other farewel like Men making account of nothing but Death For among so many Sects of Hindouns or Heathens subject to the Mogol there is only one Tribe of Soldiers or Fighting People call'd Resbutees of whom the Great Mogol for their Valor and some other Reasons is necessitated though a Mahumetan and consequently a Heathen to entertain a great number in his Service treating them like other Omrahs and making use of them in his Army as if they were Mahumetans nay they are promoted to the greatest Offices and highest Employments under the Great Mogol as also under the King of Visiapour and Golkonda Their Arms are Half-pikes Swords or Simiters and Shields which being large and hollow are fashion'd like a Bee-hive and serve them to feed their Horses and Camels out of Most of the Rajas use Horses which are swift of foot handsom and strong and are always rid unshod The Resbutes eat all manner of Meat except Beef and the Flesh of Buffalo's which Beasts they hold in great Veneration They drink Palm-Wine and Brandy but not out of a Vessel out of which any other Tribes have drank before They are all of them Heathens and would never permit any Mahumetans to mix amongst them The Women resolutely leap into those Fires in which their Husbands were consum'd The third Tribe or Family which is that of the Schudderies derives its Name from Schuddery the third Son of Pourous and Parkoutee who was design'd for Trade for all Traders are comprehended under that Name and Tribe That which the Book given to Bremaw exprest concerning this Tribe consisted only in a few Commandments instructing them how to live Honorably in their Emyloyments to be Just as well in Words as Deeds and not to practise any Deceit or Fraud in their Trades either in Buying or Selling. Amongst this Tribe are those which by the Portuguese according to Texeira are call'd Beneans though he
the Mogol continually employ'd who after he had us'd all possible means in vain having no great Guns at hand wherewith to batter down the Walls at last resolv'd to try if he could purchase the Inhabitants to a Surrender by great Sums of Money which to accomplish he sent to the Governors very considerable Presents of Gold and Silver whereby he did so cool and abate their Courage that none of the seven Successors of the Realm durst assume the Government for they perceiving the Generals to be fearful and their Courage no longer to exert it self could foresee and expect nothing but the sudden loss of the Place and accordingly it so fell out for after a few Days the Fort was surrendred and with it the whole Kingdom was subjected to the Mogol who got peaceable possession thereof with an invaluable Treasure He received all the Inhabitants favourably except the imprison'd King and the seven successive Princes whom he dispersed into several Provinces allowing King Miram three thousand and each of the other two thousand Ducats per Annum for their Maintenance The Province of Berar and Narvar THis Country of Berar lies on the South side of the Kingdom of Chandâ—â— and Borders on Surratte and the Mountains of Rana The Metropolis bears the Name of Shapore The Province of Narvar is moistned by a great River which discharges its Water into the Ganges The Chief City is call'd Gehud The Province of Gwaliar or Gualier THe Province of Gwaliar or Gualior otherwise Gualier hath a City which bears the same Name The Mogol hath a vast heap of Treasure which he keeps in this Country in a very strong Castle Garrison'd by a Company of well Disciplin'd Soldiers who also Guard such of the King's Prisoners as are Persons of Quality The Kingdom of Agra or Indostan THe Kingdom or Province of Agra is so call'd from Agra the Royal Metropolis of the Great Mogol's whole Kingdom besides Dely and Lahor Others call it Indostan or Indoustan which signifies The Country of Indus for Stan in the Country Language is A Country or Province and Indus is the Name of the River Indus which moistens the Country It borders on one side upon the Stream Paddor which separates it from the Henderons and conterminates on the other side with the River Tamliko or Tamlou which is a Boundary between this and the Country Inhabited by the Bulloits The Metropolis bears the same Name with the Province of Agra and lies in 28 Degrees and 7 Minutes North Latitude on the Banks of the River Jemini which glides by its Walls and disembogues near the City Andakoda into the River Ganges two days Journey from Agra According to Herbert this City was formerly call'd Nagra and anciently Dionysia and was built by Bacchus but this seems incredulous because within this hundred years the City Ratipor was far more beautiful and bigger than that of Agra which is believ'd to have had its Denomination from the River Arrany which as Arrian affirms falls into the Ganges It was built by King Ekbar after his Conquest of Surratte and for its pleasant Situation made choice of for the Mogol's Court and chief Place of Residence It lies almost Triangular or as Herbert saith Semi-Circular surrounded with a strong Walk of Free-Stone and a Moat of a hundred Paces broad The Circumference of the City is reckon'd to be twelve German Miles The Streets which are very straight are dirty and three Leagues and a half long In the Northern part of the City not far from the River lies the great and famous Royal Castle or Residence of the Kings which is the most beautiful and glorious Piece of Work in all Asia It appears outwardly like a City containing five hundred and twenty Paces in circumference The Structure is for the most part built of Free-stone with many Galleries and Piazzaes very stately after the manner of the Country At the Entrance of this Castle stands the Royal Court of Judicature in the Persian Tongue call'd Diwanchane before which is a large square Maidan or Plain planted about with Trees under which Persons of Quality in hot Weather walk to cool themselves In the middle of the Plain stands a Pole having a Bird on the top of it at which they shoot with Bows and Arrows Opposite to this Court stands a large square Building call'd Karchanay Schah that is The King's Treasure-house with eight Arch'd Vaults in which are kept the greatest part of the Mogol's Treasure Two of these Cellers are reported to be full of Gold and two of Silver in the seventh are kept Pearls Gems and other such like Rarities and in the eighth are contain'd all such Presents as are sent from forein Princes by Ambassadors Behind this Treasury stands another large square Palace with a very delightful Garden and is call'd Hara Michan that is The King 's Womens Lodgings for in it are kept twelve hundred of the King's Concubines which are guarded and waited upon by six hundred Eunuchs Others describe this Court thus It is three or four Leagues in circumference surrounded with strong Walls of red Stone and broad Moats with Draw-Bridges it hath four Gates one on the North which is very strong the second on the West side is call'd Citsery near the Bezar or Market Within this Gate is the King's Court of Judicature where he decides all Differences and behind that is the King's Hall the Seat of the Vice-Roys Within this Gate is also a Street built full of Houses and about a Mile long The third Gate call'd Achabaerbederiwage that is The Gate of King Achbaer lies on the South side and and leads to the King 's Derbaer the Royal Throne or inner Court before which is a small Court surrounded with Golden Rails and cover'd on the top with Carpets to keep off the heat of the Sun beyond it is a Gallery in which stands the King's Throne adorn'd with Gold Diamonds and Pearls and all sorts of Precious Stones No Person is permitted to approach this Place without being call'd except the King's Sons which standing near him cool him by continual fanning of him with Fans in the Country Language call'd Pankhamh and the Chief Secretary Within the foremention'd Court none are suffer'd to enter but Ommirades or Omrahs which are Dukes and great Lords Opposite to this Place hang golden Bells which are rung by those that have sustain'd any prejudice and are thereupon admitted to speak to the King to make their Complaints to him but not without great danger if their Cause be not just In this Place the King appears every Afternoon between three and four a Clock besides thousands of other People which take their Places according to their Qualities and with the King stay there till the Evening hearing all forein Letters which are read by the Setretary and determining all other Businesses Hither are also brought his Horses and Elephants which are try'd by some of his Servants appointed for that purpose Within this third
Gate is likewise a Seraglio cover'd with a golden Roof The fourth Gate call'd Eersame leads to a River along whose Banks stands a beautiful Palace where the King Salutes the Rising-Sun every Morning whilst the most eminent Persons of his Court standing on a rising Ground shew him Reverence and the Hadys or Commanders of Horse with other People remain in the outward Court not daring to come any farther unless they are call'd From hence also he beholds the Fighting with Elephants Lions Buffalo's and other wild Beasts which is perform'd every Day at Noon except on Sundays In the inner Hall of the Royal Court come no People but the King's Eunuchs or Bed-chamber-men which are call'd Godia In the inner part of the Castle are two Towers one on the Seraglio and the other is built on the Treasury Within the Suburbs are many Courts belonging to the Chans and other great Lords very artificially built and adorn'd with many beautiful Works the Cielings are richly Painted with Gold and Silver and other Colours the Walls are hung with Tapistry and the Floor cover'd with rich Carpets In the midst of these Courts are for the most part square or six-angled Springs about which they Dine and in hot Weather Bathe themselves In the Western part of the City near the Metzid Nassar stands a high Tower rais'd of Camels Heads and Mortar The ordinary Citizens Houses are but mean yet built in good order There are eight great Streets with Shops besides many lesser and also four large Arch'd Streets each about half a Mile long where all manner of Trades and Handicraftsmen keep their Shops especially those that Deal in Silks and Cotton Gold and Silver-Smiths Shoemakers Taylors Coopers Blacksmiths and all other Trades live each in a peculiar Corner For travelling Merchants and others there are eighty Serrais or Karavanseraes which are large square Courts inclosed with high Stone Walls at each end whereof stands a Watch-Tower out of which they go into the several Galleries wherein are Lodging-Rooms each of them having Doors to lock and also Chimneys there are commonly two or three Rooms one over another Under these Chambers are great Arch'd Stables for Horses Asses Oxen and Camels and in the midst of the Yard stands a Spring with running Water or a Vault with standing Water they were built by the great Mogol Ekbar after he had conquer'd the Kingdom of Surratte and is said to have cost him two Millions and a half of Ropias a Ropia being valu'd at 2 s. Sterl There are likewise four hundred Hamans or Baths which are daily visited by several Persons who pay each a Sektzai for their Entrance Severity large besides many lesser Metzids or Temples are also no small Ornament to this City especially six which are the chief in one of which lies Interr'd the Body of a Saint call'd Scandar the Successor of Hussein Alys Son This Temple possesses great Riches and Privileges it being an Allakapi or Privileg'd Place for whosoever flies thither though he hath committed the greatest Crime imaginable nay though he had attempted to kill the King himself he is free from all Punishments as long as he can stay there if he hath Money there is Meat brought him by the Derwish who is a person which at Set-times cries the Illa lailah illa allah c. from the Temple Steeple to gather Alms. Not far from the Netherland East-India Companies Factory which they have in this City stands a Meâ—zid call'd Jakod near which lies buried a Giant call'd Baxi Schah of whom the Moors tell many incredible stories the Grave is 36 soot long and eight broad on each Corner stands a great Column hung full of little Flags on which in Indostan Characters stands written the Life of this mighty Heroe and in each Pillar is a Hole in which Lamps burn Night and Day to the Honor of Baxi Schah. This Baxi Schah is by the Mahumetans honor'd almost as high as God for they go thither to pay their Devotions and believe that by Praying to him they shall immediately receive Absolution for all their Sins they also swear by his Name With the Mogol's permission the Benjans have also many Pagods in this City There are four Custom-houses built in four several places of this City where Merchants Enter and pay Custom for their Goods and the tenth Peny of all things they carry out of the City with them This City is inhabited by divers Nations but the chiefest and most eminent are the Hassanists Tarâ—ars Benjans Armenians Turks Jews and Persians besides several Europeans There are also Portuguese and Augustine Monks Agra is a very populous City and can on occasion bring two hundred and fifty thousand Men into the Field In it is great store of Salt-petre and Indigo to be had which the English and Hollanders carry from thence in great quantities Not only within but also round about the City are very delightful Gardens some whereof belong to the Mogol who oftentimes goes to walk and Dine in them whilst a considerable number of Women Dance naked before him The Jurisdiction of Agra from all Parts extends twelve Days Journey through a Plain and fertile Country which contains forty great and small Towns and three thousand five hundred Villages Without the City is a House wherein are kept all sorts of wild Beasts as Elephants Tygers Lions Buffalo's and wild Bulls which the Mogol keeps to sport withal either by letting them fight one against another or encounter with such Men as will be accounted the most valiant of the Country or with such as are constrain'd upon forfeiture of the Mogol's Favor to engage with them About the Year 1620. the City of Agra was by the Sultan Chorrom Selim's Son ruin'd and plunder'd a second time with far greater cruelty of the Soldiers than formerly perhaps in revenge for the Loss which they sustain'd before the Castle which they Storming in vain lost many Men who were slain by the Besieged Between Agra and Lahor is a Walk planted with Trees four hundred English Miles in length and is by Travellers who refresh themselves under the cool shading Trees accounted one of the most delightful Places in the whole World there being several brave Houses for Entertainment built along the High-way A League and a half from Agra on the Way from Lahor is a Place call'd Tzekander where the Great Mogol Ekbar erected a great Burying-place for himself and his Successors to which his Son Jangheer contributed very largely and though there had been above twenty four Millions of Ropias bestow'd on the same yet it was not near finish'd in the Year 1626. The whole Structure is of hewn Stone divided into four large Squares each three hundred Paces at the Corners of each stands a little Tower of colour'd Marble It lies in the midst of a very fine Garden surrounded with a Wall of red Stone within which is a Turret from which you see into a little but exceeding delightful Garden The City Fettipore
resolving to be present at the Conquest but he staid about a Year in the City of Agra from whence he march'd Anno 1600. to the Kingdom of Decan But the Queen of Decan who Reign'd at that time being a Woman of great Spirit and Valour and being also assisted by the Portuguese and some great Lords oppos'd him with so much Courage and Resolution that many of his People were slain at their entrance into the Kingdom of Barara at a Pass near the Mountains by which they were to come into the Country of Decan Yet nevertheless the Decanyns after the death of this Princess divided themselves into divers Parties from which proceeded their overthrow and total subduction for some being corrupted by Money and others by Promises they all upon hopes of greater Employments contributed their Assistance to the Great Mogol in his Conquest of the Kingdom of Decan Having by this means at last added this Kingdom to his Territories he elected one of his Sons to be his Vice-Roy leaving with him a considerable Garrison Texeira says the King of Decan was formerly by the Inhabitants call'd Nezal al Malucho that is The Lance or Spear of the Kingdom and also Malek or Melik which signifies King Della Valle affirms that the right Name of the Kings of Decan is Nizam Sciah which some translate King of the Spear induc'd thereunto by the Portuguese Word Nize which signifies A Spear but falsly because the King calls himself Nizam Sciah and not Nize Sciah as this explanation requires Others call him according to the signification of the Word Nizam King of Falcons for Nizam in the Indian Tongue signifies A Falcon or other Bird of Prey because this King before he was made a Governor was perhaps Falconer to that Great King under whose Jurisdiction all this Country was so that he retains that Name to this day The King which Reign'd Anno 1623. being a Child of about twelve Years of age gave the Government of his Realm to one of his Slaves call'd Melik Amber by Extract an Ambassine and of the Mahumetan Religion who Govern'd with so much Policy that this Country was more known by the Name of The Dominion of Melik than that of the Kingdom of Nizam Sciah He Govern'd with great Fidelity and Obedience to the King and not as some pretended like a Tyrant Neither did he keep the King as a Prisoner though it is said by some that he design'd to marry his Daughter to the young King that so he might the better hold his Governor-ship and make his Heir his Successor He was a Man of great Prudence and Understanding yet not without the Name of being very wicked and inclining to Sorcery of which some affirm he made use to continue himself in his Princes Favor It is also said That for the accomplishing his Designs he would offer to the Devil several hundreds of Children that were his Slaves with abundance of other People hoping thereby the more easily to obtain his Desires These and other such barbarous Wickednesses and Impieties have been reported of him This Melik Amber maintain'd at that time great Wars against the Mogols not sparing his own Person but himself engaging often very valiantly The Kingdom of Ballagate THE Kingdom of Ballagate lieth between and beyond the Mountains of Gate as some Writers affirm These Mountains are about nine Leagues from the City Banda they are very high and extend from the Country of Decan to the Coast of Choromandel they also reach to Dabul with many Points and Inlets which render them altogether unfit to be Travell'd over either by Men or Beasts On that side towards Decan is upon the top a Plain of an extraordinary compass planted on the Way-sides with Mangas and other Fruit-Trees Ballagate in the Persian Tongue signifies High Mountains for Balla is High and Gate A Mountain Some also call this Country The Kingdom of Decan The Cities of Lispor and Ultabad or Dubtabad are very famous for the great numbers of Merchants that resort thither The Kingdom of Cuncan or Visiapour THE Kingdom of Cuncan is by Linschot call'd The Kingdom of Dialcan and by others from Visiapour its Metropolis The Kingdom of Visiapour and by Della Valle The Country of Telengone or Telanga It takes its beginning on the Sea-shore of Ingediva or Angedive twelve Leagues Southward from Goa or according to John de Barros from the River Aliga in Sintacora which is a Boundary between Cuncan and the Country of Canara and extends Northwardly to the Land of Decan or the Land of Siffardan a Tract of sixty Leagues Westward it runs to the Sea and Eastward to the Mountains of Gate or to the Kingdom of Bagenael or Golconda and is by a Stream separated from the Island Goa Della Valle makes Telengone the Metropolis of this Kingdom to border Southerly next that which belongs to the Portuguese in Goa Some reduce the City Visiapour and Goa under the Province of Daman and place the Province of Telanga much further to the Southern part The most eminent Sea-Towns are Geytapour Rasapoue Carapatan and Dabul besides which there are several other very good Bays Rivers and Roads The Chief City of this Kingdom the Court and Residence of the Kings is call'd Vasiapour Bizapor and Visipor or peculiarly Vidhikpor notwithstanding Linschot places the King's Court at Solapor but it is probable he keeps his Court sometimes at the one and sometimes at the other Visiapour lies up into the Country about 30 Gau each Gau being three Leagues or 90 German Miles from Dabul and 25 from Goa It is surrounded with high Walls of hard Stone and deep Moats which nevertheless are dry in several places Round about on the Walls and some Platforms made for that purpose are mounted above 1000 Brass and Iron Guns some whereof are of an incredible bigness De Stadt VISIAPOER About a League and a half from Visiapour lies another City call'd Nouraspour formerly the Residence of King Abrahim Chan whose Palace besides several other fair Structures are to be seen at this day but quite ruin'd the Materials of them being employ'd for the building of the present King's Houses and Palaces Travelling from Visiapour to Dabul you pass through these Cities From Nouraspour you come to the City of Sirrapour and Tickota six Kos from Visiapour Three Kos beyond Tickota is the City Honnowaere and three more beyond that a City call'd Calesen Six Kos further is a great and Trading Town nam'd Atteny two days Journey from Visiapour Four Kos from Calesen and two from Atteny between both lies the Village Burgie and two Kos from Atteny the great Dorp Agelle Six Kos and a half from Atteny is the City Areka with two Bary or Villages lying upon the side of the Road about four Kos and a half from Areka and one and a half from Atteny Three Kos from Areka lies the City Berek with a small Village in the way one Kos and a half from Areka and is under the Jurisdiction
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
ASIA ASIA THE FIRST PART BEING An Accurate Description OF PERSIA And the Several PROVINCES thereof The Vast Empire OF THE GREAT MOGOL And other Parts of INDIA And their Several Kingdoms and Regions WITH The Denominations and Descriptions of the Cities Towns and Places of Remark therein contain'd The Various Customs Habits Religion and Languages of the Inhabitants Their Political Governments and way of Commerce ALSO The Plants and Animals peculiar to each Country Collected and Translated from most Authentick Authors and Augmented with later Observations Illustrated with Notes and Adorn'd with peculiar Maps and proper Sculptures By JOHN OGILBY Esq His MAJESTY's Cosmographer Geographick Printer and Master of His MAJESTY's Revels in the Kingdom of Ireland LONDON Printed by the Author at his House in White-Friers M.DC.LXXIII TO HIS Most Serene and Most Excellent Majesty CHARLES II. By the Grace of God OF GREAT BRITAIN FRANCE and IRELAND KING DEFENDER of the FAITH c. This Fifth Volume of His ENGLISH ATLAS Viz. ASIA Being the Latest and most ACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF THE Kingdom of Persia THE EMPIRE of the GREAT MOGOL And other Parts of INDIA Is Dedicated and with all Humility Presented BY Your Majesties Cosmographer AND LOYAL SUBJECT JOHN OGILBY A NEW MAP OF ASIA TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFULL THE GOVERNOR DEPUTY AND COMMITTEES OF THE honble EAST INDIA COMPANY This new Map of ASIA according to the best and latest Observations and Discoveries is most humbly Presented and Dedicated by Iohn Ogilby Esq his Majesties Cosmographer THE General Description OF ASIA ASIA by some call'd Semia from Sem the eldest Son of Noah to whose Lot it fell and now by Navigators The Levant from the Italian Word Levante i. e. The East from its Easterly Situation hath been generally accounted by Ancient Writers the biggest of the Three formerly Known Divisions of the WORLD and by some estimated equal to the other Two EUROPE and AFRICA and is moreover Ennobled with several grand Prerogatives above the rest For here that Glorious Work of Creation first manifested it self and terminated in that greatest of God's Handy-works the Formation of Man Here flourish'd the Terrestrial Paradise or Garden of Eden which our first Parents Inhabited Cultivated and in the end by their Disobedience lost And as the Creation so also the Redemption of Man-kind was here wrought by our Blessed Saviour's Incarnation Nativity Preaching Miracles and lastly Suffering upon the Cross and Resurrection And here the Divine Monument of his Passion the Holy Sepulchre is yet preserv'd by God's Providence even under the Guardianship of Infidels themselves From hence as from the Fountain of Plantation and first Inhabited Part of the World Colonies were sent forth into all Parts and the whole Globe of Earth was supply'd with People Here was the first Foundation of Cities Institution of Laws and Government Civilising of Manners Original of Arts and Sciences and the Communication of all Literature both Divine and Humane to the rest of the World And as the two first Great and Famous Empires of the World the Assyrian and Persian were here Founded and succeeded each other continuing for the space of 1368 Years namely from the Year of the World 2000 to the Year 3368 so at this day the greatest Empires of the Universe are contain'd in this Part thereof as namely the Turkish Empire which though it extend it self into Europe yet the greatest part of it is contain'd within the Verge of Asia that of the Sophi of Persia that of the Emperor of China that of the Great Cham of Tartary which two last Empires are now by Conquest united under one Head viz. the Great Chan and that of the Great Mogol Of the Seven Wonders of the World Four were in Asia namely The Temple of Diana at Ephesus The Mausoleum or Sepulchre of Mausolus at Halicarnassus The Walls of Babylon and the Colossus or Statue of the Sun at Rhodes Of the other three one is in Europe viz. The Statue of Olympick Jupiter the other two are in Africa viz. The Pharos or Watch-Tower and the Aegyptian Pyramids Lastly Of the Fruitfulness and Pleasantness of this Part this may serve for a great Argument That here was chosen out by God himself that Land of Promise for his Chosen People to dwell in which the Scripture it self sets forth by the Commendation of A Land flowing with Milk and Honey And Cicero represents it no less advantageously in one of his Orations to the People of Rome in these Words Caeterarum Provinciarum Vectigalia Quirites tanta sunt ut iis ad ipsas Provincias tutandas vix contenti esse pâ—ssumus Asia verotam opima est fertilis ut ubertate agrorum varietate fructuum magnitudine Pastionis multitudine earum rerum quae exportent facile omnibus terries antecellat The Tributes and Taxes Renowned Romans gather'd from other Provinces are scarce sufficient for the Maintenance and Defence of the Provinces themselves but Asia is so fertile that in the plentiful Production of its Corn-fields the variety of its Fruits the richness of its Pastures and the multitude of those things which for their Rarity are Exported into other Parts it far excells all the Earth beside And thus far Cicero's Commendation of Asia agrees with the common Suffrage of other Writers namely That Asia in general for Fruitfulness Delight and being well Peopled is far superior to Africa and for costly Traffick and its abundance of high-valu'd Commodities which hereafter shall be particulariz'd exceeds Europe also and may well stand in competition with the new-found World America with all its Mines of Gold Of the Denomination of Asia COncerning the Denomination of Asia there is some variety of conjecture as upon all such Occasions happens but the most generally receiv'd is and that by the Authority of Herodotus That it is deriv'd from the Nymph Asia who is reckon'd by Hesiod among the Forty Daughters of Oceanus and Thetys in this Verse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Crisia and Asia and Calypso fair This Nymph the Wife of Japetus and Mother of Prometheus is said to have been a Queen of great Power and Authority extending her Dominions through a great part of Asia and thereby to have given Denomination to the whole However others derive it from Asius the Son of Cocytus others from Asius the Son of Manaeus the Lydian others from another Asius an ancient Philosopher who gave the Palladium to the Trojans But the Learned Bochart as in all his Etymologies he goes a more critical way to work so also in this deriving it from the Word Asi which in the Punick Tongue signifies A Middle because it lies in the a Hinc intranti dextra est Africa laeva Europa inter utrasque est Asia Plin. middle between Africa and Europe or perhaps because the Mountain Taurus runs through the middle of it from East to West as Strabo observes thereby dividing it into two Parts Asia Interior and Exterior that Part to the North
more Westerly Part and the more Easterly part The more Westerly Part into India the Less and India within the Ganges the more Easterly Part into India the Greater and India without the Ganges Ptolomy in his fifth sixth and seventh Books reduceth the Provinces of Asia which he makes to be forty eight into twelve Tables In his fifth Book are comprehended these Provinces Pontus and Bithynia properly call'd Asia Phrygia Magna Lycia Galatia Paphlagonia Pamphylia Cappadocia Armenia Minor Cilicia Sarmatia Asiatica Colchis Iberia Albania Armenia Major the Island Cyprus Coelosyria Phoenicia Palestina Judaea Arabia Petraea Mesopotamia Arabia Deserta Babylonia In his sixth Book Assyria Susiana Media Persis Parthia Carmania Deserta Carmania altera Arabia Faelix Hircania Margiana Bactriana Sogdiana the Sacians Scythia within the Mountain Imaus Serica Aria Parapomisus Dranchiana Arachosia and Gedrosia In the seventh India within the River Ganges India without the River Ganges China which is by him call'd Sinarum Regio and the Island Taprobane The Modern Division of Asia is generally into those five Great Kingdoms already mention'd viz. The Turkish Empire in Asia The Kingdom of Persia or the Territory of the Great Sophi The Tartarian Empire or the Territory of the Great Chan the Empire of China which is now in the Possession of the Tartar and the Empire of the Great Mogol But to be more particular Our first Part of Asia we shall divide as followeth viz. into 1. The Kingdom of Persia containing the Provinces Schirwan anciently Media Atropatia Erak anciently Parthia Aderbeitzan anciently Media Major or Satrapeni Iran or Carabach Sagistam anciently Drangiana the Country of Nixabur Kilan or Gilan Mazanderan Chusistan anciently Susiana Kirman or Caramania Circan anciently Gedrosia Moghostan Lorestan Chorasan Siston Aria or Ery Dagestan or Tagestan the Kingdom of Amadan 2. The Country of Georgia anciently Colchis and Iberia c. containing the Provinces of Imereti or Basciaciuk Cacheti and Cardel or Carduel Guriel Mengrelia anciently Colchis with that of Avogastes or Avogasie 3. The Province of Circassia with Albania and Curdistan 4. India and particularly the Empire of the Great Mogol containing these following Kingdoms and Territories viz. Parapomisa or Candahor Sablestan and Balassy the Kingdom of Cabul Territory of Multan the Kingdom of Ballochi or Hangichan the Province of Buckor the Kingdom of Send or Sind the Provinces of Sorit Jesselmeer and Attack the Province of Penjab the Kingdom of Caximir the Territories of Banchosh Jangapore and Jenba the Kingdom of Dely the Kingdom of Mando the Territories of Sanga and Utrad the Kingdom of Zurratte or Cambaya the Kingdom of Candish or Sanda the Provinces of Berar and Narvar the Province of Gualiar the Kingdoms of Agra or Indostan Decan Ballagate Cuncan or Visiapour the Country of Bulloits the Provinces of Hindows Nagracat Siba Kakares Gor Pitan Canduana and Patna PERSIA Sive SOPHORVM REGNVM THE DESCRIPTION OF THE KINGDOM OF PERSIA Description of Persia THE Kingdom of Persia hath for several Ages by that Name been known to the ancient Greeks and Romans and at this Day to most People of Europe and it may properly be so call'd from Perseus Son of Jupiter and Danae The Inhabitants term it Agem or Agiam By the Turks it is call'd Agem Vilager or Agem Memlaket the first signifies The Countrey and the second The Kingdom of the Persians But the proper Name as Texeira affirms is Agem or Pars and that of the Inhabitants Parsey or Agemy though the Name of Pars belongs peculiarly to the Province of Persia It was anciently a Noble and very famous Country having for two hundred and thirty Years been the Head of the second Monarchy nay it rose to that heighth that according to Brisonius no Kingdom upon Earth could either in Power or Riches compare with it wherefore the Governors were call'd The Great Kings or Kings of Kings as appears by Plato Strabo Suetonius and other eminent Writers The Borders of this Kingdom formerly extended very far many populous Provinces being under its Jurisdiction as amongst other Remarks appear'd by the great Army and the mighty Train thereto belonging with which King Darius prepar'd to oppose Alexander the Great as Quintus Curtius hath related at large How far the Limits of this Empire anciently extended may be found in Strabo Pizarrus and other ancient Writers It s ancient Limits and Extent Persia in former Times compris'd most of the Countries of Asia towards the East as also a part of India and Egypt which then was within the Bounds of Asia viz. it extended in length from the Hellespont beyond the Mouth of the River Indus two thousand eight hundred English Miles and in breadth from the Pontus to the Jaws of the Arabian Gulf two thousand in which Circumference were comprehended many Provinces and Kingdoms But since the downfall of the second Monarchy of Persia which flourish'd two hundred and thirty years from the first rise thereof by Cyrus This Kingdom partly by Intestine Wars and partly by the Invasion of Forein Princes was so much abated in its former Splendor that the Inhabitants thereof were absolutely enslav'd and after the Arabians had Conquer'd them forc'd to deny their Name and from that time forward were not permitted to style themselves Persians but Saracens Not long after which it was subdu'd by the Tartars and first brought under Subjection of the Chinguis Chan and then under Tamerlane yet at length it began again to flourish and regain'd much of its ancient Lustre in the last Age by the Valour of Ismael Sefi and is now reckon'd amongst the most powerful Monarchies of the East As to the present Extent of Persia it cannot certainly be said because of the various Alterations in the Frontiers by means of the War against the Turks and Tartars divers times losing a Province or two and sometimes regaining them or others in lieu thereof from the Enemy The Extent of Persia Olearius from his observation of the Persian Maps makes Persia to extend taking in all the circumjacent subdu'd Provinces from the North to the South from the Caspian Sea to the Bay of Persia from East to West from the Borders of Candahar to the River Euphrates or Moratsu nay it extends half way on the West side from the Caspian Sea upward to the Armenian Mountains and Eastward towards the River Ruth Chane formerly Oxun on the North side whereof dwell the Usbeki and Bucharian Tartars who partly pay Tribute to the Persians Maginus makes Persia extend from East to West 38 Degrees because its Longitude from the Meridian of Tenariff is in 82 Degrees and the most Eastern in 129. but from the North to the South to 20 Degrees viz. from the 23. to the 43. Degree So that the Dominion of Persia hath five hundred and sixty Leagues in length and three hundred in breadth a Degree being reckon'd to contain eighteen German or sixty English Miles According to Cluverius and Golnitius it makes out
fifth King of Persia who as the Chronicle makes mention was succeeded by Chedorlaomer not long after the Death of Noah Botterus tells us That Schiras was built when Grand-Cair was but a Village but according to the Registers of the Country it was built not above seven hundred and fifty years ago a considerable time after the Arabians made themselves Masters of Persia Moreover if ancient Traditions may be credited which are there certainly believ'd this City is much elder especially if it be true what is related of an Asian General call'd Jenpsit who is said to have liv'd many Ages before their Account of Time And though they differ amongst themselves in the Time and Reign of the foremention'd Heroe yet 't is very probable that he liv'd a thousand years after the Flood They affirm that he was the Person who made the great and strange cut Channel which so abundantly waters the whole Country of Schiras by undermining and cutting through the great Mountains that lie between the City and Springs and thereby brought them to their present Perfection and by this means they furnish the City with such an abundance of Water that if all the Channels were cut into one they would make a very large River The City of Schiras lying in 28 Degrees and 44 Minutes Northern Latitude is situate about ten Leagues from the Ruins of Persepolis near the Stream Bendamir or Bendimir on a great Plain inclos'd with Mountains except on the side where you go over a Bridge from Pasa into the same two Leagues distant from the City but on the North scarce half a League This City was formerly much bigger and had many more magnificent Buildings than at this day as plainly appears both within and without its Walls And the Arabian Geographer Ulug Becig Nephew to Tamerlane affirms that it was in his Time three Leagues and a half in Circumference The like bigness Contasing ascribes to the same as also the number of twenty four thousand Houses In the beginning of this Age Schach Abbas to punish the Insurrection of one Jacob Chan Governor or Lord of Schiras pull'd down that part of the Wall which was then remaining and fill'd up the Moat and Trench which surrounded the City Both without and within the City are many Mosques or Temples amongst which some are built very magnificent and beautiful and especially one which being of an extraordinary bigness hath a much higher Steeple upon it than any of the other These Towers which the Persians call Alcorons are narrow but high having without two or three Galleries one above another from whence the Marabouts a sort of Priests publickly read their Prayers with a loud and strong Voice three times a day and walking round about the Gallery that they may be the better understood There are very few handsom Structures either without or within the City except the Mosques for besides three Royal Palaces of which one is in the City and the other two in the Suburbs there is not one fair House 't is true that of the Chan or Sultan thoug it be not very beautiful on the out-side yet large and hath many Painted and richly Gilded Apartments within besides Galleries Gardens Orchards and pleasant Walks All the other inhabited by Citizens and other eminent Persons are small and mean the Rooms except the Hall and two or three Chambers are so little that an indifferent Tradesman here hath better Accommodation than a Nobleman there The City hath several Gates one of which respects the River Pasargadas and is call'd Darvaza Pasa that is The Gate of Pasa anciently Pasargadas it is very little and supported only by the Relicks of an old Mud Wall Opposite to this Gate towards the West is another call'd Darvaza Achem that is Iron Gate at which begins a very fair Street above 2000 Paces long and every where exactly 90 Paces broad On each side of this Street is a Wall of about sixteen Foot high Plaister'd over with Mortar and without any Houses behind are spacious Gardens and Orchards full of Fruit-trees and curious Banqueting-houses which belong to the King and are neatly built with large Galleries and pleasant Prospects In this fair Street the Persians run Races and perform their Exercises on Horseback At the end of the Streets stands the King's Palace very handsomly built with Balconies and Terrace Walks Before the Court you ascend by two Steps to a little Plain which is rais'd higher than the Street At the Entrance and near the Gallery in the midst of the Plain lies a fair and large Pool of Water Most of the Inhabitants of the City appear every Friday being the Mahumetan Sabbath in a spacious Plain both on Foot and Horseback and are there Exercis'd and Train'd and afterwards dispose themselves to other Recreations as they think fit Near the King's Palace is a fair House with a pleasant Garden the Work of the Great Ismael Sofi very curiously built three Stories high in the second of which among other very convenient Apartments is a large and spacious Hall having in the middle an Arch'd Lover full of Glass Windows In this Apartment as also in the rest on this Story are divers Pictures of Women most of them Cloth'd after the Italian manner Under the Galleries which surround this Structure two are much bigger than the other one of which being over the Gate looks into the Street and also to that Gate of the City which is call'd Darvaza Pasa The other standing above the first is over the Gate through which you pass to go into the Garden and respects the West Each of these have three Doors one against another so that being in the Hall which is in the middle of the Edifice you have the Prospect not only of the foremention'd Streets and Walks but also of the City Gate and that of the Haram or Seraglio in the middle of the Garden which may justly be accounted a Wood of all sorts of Fruit-trees divided into Walks but those of the Cypress and Palm are the chiefest which begin at the Court Gate and extend nine hundred Paces in length and thirty in breadth the Walks are very straight and even Planted on both sides with tall Cypress-trees which are so big that three Men can scarce fathom them and so high and straight that they represent great Obelisks At the bottom of the Trees is rais'd a Gravel Path or Bank somewhat higher than the middle Walk and about five or six Foot broad where all People walk for they go not into the middle part because that must be kept always green At the bottom of these Cypress-trees on the out-side of the Walk runs a pleasant Brook which afterwards dividing it self into several Branches waters all parts of the Garden At the end of the Walk is the Haram or Seraglio built after the same manner as the House before mention'd but not so large nor high It is erected on a Plain rais'd seven Foot higher than the Garden On
plac'd in posture and shew to this day admirable but when they stood in lustre and perfection were elsewhere scarce imitable From the ordinary standing we easily enjoy'd a most delightful Prospect but in the Summity or Advantage a brave Horizon of thirty Miles unlimited Plains every way gave it self to this Imperial Palace as seeming to submit it self in a happy lowliness In part of this great Room not far from the Portal in a Mirror of polish'd Marble we noted above a dozen Lines of strange Characters very fair and apparent to the Eye but so mystical so odly fram'd as no Hieroglyphick no other deep Conceit can be more difficultly fancied more adverse to the Intellect These consisting of Figures Obelisk Triangular and Pyramidal yet in such Symetry and Order as cannot well be call'd Barbarous Some resemblance I fancied some Words had of the Antique Greek shadowing out Ahasuerus Theos And though it have small concordance with the Hebrew Greek or Latin Letter yet questionless to the Inventer it was well known and peradventure may conceal some excellent Matter though to this day wrapt up in the dim Leaves of envious Obscurity Adjoyning this is another square Room from Angle to Angle ninety Paces in circuit three hundred and threescore Paces beautified with eight Doors four of them being six Paces broad and the other four three apiece all eight severally compos'd of seven great polish'd Marbles fix'd one upon another each of which Stones are four Yards long five Quarters high and most excellently engraven with Images of Lions Griffins Tygers and Bulls and in other Places for the Walls are durable Battels Hecatombs Triumphs Olympick Games and the like in very rare Sculpture and Proportion Above each Door is engraven the Idea of a Majestick Monarch his Robe is long a Tiara or Mithra on his Head his Hair very long and curl'd in one Hand he holds a Globe in the other his Scepter A Garb and Session never us'd by Persian Princes The silly Inhabitants who made no account of it till of late name him Jamshet and Aaron and Samson and Solomon A wonder they leave out Rustan their Hercules and as easie for invention A third Chamber conjoyns the last we spoke of This if they lie not that told us so was a Gynecie or Nursery It has four unequal Angles two sides are sixty the other two seventy of my largest Paces From that we issued into a fourth Room two sides whereof are twenty and the other two thirty Paces The Walls are very eminent in this Chamber of black shining Marble in many Places so bright and jetty as we could easily view our Reflex no Steel Mirror comparing with it In most parts the Walls are cut into Gygantive Images illustrated with Gold to this day permanent Somewhat further over Heaps of Stones of valuable Portraictures we mount towards the most lofty part of this Palace where we saw the Resemblances of a devout King adoring his three Deities the Sun the Fire and a Serpent all which are cut upon the perpendicular Mountain The other side of this high Hill is a Precipice down which is no descending But whether this Fabrick was Ionick Dorick or Corinthiack in the perfection I cannot determine the Ruins forbid a positive Judgment But such at this day it is that a ready Limner in three Months space can hardly to do it well depict out all her Excellencies Pity it is it is not done the barbarous People every day defacing it and cleaving it asunder for Grave-stones and Benches to sit upon Five Miles West from Chehel-manor is also a gallant Monument a Giant cut into a monstrous proportion whom the Illiterate Persians say was Rustan and from him call'd Nocta-Rustan I rather judge it the Image of Great Alexander who had a desire that after-Ages might think him more than a Man and his Men more than Monsters as appear'd in his Conceit to make many Armors big enough for three Men and scatter them in India that the People might not dare to rebell lest those Polyphems came to lash them So far Mr. Herbert Some suppose this Edifice to have been a Temple others a part of the Royal Court or a Burying-place for the Kings but Della Valle inclines to the first of these Opinions This Ruine is in truth all that is left or the ancient City Persepolis being burnt by Alexander the Great to satisfie the Humor of his Concubine Thais At the Foot of the Mountains a League Northward from Hhehel-manor are several old Images by the Inhabitants call'd Nocsci Rostam that is The Figures of Rostam who was an ancient Persian Heroe for his notable Exploits and great Atchievements very famous in their Histories as Hercules among the Greeks and Romans and said to have liv'd in the Reign of Cyrus and Cambyses Near these are also carv'd on a large and smooth Rock several other Statues or Images one whereof sitting on Horse-back is clad in a long Garment with a Cap or Bonnet on his Head In his left Hand he holds a Club as Hercules is usually represented and in his Right Hand a Ring which another Horse-man that is plac'd near him also holds both seeming to pull as if they would break it in sunder This second Horse-man is cloath'd almost after the same manner with the first but is bare-headed and hath very long Hair There is also in another place a third Horse-man accoutred after the same manner laying his left Hand on the Hilt of his Sword his right Hand grasping the Sword of a Foot-man that stands before him threatning as it were another Foot-man who is bare-headed and kneeling on one Knee before the Horse-man Not far from hence are seen the Representations of several Women of which the Inhabitants relate many Fables but especially of one who they say was the Mistress of their Renowned Rostam On another side of this Rock which is very steep like a Wall are many Holes like Windows a great distance from the Ground and some bigger than others yet the least are so large that a Man may easily lie at length in them and therefore it is very probable that these Holes serv'd for Places of Interment for the Dead for Diodorus Siculus affirms That the ancient Kings of Persia were buried in the Country about Persepolis in Holes cut in high Rocks into which they were lifted with Engines made for that purpose On another adjacent Mountain there is as Della Valle relates the Image of a Man call'd Gemschid or as others Choscid which signifies The Sun who is said to have Reign'd a considerabe time in Persia before Cyrus the Great and still lives in their Memory for his great Knowledge in Necromancy Some take this Gemscid to be Nebuchodonosor About the City Schiras lie many Hamlets and Villages as also several Lordships call'd in the Persian Tongue Mulk that is Possessions which are under one peculiar Family for the Possessors thereof hold them not of the King neither can he
Arabia to these Provinces Wherefore this City is much frequented by Merchants as well Persians and Arabians as Benjans and Jews and to that purpose are built many Caravanseras for the accommodation of strange Merchants that come thither with their Commodities This City hath been much ruin'd by Earthquakes one of which in Anno 1400. threw down above a hundred Houses and another Anno 1593. above three hundred or as Texeira affirms five hundred at which time also many Water-Cesterns and the greatest part of the City Walls were spoil'd The ancient Castle formerly built by a Georgian call'd Melek on a Stone Rock on the East side of the City was also cast down A League from Lar is a Caravansera call'd Charcaph The last Place in this Dukedom of Lar at the entrance of the Country which belong'd to the King of Ormus when he was absolute Master of his whole Kingdom on the Main Continent of Persia and Arabia is Abi Dunger Concerning the Climate we cannot say there is any great Cold at Lar the Air being so temperate that in March you can scarce get into the City for the abundance of Flies and Gnats which in great Swarms fill the Air. But in June there blows such a hot and dry Wind that on all Places over which it passes it leaves Impressions as of Fire and withal scorches the Faces Hands and Legs of Strangers to their great trouble and pain call'd therefore by the Persians Bad Semum that is An infectious and burning Wind. The whole Country of Lar is very destitute of Water for there are neither Brooks Springs nor Wells onely in several Places on the Road are plac'd Troughs which catch the Rain-water which serves for the accommodation and refreshment of Travellers Mr. Herbert says this Water is very unwholesom and occasions many Distempers as well in the Inhabitants as Strangers viz. Rheums Sore Throats and Worms in the Legs which causes Itching and Lameness and is not to be cur'd without taking out the Worm and this must also be done with great care for if the Worm chance to break it causes Putrefaction and Numbness in the Part affected which is only to be remedied by continual cutting and slashing of the Flesh There is nothing worthy of praise in all the Country about Lar but the Charitable Inclinations of divers of the Inhabitants who besides the Cesterns which the ancient Kings of Lara and their Governors made for the Publick good and Refreshment of the Inhabitants and Travellers which come daily hither in their last Wills appoint certain Persons to build with their Estates Cesterns Caravanseras and Alms-houses some great and others little according to their Capacities and Zeal in their Religion and by this means there are so many Cesterns that the adjacent Plain is full of them and the Water therein is very clear and cool in Summer notwithstanding the great Heat About Lar and the Parts adjacent are several sorts of Fruit-trees as Oranges Lemmons and the best Dates in all Persia Most of the Inhabitants live on Dates partly by making them their Food and partly by selling and bartering them for other Necessaries Between Lar and Gamron grows abundance of Assa Foetida by the Maleyans and Javanners call'd Hin The ancient Inhabitants of this Country were Arabians of which there are yet many living SCHAMACHIE Schirwan or Scerwan in ancient Times call'd Media Atropatia or Little Media The modern Names of Media Atropatia THis Province anciently a Kingdom is at this day in the Countrey Language call'd Schirwan and Xirwan or Xyruan and generally by the Europeans Serwan Magin supposes Xyruan to comprehend all Media though it be onely a part as Minadoi Leunclavius Olearius and others have observ'd who take it onely for old Media or Atropatia Our Mr. Jenkinson will have the same to be Hircania But Schirwan is rather the Northern Media as appears by the nature of the Soil for accordtng to Herodotus and Strabo that part of Media is mountainous as the Countrey now call'd Schirwan is found to be The Bounds This Province conterminates in the East with the Caspian Sea on the West with Georgia on the North with Albany and somewhat higher with the wandring Tartars which inhabit between Mount Caucasus and the River Volga and in the South it juts out against Great Armenia where the River Canack running betwixt serves for a Boundary and thence passes on till at last it comes to limit Great Media It s whole length is accounted about a hundred Miles The Metropolis of this Province of Schirwan is by divers Writers differently nam'd by Bizarro and Barbaro Sumachia by others Samachia and by the Spaniards Namachi but the common Name is Schamachie of which Namet here is but one City in Media or Persia notwithstanding Ferrarius in his short Geography makes mention of two one anciently call'd Ciropolis and the other Samunis It lies in 84 Degrees and 30 Minutes Longitude and 40 Degrees and 50 Minutes Latitude about six days Journey from the City Derbend or Demircapi by reason of the turnings and by-ways which you must travel through the Mountains but it is not above two days Journey along the Caspian Sea through Bacuy and the Mountains of Lahats and very passable either on Foot or on Horseback The Cammels commonly go the first Way finishing the Journey according as they are laden It is situate in a Valley betwixt Mountains which prevent its being seen till you come just upon it The Castle thereto belonging stands on a Hill near the City Walls which together with the City was built as the Persians affirm by King Schirwan Sehach The Description of the City Schamachie This City formerly was much bigger in circumference than at this day having been much ruin'd in King Abbas's time by the Turkish Wars It was anciently divided into two parts each being severally inclos'd with a Wall but the foremention'd King seeing that the Turks aim'd at nothing but strong and well fortifi'd Places for the better maintaining of their Conquest and never medled with open Villages also observing that the Forts lying in the middle of the Countrey and not on his Borders did him more hurt than good he caus'd the Walls of the Southern part of the City to be pull'd down and likewise those that inclos'd the Cities Tauris or Tabris Nachtzuan and Kentze This South part of Schamachie lies like a peculiar Town separated from the Northern by a little Hill which serves as a publick Market-place to both It is said that when the Turk conquer'd this City and went about afterwards to fortifie it he demolish'd the Persian Tombs to repair the City Walls with the Material thereof The North part of the City lies at the foot of another Hill and being somewhat less than the foremention'd South part is surrounded with a sleight Stone Wall so ruin'd that though the Gates which are five in number belock'd you may get into the City at any time of the Night over the
Walls The Streets in both Towns are narrow and the Houses built of Stone or Earth are very low after the Eastern manner The Caravansera's or Royal Inns. Hard by the Market-place stand two great Caravansera's or * Built at the Kings Charge Royal Inns provided with many Galleries and large Rooms in which the Merchants of other Countreys dispose of their Commodities which they sell by whole-sale The one call'd Schach Caravansera is appointed for the Muscovites who lay up their Goods in the same The other nam'd Losgi Caravansera is built for the Circassian Tartars who also bring thither their Merchandise which for the most part consists in Horses Women young and full grown Maids and sometimes little Children which they either buy or take from the Russians on their Borders or else from one another Moreover the Jews have their Residences in the Caravansera Losgi bringing very fine Wooll thither from Tabessaran The Hamans or publick Baths There are likewise three publick Hamans or Baths in the City which are very much frequented by the Persians two of them stand open in the day-time for the Men and in the Night for the Women The third call'd Hammam Schech being onely for Men near which stand two large Trees which are held in great veneration by the Persians as having been planted there by one of their Saints call'd Schich Murith who not far from thence lies bury'd in a Metzit or Temple to which the People flock more than to any other in the City which contains in all six Metzits or Temples The Revenues which the Baths produce yearly are bestow'd on those things which go to the setting forth of their Funerals and what happens to be over and above is distributed amongst the Poor The Bazar or Market-place On the South side of the City is a Bazar or Market-place with several little Streets or rows of Shops furnish'd with all sorts of Cotton Stuffs Silk Cloth-of-Silver Bowes Arrows Simiters and other Manufactures which are all to be bought at easie Rates The Inhabitants are generally Persians Armenians and Georgians speaking each their peculiar Languages besides the vulgar Tongue of Scervan which is the Turkish There is nothing remarkable or of Antiquity in this City excepting the great Tower which Mr. Cartwright affirms to be built of Free-stone and Flint intermixt with the Sculls of their ancient Noblemen who being overcome and taken Prisoners in a War against the King of Persia were put to death and had their Heads so fixt for a signal Mark of terror to prevent future Insurrections But this Assertion is by some deny'd and judg'd to have been grounded upon the appearance onely of Heads carv'd there in Stone Half a League Northward from the City on a pretty high Hill call'd Caleculistan appear the Ruines of a decay'd Fort where there is a large Cave Vaulted with Free-stone and near it a deep Well Culistan whence denominated The Persians have a Tradition that Schirvan an ancient King of this Province caus'd this Castle to be built in memory of Culistan one of his Concubines from whom it also took Denomination They add moreover that it was taken by Alexander the Great and afterwards by him demolish'd But it is more probable that it receiv'd the Name of Culistan from an adjacent Valley made very fruitful by a Brook and exceeding pleasant in the Spring from the variety of Tulips and other diverse colour'd Flowers Culistan signifying a Valley of Roses Tulips or whatever sort of curious Flowers and Cale a Castle or Fort. Not far from Cale-Culistan towards the side of Schamachie stand two Chappels on another high Hill In the first and chiefest which is built in form of an oblong Square appears a high Sepulchre Rail'd about each Bar arm'd at the top with an Iron Spike and adorn'd with Tassels or small Pennons of divers colour'd Cloth In the other Chappel are other Tombs bedeck'd after the same manner being the Sepulchres of their Saints to whom the Persians often kneel and pay their usual Devotions This last Chappel leads to a deep Vault Amaleck Canna ' s Tomb. in which they say Amaleck Canna one of their King's Daughters lies bury'd who being forc'd by her Father contrary to her Inclination to Marry a Tartar Prince slew her self and some have reported that all Virgins thereabouts come yearly to the foremention'd Burying-place of Amaleck Canna to Mourn there over her Tomb. 'T is true indeed the Inhabitants of Schamachie and those also of the neighboring Villages in some Weeks in the Summer do repair to the foremention'd Mountain not for Amaleck Canna's sake as some imagine but rather for the coolness of the Air which at that Season they find upon the tops of those Hills when at the same time it is intolerabe hot below Some Artificers and those of the meaner sort that use Manufacture go thither in the Morning and having tarry'd there all day at their Work return to their Houses in the Evening but the Nobility commonly take up their Residences there for three Moneths together during which time the Heat continues The Cattel at that time also are driven to Mount Elburs where there is not onely a temperate Air but also good Pasturage The Elburs is part of Mount Caucasus bordering on the side of Tabesseran and Georgia and may plainly be seen from Culistan and other Mountains The Worshippers of Orimasda fled to India It is said that in ancient times the Persians preserv'd and worshipp'd their Orimasda or ever-burning Fire on this Elburs but at this day neither the Fire nor the Worshippers thereof are according to Texeira and others to be found in all Persia nor Jesche but some relate that they are fled from thence to India where they affirm is at this day a sort of Fire-Worshippers At Schamachie is yet to be seen a Cross of hard black Wood which some believe was a piece of Noah's Ark. The Village Mordow To this City belongs a Village call'd Mordow which in the Turkish Language signifies Morass because the Countrey about it is Fenny and all drown'd with abundance of Water which descending with the concourse of many Brooks and Rivulets falls with such violence that the disturbed Waters never freeze in the hardest Winter The Rusticks live here like the Tartars in Astracan in little Houses like Huts In the foremention'd Village and in others thereabouts dwell a People call'd Pedar which speak a peculiar Dialect though not much differing from the Turks and Persians and are of their Religion with some different Perswasions for they account it a great Crime to eat their Meat hot holding it as an Abomination that any should breathe upon it which if any one chance to do they will not touch it but judge the same to be defil'd by their prophane Breath Three Leagues from Mordow lies the Village Tachousie and three Leagues from Schamachie lies Pyrmaraas in which is the Tomb of an eminent Saint or Holy
Man of Persia call'd Heid Ibrahim Heid Ibrahims Tomb. held in great veneration amongst the Persians as a very ancient Monument and left undemolish'd by Tamerlane who destroy'd all things else hereabouts It is Chappel-like inclos'd with a Stone Wall having before the access to it two fair Courts in the first whereof appear many Tomb-stones whereon are Engraven in Arabick several Inscriptions under it are also divers Vaults which receive a glittering Light through little low Windows In one of the deepest Vaults stands a high Stone Altar with two Steps on the one side a Door leads into a Penetrale or Withdrawing-Room the Floor whereof is cover'd with rich Tapestry at the upper end hangs a Table of Stone with this Inscription in Arabick To God I commit my Actions he is my Helper On the right-hand is another Vault which contains eight Chappels or sepulchral Monuments and from that you enter into a third wherein stands the Tomb of the Prophet himself round about which are plac'd great Candlesticks with Wax Tapers which are kept continually burning and from the Roof hang also Lamps So choice are the Persians of this Tomb that they do not willingly admit any Strangers to see it Near the Village Pyrmaraas stands another celebrated Monument in a Rocky Mountain Tirihabba's Tomb. in which lies bury'd a Saint call'd Tirihabba the Master or Instructer of Heid Ibrahim over the Door of it stands written O God open this Door This Tirihabba as the Persians say was always on his Knees incessantly praying clad in a grey Coat upon which his Disciple Heid Ibrahim obtain'd from God that his Tutor after his Decease as well as in his Life-time might be found in a zealous and praying Posture whereupon it is reported that after his Death he continu'd in that Posture as if he had been living with other such like Stories not over easily to be credited Round about Tirihabba's Tomb are divers Caves cut in the same Rock furnish'd with Beds where the Pilgrims Lodge when they come to make their Offerings DERBENDT By the said Village next to Ibrahim's Tomb is a Cavern seventy two Foot long and twenty broad Vaulted with square Stones in which the Inhabitants preserve Snow Ice and Water in the Winter against the Summer for themselves and their Cattel because there is little good Water else thereabouts Pyr Mardechan 's Tomb. Two Leagues and a half from Schamachie towards Ardebil stands the Tomb of a Saint call'd Pyr Mardechan whose Memory is also in great Adoration amongst the Persians The City Ere 's On the Borders of Armenia lies the City Ere 's or Aras near the River Aras whence it takes Denomination at this day call'd Arisbar once the first City of Serwan on that side of the Countrey but much ruin'd and in a manner quite desolate On the Borders of Servan towards Georgia stands the City Sequi and on the Confines of Media the City Giavat The Situation of the City Derbend The City Derbend by the Turks call'd Demircapi or rather Temircapi that is Iron Gate lies West of the Caspian Sea in 85 Degrees Longitude and 41 Degrees and 30 Minutes Northern Latitude according to Olearius's observation It extends in length from East to West half a League and hath in breadth from North to South and from one Gate to the other onely four hundred and fifty Paces The Waves of the Caspian Sea upon which it stands beating against the Walls blocks up the Passage on that side which together with the inaccessible Mountains on the other side gives it the foremention'd Name of Temircapi or Iron Gate to the Kingdom of Persia it reaches on one end to the foot of the Mountains on the other to the Sea Not onely several Writers but also the Inhabitants to this day affirm that this City was built by Alexander the Great whom they call'd Iscander as a Retreat or place of repose for his Army and from his own Name call'd Alexandria whereas in truth he onely erected the Castle and Wall on the South side but that on the North side was built by Nawschirwan an ancient King of that Countrey The Walls are high and broad built of that sort of Stone before mention'd which seems commix'd with broken Mussle-shells Over one of the Gates of the Wall which was built by Alexander are certain Lines written in Syriack Characters and in another place Arabick with some strange Hieroglyphicks worn out by Time and not legible d ee Description of the City This City is divided into three parts the uppermost stands upon an acclivity of the Mountain being the Residence of the Governor fortifi'd with Guns and Garrison'd with five hundred Soldiers of two several Nations viz. Ajurumlu and Coidurscha The middle part inhabited by Persians hath been several times ruin'd once by their own King Emir Emse Chodabende's Son when he re-took the City from the Turkish Emperor Mustafa to whom the Townsmen had freely surrendred it The lower part being not five hundred Paces long hath at this day very few Houses left standing being now nothing but a parcel of Gardens Orchards and Plough'd-Lands It is said that this part was formerly inhabited by the Greeks wherefore it is to this day by the Persians call'd Schaher * Junan probably from Iones Junan that is The Greeks City Both the Walls are founded on Rocks The Shore also about Derbend being all very Rocky is altogether unfit for Anchorage and unsafe Harbor for Shipping On the Mountains which are very wooddy above the City appear the Ruines of a Wall which as they say extended fifty Leagues along the Caspian Sea it appears by some parts of it yet remaining of six Foot high to have been of equal breadth with the present Walls of the City which are so broad that a Coach may drive upon them Moreover on the upper side of the City stand several Castles apart on several Hills whereof two the nearest to the Town being built square are kept in indifferent good Repair and well Garrison'd There are also divers woodden Watch-houses from whence they have a clear and large Prospect and can timely see the approach of any Enemy there being continual Watch kept in them Amongst other Remarks near the City Tzumtzume's Tomb. is the Tomb of Tzumtzume of whom the Persians relate this following Story Eissi a great Prophet amongst the Persians passing by there on a certain time and finding a Man's Scull lying on the Ground desirous to know whose Scull it was pray'd to God to make it again a living Person whereupon he became immediately so inspir'd that he breathed the Breath of Life into it and asking who he was he reply'd Tzumtzume once a wealthy King of this Countrey who possess'd a great City abounding with all things That he had spent daily forty Cammels load of Salt A certain number for an uncertain had forty thousand Head of Kine forty thousand Stage-players forty thousand Servants who wore Pearls
what occasion built we find not on the said Mountain but the greatest Wonder is how such a quantity of Brick or Stone could be carry'd up such a vast heighth it requiring above three hours time to get to the top by reason of the steepness of the Mountain Situation and Description of the City Saba The City Saba is by the Persians accounted to lie in eighty five Degrees of Longitude and in thirty of Northern Latitude but Olearius hath found the same to lie fifty six Minutes more Northerly and Rui Gonzales de Clavaco places the same in thirty Degrees and eighteen Minutes Northern Latitude The Plains about the City are in some places Morassy the City it self built on a Plain which on the right side hath the Mountain Elwend which rising exceeding high appears very pleasant at a distance This City which is not very big lies inclos'd with a slight Wall and hath many ruin'd Houses The glory of this City is the Gardens and Orchards which are full of Pomegrate and Almond-Trees Not far from the City the Inhabitants plant Rice and Cotton in which their chief Trade consists The City Rhey A day and a halfs Journey Eastward from Saba in the same Latitude lies a City call'd Rhey now very ruinous and the adjacent Countrey red and infertile occasion'd as the Persians say from a War rais'd against Hosseyn one of their great Saints by Omarsand who getting the better and having possess'd the Countrey by right of Conquest suddenly had a Curse upon his impiety in shedding innocent Blood for he had slain Hosseyn in Battel whereupon the City then populous and the Countrey fertile suddenly became desolate and barren Situation and Description the City Com. Eleven Leagues from Saba lies the City Com which according to the Persians observation lies in 85 Degrees and 40 Minutes Longitude and in 34 Degrees and 40 Minutes Northern Latitude but Olearius makes the same to lie 18 Minutes more Southerly viz. in 34. Degrees and 23 Minutâ—o Northem Latitude Com an ancient City and by Ptolomy call'd Guriane was formerly very big as appears by several Ruines of Houses and of an old Wall at a good distance round about it It lies in a Plain like Saba and being inclos'd within a Wall hath the Mountain Elwend on the right side which appears white with sandy tops at a great distance from whence descend two Streams which are convey'd through the City in a broad Chanel which by melting of the Snow in March often overflows much of the Town and some years the Flood hath been so great that it hath wash'd away many Houses but in the Summer it is pretty dry The Suburbs belonging to the City extend half a League When any Strangers come into this City the Women either through Superstition or the Jealousie of the Men are not suffer'd to shew themselves and especially to Frenchmen yet nevertheless they make shift sometimes to procure private access Description of the Village Casmabath A days Journey from Com lies the great Village Casmabath where the Houses are most of them joyn'd to one another with Arches Four Leagues from Com lies another Village call'd Caem Abao According to Texeira Erack comprises also the Cities Nahaoand Targazin and Damaoand formerly counted within the Jurisdiction of Aderbajon Davity tells us that Damaoand is the City which Minadoi names Diagman and places the same on the Borders between Persia properly so call'd and great Media Texeira also writes that the City Taharon is the same with Giem which Davity would have to be John the Persian's Guieche being the Metropolis of a Kingdom near Aderbajon Swaert also places in this Province the Countrey of Thaparstam which he supposes to be the ancient Pathienne a Countrey lying Northward and the Passage through inaccessible Mountains and troublesom Ways into Hircania but this is certainly the Countrey Taberstam which Texeira onely names with Hinel its Metropolis The City Casbin Casbin as the same Texeira and Olearius have it is a City belonging to the Province of Parthia or Erack notwithstanding John the Persian makes it a peculiar Kingdom and is in some Maps plac'd near Aderbajon in others farther towards the North-East than Rey Xarear It s Situation and Description The City Casbin or Caswin by others call'd Casbin and formerly Arsatia lies as the Persians and Arabians inform us in 85 Degrees Longitude and 36 Degrees and 15 Minutes Northern Latitude as Olearius hath also observ'd It is situate on a barren and sandy Plain about half a days Journey from which on the South side begin the high Mountains Elwend which extend South-West towards Bagdat or Babylon The City is a League in circumference hath no Walls nor any Soldiers in Garrison because it lies a great way from an Enemy yet as they say hath a hundred thousand Inhabitants out of which on all occasions a good Army might easily be rais'd The ordinary Houses are built of Stone after the Persian manner which though they seem mean on the out-side yet are handsome and well contriv'd within having several Apartments white or else curiously Painted All the Streets being unpav'd and the Ground naturally sandy the least Wind raises Dust and makes it very troublesom walking to the Inhabitants There are no Springs nor Wells but all the Water is convey'd from the Mountains in Pipes laid under Ground into publick Cisterns where it is free for every ones use There are also many Conservatories wherein they keep Ice and Snow to use in Summer The City hath two great Maidans or Market-places the chiefest whereof is call'd Atmaidan being somewhat longer than that of Ardebil though not so broad On the South side thereof stand large and magnificent Structures built most of them by the Princes or Chans of Persia In the Bazars or Shops of this Market-place as also in the Senke Maidan which lies more Westward commonly all manner of Rarities and rich Merchandizes are to be had at reasonable Rates especially Turkoises Rubies and Granates But after Sun-set another kind of Trade is driven on the East side of the Maidan viz. divers Cahbeha or Girls of Pleasure stand in a long Row with cover'd Faces holding up their Coats and behind every one of them an old Woman call'd Delal who carries a Cushion and Blanket or Cotton Quilt on their Backs and an unlighted Candle in their Hands which as soon as any one comes and discourses with the Cahbeha she lights and presents the Party whereupon he turning up their Vails bids her whom he fancies best follow him In this City are likewise above fifty Metzids or Temples Temples whither the Persians daily go to their Devotions the chiefest is Tzame Metzid towards the South not far from the Maidan where their Sabbath or Friday Meeting is principally celebrated There are also many well built Caravansera's for strange Merchants and likewise many publick Baths The King's Palace Near the great Maidan is a large and
more full Discourse in his Book De Arte Magnetica and we shall have occasion to speak more largely thereof when we come to treat of the Provinces of Italy in our Volume of Europe The Gardens about Com abound with Fruit especially Melons Both within and without the City Com are Gardens full of all sorts of Fruit and amongst others a sort of Melons about the bigness of an Orange speckled with all manner of curious Colours and of a sweet smell wherefore they are call'd Shammane and carry'd in the Hand to smell to like a Nosegay but their taste is not so good as that of other Melons which there are as sweet as Sugar The same sort of Melons are to be found in several other places in Persia as also a very strange kind of Cucumbers which are near three Yards long crooked and about the thickness of a Man's Arm and therefore call'd Schunchiar or Crooked Cucumbers which like Gurkins are laid in Vinegar and Salt and eaten raw Several Fields about the City are Sow'n with all sorts of Grain and Cotton Till within six Leagues to the Northward of Sultanie the Countrey is exceeding pleasant and fruitful the Fields being either Planted with Fruit-Trees or flourishing with Corn They belong to the Lords or Possessors of the several Villages thereabouts Four days Journey from Ispahan near the City Niris the Mountain Demawend incloses an Iron and Steel-Mine The Inhabitants of Cashan and Com are accounted a very thievish sort of People Cutlers and Potters the chief Trades of Cashan and Com. The chief Trades in these Cities are the Sword-Cutlers and Potters the best Sword-Blades in all Persia being made there the richest whereof are valu'd at twenty Crowns apiece The Potters Bake all manner of Earthen Ware and especially Cruises and Jugs which are sent from thence to all the Cities hereabouts that which sets the greater value on them is the Water thereabouts with which being fill'd and let stand a while soon after they are made they are exceedingly cool'd and consequently much hardned Besides the foremention'd Manufactures there are a great number of People employ'd in making of Silk Clothes Embroider'd with Birds and sorts of Imagery as also Lanskips and the like The rich Trade of Ispahan Yasde and Coxom Ispahan as being a Place of great Trade hath many large Caravansera's that is to say Inns or Store-houses where the Merchants with their Horses Cammels and other Beasts of burthen take up their Lodging and lay up their Goods for which the King receives a certain Revenue But the places where the great Riches of this City appear most visibly are the several Shops of the Maidan and Bazar where there are continually to be seen Bars of Gold and Silver Damask Pearls Precious Stones raw Silk and Cloths of all sorts There are also vended here great quantities of Anniseeds and divers other Drugs which the Jews and others put off at a dear Rate The Carpets from Yasde made after the Turkish manner are the richest and finest in the whole World The same Place also produces abundance of Silk and Rose-water Caxom also is very famous for the abundance of Silk which comes from thence Lastly this Province is noted for Horses of an excellent kind both for shape and swiftness of foot which the Parthians for the most part make use of in their Wars SOLTANIE The Province of Aderbeitzan or Aderbajon formerly Great Media or Satrapene The several modern Names of Great Media THe Countrey of Aderbeitzan or according to Della Valla Adherbaigan or as Texeira will have it Aderbajon was anciently call'd South or Great Media Castald who names it Adilbegian takes it onely for a Tract of Media by Ptolomy call'd Daretis and Della Valla for a great part of Media but the Places which Aderbeitzan compriseth sufficiently testifie that it is Great Media yet by some modern Writers this Countrey is call'd Franck-Armenia because the Franck-Armenian Christians inhabit the same The Geography of Nubius makes mention that it was anciently the Northermost part of Assyria for it borders on Curdistan the ancient Assyria The Bounds of Aderbeitzan Aderbeitzan borders in the North and North-West at Schirwan in the South at Persia in the East at the Countrey of Kilan and Parthia or Hierack and in the West at Great Armenia But according to Olearius it juts against Curdistan and is separated from Schirwan by the Desart of Mogam and a by certain nnameless River from Carabach It is accounted ninety Leagues in length and compriseth several other lesser Counties viz. Erscheck Chalchal Meschin Tharumat Kermeruth Suldus Serah Utzan and others The chief Cities are Tabris or Taurus Sencan Sultanie Ardebil Merraga Nachtschuan Merend Rumy Chouy and Selmaseck The Description of the City Tabris The Metropolis of this Province is Tabris commonly call'd Tauris and by the Turks Tebris and is the City Terva of Paulus Jovius the Tigranoama of Nigro but according to Ortelius the same with the ancient City Ecbatane formerly the Seat of the Kings of Persia which is also affirm'd by Ananias Schrotterius and Hornius with many demonstrable Reasons out of Minadoi It lies at the foot of the Mountain Orontes perhaps the Mountain Carabag which Texeira places by Tabris eight days Journey Northerly from the Caspian Sea with which it conterminates on the West and on the South with Persia It hath no Walls but lies open on every side as most of the Cities in Persia do and was formerly according to Minadoi inhabited by about two hundred thousand People but John the Persian lessens the number above a half part before its destruction by the Turks There are many Caves under Ground and most of the Houses being very low are either built of a kind of Bitumen or Clay hardned by the Sun Within the compass of a hundred and fifty years last past this City hath undergone sundry Mutations both by the great Turk and the Persians for in the Year 1514. it was surrendred to Selymus the Turk who contrary to his Word exacted a great mass of Money from the Inhabitants and carry'd away with him three thousand Families amongst whom were the best Artificers in the City Afterwards in the Year 1535. it was by Solyman wholly given up to merciless rage and avarice of his Soldiers who left neither House nor Corner thereof unplunder'd abusing the miserable Citizens with all manner of insolency besides the most stately Palace of King Thamas together with the most sumptuous and rich Houses of the Nobility were by the great Turk's Commandment all ras'd down to the Ground and the greattest part of the best Citizens and beautifullest Persons of what Condition or Quality soever were carry'd away Captives And in the Year 1585. it was miserably spoyl'd by Osman Visier unto Amurat the Third and remain'd near four and thirty years under the Turkish Slavery during which time the poor Inhabitants suffer'd most unheard-of Miseries through the countenanc'd Outrages
and other Field-pieces which belong to the Castle On the Mortar-piece is the Figure of a Spread-eagle and over it two Letters A and Z The Bullets thereto belonging are of Marble The Tower which crowns this Structure is eight-square and surrounded on the top with a Gallery a little above which stand eight little Spires like Pillars to which there is an Ascent by winding Stairs Before the Temple is a great square Well which receiving its Water from the Mountain Keider is inclos'd within a Wall behind which is a large pleasant Garden Planted with Rows of high and low Trees and a stately Banquetting-house in the middle Schach Ismael 's Mosque The other Metzid was built by Schach Ismael the first the Entrance into the same is through a very high Door over which stands a round Tower near which also rises a high Pyramid surrounded by eight Marble Columns The Temple it self hath lofty Arches and Pillars as also Galleries round about and in the middle a very high Pulpit To this Structure belongs a very pleasant Garden and in it a Tower whose top ends in the form of a Pyramid But the most beautiful part of the Mosque is a peculiar place built like a Chappel and separated by a Partition from the rest of the Mosque In the middle of it opposite to the Door stands like an Altar a large Tomb built for one of the Sultans and cover'd with rich Cloth-of-Gold and Silk This Chappel is enter'd at an Iron Door neatly Carv'd and Gilded Not far from this Temple stands a high Arch which seems to be the Ruines of an old triumphal Arch built between two Towers above a hundred Foot high A days Journey from Sultania lies the Village Chorademh pleasantly seated among shady Woods and Gardens and by a sweet River The City Ardebil by the Turks call'd Ardevil and in the Maps wrongly spell'd Ardonil is an ancient City and of great repute amongst the Persians partly for being the Seat and Burying-place of divers ancient Kings especially of Schach Sefi who also was born there and secondly for its great Trade to all parts It is said that Alexander the Great in his Journey to Persia kept his Court there for a considerable time and it appears the more probable in regard of the affinity of its Name with Arbela of which Quintus Curtius makes mention It lies in 38 Degrees and 5 Minutes Northern Latitude and in 82 Degrees and 30 Minutes Longitude thirty seven Leagues Westward from Sultania on a Plain three Leagues over and surrounded with high Hills the highest whereof call'd Sebelahu lies West ward and is never without Snow but towards the South-East is the Mountain Bacru Ardebil is somewhat bigger in circumference than Schamachie though without Walls Each House hath an Orchard belonging to it which makes it seem rather a Wood than a City yet there is no Timber there fit for Building but what is brought thither from the Province of Kilan Through the City flows a little Brook call'd Bacuchlu which coming out of the Village Schamasbu a League Southward from the City and having over it several Stone Bridges divides it self into two Branches just before the Town the one runs quite through and the other gliding about by the left side falls into the Stream Carasu By reason of the abundance of Snow which melting in June and running down from the Mountains this Brook swells into a great Stream so that if it were not led in time over an adjacent Plain which is done by casting up a Bank before the River it would quite drown the City as it hapned in the time of Schach Abbas when the Water breaking through carry'd away a great number of Houses and drowned many People and Cattel The chief Streets Besides many little Streets this City hath five eminent ones viz. Derwane Tabar Niardawar Cambalan and Cafircutze all of them pretty broad and Planted with Ash and Willow Trees which afford the Inhabitants a pleasant Shade in Summer There is also a great Maidan or Market-place The Market-place three hundred Paces long and half as broad full of Shops on each side wherein Tradesmen of sundry Vocations have their Shops apart each Trade by it self wherein at the Entrance thereof on the right side behind Schach Sefi's Tomb is a Metzid or Temple wherein Imam Sade one of their twelve chief Saints lies bury'd If a Malefactor escape thither he is secure from being Apprehended and may from thence immediately get to Schach Sefi's Tomb which is a place of greater priviledge Behind the Maidan is a Bazar or Exchange where under a high square Roof call'd Caisere are sold all manner of Gold and Silver Works Precious Stones rich Silks and other Commodities Out of this place passing three Gates you come to a close Street where all manner of ordinary Commodities are to be had at low Rates The Caravansera's or Royal Inns. There are likewise several Caravansera's or Royal Inne in which foreign Merchants as Turks Tartars Indians Chineses and others Lodge and put their Goods Moreover there are many Hamans or Baths and also Metzids Temples the biggest whereof is the Metzid Adine built in the middle of the City on a little Hill it hath a round and pretty high Steeple and is much frequented on Fridays the Mahumetans Sabbath from whence it hath its Denomination for Adine in the Persian Tongue signifies Friday Before the Temple is a Well which a prime Minister of State call'd Saru Chotze otherwise Mahumed Risa caus'd to be made and led the Water thither out of a Mountain lying a League South-West from the City in Pipes under Ground Those that go into the Temple to Pray first warn themselves in this Well according to the Custom of the Mahumetans Description of Schach Sefi's Tomb. Not far from the Maidan is the foremention'd stately Tomb of Schach Sefi one of the most renowned of the late Kings of Persia The Gate through which you must go into the first Court is exceeding large from the top of which hangs a great Silver Chain which the Chan of Merraga is said to have Offer'd with great Devotion The Court which is very large and Pav'd with great square Stones hath on each side long and high Arch'd Walls under which are several Shops and behind the Court a pleasant Garden where every one may freely recreate themselves Not far from hence is another Gate over which hangs also a Silver Chain in a Triangle plac'd there by Mahumed Chan and Kentz No man is permitted to enter into this Temple with any manner of Weapon not so much as with a Knife upon pain of Death The Threshold of this Gate is of white Marble Carv'd round in form of a Pillar and not to be trod upon but stept over with the right Leg foremost because many thousands coming to the Tomb kiss the same On the right side of the Garden is a Fountain of excellent clear Water which through a
the troublesom Valley of Perdelisk and the other extends Eastward Three Leagues from Chivi lies another Village call'd Hoin and beyond it a Valley that is scatteringly inhabited Five Leagues from the before-mention'd Hoin appears the City Scial at the foot of a Mountain so inconsiderable that it is scarce worth the mentioning from whence you go through narrow Roads very foul and troublesom which brings you first to Derram in the Countrey of Taron where all the Fields quite to Caswin are Planted with Cotton Eight Leagues from Derram is the Village Ibrahim so denominated from the Builder thereof A League farther runs the Stream call'd Chizil-Uzen which augmented with several Brooks and Rivulets falls into the Caspian Sea From thence you soon arrive at Caswin The Province of Iran or Carabach Situation and Description THe Province of Iran by most especially by the Vulgar call'd Carabach lies between two famous Rivers viz. the Araxes and Cyrus now call'd Aras and Cur It compriseth part of Armenia and Georgia or Gurtz and is divided into sixteen Counties viz. Cappan Tzulfa Schabus Sisian Keschtas Sarsebil Eruan or Iruan Kerchbulach Achstawa Aberan Schorgel Sarschat Intze Thaback Meleck Thumanis Alget and Vzilder In these Counties are several fair Cities Villages and Fortresses of which the best known are Berde Bilagan Schemcur Kentze Bercuschat Nachtschuan Ordebat Bajefied Macu Magasburt Tiflis and Tzilder It is a very fertile Countrey abounding especially in Silk and hath been often Invaded by the Turk who borders upon it Drangiane or Sagistam Borders of Sagistam DRangiane at this day call'd Sagistam borders in the North and West with Aria in the East with Arachosia or Cabul and in the South at a part of Gedrosia The several Names of its Metropolis According to Olearius and Ananias the Metropolis of this Province is call'd Sistam which Ananias will have to be the City Propstasia of Ptolomy otherwise nam'd Phrada whereas Davity saith Sistan and Sagistam are two several Provinces and will rather have the City which Anaâ—ias calls Asiam to be the Propstasia of Ptolomy by reason of the similitude in the Names which will not hold good if as some are of opinion Sistan be a contraction of Sagistan The other Towns according to the same Ananias are Bigui which is the Begis of Ptolomy Canasi Mulete Bachagi Aeloud perhaps the ancient Aricada of Ptolomy and Timocaim of which last Marcus Paulus Venetus makes mention The chief Towns The chiefest Towns in this Province according to Olearius are Sistan Chaluck Ketz c. Ptolomy also places the River Drange in this Province which glides Southerly from the side of the Mountain Bagoe In the Maps and by Ananias this River is call'd Ilment but the whole Countrey being surrounded with Mountains hath so pent it up that it can scarce find any Passage There are but few Towns in this Province the People are under the Subjection of the Persian Sophi and use Persian Manners and Customs Here Texeira makes us believe contrary to the receiv'd Opinion that there is a Mountain on which some of the Persians to this day worship their ancient God Orimasda or the never-dying Fire The Countrey of Nixabur or Nisabur Situation of Nixabur THe Countrey of Nixabur is by Texeira plac'd between that of Carason Usbeck Tartary and Turkestan The Metropolis is also call'd Nisabur and according to Olearius not far from Mesched being in 102 Degrees and twenty Minutes Longitude and in 38 Degrees and 40 Minutes Northern Latitude The Countrey is full of Sandy Desarts which are in a perpetual motion as if they boyl'd though there be no Wind. Near the City Nisabur lieth a Mountain on which are found excellent Turkoises so call'd perhaps from the Name of the Countrey in which the Hill lies namely Turkestan The Province of Kilan or Gilan Denomination and Situation of Kilan THe Province of Kilan or Gilan by the Ancients call'd Hircania hath receiv'd that Denomination from a peculiar People nam'd Kileck It lies between high Mountains and the Caspian Sea like a Cross on an even Plain which being clayie Ground is much fertiliz'd with many Brooks and Rivers that fall from the neighboring Mountains but in some places it was heretofore unpassable by reason of the Water untill King Abbas rais'd a Cawsey which crosses the whole Countrey from Astarabath to Astara so that you may now travel with great ease It conterminates in the South with the Province of Erack in the North with the Caspian Sea and in the West and North-West at Schirwan or the Mountains of Schamachie and the Plains of Mocan This Province af Gilan is divided into twenty Counties Division in which there are several Towns Villages and Hamlets viz. Kisilagatsch Maschischan Buladi Cilekeran Disekeran Rihk Lahetzan Deschtewend Lengercunan Schichkeran Howe Lissar Kesker Masanderan Marancu Astara Nokeran Lemur Tzeulandan Rescht and Astarabath You enter this Province on the South from Erack through a narrow but well known Road by Writers call'd Caken or The Straight of Hircania but in the time of Alexander it was call'd Pylae and is the same which Olearius calls now The Caspian Gate The Way is very narrow through which you come into the Province of Kilan At the Mouth of this Pass are two Streams that coming from the right and left side of Erack conjoyn their Waves and gliding along come at last to a Stone Bridge which being Vaulted and accommodated with several Rooms of Entertainment supplies the place of a Caravansera and passing thence divide again and fall by two Mouths into the Caspian Sea Beyond the Bridge you come into a fair Road which presently divides it self into two Ways one leading to Ardebil and the other to Kilan the first is very troublesom and dangerous by reason of many Rocky Descents and steep Passages incumbred with great Stones and often so narrow that a Camel and a Horse can scarce pass one by another but the right Way that leads to Kilan is rather worse having such Caverns and Precipices that Travellers are forc'd to walk afoot and lead their Horses over the Mountains of which at the same Season one side is very cold and the other extream hot but more Northerly through Kilan are very pleasant Shades with all manner of Fruit-Trees and others fit for Timber In a Valley near the Stream Isperuth lies a Village call'd Pyle Rubar encompass'd with Hills Though this Village be at the Entrance into Kilan yet the Persians will not allow it to belong thereto but to the Mountains of Tarum A League from Pyle Rubar in the middle of the River Isperuth are to be seen the Ruines of an old Wall and Bridge destroy'd as they say by Alexander the Great The Country of Rescht The County of Rescht borders North on the Caspian Sea West with Kesker and East with the River Isperuth It hath a City of the same Name which is also the Metropolis it stands two Leagues
and Sleeping Rooms in Summer by reason of their coolness and are in the Countrey Language call'd Balachane that is A high House And this is so common and the Inhabitants so us'd to repose in open Rooms that they would incur great inconvenience by a more close retiredness The Streets are broad extending far in a straight Line before the Houses are Channels to receive and carry away the Water which else by reason of their even lying would make them very dirty In one of which stands a Royal Building the chiefest Gate whereof opens into a long and spacious Street Upon one side of this Palace may be seen a square Court crossing which you come to a Garden Door into which none but Grandees are permitted to enter This Garden lies behind the Palace at the foot of a Hill beset with Trees and adorn'd with Banquetting-houses built on the same by King Abbas The Garden being one large Square hath in the middle a Dewanchane or Terrace-Walk twice as long as broad open towards the North with an Ascent of two or three Steps but behind and on the other side clos'd up with a Wall wherein are divers large Windows Through this runs a crystal Stream brought from an adjacent Spring opposite to the Diwanchane The Floor of this Diwanchane is commonly cover'd with Tapistry at the time of Audience when any Persons of Quality kneel on the same before the King Peopling of Mazanderan The Province of Mazanderan is inhabited by several sorts of People which are of divers Tribes and Beliefs sent thither by King Abbas after the building of Ferhabad and Eskerf particularly Georgians who in some sort Profess'd Christianity Mahumetans Armenians and Medes together with some of his own Subjects where the King gave every one Land to Till and maintain his Family and encourag'd them to follow such Employments as they had been accustom'd to in their own Countrey and to that purpose accommodated them to their several Qualifications The Mahumetans are the smallest number and the Christians being for the most part Georgians and Armenians the biggest who had all leave to build as many Houses or Churches as they pleas'd and are tolerated to enjoy their own Religion quietly Their Apparel All these new Inhabitants of this Countrey wear long Breeches and short Coats not reaching down to their Knees with an upper Garment made fast about their Middle with a Girdle they wear no Turbants onely a little Cap in the Persian Tongue call'd Cork made of Leather and Lin'd with Cloth sharp on the top and broad at the bottom which were invented by King Abbas These kind of Caps are very common and worn within Doors in stead of Turbants by Persons of Quality but when they go abroad they put on their Turbants yet their Servants carry these after their Masters Their Language and Government The Language which is spoken in this Province is the vulgar Persian The supream Command of the whole Province belongs to a Vice-Roy or Lieutenant who bears the Title of Chan and keeps his Court in Ferhabad But in former times this Province was Govern'd by a peculiar King which paid Tribute to the Sophy but he rebelling Xa Abas sent his General thither to reduce him This Province is surrounded with great Woods cut through by several Brooks and inclos'd with Mountains overgrown with Trees insomuch that Della Valla affirms that this Countrey bore so great a resemblance with those of Europe that he saw not the like in all those Parts through which he travell'd Nature of the Soil The Soil is very fruitful and us'd to lie Fallow through the neglect and idleness of the Inhabitants The Earth being fat and Morassy is encompass'd by the Caspian Sea and River Teggine Rude Temperature of the Air. The temperature of the Air is much like that at Rome viz. in the Winter moist and subject to tempestuous Weather moreover they feel the same Heat or Cold there which is no great wonder because both the foremention'd Places lie almost in one and the same Northern Latitude having great and almost continual Winter Rains At the entrance on the South out of the Territory of Arack into that of Mazanderan lies a very narrow Valley at the foot of several Mountains which after three Leagues Journey grows somewhat wider and is wash'd by a little Brook This Plain though well cultivated produces nothing but Rice and the like do most places in this whole Province being indeed most fit for that Grain by reason of the abundance of Water and moistness of the Soil for Rice requires moisture or else that it is the chiefest if not onely Grain of the Inhabitants for they use no other Bread not setting any esteem upon Wheat or Rye neither use much Milk Whit-meat or Butter because they think them unwholsom but of Rice which they boyl sometimes one way and sometimes another mingled with Flesh or Fruit they make several savory Dishes which they call Pilao's according to their several Palats This Pilao is convenient for Travellers because it may be made ready in a short time and keeps good a great while and withal is a wholsom and palatable Food Nature of the Inhabitants The Inhabitants are of a sallow Complexion occasion'd by the Heats of the Climate and constant eating of Rice and their Hair and Eye-brows very black The Women are very handsom Body'd and have good Features which they grace with a courteous Behavior and affability in Discourse and this is the more pleasing because according to their Custom in which they differ very much from other Mahumetans they never cover their Faces nor shun the Company of Men. Both Men and Women are hospitable treating Strangers in their Houses with the highest Civility imaginable not expecting any Return yet refuse not any thing Presented to them for there are no Inns or Caravansera's to give public Entertainment but every House as we said is free to receive Strangers wherefore we may justly say that there is no Countrey where the Inhabitants are more hospitable and civil so that Hircania which the Ancients reported to be full of Tygers and other wild Beasts if Mazanderan be compris'd in the same is one of the most civiliz'd Territories that can be found in all Asia and the Inhabitants thereof have a suitable commendation Of the Soil The Land between the City Ferhabad and Eskerf is even and plain on which grow wild Artichokes Parsnips and the like Towns and Villages You may see here also many Towns and Villages as you travel from Arack Southward to Ferhabad particularly a Village call'd Mynikelle Four Leagues from thence lies another call d Giru the Road between both which in the Winter is very bad arid deep by reason of the continual wetness of the Ground A days Journey farther you come to Tellara Pescet a large Hamlet having on one fide many dispersed Villages and on the other a Hilly Countrey Beyond these appears
that is Darius's City Beyond Darabghierd we see the Villages Dechair and beyond that the Wilderness of Moghokiel Next you come to a Mosque of an Imamsade's Tomb who was call'd Meir Abas Son to Iman Giafer Sadick a Man highly esteem'd amongst the Persians yet the Mosque is quite ruin'd notwithstanding it is near a Village About it are pleasant Gardens with all sorts of Fruit-Trees water'd by a little Brook At the entrance is a Court where several People superstitiously desire to be bury'd In the middle of this Court stands a great Palm-Tree by whose Foot runs another Brook replenish'd with all sorts of Fish for the Service of the Court. Meir Aba 's Tomb. On one side of the Mosque is Meir Abas's Tomb cover'd with sleight Turkish Linnen Here Della Valle says he found a bound Book and also some Leaves of an old Book with certain Medals which were brought from Kierrila and the famous Hossein's Tomb on which were Imprinted in Arabick Letters the name of GOD and some other pious words as Elhemdu lillah that is God be praised Beyond this Tomb you come between narrow Mountains which formerly serv'd for the Boundaries between the two Provinces of Persia and Lar when Lar was a peculiar Dukedom and not subject to the Persians Somewhat farther you come to the Village Furg and beyond it to several Heaps of Rubbish being the Ruines of an ancient Structure by the Vulgar call'd The Mountain of the King of Behmen who as they report Reign'd a considerable time in Persia before Darius was conquer'd by Alexander the Great Next you approach the Village Tascui and Seid Geuder in the County of Tarom the salt Water of Absicur the Village Pelengon and the Tenghi Cebarrud or Narrow Gate beyond which a Brook glides gently into a Moat near which Travellers commonly resting themselves cut their Names and Verses on the Rocks which shadow this Brook from the heat of the Sun all the day Hence you go to Pise or Pisce a little Village in the Countrey of Gurhe not far distant Next appears the Town Curihazirgon and Serzehirevevon the Mountain of Ginan and Countrey of Issur where the Way again parts into two one running by the Village Abidunghur to the City Mina and the other to Cambru In the Road to Cambru lies the Village call'd Ciah Ciacor the common Resting-place for Travellers beyond which is a Row of Houses nam'd Pailulon or Pailuli Dagheli that is At the foot of the Lulen full of Leaves for by these Houses grow abundance of Trees by the Inhabitants call'd Kuli Dagheli as if they would say Trees full of Boughs for out of the great Branches grow many lesser down to the Ground which taking Root produce new Trees which being very common in India are by the Portuguese nam'd Arbores de Raiz that is The Rooting Trees Lastly you come to the Fort and City Combru at present by the Persians call'd Abassi The nature of the Inhabitants of Wild and Great Carmania The Inhabitants of Wild Carmania are most of them Thieves and Robbers but in Great Carmania the Women work all sorts of Shapes on Cloth of Tissue or Silk of divers colours as also on Curtains Hangings Cushions and the like In this Province are made also excellent Saddles Bridles Spurs and all manner of Weapons for War The Inhabitants drink a kind of Beer in stead of Wine and make use of the Arabian Abe The Inhabitants in the Wilderness Reobarle which lieth in this Province live by Pilfering and are great Sorcerers like the Arabians Their Turbans are long but narrower than those of the other Persians with a great Lappet behind Herb Daru Kermon Amongst many other soveraign Herbs growing here there is one exceeding good against Worms call'd Daru Kerman or Daramnack Kermony which is to be understood two several ways viz. for a Medicine for Worms or for a Medicine from Kermon for Kermon is a compound word signifying not onely This Province but A Worm and Daru or Daramnack is a Physical Herb. The chiefest Commodities with which the Inhabitants Trade are Rose-water Wormwood or Daru Kermon and the Stone Surmah Commodities of the Countrey The Carpets made here are by the Persians call'd Caluchey by the Portuguese Alcatifas and commonly by other Europeans from their Example corruptly Alcatifs which are made in three several Places in Persia viz. the richest finest and dearest are made in Izad a City in Hierack where some are sold for a thousand Ducats the second sort are those of Kerman and the third from Carason There is also a black and glittering Stone found in this Countrey which looks as if it were strew'd with File-dust or Sand and is call'd Surmah of which there are two sorts one is found in Kerman as also in Carason which is of greatest value and the other Moches because it comes from Mochi or Mecha The Arabians Indians and Persians use this Stone much against the Distemper of the Eyes for the cure of which it is very prevalent being prepar'd with other things It is good to preserve Beauty insomuch that both Men and Women wiping their Eyes with the Stone wetted account themselves much younger and fairer Gedrosia or Circan Cache Guadel and Macran The several Names of Gedrosia THis Countrey by the Ancients call'd Gedrosia is at this day according to Castaldus nam'd Circan and by Olearius and Melam taken to be the Kingdom of Tarsus of which the Psalmist speaks Niger thinks it is compris'd in Carmania Maffeus calls the Gedrosians Nautaques which are the same the Portuguese call Motages Cluverius will have Gedrosia to comprehend Kesimur and Guzaratte and anciently the two Provinces of Paradene and Parisene and several People as the Orbites Parsires Musarnes and Rhamniers The chiefest Towns were Parsis the Metropolis Chief Towns Arbis and Cuni. Ptolomy borders Gedrosia in the North Borders at Drangiana or Cagisan and Arachosia or the Countrey of Cabul Carmania bounds the West the East borders upon India or the Kingdom of Cambaya and the South fronts the Indian Sea and includes the City Guadel with the Lands belonging thereto and the Towns Calamare and Partinis beyond the Mouth of the River Ilment sometimes call'd Arke near which the Motages and Nautaques reside The County of Mecheran In the same Tract in the Province of Kirman lies another County Eastward call'd Mecheran otherwise Macran and by Texeira Macron who hath given it the Name of a Kingdom with the Denomination of Kyche or Chike by the Portuguese call'd Cache between the Dominion of Guadel and the Abindes of Indostan and betwixt the Countreys of Persia and Send or India and to the Eastward of the Kingdom of Sistan The known Towns of Mecheran are Thir Kitz and Chalack The Metropolis is by some nam'd Mecheran The Inhabitants of Erack seldom come into this Province There is also a City by some call'd Cobinam where very excellent Looking-glasses or Mirrors of Steel are made The
Tagestan is divided into several Lordiships Division viz. Osmin by others Ismin Boinack c. each having a chief Town of the same Denomination in which the Governor hath his Residence Olearius is of opinion that a part of this Countrey was anciently possess'd by the Amazones which as Curtius affirms dwelt betwixt the Caspian Sea and Mount Caucasus The Metropolis The Metropolis of Tagestan call'd Saru lies partly upon and partly between the Mountains which are Rocky and at a distance appear as if they were cover'd with Mussle-shells for there is scarce any piece to the bigness of a Mans Hand but what hath five or more Shells sticking upon it The Stones of the Rock are as hard as a Pebble Beyond these craggy Mountains are good Pastures for Cattel Behind Tarcu lies the Castle Suchur In the City which hath no Walls are about a thousand Houses built after the Persian manner though somewhat sleighter Out of the Rocks spring several Brooks which with a pleasant murmuring noise glide down the Mountains through the City The Tagestans of Tarcu and those of Boinack that dwell towards the North are call'd Caitack Westward beyond Tarcu is another sort nam'd Cumuck and Casucumuck who are under the Jurisdiction of peculiar Lords The Tarcuan Tartars are not less in number than those of the Province of Boinack The Prince of Tarcu styl'd Surchow Chan boasted himself to be Extracted from the Family of the Kings of Persia with whom he always held an amicable Alliance and when the Tagestans made War upon each other he receiv'd Aid from Persia The Natives maintain themselves by breeding of Cattel which the Women take care of whil'st their Husbands Ride abroad to steal whatever comes to hand not sparing Men Women or Children for they account it no Sin to sell their nearest Relations Brothers or Sisters to the Turks Those that dwell near the Rivers live by Fishing especially by catching of Sturgeon which they take with strong Harping-Irons and the Pole to which the Line is fastned fix'd in the Ground The Diet of the Grandees or Chans is commonly Mutton cut into small Slices Their man of Eating and Drinking and roasted on a woodden Spit as also Sturgeon cut in little Pieces which being boyl'd with Salt they eat it with Butter and Vinegar They use no Knives but pull their Meat in pieces with their Fingers When any one of them lays down a Bone he that sits next to him taking it up picks it much cleaner and sometimes it is taken up by three or four after the same manner Their Drinking-Cups are long Cows Horns out of which they Drink a Liquor made of Barley and call'd Brega which in colour is like Mead. They are very boisterous in their Cups They spread their Tables on the Ground after the Persian manner All their Vessels consist in woodden Bowls and Troughs The Tartars of Tarcu are wild and valiant but the Women are very courteous they are all Mahumetans and suffer themselves to be Circumcis'd yet are great Zealots and some of the Tartar Women are privately inclin'd to the Christian Religion The Inhabitants of the Village Andre have amongst other Nuptial Ceremonies these following viz. Every Guest brings an Arrow with him which he shoots either into the upper part of the Wall or the Roof of the House where they stick till they rot or fall down of themselves what the signification hereof is none knows They are a valiant and undaunted People caring neither for the King of Persia nor the Great Duke of Muscovia but boast themselves Tagestans and consequently subject to none but God which their audaciousness depends chiefly on the inaccessible Mountains whither they retire when any stronger Enemy falls into their Countrey The Merchants that travel through their Dominions are forc'd to pay great Customs and yet if they are not strong enough to defend themselves are sure to be Robb'd and therefore they always go with the Caravans in great Companies This Countrey is under the Subjection of several Princes Government by one general Name call'd Myrsa but many Cities are Govern'd by a peculiar Lord yet they have a supream Commander nam'd Schemchi and by others Schafcal who is as a King and chosen by the throwing of an Apple viz. at the Election all the Myrsa's or Princes meet together and standing in a Ring their Priest throws a Gilded Apple amongst them and whoever he hits therewith is immediately chosen Schemchal who though he hath great Honor and Respect yet he finds but litte Faith and Obedience from them and therefore cannot be said to Govern with arbitrary Power He keeps his Court in a Village nam'd Andre situate on a Hill near the River Coisu His Habit is a Silk Coat of green Darai and over it a black Furr Mantle and when he Rides out he is commonly Arm'd with a Scimiter Bowe and Arrows Beyond Tarcu lies a wild and brambly Countrey Five Leagues from Tarcu lies the Stream Coisu which abounding with Fish takes its original from Mount Caucasus and runs very swift the Water muddy of a reasonable breadth and generally eighteen or twenty Foot deep which Olearius supposes to be the Albanus of the Ancients which according to Pliny falls into the River Cassia In this Water breeds abundance of Sturgeon and another sort of Fish not much unlike it Two Leagues and a half from Coisu runs a Brook nam'd Acsai which is not above twenty five Yards broad Some take this Acsai to be onely a Branch of Coisu which unites with the same again not far from the Caspian Sea If any Strangers are desirous to Ferry over this River with their Goods they are forc'd either to pay a great Sum of Money to the Inhabitants or else they take away their Goods Beyond Acsai is a barren Heath seven Leagues long Rivers half a days Journey beyond which runs the River Bustro which is also one of the chiefest and almost as deep as the Coisu the Water thereof is muddy but runs not so swift as the foremention'd it serves for a Boundary between Circassia and Tagestan Northward about two Leagues from the Caspian Shore it divides it self into two Branches one of which now call'd Temenki but formerly and by some to this day Terk is about thirty Yards broad and hath given the City by which it glides the Denomination of Terki which is the last Town in those Parts under the Czar of Muscovy the other beyond this and of the same bigness bears the Name of Kisilar because it carries along in its Sand a kind of Gold-dust and lying somewhat higher than the former is commonly dry'd up in the Summer The place of its disemboguing is about eight Leagues beyond the City Terki All these Brooks come Out betwixt the North and the West and the Kisilar is the last in these Parts but fifty six Leagues farther is the Volga which springs in the North. Olearius according to Ptolomy will have the Acsai
but that is onely when they are hot after Generation which lasts commonly forty days and is for the most part in Winter during which time they eat little foam at the Mouth and are very fierce and angry and therefore the Owners are forc'd to Muzzle them with an Iron Muzzle call'd Agrab These Ners are generally sold for a hundred Crowns apiece but if they chance to couple with the Female then they lose their Strength and grow lazy and disobedient chusing rather to stay at home wherefore the Turks call them Jurda Caidem which signifies Those that think of their Stable and may be bought for thirty or forty Crowns The third sort call'd Lohk though they are also sensible and hot for Procreation yet they are not so good as the Bughurs neither do they foam at the Mouth as the Ner but in stead thereof they blow forth a red Bladder out of their Throats and swallow the same in again hold out their Heads and gruntle being neither so hardy nor so strong as the Ner they are sold for sixty Crowns The Persians from these two Beasts call a stout or vaâ—iant Man Ner and a Coward Lohk The fourth and strongest sort they style Schutturi baad and the Turks Jeldowesi that is A Wind-Camel which is smaller and much swifter than the other being able to out-run a Horse The Sophy and his Chans or Vice-Roys keep several Teams of these lesser Camels which are employ'd either to fetch in Ambassadors at which time they are caparison'd with Crimson Silks and Bells and other Ornaments about their Necks and before their Breasts and have rich Embroider'd Saddles or else they are us'd as we our Post-Horses and carry Goods from Place to Place like Pack-Horses and moreover they use them in their Wars for if a Party chance to be defeated they with more speed convey away their Baggage but some of them Trot so hard and as it were Jumping that no Man would be able to endure it long One Man is able to manage seven or more for he makes them fast one behind another and either rides upon or walks before the foremost It is very convenient travelling in Persia by the help of these Camels for by them Merchants have their Goods carry'd at reasonable Rates and if any Persons are not minded to travel alone The Camels Diet. they go for their better security with the Cavila or Caravans A Camel is for the most part fed with Nettles Thistles and other Weeds On the Thistles oftentimes breed poysonous Snails in the Countrey Language call'd Mohere by which if a Camel be stung in the Nose he dies soon after therefore when the Persians are angry with them they wish the Mohere to sting them in the Nose They also mix Chaff and Barley together and make Dough thereof in form like a long Loaf about three Pound weight which they give them to eat Sometimes they mix the Seed of the Cotton-Tree which is about the bigness of a Pease with it which makes it very sweet and with which a Camel being well fed will travel two days without Drinking which is a great Providence in Nature because in the Wildernesses and Sandy Desarts through which they often travel there is no Water to be found The Camels of Persia are according to Della Valle fed with Barley Meal mix'd with Straw and made into Balls for if they eat Grass it debilitates them both for Travel and Service They are very willing to take up their Loads for striking them onely on the Knees with a Switch they immediately kneel-down and lying with their Bellies on the Ground suffer themselves to be loaden They go much faster They are pleas'd with Musick and carry their Burdens with delight as Mr. Sandis affirms when their Drivers Whistle or Sing to them or make them any other Musick wherefore the Owners of them tie two Bells above the Knee of one of their fore Legs and a Collar of small ones about their Necks Mr. Purchas relates That the Arabians for the foremention'd Reason never travel without a Drum and Drummer through the Desarts The same is justifi'd by Leo Africanus who adds That when Travellers have tir'd their Camels they need not beat them which they regard not to make them go forward but onely Sing or Whistle a pleasant Tune which so animates and refreshes them that they go faster than a Man is able to run to the end of their Journey These Beasts have a strong Memory Are revengeful are vindicative and do not easily forget an Injury done to them wherefore the Persians commonly say That a revengeful Man hath a Camels Spleen But that there should be an Antipathy betwixt a Camel and a Horse as Xenophon writes is a mistake because it is very common in Persia in one Caravan to have Camels Horses and Asses which are often put in one Stable together without offering the least hurt to one another The she Camels carry their Young twelve Moneths and do not Generate backward as some will have it though it be true that when they stand in the Stable they Urine backwards which perhaps hath been the occasion of that mistake for they Couple like other Beasts onely the Female falls on her Belly Now in regard a Camel is a Beast that may be kept at a small charge they are seldom kill'd in Persia except they are stung by a Mohere or fall down tir'd on the Road as it often happens in deep Ways and then they kill and eat them Very good Breeds of Horses Persia is also stor'd with plenty of good Horses most of them having very handsom Heads Ears Crest and Legs In ancient time the Province of Media was famous for breeding of excellent Horses which were call'd Nisean Horses from a City of that Name and as Strabo tells us the Kings of Persia us'd no other But though at this day the Median Horses especially those in Erscheck near Ardebil are good yet the Arabian far exceed them and are now us'd by the Kings because they have very handsom Heads Crest Breast and Feet are long Winded and have all the good Qualities else that Nature can bestow on a Horse Next these the Turkish Horses are in great esteem especially those that are bred in Turcomania of which there are many in Persia The King hath several peculiar Places for the breeding of Horses especially at Erscheck Schirwan Carabach and Mocan where the best Pasturage is They generally use them to Ride on but in Muscur they also draw in Carts for Wagons with four Wheels they use none And because they are great lovers of Horses and Riding and their chiefest Force consists in their Cavalry therefore they breed them with great care But in stead of Straw they Litter them with their own Dung dry'd in the Sun and strew'd a Foot thick under them on which the Horses lie as soft as on Cotton and if any of it become wet it is taken from the rest and
the Persians was one Techellis a Disciple of Harduellis otherwise call'd Eider but Minadoi and Olearius think otherwise for they say when the Persians upon the advice of Sofi or Sefi the Promoter of their Sect fell from the Turkish Religion and began to honor Aaly beyond Mahomet and his Followers Omar Osman and Abubeker they would have the twelve Successors of Aaly as shall be declar'd at large in their Religion to be accounted and worshipp'd as Imams or Saints As a testimony whereof the religious Orders were according to a Law made at that time to wear Caps with twelve Plaits or Folds sharp on the top and broad at bottom But because the Turks after this fell up on the Persians several times and kill'd the Priests who were accounted the chief Incendiaries they began upon this Division to leave off their Caps that so they might not be known Ismael Sefi prepares an Army against the Turks But when Schach Ismael Sefi prepar'd to set out an Army against the Turks who had already penetrated far into Persia he sent from Kilan whither he retir'd to the eminentest Provinces and Towns to acquaint them with the intolerable Oppression the Countrey and their Religion would lie under in case the Turks should become their Masters therefore he desir'd the Natives to joyn with him to beat out the Enemy with a Promise that if he should re-gain the Kingdom he would make all those Persons that so assisted him a general Infranchisement without paying any manner of Tribute which so pleas'd the Persians that in a short time they rais'd an Army of three hundred thousand Men and made their first Attempt upon the City Ardebil from whence they drove the Turks Garrison without any resistance after which the several Provinces entred into a Contract with the King that they would venture their Lives and Fortunes in defence of him and their Religion The first red Caps In testimony whereof the King order'd the foremention'd plaited Caps which were to signifie the twelve Imams or Aaly's Successors to be made and distributed amongst the Soldiers but there being not so much red Cloth in Ardebil a Shoemaker made the first twelve of red Leather and presented them to the King who save them to his prime Commanders After which time every Soldier in King Ismael's Army wore a red Cap which the Turks seeing call'd them Kisilbasch or Red-Heads These Caps are by them call'd Tash or Tagh that is A Crown and therefore the Persians are well pleas'd with the Name Kisilbasch because it signifies Red or rather Gold-Heads The yet remaining Successors of Aaly also wear these Caps which being commonly ty'd about with Ribbons are call'd Taky Della Valle affirms that these red Bonnets of Ismael Sefi are worn under the Turbants and have a pretty long Tassel on the top which sticks half way out of the Turbant and also twelve narrow Plaits or Folds in commemoration of the twelve Successors of Aaly But at this day not all the Persians but onely those that are Successors of the foremention'd Order and of the Family of Aaly and Sefi wear such Caps neither do the Persians without distinction suffer themselves to be call'd Kisilbasch but onely the Successors of Aaly as and also the Kings Guards therefore when they say Quizilbasci its signification Let us go to Quizilbasci 't is as much as to say Let us go to Persia for when those that are experienc'd in the Persian Tongue speak of a Quizilbasci they do not mean thereby a common Persian but a Soldier There are also two sorts of Quizilbasci some of them are Heirs or Successors of the first whose State and Quality lasts as long as their Families others are from time to time by them promoted to that Dignity for all Slaves from what Nation soever that come into Persia and List themselves in the Army as the Janisaries among the Turks are made Quizilbascies and consequently Free-holders and Gentlemen of the Countrey as also all their Successors Moreover when the King will shew any particular Favor to a Stranger he makes him a Quizilbasci by putting the red Cap on his Head The number of the Quizillbasci The Quizilbascies consist of thirty two Tribes perhaps because in the beginning they deriv'd from thirty two sorts of People by whose assistance Ismael Sefi made himself Master of the Realm Sixteen of these Families are call'd Right-handed and the other sixteen Left-handed Men because the first sixteen are always seen on the Kings right and the other sixteen on his left Side as well in Marches and other Cavalcades as in the Divan or Council-house or the Kings Court. Distinguish'd into Tribes John the Persian saith the Tribes of the Quizilbascies are as so many Noble Houses or Families as Dukes Marquesses and Earls But this Della Valle contradicts affirming that they are not Families but Tribes distinguish'd by peculiar Names or Titles which they either made choise of themselves or were given to them by King Ismael in the beginning for their heroick Exploits Moreover the great number of the Quizilbascies is a sufficient testimony of the Tribes Likewise those of one Tribe have no Relation to those of another but onely bear the same Name Add hereunto the great difference in the Qualities of the People in one Tribe for some of them are Chans Sultans and Beigs which may stand in competition with our Lords others nay the greatest number are poor People in so mean Condition that they are forced to serve for Grooms and Servants yet nevertheless they bear the same Title with the Sultan or Chan of the same Tribe There are also a People call'd Reajet or Tat that is Subjects which are as among us Reaja or Tat what it signifies accounted the vulgar or meanest of the Commonalty for the Name Tat is given to Mechanicks Yet nevertheless if we make a farther enquiry into the Name Tat we shall find it to be more Noble than that of Quizilbasci because Tat is the Name of those Extracted from the real and ancient Loyns of the Persians and therefore the King gives it not onely to People of mean Condition but also to the richest and most powerful nay to the Myrsa and Princes of the Blood and lastly to all those who out of fear or for other Reasons have laid down Arms or resigning publick Offices have deserted the Court. Complexion Nature and Shape of the Inhabitants Nature of the Persians THe Persians are naturally endu'd with Prudence and Understanding quick Witted and Learned wherefore there are many excellent Poets amongst them they highly esteem Moral Philosophy are not inclin'd to any disdainful Behavior but are affable and courteous not onely to one another but especially to Strangers to whom as we said before they are also very hospitable and in their Discourses use many complemental Expressions When they invite any one to their House they commonly say Honor my House with your Presence
I offer my self to you Their Complements I prostrate my self at your Feet and the like for they are very full of such obliging Expressions Della Valle affirms the contrary and that their Meetings consist in Eating and Drinking without speaking all their Ceremonies being onely these words of course You are welcom How do you There is your appointed place which they repeat many times Olearius says that it is no shame among them in the Persian Tongue to say Drug Micui or in the Turkish Galan Dierfen that is You Lye or Galantzi You are a Lyer but in ancient Times they were of another Nature as Herodotus affirms They are very faithful one to another especially if they are sworn Friends for it is common among them to swear Fidelity and Friendship one to another as long as they live which is perform'd after the following manner They swear Friendship to one another The great Families or Tribes generally meet once a year when they Feast and make Merry and if any one have a peculiar kindness for another then he says Come let us be sworn Brothers and this is commonly perform'd between two And because these Brothers must have a Father they chuse one whom they think fit and taking him by the Lappet of his Coat say We make you our Babba or Father which he dare not refuse These going to the Califf who hath every ones Family Registred kiss his Hand in token of their Friendship and being set down in a Register for that purpose they lay themselves down one behind another on their Bellies first the Father and next the Brothers whereupon the Califf gives each of them three light Blows with a Stick on their Backs and at the first says Alla that is God at the second Mahumet and at the third Aaly which done they kissing the Staff Sign and conclude the Agreement of Brotherly Friendship which they really keep and are more faithful to one another than Brothers affirming that they shall sooner meet in Paradise than real Brothers An annual Feast of fraternal Society They also keep an annual Feast of fraternal Society on the twenty fifth day of November in commemoration of Mahomet's declaring his Son Aly Heir and Successor in the Califfdom on that day when also not onely many Enemies are reconcil'd one with another but divers from the Example of their Lawgiver Mahomet adopt Strangers which they do by putting them naked between their bare Bodies and Shirt and so pulling them out at the bottom thereof This Friendship they acccount so inviolable that they repute other Crimes in respect of the breach thereof but as Peccadillo's and therefore in ordinary Discourse say proverbially Mei buchur munbur bussusan oteschei Ender Chihesen Sakini But chane basch merdum Asari that is Drink Wine Set the Pulpit and Church on Fire Burn an Abdalla's Coat Be seen in an Idols Temple all which are abominable and forbidden Sins But wrong not your Friend Their Reconciliation after Difference If any thing chance to happen which causes a Contention among the Brotherhood they are forc'd to reconcile it at the next general Meeting the following year for then the Offended goes to the Offenders Door and stands in a mournful Posture with his Head and Hands hanging down till the Offender hath invited him three several times into his House from whence they go together to the Assembly which judges who is most to be blam'd of them and condemns the Offender to make a Feast and upon this Reconciliation they are Registred a second time The Nature and Disposition of the People They are grateful to those that give them any thing but revengeful to those that do them a Prejudice they are valiant and consequently good Soldiers and often hazard their Lives in apparent danger They seem to be modest and bashful being never seen to make Water standing but squatting down and immediately after washing their Hands to which purpose at all their Feasts stand Pots of Water in private places or if there be a Brook near them they run thither wherefore the Turks call them Cher Schahei that is The Kings Asses because the Asses whenever they go cross a Stream always Urine in the same The Turks on the contrary are by the Persians call'd Secksunni or Dogs because they Urine against the Wall which commonly the Soldiers and vulgar Turks do yet the better sort sit down like the Persians No Persian or Turk eases himself with his Face or Back towards the South because Mahomet lies bury'd in the South The right Hand is by the Persians as amongst us accounted the chiefest and highest place of Honor but on the contrary the Turks esteem the left most worthy They never pull off their Caps or Turbants unless when they go to Pray or appear before the King or other great Lords for their usual way of Salutation is to bow and to lay their Hands on their Breasts They account it a great piece of rudeness to ask any Person of Quality his Name or Condition or in his Presence to enquire after it They are lean and very strong Limm'd of a dark brown or sallow Complexion and in general are Hawk-nos'd as 't is said that great Persian King Cyrus was The Men shave the Hair off their Heads which is very black every eight days but the Seids wear long Hair as they say Mahomet did they all have long Mustacho's and the longer they are the more pride they take in them for such as wear Mustacho's that hang downwards are accounted great Zealots but such as turn up their Beards they say are presumptuous as if they were minded to Engage with Heaven There are also a sort of People in Persia which never cut the Hair upon their upper Lip The Persians take great care of their Hair and why but letting it grow over their Mouths are call'd Suffi or Sefi and this they do because as they say Aly wore his Beard after that manner and the reason thereof they give in the following Story viz. That when Mahomet was commanded by God up to Heaven Aly went after him and knocking at Heaven Gate they would not at first permit him to come in but saying that he was Schir Chadda that is Gods Favorite he was let in and saw the Angels Entertain Mahomet with a celestial Liquor of which a Cup being also brought full to him he drunk and therefore he thought it would be a great Sin to diminish the least Hair which had been drench'd in so heavenly a Liquor Moreover the Persians have a great aversion to red Hair neither do they delight in fair but are great admirers of Cole-black Hair wherefore many colour their Hair which they do after this manner They take the Herb with the Seed by them call'd Wesme and brought from Babylon which Olearius supposes to be one and the same with Securidaca an Eastern Plant not known among us adding Gauls a little Soap and Orpement amongst
them and boyling it in Water dip their Hair therein washing it off again with Lye mix'd with unslak'd Lime They also gather the Water which in the Spring comes from the pruned Vines and wet their Mustacho's therewith as also the Women their Hair for they affirm that it makes their Hair grow long and black They Paint their Hands The Persians as also the Turks colour their Hands red and yellow though some do onely their Fingers and Nails and this kind of colouring is at all their Nuptials set upon the Table amongst other Dishes before the Guests to use when they please It is also affirm'd that they Paint their dead Bodies specially those of Virgins with the dry'd Leaves of Chinne or Alcanna that they may appear beautiful in their Grave to their two Angels or Confessors Some to make the Colour look brown rub their Hands with the Leaves or green Rinds of Walnuts which keeps fresh on their Hands above forty days notwithstanding they warn them every day In their Walking they waddle from side to side like Geese especiallv the Women and there is not one Persian that hath a steady or handsom Gate which Oleariues supposes to proceed from their manner of sitting on the Floor like Taylors with their Legs under them but this is not probable for then all the Eastern People which use to sit after the same manner would be subject to the like Impediment Of their Venery The Persians much inclin'd to Wantonness The Persians exceed most Countreys in Wantoness and venerial Exercises for besides their great number of Wines they are very much inclin'd to variety of Women and in all their Cities except Ardebil are kept publick Brothel-houses under the Protection of the Magistrates for which Priviledge the Cabeh or Strumpets pay great Tribute The present Persians never keep any great Feasts nay the King himself at Court seldom Entertains foreign Ambassadors yet divers Ladies of Pleasure always attend there which are expert in Dancing Singing and the like But in Ardebil it being a Consecrated Place none of their Debaucheries are permitted by special Order from Schach Abbas A Master of a Feast always Presents his Guests with several sorts of Liquor and then such Women efpecially as they best like whereupon those that please retire into a private Chamber fitted for that purpose from whence after most inward Embraces they come forth without the least bashfulness the Man to his Place and the Woman falls to Dancing This Custom of providing Women at a great Feast is very ancient amongst the Persians for long since when the Persian Ambassadors were highly Entertain'd by Anuntas King of Macedonia they also desir'd to have Women saying It is a Custom amongst us Persians when we make great Feasts to bring in such to the heightning md compleating our Pleasures as is at large describ'd by Herodotus King Sefi kept several of these Women for his Recreation and Curtius tells us that Darius carry'd three hundred and sixty Concubines along with him in his Progresses and Travels which were all Cloth'd in Royal Attire Are guilty of Sodomy But that which is worse they are extreamly addicted to the horrid Sin of Sodomy which Herodotus affirms they learn'd from the Greeks but that seems an unjust Imputation because the Persians were guilty of the same before they had any Converse with the Greeks Della Valle tells us that at Cambru there are many Mahumetan Youths which from their Girdles upward are Cloth'd like Men and from their Wastes downward like Women and go up and down the Streets inviting to this Abomination But 't is no wonder they give themselves over to this kind of Sin since their Prophet Mahomet did not a little encourage them therein Nay they are instructed that all carnal Delights whatsoever will be the greatest and chiefest Enjoyment in the other World by which means this Religion is the more follow'd Their Apparel Their Habits AMongst the Persians the Men let their Garments hang loose about their lower Parts so that at a distance they shew like Women which Fashion Diodorus tells us they took from the Virago Semiramis who went accordingly Habited Della Valle tells us that the Persians gird themselves almost under their Bellies with two Girdles one upon another the longest is made of certain thick Silk-Stuff which being pretty broad and very long they wind three or four times about their Bodies some of them are streak'd and wrought with Gold others curiously flower'd and some plain Some Girdles also are double and made of two sorts of Silk without any Ornaments except that the one side is of one colour and the other of another The upper Girdle which they wear above the great one is shorter narrower and of one colour and is either made of Silk Camels Hair or Cotton yet not less esteem'd than those of Silk because they are often richer and sometimes dearer The Habits of Women The Habits of the ordinary Women are very mean but the rich wear Cloth and Silk wrought with Gold they are clear and of a more becoming shape than the Turkish Women Those that are Marry'd or Betrothed are permitted to wear a Girdle and a Plume of Feathers which is also a distinction of Nobility Habits of the Women The Womens Garments are much thinner than the Mens and hang loose about their Bodies having underneath Shifts and Drawers down to the Ancles like the Men. Their Stockings are commonly either Crimson or green Velvet Cloth of Tissue or other rich Stuffs They have no peculiar Head-Tires but are dress'd after the same fashion as the Ladies of Bagdat or Babylon Their Hair hangs down in Tresses both behind and in Locks and curls before About their Heads they wear two or three Strings of Pearl but none about their Necks and let them hang below their Cheeks Young Maids also wear a Diamond Ring in their right Nostril several Gold Rings on their Fingers and broad Silver Armlets The Men according to a Law made by Mahomet may onely wear Silver Rings Women of Quality go after the Eastern manner in the Streets with a long white Vail over their Faces which hangs down to the Ground and have onely a little Slit therein through which they look And this Fashion they took up not so much out of Modesty as some suppose or the Jealousie of their Husbands or by reason of any Law amongst the Mahumetans but rather from their proud Humor judging very few worthy to look them in the Face for before Mahomet's time the Women of Arabia and Mesopotamia went always with cover'd Faces And to this purpose Peter Bizarro in his ancient History of Persia makes mention of King Tyridates's Queen who coming with her Husband into Italy was Vail'd with Cloth of Tissue And the modern Custom confirms this Opinion because a great Lady in the Presence of a Nobleman King or Prince uncovers her Face in testimony of the great Honor and high Esteem she hath
for him but no Woman will shew her Face either to her Equal or Inferior And on the contrary the Women of inferior Rank expose their Faces to open view both at home and abroad If the Clothes of Noble Persons be never so little soil'd or spotted they immediately leave them off but the poorer sort wash theirs every Week Foot-boys or Pages wear no Liveries there because it is not the Fashion but are Clothed in various colour'd Stuffs unsuitable one to another though one Mans Servants Their Oeconomy or House-keeping Their Hourse-keeping very mean THe Persians House-keeping is generally very mean and the Utensils belonging to their Larder Kitchin and Cellar if they have not many Wives require no great Charge Besides Rice their chiefest Food is Flesh which is to be had every where in great abundance except at Ispahan because that is a very populous Place Bizarro avers them to be great Gluttons but it seems to be without cause Justin and Athenaeus say the Persians eat little Flesh but have store of Confections which Alexander ab Alexandro also affirms Olearius tells us that the Persians keep but one set Meal a day besides which they eat a little Bread Butter Cheese and Fruit. Pilao their chief Dish The chiefest Dish and always brought first to the Table is boyl'd Rice by them call'd Plau or Pilao with Mutton After that they bring roasted Fowl Fish Spinnage and white Cabbage for brown they esteem not to the Table Ispahan hath little fresh but plenty of salt Fish because of its great distance from the Sea and the Brook which runs about Ispahan having no manner of relation to the Caspian Sea There are likewise abundance of Fowls of all which they eat Their Dyer except Turkeys whereof a Georgian Merchant in the time of Schach Abas brought some from Venice to Ispahan and sold them for Sixteen Crowns apiece Though they use Rice in stead of Bread yet they have Rouls or Loaves made of Wheat one sort thereof call'd Comasch is three Fingers thick and a Yard long the Lawash are round Cakes of an Inch thick the Peasekean are also a Yard long baked in the Tenurs or House-Ovens and being five Inches broad have their name from thence The Senged are hollow the Jucha are thin like Parchment or Wafers about a Yard long and as broad which being used first as Napkins to wipe their greasie Fingers on for they take the Rice out of the Dish with their Finger with which they also pull their Meat asunder seldom using either Knives or Forks they pull the same to pieces and rouling Rice or Pieces of Flesh into them eat them up with a great Appetite They sup their Broaths or Pottages with woodden Spoons made after an Oval fashion with a small Handle but a quarter of a yard long like short Ladles The Grandees going to Dinner spread a Sofra on the Floor Their manner of eating that is a painted Cloth as big as the whole Room They use no Napkins but every one according to the Countrey fashion makes use of his Handkerchief tuckt at his Girdle being very large made of painted Linnen and either wrought with Silver or Gold Noblemen though they have good Kitchins to cook their Meat in yet oftentimes they will have it drest where they please not so much out of curiosity as suspition of being poison'd Their Drink The meaner sort of People for the most part drink Water sometimes mixt with Duschab and a little Verjuice to make it good Beverage and though Wine by very cheap yet many abstain from it because it is forbidden in the Mahometan Law Moreover the Hatzi which have been at Mecha and Medina by Mabumets Tomb are also debarr'd from Wine all their lives Nevertheless many of the Courtiers drink Wine freely and are of opinion that the Sin committed by the drinking thereof may be pardon'd by the same means as their other Sins neither are they concern'd the next morning at their being over-taken The Cups out of which they drink are woodden Skiffs or little Dishes They never force any to drink and though according to our Custom they give the Cup round yet those that are unwilling may pass it by without any breach of Drinking-Law A Prohibition against the drinking of Wine Anno 1620. King Abbas falling into a great Fit of Sickness at Ferhabad occasion'd by a Potation of too much Wine he caused an Edict to be publish'd with the sound of Trumpet wherein all the Mahumetans in Ispahan were forbid to drink Wine yet the Armenians Georgians Franks and other Christians may Carouse as much Wine as they please provided they neither sell nor give any to the Mahumetans upon pain of death This Law was with great strictness observ'd publickly by all the Mahumetans not onely in Ispahan but through all the Kings Dominions insomuch that some for violation thereof were put to death This seem'd to be too severe a Law for the Mahumetans especially the Courtiers wherefore they address'd themselves to the Aga Chizi the Kings greatest Favorite and other great Lords at the Kings Court to implore the King to Repeal it with promise that they would raise him a great Sum of Money but all prov'd in vain for the King continu'd firm in his Resolution Della Valle who at that time was at Ispahan in Persia tells us that he had more Visitants especially of the Grandees than usual because the King had not onely given him a Toleration for drinking Wine himself but to distribute to those Mahumetans that Visited and made Addresses to him provided he suffer'd them not to use any such excess as to be seen inebriated in the Street repairing home Moreover the King himself drank Wine privately yet very little that so he might not be an ill Example to his Subjects to which he pretended that his Distemper forc'd him according to the directions of his Physicians who prescrib'd him to drink onely what might be conducible to his better Health The Inhabitants in the Province of Persia of which Sciras is the Metropolis drink Wine publickly and the rather because being far from the Court they are become as it were Lawless But in the other Provinces the Laws are so observ'd that it is dangerous to mention Wine In all the Country about Ardebil are no Vines partly by reason of the Cold and partly because the Sceichavends that is Scheicks Successors would not plant any there because it was a sacred Place where Scheich Sofi set up a New Sect which next to Mahomets at Mecha and that of Aly and Hussein is most follow'd Kitchin Furniture In their Kitchins they use Pots or Kettles of Clay and some of Copper Furnaces Tin'd over Their Dishes are also of Copper most curiously wrought and being Tinn'd over feem to be of Silver besides which they use abundance of China Dishes and other Vessels but in the Villages they have Earthen Ware In all the Towns of the Kingdom are
abundance of Cooks Shops Abundance of Cooks Shops wherein they sell Meat ready drest which is so common that Persons of great Quality though they have Cooks in their Houses when desirous of Varieties of Meat well drest they send to those Shops for them Those tyfeats which they baste with their Butter at first seem very ill tasled to a Palat not accustom'd thereto but afterwards obtain a more pleasing Rellish They also have a Bak ' d-meat call'd Perian and another call'd Carik dress'd after the Indian manner There are also preserv'd Cucumbers which are very palatable and in the midst of Summer cooling They have likewise a dainty Dish call'd Peluda made up of Ameldonk or Amelcores in the manner of a Tart either made white like Snow or else they colour them with Saffron The Tart cut in pieces is put into a China-Dish and Rose-water and Sugar pour'd over it and a great piece of Ice laid by it which melting in the Rose-water with the Sugar makes a delicious and cool Liquor into which are put Almonds and the Herb Purslan cut into small pieces which give it a very pleasing Rellish This Liquor put into the same Dish with the pieces of Tart is both Meat and Drink and a choice Delicate in the midst of Summer In the Southern Countreys especially Westward about Ormus they use many Herbs in their Drinks as also Brandy and other hot Liquors amongst which one call'd Jarkin which is in great esteem in the Island of Java and all the Southern Provinces of the Eastern Countreys they use also much Sale and though between Ispahan and Ferhabad there is a large Plain that yields great quantityes the Soyl being full of Salt yet they use another sort contemning this though good by reason of it's great plenty Before and after Meals the Persians both in Winter and Summer have warm Water to wash their hands which they wipe with their Handkerchiefs After Supper They paint their Skins they commonly present their Guests with dryed Leaves of Hanna or Alkanna to colour their Hands and this Ceremony is as much to the satisfaction of the Eastern Countrey-people as a Ball with Dancing or Musick after a Banquet Some discolour their skins all over in this manner when they please viz. they lay the Alkanna tempered in water on their Hands or that part of the Body which they intend to colour and binde it on with a String that it may not fall off this the Women do for the most part after Supper before they go to Bed that so the Colour lying on all Night may make the better Impression in the Morning the Paste being dry falls off and leaves an Orange-tincture on the Skin but if over-dawb'd it makes them Red or Black Amfion or Opium Thee Coffee and Tobacco MOst Persians use Amfion or Opium that is Juice or Oyl of Poppy by them call'd Offiuhn and Tiriak as the Berry Chas Cehask and by the Turks onely Maslac which they making up in little Pills like Pease swallow Those that use themselves to it may take a quarter of an Ounce or more at a time Some take it every other or third day onely to set them into an intoxicating Extasie where they please themselves with strange Imaginations They are gathered in several Places of Persia especially about Ispahan after this manner The white Poppy being cut produces a milky Juice which having stood a while and becoming black is taken and made fit to be used The Druggists and Apothecaries make great advantage thereof But Opium is not onely used much in Persia but also in Turky and India It is also said that some Women when their Husbands and they cannot agree contrive their dispatch with a Dose of Opium Coknar a sort of Drink and the use thereof From the Husk or Shell the Persians also extract a Juice which they call Coknar much drunk by the Soldiers especially in the time of Schach Abbas when they were forbidden to drink Wine for it revives the Spirits for the present but is nothing so wholsome for soon after their Bodies are so debilitated that they are unfit for Service wherefore Schach Abbas prohibited upon pain of Death either to make or fell this Liquor Moreover all Vessels with this Liquor wherever they were found were broken no and stav'd immediatly before their Doors But after all this and the before mention'd first Law made by King Abbas he preferring an Inconvenience before a Mischief permitted the People to drink Wine again as formerly in stead of Cocknar Take much Tobacco They are great Takers of Tobacco insomuch that People of all sorts and Degrees Smoak it in their Temples and other publick Places They have it from Bagdad or Babylon and Curdistan but so ill preparâ—d that they desire our European Tobacco which they call Inglis Tambacu because the English bring the greatest quantities thither They take it not as we do but suck it through two Pipes joyn'd together but first they take a Glass Bottle or Indian Nut or a Cabach which is a kind of Shell that holds about a Pint into which they put more or less sometimes sweet Water leaving sufficient room for Smoak then they put the two Pipes through the Mouth of the Bottle the one contains the Tobacco in one Bowl and through the other goes the Smoak the end of one Pipe stands as far from the bottom as the end of the other is from the Water viz. about a Thumbs breadth The Persians generally with their Tobacco drink Coffee made from the Arabian Caowa or Persian Cahwee which they dry and pulverize and after decoct as we now use and have learn'd from them of which we shall enlarge when we come to Arabia the Place where it grows They use also Tee or Tea being very common and sold in publick Houses by them call'd Chat tai Chane that is Houses of Catayan Tzai or Thee of which likewise in its proper place Of their Marriages Use Poligamy PErsons of Quality in this Countrey are seldome satisfied with one Wife and of old had many which they may turn off when they please which as Strabo relates was anciently for the Childrens sake for the Kings gave Annually Presents to those that had most Children But at this day they affect not this Multiplicity having not so many Wives as formerly yet they make no more of Wedlock than a Play of Fast and Loose turning them off when they please and are still for Variety and this Liberty they take the rather because Mahomet in his Alcoran allows Polygamy Rich Merchants who Trade in divers Places in the Countrey make a great Convenience of it having at their Countrey-houses and where else they Trade not onely Furniture but a Wife so that where e're they come they are still at Home They Marry their nearest Relations but not so incestuously as of old they were wont to do for in antient times as Brissonius affirms out of several Writers they
commonly married their own Mothers Sisters or Daughters but at this day none may marry so near in Blood Moreover it is accounted a horrid Sin for any man to defile his Sister which was not customary in Persia before Cambyses time but grew very common after his marrying of his own Sister which he lov'd exceedingly Their manner of Courtship When a young man intends to marry and hath an Affection for any Maid then he informs himself by a second and third Person of her Condition and Quality for neither he nor his Parents may see her It she be to his minde he sends two of his nearest Kindred which were at his Circumcision to the Maids Father to acquaint him with his Love To which shewing some feigned unwillingness to part with his Daughter after short Enquiry if liking the Match he begins to treat about the Portion which is not to be paid by the Brides Friends but by the Bridegroom or his Friends for in Persia as in all other Eastern-Countreys they buy their Wives not making either Dowry or Joynture neither receiving Portions but purchasing them at a Price which is paid two several ways for either the Bridegroom sends it to the Brides Fathers House a little before the Wedding consisting in Pendants Jewels Armlets or the like which is a Reward to the Parents who may either keep or give it again to their Daughter for their careful breeding up of the Bride or else he makes over a certain Sum of Money or a quantity of Silk-Stuffs which she is oblig'd to return if at any time they should part to which purpose Writings are Drawn and Sign'd by a Cadi or Molla After this Conclusion the Bride and Bridegroom chuse each of them a Trustee who if in a City go to the Casi or Spiritual Judge but if in a Village to the Molla or Priest impower'd by the Casi and in the Bride and Bridegrooms Name who appear not in Person nor go to the Church to be Marry'd desire that they may be united which the Casi after being well assur'd of the Consent of the Parties performs in the Name of God Mahomet and Aaly and this is generally done by the foremention'd three Persons in a private place either in a Chamber or in the Fields Every one is free to Marry at any time in the year except in the Moneth of Ramesan or their Lent and the ten days Mourning and Abstinence call'd Ashur Their Celebrating of Matrimony When the Wedding is to be celebrated the Bridegroom sends the Bride the day before a pair of Pendants Armlets and other Ornaments according to his Capacity and some Provisions After Dinner which generally is pretty late in the Evening the Bride set on a Horse Camel or Mule with a red Silk Hood hanging down into her Lap and accompany'd with all her Friends Relations and several sorts of Musick is conducted to the Bridegrooms House where with some Women she is put into a peculiar Apartment and the Men into another and Meat set before them which when they have eaten the Bride is soon after carry'd into the Bed-Chamber and the Bridegroom being brought to her there first at once enjoys both her Sight and Company having never seen her before and if he find her to have been vitiated he may frely cut off her Nose and Ears and turn her out of his Chamber but if he find her a Virgin he signifies his Joy to her old Nurse and to his Friends Then they Feast three days one after another They also use Dancing which is in Couples but the Men by themselves in one Room and the Women in another the Musick never go into the Womens Chamber but stand and Play at their Door In the Evening the Leaves of Alcanna with which they color their Hands are laid on a Cotton Handkerchief with two Spoonfuls of Alcanna both which they take home with them After which the Guests make Presents to the new Marry'd Couple every one according to their Capacities After the Wedding is over and that the New-marry'd Couple dwell in the Brides Fathers house the new Wife may not be seen with her Face uncover'd before her Father-in-Law nor speak with him but if occasion require she is to express her mind by Signs Another way to get women Besides their Marrying they have another way to acquire a Companion to their Bed viz. To hire them with a Sum of Money for a certain time and is practised chiefly by those that travel from Place to Place and by such as are not willing to be seen in the publick Stews A third way is by buying in the Market slaves with whom they may do what they please These are commonly taken by the Tagestan Tartars from the Christians in Georgia and sold to the Persians Nor is this Priviledge all allow'd onely to Men for Women especially of Quality may as often change their Husbands as they please One relates that two Ladies meeting upon a Visit The one ask'd the other How long she had liv'd with her Husband The other replied two Moneths how two Moneths so long can any Woman content her self with one Man almost threescore nights To help a woman in Labor When the Women are in labour and cannot be suddenly deliver'd then the Relations and Neighbors run to the Schools and give the Molla money to spare and forgive all those Schollars that have offended and are condemned to be whipt which they believe to be a great means to further her speedy Delivery And for the same purpose they think it very effectual to creep three or four times under a Camels belly If at any time though without Cause a Man suspect his Wife they pass it not by but take speedy and sharp Revenge as appears by the following Relation Some years since in the Province of Lenkeran dwelt a Person nam'd Jakut Tirkenam who was the Kings Bow-bearer his Wife being reported to be of a loose behavior at last Schach Abbas himself heard thereof who order'd Notice to be given to the foremention'd Tirkenam either to reform his House or else to keep out of the King's Presence Whereupon he fearing to lose his Place being of great Profit and Honor made a real and thorow Reformation by killing not onely his Wife but four Children and all that related to hâ—r to the number of twelve Persons which though it seem barbarous to us yet it preserv'd his Reputation and Employment with the King his Master The Men likewise have the Power which they often execute that if they catch any committing Adultery with their Wives they may either immediately kill both or else bedivorc'd and this last is very common Children very obedient The Children are very obedient to their Parents when a Father of Quality gives Audience in his own House his Sons stay without to conduct those that go out or in These are not at the present brought up as in antient times viz. Lock'd up with the Women
call it Tzumeh that is The Day of Meeting Of all these the Tscharschembe or Wednesday is accounted the most unfortunate The last Wednesday of the Moneth Safar or January all Mahumetans especially the Persians account the most fatal day of the whole year so that they will not go out of doors nor permit any Person to visit them and are most nicely circumspect in all things and suspicious least some Disaster should befall them Moreover the whole Moneth of Safar being esteem'd unfortunate no one will venture to begin a Journey or undertake any Business of consequence They also put great confidence in the Planetary Hours and ascribe the twelve Hours to the twelve celestial Signs viz. the first Hour on Sunday to Aries and so of the rest The Persians highly esteem Books of Astrology which they receiv'd from the Chaldeans Are great admirers of Astrology who were famous in that Art and are so addicted thereto that a Minatzim may perswade them to undertake or forbear any thing either out of hopes of future good or fear of evil The Hakims generally spend their time in reading Books of Physick and Astrology Amongst these there are some Their Fortune-tellers that by casting Lots will foretell future Events of which fort many have Booths on the Maidan or great Marker-place in Ispahan and are of two Qualities viz. Remals and Falkirs The Remals use six or seven Dice strung on two Copper Wyres and by the Casts thereof they Predict The Falkirs go another way to work for they have thirty or forty Chips of an Inch square lying before them and written on the undermost side on one of these they lay Money and propose such Questions as the Inquisitor desires to be resolv'd of whereupon the Fortune-teller takes up the Chip with the Money and reads the words that are written under it this done he takes up a great Book all the Leaves whereof are full of horrid Shapes as Dragons and all manner of Beasts and Animals painted and muttering to himself looks with an affrighted Countenance on the People at last he turns over many Leaves to a certain Picture in the Book and comparing the foremention'd Writing on the Chip therewith resolves the propos'd Question Of their Poesie POesie is here also highly esteem'd for in most places are many Shaers or Poets for Shaer in the Persian Tongue signifies a Poet as Casiechuan an Orator which compose Verses in Writing but extempore which they recite publickly in the Maidan or Market-place or in Houses of Entertainment for a small Reward and are often invited to great Feasts by Persons of Quality to make their Entertainment more solemn by the rehearsal of their Poetical Fancies Della Valle affirms that they have some knowledge in Poetry Morality and Oratory yet it is but superficial consisting onely in words for they are very shallow of Invention which is the most noble part and like the Soul of the whole Body The King as also the Chans have each their own Poets which do not make themselves common in the Streets but keep in their Houses and make new Verses to delight their Lords and if they chance to hit on a Subject pleasing to them they are rewarded with great Presents The difference of their Poets These Poets differ from other People in their Habit for like the Philosophers they wear white under-Coats open before with broad and wide Sleeves and a Bag by their Girdle in which they carry their Paper and Inkhorn Their Cloaks are without Sleeves their Stockings short and their Breeches run down sloaping to their Feet In the Winter they wear Coats which reach down to their Ancles but they never wear Turbants onely Caps Those that stand in the Maidans or Markets tie a painted Cloth about their Bodies which hang over their right Shoulder and under their left Arm in which manner they read their Poetry but these are not all to be suppos'd excellent for some scarce deserve the Name of Rhimers these may be seen venting their Froth in publick Houses and in the Market-places to the illiterate Vulgar But there are many excellent Copies of the ancient Persian Poets as well in the Turkish as Persian Language for as they esteem both Tongues alike so they read the Turks Poetry with as much pleasure as the Persian The best Poets amongst them are distinguish'd by these Names viz Saadi Hasis Firdausi Fussuli Chagani Eheli Schems Nawai Schahidi Deheki Nessimi Their Verses close almost after the German manner Their method in Versifying having regard to like sounding words at the end of each Verse but mind not the number of Feet Some Verses are onely a few words which being transpos'd into several places make the Verses divers and to this purpose they often use such words as have a double signification some end with the ending word of the former Line as thus Tzire tzire tzirag Janitze Adamira demag Janitze Tzire tzire tzirag Osteri bud Adamira demag Cheri bud Some begin with the ending word and end with the beginning word of the former Line as in the following Verses Kalem be dest Debira beh hasar derem Derem be dest neajed Meker nauk kalem Here the second Verse begins with the word wherewith the first ended and the last ends with the same with which the first begins so that we may conclude though they have a high conceit of themselves yer we can discover nothing by this but that they are very mean Poets Lawyers and Physicians Few Lawyers here THere are few Lawyers amongst the Persians because they have onely a few written Laws and those taken out of the Alcoran the Explanation and Practise whereof is wholly reserv'd to the Casi and Diwanbech How they practise Physick In matter of Physick they follow the Directions of Avicenna and use for the most part the Prescriptions of Galen They also apply many things outwardly to their Patients but without reason as those that have inflam'd their Blood by drinking too much of hot Liquors they endeavor to cure by laying a great piece of Ice on their Bodies being of opinion that the readiest Cure for all Diseases is by contrary Applications If a Child or Woman falls sick a Physician is not suffer'd to come to them but onely a Nurse who sends to the Doctor and informs him of the state and condition of the Disease who without more a do immediately prescribes Medicines which are taken by the Patient with exceeding care They call all Physicians Hikim that is Wise because of their Skill and Knowledge A Cure for the Head-ache About Casbin as Olearius tells us stands a large Tree under which they say an old Saint lies bury'd to which they make address for cure of the Tooth-ache or other Aches or Pains the manner how as followeth The Persons affected coming to the Tree drive a Nail into it having first touch'd the grieved part therewith then killing it they make Offerings and give Alms
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
the Persians follow besides Tilling Husbandry and Planting all sorts of Fruits which they sell to advantage are several Manufactures and Arts but none turn to a greater Account than that of Writing Writing the most advantageous Employment and Silk-Stuffs the next they being utterly ignorant in the Art of Printing The next is the making of Silk-Stuffs for which purpose eminent Citizens keep Work-houses in the Persian Tongue call'd Carchane where many Persons are employ'd which brings them in great Profit yearly But Cito Indino which is very fine Callico spotted with divers Colours is brought thither out of India Most of the Artificers are Weavers Artificers Dyers or Painters who Trading in Cotton and Silk make curious Stuffs mix'd with Gold of the same but their Pieces reach not above eight or nine Yards a fit Pattern for a Persian Habit. The Jescht and Cashan Workmen being the most artificial know how to work all sorts of Shapes in Silk-Stuffs but especially their Characters so exactly that the best Writers cannot make their Letters better with a Pen. These Stuffs besides those that are made up into wearing Clothes are with Cotton and raw Silk Transported to other Countreys Vast quantities of Silk gather'd yearly It is generally accounted that in Persia there are every year gather'd ten thousand Zoom or twenty thousand Bales of Silk for a Zoom is two Bales each Bale weighing two hundred and sixteen Pound Of these twenty thousand Bales the Province of Kilan alone produces in a fruitful year eight thousand Schirwan and Chorazan each three thousand Mazanderan and Carabach each two thousand besides what Georgia which is also rich in Silk and other Places yield of all which not above a thousand Bales are kept to be wrought in Persia the remainder being sent to India Turky and Italy and by us and the Hollanders fetch'd from thence in Exchange for Copper Tin and Cloth which last is highly esteem'd by the Persians who are ignorant in the use of Wooll and making of Cloth insomuch that a Yard of ordinary Cloth at Ispahan will fetch eight nine or ten Dollars A free and open Trade in Prrsia The most and richest Traders in Persia are Armenian Christians who like our Chapmen carry their Wares from Place to Place for Persia is an open Countrey for all Nations to vend their Wares in In Cashan are three sorts of Silk-Stuffs the first that of which they make their Girdles the second is call'd Mileck on some of which are wrought divers Persian Motto's as also the Figures of Men Women Beasts and Plants all set off with choice variety of Colours the third sort is call'd Zerbaf or Mileckzerbaf which differ little from the former onely that the first is all of Silk and the others are wrought with Gold and Silver and onely worn by Ladies or us'd to make rich Furniture for their Chambers The King's Revenues The King 's yearly Revenues THe yearly Revenues of the Kings of Persia are said to amount to twenty Millions of our Money for not onely the Towns and Provinces pay great Tributes but also the Customs Taxes and Presents amount to a considerable Sum. The rich Province of Candahar alone when it is under the Jurisdiction of Persia pays in Tributes and other Taxes about two Millions and a half of Gold Iran and Babylon pay not much less and according to the Contents of the Dester or Exchequer-Register the Suburbs and Villages about Ispahan pay yearly forty thousand Dollars Customs taken off in Trade from Port to Port and of what paid Schach Thamas was the first King that took off the Customs formerly paid for the Transporting of Commodities from one Place to another being Farm'd for above a hundred thousand Tomans yearly each Toman being sixteen Crowns but afterwards he commanded them onely to pay the bare Fees of what Goods were Exported or Imported so that most of his Revenues came from the Lands Woods Vineyards and Fruits of which he had a seventh part of the Product They also paid for their Cattel viz. for forty Sheep fifteen Bisties yearly and for each Cow ten Besides which the Christians paid from Five to Eight in the Hundred according to the goodness of the Lands possess'd and Trade which they drove The Customs which are paid in Travelling for the securing of the Roads are very inconsiderable Some report that the River Senderuth in Ispahan raises yearly near sixteen thousand Dollars The Armenian Christians of which there are many thousands in the Countrey pay two Dollars apiece The annual Presents of the Chans and others amount also to vast Sums of Money for none according to an ancient Custom may appear before the King without a Present The value of the yearly Presents besides which the Magistrates and Governors expect their Gifts The Georgians also pay great Tributes to the Persian King for Vincent ab Alexandro affirms that one of those Princes pays yearly twenty thousand Escues or Crowns Not onely on the Borders but also up into the Countrey in the chiesest Cities and in many places where there are Bridges and great Throughfares both Strangers and Inhabitants are forc'd to pay Toll for Silk and other Merchandises Toll paid of most Goods besides which for each Bale of Silk made in the Countrey the King receives ten Dollars for each Mule that is sold one Abas for an Ass half an Abas for an Ox a quarter of a Dollar and for a Sheep one Casbechie The Pearl-Fishing of Barain brings him in twenty five hundred or three thousand Tomans yearly The Caravansera's which are inhabited by Merchants pay annually fifty thousand Dollars In Ispahan are twenty four which pay three hundred Tomans The King also receives twenty five thousand Dollars per annum from the Farm of Fishing in Rivers and from the Nefta springs four thousand The Baths and Houses of Entertainment pay a Tun of Gold and all Gardens forty Yards long and thirty broad nine Abas apiece The State of the Prince By these great Revenues the Wealth of this Kingdom sufficiently appears and the State of the Prince from his Golden Table and Dishes of which Schach Abbas had so many that as hath been said the making of them onely cost nine hundred thousand Ducats Olearius judges they might weigh thirty six hundred Pound And this Magnificence was not new for Xenophon affirms that the ancient Kings of Persia judg'd their greatest Glory to consist in their abundance of Golden Vessels Their Buildings The form of Noblemens Houses THe Houses of Noblemen are for the most part large containing many Apartments fitted for several uses each Room is built alone in a handsom form and separate from the rest so that you need not go out of one into another as is usual here but directly to that where you are design'd The Houses according to the Eastern manner have no Windows towards the Street are flat Roof'd and have very little Doors of one intire
descended from Mahomet's and Aaly's Family and accordingly to their Successors wherefore they have great Priviledges and are honor'd by several Titles The Turks call those of Mahomet's Extract Emirs and the Arabians Scherifs The Persians nevertheless distinguish the Successors and Relations of Scheich Sofi from all others of Mahomet's Relations and honor them by a peculiar name of Scheichavend that is the Line of Scheich being as the say two thousand in number and most of them resident in Ardebil because that City was the Habitation and Birth-place of Scheich Sofi The Seyds in Persia shave their Hair two Fingers breadth above their Ears Their Habit. but let it grow long on their Crowns and in their Necks they wear a white Habit and a kinde of Pumps as also a peculiar sort of Mendils or Turbants They may not marry out of their Families nor drink Wine yet are free to go to Feasts where in stead of Wine they drink Water The Seyds which dwell in the Cities are generally rich People for they possess whole Villages and are free from all manner of Taxes which makes them not a little proud There are another Sort that pretend themselves Seyds that go from Town to Town shewing their Marks and living on the Alms of People but these are commonly Deceivers and are call'd Cherseyds that is Cherseyds what they are Holy Asses some carry Hair in a round silver Box alledging that it was cut from Mahomet's Head which through a little hole they shew to the People This Hair is sold at a great Rate and laid on their Books when they read or pray At Kisma in Kilan was one of these Deceivers who with a piece of Crystal held in the Sun would fire Cotton or Paper and perswaded the People that he was of Mahomet's Race and had made a Contract with the Heavens There are also a Sort of these who boast their original from Aaly and are here as the Dervises among the Turks which are such as live retir'd lives like Recluses There are others call'd Abdalles Abdalles what they are and their Habits resembling Monks wearing course Coats stitch'd like quilts and girt about them with a Copper Serpent which when they are made Abdalles is given them by their Masters as a Testimony of their Learning and Wisdom At Ardebil they are receiv'd into this Order by the Sofi-Chans at Ispahan and Meschet by the Sofi-Baschi or Chief of the Sofy's These Abdalles are frequently seen in the Markets and other places where calling the people together they preach of the Miracles wrought by their Saints Aaly and others railing against Abubeker Omar Odsman and Hanifa the Saints of the Usbekes or Tartars wherefore these Abdalles dare not approach the Turk's Borders These are for the most part a vile debauch'd thieving and sodomitical People yet there are several little Chappels built for them near the Metzids or Temples wherein they reside in Ardebil they are the most numerous A general Tolleration All Strangers of what Religion soever have according to antient Custom in Persia Liberty of Conscience being permitted to live after their own Manner and after the Laws of their several Princes Admit discourse of Religion The Persians also speak with great freedom concerning the Mysteries of their Belief to strangers and are also very curious in matters of Religion willingly spending their time to discourse thereof nay harken with patience to such as argue against their Religion which is quite contrary to the nature of the Turks They hold Christ our Saviour in great Reverence and call him Isael Messih that is Holy Messiah thus much of Scheich Sofy's Doctrine The Heathen Persians are call'd Mayucy Heathen Persians or Maurigy and Gaoryasdy of which the last Name is very common the Pagans of Zuratte and Cambaya by a general Name call'd Banjan have among other superstition Customs that of worshipping Cows which the Persians call Gao and he that keeps them Gaopon and call and these kind of Idolaters Gaor They also call them by another Name Zarduxt that is Friend of Fire though Zar in the general Language signifies Silver and the Fire is call'd Attex These People worship the Sun and Fire which last they have kept above three thousand years on a Mountain call'd Albors Cuyh or Atez Quedah that is The Residence for Fire lying a days Journey from Yazd These Idolaters are very numerous and the more because all the Kingdoms in Persia were such before the Arabians coming thither How they dispose of aged People They also have a Custom not to suffer aged People to die a natural Death but to carry them to the beforemention'd Mountain where they set them in a kind of Cage in which they can but just stand upright and leave them there without any other Subsistence than what the Air will afford them till they die and because there blows a continual Wind and the Air being very thin the Bodies keep entire a long time But if any one dies young they take the Corps and tie it on an Ass in a sitting posture setting on his Head a Pot full of Cream in the Persian Tongue call'd Mast with which they wash his Face and Eyes and then drive the Ass with a Whip cross a Field where generally the Ravens coming about the Corps pick out the Eyes whil'st the Followers narrowly watch which Eye is first pickt out for if it happen to be the right they judge that the Deceased's Soul is happy but if the left that it is in a state of perdition Great numbers of Jews in Persia There are likewise above nine or ten thousand Families of Jews in Persia who have a general Toleration as also many Christian Armenians and Nestorians brought in by King Cozroe when he was conquer'd by the Emperor Heraclius whom he suppos'd to vex by being of that Opinion destroying at the same time all the Roman-Catholick Churches throughout his whole Dominions for the Persians once embrac'd the Catholick Religion first Preach'd there by St. Thomas Chistianity Preach'd in there by St. Thomas till such time as their King Sapor put to death seventeen thousand of them with the most exquisite Tortures imaginable Whereupon Constantine the Great sent Letters to perswade him to be favorable to them wherein when he could not prevail he proclaim'd War against him But when Christianity was by these Persecutions in a manner extinguish'd it was restor'd again in the time of Maruthe Bishop of Mesopotamia and Abdias Aclatus Bish of Persia and though many oppos'd it yet about the Year 411. the Churches were re-built as before but since that by the Mahumetans again utterly extirpated There are also Melchites in Persia Melchrites and their Opinions who have spread themselves quite to the Countrey of Chorazan These People are infected with the ancient Opinion of the Greek Church condemn'd in the Council of Florence which Doctrine is also follow'd by the Georgians Mengrelians and Circassians who
are more in number than all the Christians of the East and yield Obedience to the Patriarchs of Constantinople Antioch Alexandria and Jerusalem The Opinion of the Manichees concerning two Gods Manichees viz. one good and one bad of which the bad Governs all things on Earth without contradiction of the good reigns still in Persia and likewise in many other Countreys of the East Besides all these Religions there is also that of the Franck-Armenians so call'd because they are of the Opinion of the Latine Church who by the Eastern People are call'd Francks as also all other European People except the Greeks One Bartholomew Petit a Dominican Dominicans was Anno 1330 sent by Pope John the Twelfth to Convert the Armenians and was the first Arch-bishop Naxivan lying in Parsamenia or Adherjon from which Petit the Inhabitants of this Countrey receiv'd the Roman-Catholick Religion which they preserve to this day and are call'd Franck-Armenians of whom there are several thousands under the Obedience of the Arch bishop of Naxivan These Franck-Armenians reside in the Towns of Naxivan Abbaran Abbragon Calva Saltach Hascassent Carsan Xabunis Giahug Caragus Chensug and Artach where there are many Cloysters of the beforemention'd Order of St. Dominick Their Festivals Their Festivals THe Persians keep several Festivals and amongst others one in commemoration of Aaly celebrated every year with great Ceremony especially at Ispahan on the twenty fourth of the Moneth Ramadan on which day they make two Processions whereat are present not onely many Persons of Quality but also the King himself The Procession therein In the Head of this Procession are lead two Horses richly caparison'd after the manner of the Countrey on the Saddles lie Bowes Arrows Shields and Swords and on the Pummels thereof hand two Turbants and which things represent the Arms of the Deceased Aaly then come several Men carrying huge Pennons or Flags next follows the Bier cover'd with black Velvet under which lie all manner of offensive and defensive Armor as also Plumes and other such like Ornaments about this go divers sorts of Musical Instruments and Singers Persons of Quality follow on Horseback but the vulgar sort on foot Those that accompany this Procession take a turn about the Maidan stopping a while before the Gate of King's Palace and also before that of the great Mosque where after having pour'd forth their Prayers every one returns to his own Habitation The Visier of Ispahan and the King's Treasurer also appear on the Maidan one on one side and the other on the other accompany'd by many Horsemen which keep off the throng of People and likewise prevent Quarrels The Festival of Roses The Festival of Roses is kept when Roses blossom and continues as long as that Season lasts At this Feast they have peculiar Dances after their barbarous Musick not onely in the Evening but at Midinight and Noon-day in publick places and Coffee-houses the Servants whereof being all expert in their manner Dance from Street to Street with great delight and use several postures like our Morris-Dancers follow'd with great Acclamations of the People with lighted Torches Lanterns and Basons full of Lamps which they carry on their Heads and strewing Roses in all places as they pass for which every one that meets them gives them a small piece of Money In other places especially out of the City the Men and Women flock together Frolicking and making Garlands of Roses so that this Feast seems to have some resemblance with that of the Goddess Flora. All the Mahumetans according to an ancient Custom make many Offerings on the tenth of the twelfth or last Moneth Difilhatze killing two or three Lambs in each of their Houses where they eat one part thereof and give the other part to the Poor Customs in Persia differing from the Turks But they have another Custom in Persia much differing from that us'd among Turks and Arabians for in all eminent Towns and Places where the King resides whether in a City or in the Camp they Offer a Camel with great Ceremony because they say Abraham in stead of his Son who they believe was Ismael and not Isaac Offer'd a Camel and not a Ram as the Scripture makes mention but the Turks affirm that it was a Ram and not a Camel and therefore mock at the Persians Offering of Camels though perhaps they agree in that of Ismael They Offer their Camels after the following manner Three days before the Biram they lead the Camel prepar'd for Offering about and through all places of the City The manner of their Camel-Offerings and being hung full of Garlands and cover'd with Flowers and Herbs is attended by several Men playing on Pipes and beating on Drums which are follow'd by a Molla or Preacher who Sings their Creed and several Hymns whil'st the Spectators endeavor as the Camel passes by to pluck off some of the Hair which if they obtain they judge themselves born in a happy hour and preserve the same as a holy Rellick wherefore if those who are appointed to clear the Way did not prevent them the poor Beast would undoubtedly be torn in pieces before it could possibly be brought to the place of Offering or at least come thither with a naked Skin After having thus led the Camel about three days all the Nobility together with King go on the fourth or Biram day richly Habited to the Muffale that is The House of Prayer which every City hath a little distance from it set a part on purpose for this Offering whither the Camel being brought one of the chiefest amongst the Company being Porter to the Kings Haram or some other noted Person takes a Spear and runs it into the Camels right side being laid bound on the Ground whereupon several fall on promiscuously with Battel-Axes Clubs Knives and Swords cutting the Beast into a thousand pieces What remains of this Camels Flesh is boyl'd some part of it fresh and the rest salted and kept which they looking upon as Consecrated preserve with great care as being an infallible Cure against all Distempers and therefore never eat thereof but when sick onely the Head is according to the Custom of the Countrey sent to the King 's Court. This Biram Day is proclaim'd at the rising of the Sun with Trumpets Drums and other Instruments as also by the discharging of great Guns The great Feast Asciur On the first day of the new Moon which happens in the latter end of December or in the beginning of January or if the Moon appears first in the night on the succeeding day they begin to keep the high Feast Asciur in commemoration of Hossein which lasts ten days during which the Persians manifest their sorrow for his unhappy Death the manner whereof hath been already related They Habit themselves like People overwhelm'd with Grief and Despair neither shaving the Hair nor bathing themselves not onely abstaining from what their Law forbids but
up of the Belly flaying alive and hanging up by the Heels which last is perform'd after this manner They make two Holes in the Malefactors Legs behind the Ancle between the Bone and the great Tendon through which they put a Rope whereby they hang them on a Tree so high that their Heads do just touch the Ground in which manner if the Malefactor be condemn'd to die they let him hang two or three days till after an intolerable number of Pains he gives up the Ghost or if he die not in that manner then they shorten his time by ripping open his Belly Others for smaller Offences are hang'd up an hour or two with their Head downwards He that Ravisheth a Woman and is convicted by her Swearing three times or commits Sodomy hath his Genitals cut off Usury forbidden Their Laws forbid the putting of Money out to Use which nevertheless they do privately but if any one be accus'd and found guilty thereof he is accounted worse than a Jew and not permitted to come in company with any Persons of note In Ardebil dwelt one who lending Money by the Moneth at a Dollar and a half per Cent. had his Teeth knock'd out with a Hammer Such Persons as practise this are call'd Suchur which signifies Usurer But at they permit the Mortgaging of Lands for a Sum of Money which the Lender repays himself by the Rent without receiving any other Interest Schach Abbas and Schach Sefi us'd strange and horrid ways to punish Criminals some they caus'd to be made fast betwixt two Boards and then Saw'd in two in the middle A Persian Ambassador being on a time sent to the King of Spain and treating his Servants ill in his Journey thither and they complaining of it the King at his Return into Persia with his own Hands cut off his Nose and Ears and a piece of Flesh out of his Arms which he forc'd him in his Presence to eat It is also a very common Punishment at Ispahan to throw down Malefactors from the Steeple built on the Mosque Haron Viliaier and afterwards to burn them To this Death Women which have committed any hainous Crimes are condemn'd When any Person of Quality that is in the King's Service hath committed a Crime which he supposes may hazard the loss of his Life he goes with a naked Sword hung about his Neck before his Majesty's Privy-Chamber to beg pardon for his Offence Robbers and Highway-men are set in the Ground up to the Middle and the upper part of their Bodies inclos'd with great Posts six Foot high and so starv'd to death Good travelling in Persia But because Persia is inhabited in most places it is very secure travelling insomuch that the whole Countrey is free from Thieves If any be robb'd in his Journey though it be by his own Servants the Villages near which the Fact is committed or the Magistrates thereof upon the Complaint of the Person robb'd either pay the value or restore to him the like Goods taken from him There is also Guards for the security of the Roads which are call'd Rabdari to whom Travellers give small Sums of Money Strangers enjoy their own Lawes As all the strange people in Persia enjoy the Liberty of Conscience so they also judge and determine Causes amongst themselves according to the Laws of their native Countreys as well in Matters of Life and Death as Debts and the like insomuch that the King's Courts of Judicature have nothing to do with them which Custom is at this day so common that not onely the People but also every person of Quality that is a Stranger in Persia as Agents and Ambassadors from Forreign Princes c. enjoy the same Priviledge unquestion'd as if they were at Home The several Officers of the Court. At the Court are divers Officers which have each a Title according to their employments and follow one another in their several Degrees Eahtemad-Dowlet is the Chancellor whose business it is to look after the Revenue of the Realm and to increase the same from whence he bears his Title and is like a Vice-Roy and not onely publick but also all manner of private Business doth pass through his Hands A Curtzibaschi is a Commander over ten or twelve thousand Bowe-men which being first rais'd by Schach Ismael dwell in several Parts of the Countrey as a Free-people and upon any occasion march to a known Rendezvouz where the said General meets and commands them Meheter is a Gentleman-usher who is constantly with the King in his Chamber or at any publick Meeting and in the Seraglio and therefore is often permitted to speak with more freedom than the Chancellor Wakeunis is a Privy Councellor and Secretary who writes the King's Letters and Edicts and also keeps an Account of the Revenues of the Crown to which purpose he hath eleven Clarks or Under-Secretaries allow'd him Every Precinct or Ward of a City hath a peculiar Governor or Magistrate whom they call Aksacal that is Grey-beard though never so young which amongst other Affairs take care of the King's Guests that are lodg'd in any Caravansera standing within their Liberty that they want nothing they are desirous to have Assas is a Constable of the Watch but hath greater Power for he is not onely authoriz'd to take or apprehend any suspitious Persons but also to punish them nay take away their Lives according to Martial Law provided the Offender be taken in the Fact The Diwanbeki though a Supream Judge and often sitting on the Bench with the Seder and Casi is forc'd when the King punishes any person of Quality with Death to perform the Office of Executioner himself The Culargasi bears Command over the Culams that is Slaves or Servants who have sold themselves to be the King's Servants who performing the Office of Soldiers are eight thousand in Number and like the Curtzi are Quarter'd in the Countrey at the King's charge Eischicagasi-Baschi is the chief Marshal or Commander of forty Eischicagasi who though they dwell in several Parts of the Countrey wait by turns five at a time and generally stand at those Doors through which you must go into the presence of the King from whence they are call'd Door-keepers When any strange Ambassadors have Audience before the King then the Eischicaga-Baschi having a Dekemek or Staff leads them up by the Arm. The Jesaul Sohebet or Master of the Ceremonies places all Strangers that are invited to eat at the King's Table in their proper Places wherefore he always attends with a Staff in his Hand before the Pallace Gate to receive and complement such strange Guests The Nasir is the Steward whom they also call Kereckjerack who provides all manner of Necessaries for the Court The Tuschmal or Purveyor takes care for all sorts of Provisions and commands the Kitchin Mohurdar is the Lord-Keeper of the Great Seal The Dawattar is the Secretary who always carries a little Ball like our Printing Balls with which when
stay all the Avenues and Ways are guarded to keep out the men whil'st the Women sometimes spend whole Nights in several Pastimes by Torch and Candle-light All places fitted for the King's Reception and the Reason why The King's Gardens in all his Royal Cities as in Ispahan Casbin c. are provided with Concubines Slaves and all manner of Necessaries because the King stays not long in one place neither goes with much Company for he often travels with onely two or three Horse-men which many times ride so hard that they finish a Journey of thirty days in five or six to which purpose he keeps exceeding swift Horses at appointed Stages where they always stand ready saddl'd and bridl'd because they are uncertain of his coming and because his Train cannot follow him with that speed therefore he hath a House in most of the wall'd Cities of his Realm furnished with all manner of Necessaries The Kings Palace a priviledg'd place The King 's Douletchane or Pallace in Ispahan is a priviledg'd Place or Sanctuary for all Malefactors that fly thither and touch the Ring Hammer or Knocker of the Gate which is in such esteem or Veneration that the whole Court receive it's Name Astane from it and as a Token thereof when they name this Royal Knocker they add the Word Doulet thereto that is good Luck and say Astane Doulet that is the Knocker of good Luck and understand the King's Court by the same Another priviledg'd place The Alcapy is also a priviledg'd Place where no Person nay not the King himself hath power to touch any Malefactor or Debtor wherefore many flying thither stay there till they have compounded with their Creditors The Familiarity of the King The King as also most of the Nobility in Persia cause most of their Meat to be drest in their Presence nay prepare the same with their own Hands nay more than this he for all his greatness sometimes makes himself very familiar amongst his Subjects eats as he passes along the Streets and in the midst of the Bazars or Exchanges often standing still before a Cooks Shop and sees what Meat they dress and sometimes goes unexpectedly into a Tradesman's House where sitting down he eats with great and unimaginable freedom The King's Lodgings In the Chambers or Tents in which the King sleeps are always eight or ten Beds made ready so that no person knows which he intends to lie on nay sometimes when he wakes in the night he goes from one Bed to another and so lies on three or four in one Night which he doth to no other end but to prevent sudden Assassination and that by that Means he might have time to Arm himself for his Defence In many of the High-ways the King hath divers Houses and Gardens the Houses for the most part are built and furnish'd after one fashion viz. small with many little Chambers which have divers Doors The Walls and Cielings being very smooth are Painted and richly Gilded yet without Order or Art The Kings Houses The King hath many handsom Houses but his chiefest Court is kept at Ispahan in the Summer and in the Winter in Ferhabad In the beginning of the Moneth Ramadhan His Hunting which is our Lent the King goes to Abicurrong in the Mountains to take the fresh Air and to Hunt in which Sport he spends several days attended by some thousands of People At the Ears of those Beasts which the King takes alive he hangs golden Plates on which are Engraven certain Marks and then setting them at Liberty again often re-takes them nay some have been taken who have had the Marks of King Thamas Ismael Sefi and other ancient Princes In all the Provinces of Persia Bull-baiting Bull-baiting is very common but especially about Caxem the Inhabitants whereof travel up and down into several Countreys to find out the strongest and fairest Bulls which they bring to Ispahan where upon the Maidan or Market-place naked Men Encounter with them Musical Instruments among the Persians In the Kings Palace at any Entertainment as also at Entertainments in Noblemens Houses are commonly young Women who Dance to the sound of a Diara or little Drum but their common Instruments are Cymbals and Citterns yet besides these they have another call'd Scig made of Copper round and hollow within which holding in one Hand they strike upon it with the other but the chiefest Instrument is a Tabor hung round about with Bells This Instrument is very common in all the Eastern Countreys but especially in Persia the Inhabitants whereof take such delight in them that the King never makes any great Entertainment but he always hath several who Dance to the sound of it Their Dancing The manner of Dancing us'd by the Persians is not unpleasing for they Sing and Dance together in a King he that leads the Dance Sings a Verse or two of some merry Song the rest bearing the Chorus or Burden The Nobles also at the Kings Court every Evening at the sound of several Instruments play at a certain Game with a Hammer and Ball not unlike our Palmall which every one that pleases may come and see The Recreation of the Nobles The King often invites mean Persons that are well experienc'd in this Game to play at it which is perform'd after this manner viz. The Gamesters divide themselves into two Parties on Horseback one at each end of the place where the Game is to be play'd and with a woodden Hammer which they hold in the right Hand they strike a light woodden Ball not with the flat Head of the Hammer but with the side which is somewhat hollow'd out at the set Mark in which the winning of the Game consists without any wrangling or dispute but the chiefest part of the Game is to follow the Ball and strike it beyond the Mark before those at the other end can prevent them Great dexterity is requir'd in this Game and also exceeding swiftness as well of he Horse as the Rider and this is the onely way whereby the Persians learn to Ride so well Those that play are also dress'd after a peculiar manner in Clothes of several colours with rich Turbants adorn'd with Plumes of Feathers and other Ornanents They have another Exercise call'd The Baiting of the Wolf Wolf-baiting but it is us'd by none but the inferior sort of People viz. A Wolf being let loose the People having each Man a Cloak on encompass the Beast in great numbers shouting and hollowing and if at any time the enraged Wolf falls in amongst them and seizes any one the whole Croud rescue the Person in danger and assail the Beast And these two are the chiefest and most esteemed Exercises amongst the Persians The Furniture of their Tables at Meals All the Chans and other great Lords residing at the Kings Court being prime Officers of State have their Tables spread with a large eight corner'd Carpet
Cashan Theheran Hamadan Meschet and Kirman pay great Tributes to the King Della Valle affirms that in Ispahan and several other eminent Cities there are no Chans because they are Royal Cities and the King many times keeps his Court there On the Feast of Neuruz all annual Officers are chosen especially the Darago's the chiefest whereof enter upon their Employments in great State with the sound of many Instruments How they reverence the Kings The King 's Vice-Roys whither Sultans or Chans of what Degree soever when coming out of any remote Province to make their appearance before the King or when they take leave or are to return to their own Countreys they kneel on both Knees before the King and kiss his Feet and in testimony of Honor squeeze the same against their Foreheads which they do three several times This Ceremony they perform divers times as they walk about the King which they commonly do three times one after another thereby to manifest that those who perform this Ceremony make themselves Sureties against all Misfortunes whatsoever that may befall the King It is also a Custom amongst them to make a Circle with their Hands about the Heads of those whom they would shew Honor to and wish that all future Misfortunes and such as have already hapned unto them may fall on themselves This Action is accounted by them a sign of a perfect and faithful Friendship Thus much of the modern State and manner of Government in Persia now it will be necessary to give you a short Account after what manner it was Govern'd in former times THe King of Persia anciently styl'd himself The Great King especially at that time when they had conquer'd the Greeks But Suidas tells us that these Monarchs were not satisfi'd with this Title but assum'd to themselves the Title of The King of Kings as appears by the Inscription on Cyrus's Tomb. Their order of Succession The Sons of these Kings succeeded them which was also observ'd amongst the Parthians when they had made themselves Masters of this Realm and when the Persians were afterwards restor'd they still maintain'd the same Custom The eldest Son according to the Laws of Nature Inherited before the younger but if he was born before his Father came to the Crown then he that was first born after his being King succeeded him in the Throne They never gave the Crown to a one-ey'd squint-ey'd or deformed Person as appears by the squinting Son of Cahade or Robad who notwithstanding he was a valiant Man yet for the Blemish in his Sight was disinherited But when the Persian Monarchy began to decay this Custom was laid aside and the Crown became elective but the Nobility who had Voices therein still reserv'd it for those who were of Royal Extract Natural Sons succeeded not their Fathers in the Throne so long as there remain'd any that were legitimate yet notwithstanding the illegitimate Darius was chosen before Isogee lawful Son to Artaxerxes When the King at any time went out of his Dominions he was oblig'd to nominate a Deputy to Govern during his absence Ceremonies at Installing the King The Kings were by the Priests of their Countrey with great Ceremony Inaugurated after this manner viz. They were led into a Temple of a warlike Goddess where they pull'd off their Clothes and put on those which Cyrus us'd to wear when he was but a private Person which done they are a few Figs chew'd a little Turpentine and drank a draught of sower Milk They incircled the Heads of these new Kings with a Crown or Mitre and a Cydaris which was made of Purple and ty'd with a blue Ribbon mix'd with white King Sapor instead of a Crown wore a Cap made like a Rams Head beset with Precious Stones They also wore a Tiara or Turbant like those which the Magistrates of the several Provinces wore but with this distinction that those of the Kings stood upright and the other bended behind The Honor of putting the Crown on the Kings Head belong'd to a peculiar Person call'd Surene who was the second Nobleman in the Kingdom The Habit or Robes of the King The Kings of Persia also wore a long Vest hanging below their Ancles which was embroider'd with several Representations of Birds Beasts and the like and beset with Gold and Precious Jems They likewise wore a Coat with Sleeves call'd Candis differing from those of the other Persians both in colour being Purple and value moreover the Subjects durst not approach any Man without hiding their Hands in their Sleeves but the Kings held them out The Kings Habit as Xenophon says was also half purple and half white which none else might wear They likewise wore long Hair Pendants a Girdle and long Stockings like the other Persians They were honor'd like Gods for those that approach'd them bow'd not onely their Heads and Bodies but fell flat on their Faces with their Hands upon their Backs in which posture they lay as long as they suppos'd him to be in sight which was also perform'd by Strangers who were not permitted to see the King unless they promis'd to worship him after the Persian manner for otherwise they were forc'd to let him know their Business by Proxy or else in Writing which when he perus'd he return'd his Answer without being seen Those that Saluted the King wish'd him Everlasting Life and perpetual Government but he seldom appear'd to his People who were not permitted to set a Foot into the Royal Palace without his Majesty's leave but his Noblemen waited without at the Door to receive his Commands His Throne was of massie Gold which none durst touch and if at any time the King went abroad they strew'd the Streets and Ways which he was to pass with Flowers and every where burnt Perfumes They likewise kept the Kings Birth-day every year with making of Offerings and other great testimonies of joy and whence dy'd the whole Kingdom Mourn'd for five days together during which time all Courts of Judicature were shut up Their Câ—urts very unâ—â—â—taiâ— but magnificent These great Princes had no setled place of Residence but spent the Winter in Babylon the Lent at Susa and the Summer at Ecbataue besides which they had several other Royal Palaces as at Pasargades and Persepolis but when the Parthians were Masters of Persia Chusistan was the chief Seat of the Realm Their Royal Palaces were very stately and magnificent having many great Officers attendant insomuch that Apuleius call'd them The Houses of Gold They would never eat of any other Bread but what was brought out of the Province of Aeolia Their Diâ—â— and of all things the Kingdom afforded the First-fruits were sent to the King also their Salt Armoniack was brought to them out of Egypt They drank of the Wine Chaliboonien brought from Assyria and no other Water but what was taken out of the Stream Choaspes which glides by Susa The Inhabitants of those Places through
diligent in their Employments and not be idle and others were Commanded to prevent the Soldiers or any Enemy from oppressing the Inhabitants In this place it will not be amiss to subjoin the several Dynasties of the Kings of Persia that have had the Government of this renowned Empire wherein by way of Entrance we will note That when this Countrey was first peopled the several Tribes were under the Command of their own Princes among which was Chedorlaomer who was overthrown by Abraham as holy Writ mentions By this means their Princes were scarce known till the time of Perses who wrested the same from Sardanapalus the Assyrian Monarch and first laid the Foundation of this great Empire in whose Race it continu'd six Descents in this Order The first Dynastie Anno Mundi 3590 1. PEerses the Conqueror of Sardanapalus who Reigned Anno Mundi 3059. succeeded by his Son 2. Achaemenes from whom his Successors were termed Achaemenides and his Subjects Achaemenii as Propertius witnesses where he writes Non tot Achaemeniis armantur Susa sagittis where by Achaemeniae sagittae he means Persian Arrow he left the Royal Seat to 3. Cambyses by Herodotus sometimes call'd Darius 4. Cyrus the Ancestor of Darius Histaspis as we will shew anon 5. Cambyses the Second the Son of Cyrus 6. Cyrus surnam'd the Great Son of Cambyses and Mandane the Daughter of Astyages King of Media who overthrew the Babylonian Monarchy and translated it to the Medes and Persians Of his strange preservation from his Grandfathers cruelty Education amongst Rusticks acting the King among his Playfellows with several other remarks we have at large in Herodotus and Justine His first Expedition was against his Grandfather Astyages whom having vanquish'd he march'd against rich Craesus of Lydia whom he overthrew took and made one of his Council then fell upon the Greeks of Ionia afterwards set upon Babylon as we said before and lastly going against the Sâ—ythians was by Tomyris slain as most Histories agree Institut Cyr. lib. 8. yet Xenophon gives him a peaceable departure in his Bed with an excellent Farewel to those about him His Successor was his Son 7. Cambyses the Third 3423 Herodot lib. 3. who overthrew the Egyptians with their King Psamniticus the Son of Amasis His deriding and wounding Apis their God This was he that overturned the whole Learning and Religion of the Egyptians and open'd the unviolated Conservatories of their long preserved Princes then becoming Mummies worshipp'd in the likeness of a Calf and the flaying of Sisamnis an unjust Judge and hanging his Skin over the Tribunal to be a warning to his Son Othanes whom he put in his Place to do better are Passages worth the taking notice of His Death came by a wound in the Thigh from his own Sword falling out of the Scabbard as he was taking Horse to go against the Magi who had rebell'd against him He dying without issue the seven Counsellors of State or Magi resolv'd to chuse one from amongst themselves and by that consent and the timely neighing of his Horse at Sun-rising the Scepter was obtain'd by 8. Darius Histaspis descended from Cyrus the fourth King of Persia He Marry'd Atossa Cyrus's Daughter for the strengthning of his Title recover'd Babylon by the Stratagem of Zopyrus over-ran a great part of Asia and assail'd the Greeks who by their General Miltiades totally routed him at the Battel of Marathon Herod lib. 6. Justin lib. 2. registred as Plutarch saith by almost three hundred Historians which Loss while he study'd to repair the Quarrel of his Sons about the Succession broke his Heart and the youngest Son carry'd it viz. 9. Xerxes the Grandchild of Cyrus by his Daughter Atossa This was that Emperor whose Queen was Vasthi who made that great Feast mention'd in the Book of Hester He went to revenge his Fathers Quarrel upon Greece with an Army of seventeen hundred thousand Men Sir Waâ—â—er Rawlegh but was so terrifi'd by several Defeats that he return'd towards his Countrey over Hellespont in a Cock-Boat This was he that pretended to put a Bridle upon the Sea and at last was slain in his Bed by Artabanus his Uncle leaving to succeed him the Son he had by Queen Hester nam'd 10. Artaxerxes surnam'd Longimanus His entrance was good doing Justice on his Uncle for the Death of his Father and Brother His Generosity likewise is much commended to that great Captain Themistocles who was forc'd by his ungrateful Citizens to cast himself upon such an Enemy Though he was more favorable to the Jews in regard of his Mother yet such strong opposition was made by the Faction against them that the building of the Temple was by his Decree prohibited After him follow'd 11 Darius Nothus Son-in-law to Longimanus by Marrying his Daughter Parysitades In his time Amyrteus the Egyptian rebell'd and deliver'd his Countrey-men from the Persian Servitude He is noted in Scripture for setting forward the building of the Temple Ezra 6. which by his Father had been interrupted By his Wife Parysitades he had two Sons of which the elder 12 Artaxerxes Mnemon so call'd for his great Memory succeeded He slew in Battel his Brothee Cyrus surnam'd the Younger who affecting the Empire had made War upon him and call'd in the Greeks to his aid whose memorable Retreat back to their own Countrey is describ'd by Xenophon a principal Commander in this Expedition Lib. 7. de expedit Cyr. Justin lib. 10. This Mnemon is said by Plutarch to have had a hundred and sixty Sons by Concubines onely three in Matrimony of which Darius was Executed for Rebellion with fifty more of his Brethren whom he had drawn into the Conspiracy This breaks the Father's Heart his youngest Son 13. Ochus takes Place He recover'd Egypt by his Generals Mentor and Bagoas and subdu'd Assyria Cyprus and some part of India But his Tyranny growing intolerable he was slain by Bagoas who set up in his Throne 14. Arses one of his Sons otherwise Arsames who was in a short time sent after his Father by the same Hand and was succeeded by 15. Darius the Third surnam'd Codomannus Cousin-german to Arses who being set upon by Alexander the Great and vanquish'd in three pitch'd Battels viz. at Granwick Issus and Arbela was the last of this Race of Persian Kings After this the Name of the Persians was almost forgotten how it was reviv'd you may read in Herodian in these words After Darius had lost his Kingdom to Alexander and the Victor himself was dead also the more potent Captains shared Asia amongst them till at length Arsaces of the Parthian Nobility perswaded the People of the East and amongst them the Persians to cast off the Grecian Yoke To which purpose he took upon him the Title of King and became the Head of the Arsacidan Family of Parthia who successively held the Crown in this following Order The second Dynastie Anno Mundi 3718 3741 1.
ARsaces the first Parthian King of Persia 2. Mithridates or Arsaces the Second invaded by Antiochus the Great but with little effect 3. Pampatius 4. Phraartes Son of Pampatius 5. Mithridates the Second Brother of Phraartes He conquer'd the Medes and very much enlarged his Dominion 6. Phraartes the Second 7. Artabanus Uncle to Phraartes the Second 8. Pacorus Son of Artabanus 9. Mithridates the Third the Brother of Pacorus 10. Horodes Brother of Mithridates whom he kill'd and took the Crown This was he that fought with and vanquish'd M. Crassus the great Roman Consul but brought under by Ventidius one of the Lieutenants of Mark Anthony and at last slain by his Son 11. Phraartes the Third who after a long War submitted himself and Kingdom to Augustus Caesar restoring the Ensigns and freeing the Captives taken at the Defeat of Crassus He was kill'd by his Son 12. Phraartes the Fourth who succeeded him 13. Horodes the Second Son of Phraartes the Fourth slain in a Tumult 14. Vonon took his Place but was depos'd by 15. Tiridates with whom the People being displeas'd for his submission to the Roman Power one Artabanus a Stranger to the Blood of the Arsacidae taking advantage thereof kill'd Tiridates seiz'd the Kingdom and became the Head of another Parthian Family of which we find upon Record the Names of twelve Kings as follows The third Dynastie 1. ARtabanus 2. Bardanes 3. Goteres 4. Vonones 5. Vologeses 6. Artabanus the Second 7. Pacorus 8. Chosroes who lost Armenia and Mesopotamia to the Emperor Trajan 9. Parmaspates 10. Vologeses the Second 11. Vologeses the Third 12. Artabanus the Third This was the last King of this new Parthian Race from whom the Diadem was once more translated to the natural Persians by Artaxerxes a Nobleman who became the Head of the next Race The fourth Dynastie of natural Persian Kings Anno Christi 228 1. ARtaxerxes the first Raiser of the Family 2. Sapores who took Prisoner the Emperor Valerianus 3. Ormisdates 4. Vararanes the First 5. Vararanes the Second 6. Vararanes the Third 7. Narses He discomfited Galerius and ruin'd his Army but was afterwards defeated by him 8. Misdates 9. Sapor the Second a great and puissant Prince but a Persecuter of the Christians 10. Artaxerxes the Second 11. Sapor the Third 12. Vararanes the Fourth 13. Isdigertes a great Favorite of the Emperor Arcadius 14. Vararanes the Fifth 15. Vararanes the Sixth 16. Peroses 17. Valens 18. Cabades depos'd a Friend to the Christians 19. Lambases 20. Cabades restor'd 21. Chosroes the Great a constant Enemy of the Romans 22. Hormisda 23. Chosroes the Second a great Enemy to the Emperor Heraclius from whom he took Mesopotamia Assyria and the Holy-Land which when the Emperor recover'd in despight he caus'd all the Christians to turn Nestorians 24. Siroes the First 25. Adhesir 26. Sarbatus 27. Barnarius 28. Hormisda the Second and the last of this Dynastie who being first weakned by Civil Dissentions was at last vanquish'd by Haumar a Saracen Calif who held it for a while These Arabians or Saracens carry'd it so absolutely that the Persians were forc'd to deny their Names but their Deputies quarrelling amongst themselves one Tangrolipix of the Turkish Race Founded a new Dynastie The fifth Dynastie being of the Turkish Line Anno Ghristi 1030 1. TAngrolipix the first Raiser of this House 2. Axan the Son of Tangrolipix He dispossess'd the Christians of a great part of Asia Minor 3. Balak Sultan of Persia in the beginning of the Wars in the Holy-Land 4. Cassanes the last of this Race being absolutely conquer'd by the Cham of Tartary An. 1202. The sixth Dynastie being Tartarian Kings of Persia Anno Christi 1260 1. THe Cham of Tartary having utterly extinguish'd the whole Family of the Galif of Bagdet in the Year 1260 made Haalon or Vlah Kukkan King of Persia and the first of that Line and was succeeded by his Son 2. Habkakaihon the Son of Haalon 3. Nikador-Oglan the Brother of Habkakaihon a Mahumetan 4. Argon Khon the eldest Son of Habkakaihon 5. Gemotakhon Brother of Argon 6. Badukhon Uncle to the last 7. Gazun the Son of Argon Khon who made Casbin his Imperial Seat 8. Aliapta who remov'd the Court to Tauris and built Sultania a City of Media 9. Abusaid the Son of Aliapta and the last of this House After his Death there was nothing but confusion every neighboring Prince seizing into his own hands what he could lay hold of till at last the Armenians got the Diadem and began the seventh Dynastie The seventh Dynastie Anno Christi 1472 1. Ussan Cassanes Son of Tracheton a poor Armenian Prince began this Dynastie by a Victory obtain'd against Zeuzes one of the most powerful Rulers of Persia and having held the Crown some years left it to his second Son 2. Jacub who beat the Mamaluckes out of Mesopotamia and Assyria but was at last poyson'd by his Wife 3. Julaver a Kinsman of Jacubs kill'd by 4. Baisinger a Prince of the Blood that liv'd in Adultery with Jacub's Wife 5. Rustan set upon by Aider or Schach Aider of the Sophian Race which now began to appear in great Eminence and Power 6. Alamat the last King of this House Fought with the beforemention'd Aider and slew him but his Son Ismael Sofi taking up the Quarrel and having overcome and slain Alamat and his Son Elwan he was Crown'd King or Shaugh of Persia and became Head of the present Royal Family in that Dominion The eighth Dynastie being of the Sophian Race Anno Christi 1505 1. Ismael Sofi the Founder of this Family had great Wars with the Turks especially with Selimus the First 2. Tamas the Son of Ismael overcome in some Fields by Solyman the Magnificent who tore from him divers great Countreys having been part of his Dominions 3. Aider the second Son of Tamas by the Imprisonment of his Brother seiz'd the Kingdom but was quickly depriv'd of it and made away by his own Sister Periancona 4. Ismael the Second eldest Son of Tamas Reigned two years at the end of which he was murther'd by the same Periancona his Sister 5. Mahomet Chodabend being advanc'd to the Throne immediately caus'd her to be Beheaded Before he was well setled Amurath the Third took from him a great part of Armenia Media and Georgia 6. Abas commonly call'd Schach Abbas second Son of Chodabende having murther'd his elder Brother stept into the Throne and undertaking with great resolution the War against the Turks regain'd the greatest part of what his Predecessor had lost and withal made a large addition of the Kingdoms of Ormus Heri Candahor and Hircania 7. Soffye the Nephew of Abas by his Son Myrza succeeded his Uncle at the age of fifteen years but after his coming to age very fortunately maintain'd the War against the Turks The Countrey of Georgia Extent of Georgia THis Countrey comprehends all that Land which the Ancients nam'd Colchos
Caspian Sea and many more are at this day so full of Georgian and Circassian Inhabitants amongst whom the Vulgar who are the greatest number remain Christians yet are but meanly instructed by reason their Pastors are both few and ignorant but the Nobles and most of the Soldiers as also many of the common People stirr'd up partly by ambition and partly out of covetousness hoping that by changing their Religion they might obtain something from the King who was always favorable to such Apostates and gave them Gifts continually to draw them to his Opinion and partly forc'd thereto by necessity are turn'd Mahumetans With these kind of People the King's Army was so much increas'd that Anno 1622. he had above thirty thousand Georgians besides a great number of Circassians and some strange Armenians some of which bore the chief Command as well in the Army as Civil Government of the Countrey and were rais'd to many of the highest Dignities as Sultans and Chans But besides these a great number of them not onely of the Vulgar but also of the Nobility who resisting the Persians at their coming into Georgia were subdu'd and by force brought from thence and made perpetual Slaves the number whereof was formerly so great that there was scarce a House in all Persia which was not full of them The Georgian Women much desir'd by the Persian Nobility None of the Persian Nobility but covet to Marry with a Georgian rather than their own Countrey Women because they are generally more beautiful and well Limb'd King Abbas himself had his Court full of them both Men and Women and scarce made use of any other But to return to Teimuraz Teimuraz flies to the Turks who assist him with an Army who spent some time in ranging through the Countreys of other Princes at last he went into the Turks Dominions where staying some years he was made Governor of the City Cogni and some other places of Cappadocia being for the most part inhabited by Greek Christians During his abode here he study'd how to revenge himself on the Persians and to get footing again in his own Countrey and at length in 1618. obtain'd a potent Army of Turks and Tartars besides his own Militia which for the most part consisted in the Nobility of Georgia who had declar'd themselves on his side and many others who had always faithfully serv'd and accompany'd him during his Misfortunes These Nobles also took their Wives Arm'd and Mounted on good Horses along with them who following the Examples of their Husbands performed many heroick Acts. Teimuraz thus reinforc'd march'd farther into Persia than ever any of the Turks Armies had done before and at last came up to the City Ardebil which being by the Persians accounted a holy place or Sanctuary because of the Tomb of their prime Saint Schach Sefi and the Royal Seat of the King he endeavor'd by all means possible to destroy whil'st the Serdar or General Hali Bassa should with another Army of three hundred thousand Turks and Tartars keep the Persians employ'd in another part This General had also Command that however it hapned he should endeavor to make himself Master of Ardebil and afterwards settle Teimuraz Chan and Dellu Melik again in their Dominions and also to Winter in some convenient place in Carabag and re-take the Province of Scirvan and the Metropolis Schamachie This Dellu Melik was a Melik or Armenian Lord and formerly a Christian but apostatiz'd and became Substitute to the King of Persia against whom he rebell'd for the King having commanded him to carry all the Armenian Christians to Ferhabad he on the contrary carry'd them to Georgia where he united himself with Temuraz Chan who both submitted themselves to the Turks protection and by this means Melik became a great Enemy of the Persians and had himself been in the last Fight Mean while two Capigies or Messengers came into the Turkish Army with great speed from the Grand Seignior at Constantinople to the Serdar or General to tell him that he should endeavor to make as advantageous an Agreement with the Persians as he could possible and return with all expedition to Constantinople because the Europeans had invaded him in other parts so that this great preparation of the Turks came to nothing to the loss of many of his Men whil'st the Persian return'd Conqueror to his Court Teimuraz also march'd back to his Countrey which the Turk had given him to Govern The Province of Guriel Situation of Guriel Southward from Mengrelia and beyond the Black Sea on the Borders of Cappadocia Trabizonde and Cogni lies a Province call'd Guriel which as Della Valle affirms being a part of Cappadocia or Colchos and lying more Southerly from Imereti than Mengrelia was Anno 1620. Govern'd by one of the two last Princes call'd Jese and the other Prince Govern'd Mengrelia The Province of Mengrelia anciently Colchis The Borders of Mengrelia THe Countrey which the Ancients call'd Colchis is at this day by the Inhabitants nam'd Dadian and Odisci and by the Turks Mengrelia It borders in the East upon the River Fas or Faso by the Inhabitants nam'd Rione near the Province of Imereti or Basciaciuk in the South looks upon Guriel in the North touches the Countrey of the Abcassians in the West conterminates with the Black Sea and Circassian Mountains and in the North-East respects at some distance Mount Caucasus Niger and Ananias make it to border in the East upon Georgia in the West at a Bay of the Black Sea in the North at the Asiatick Sarmatia and in the South on a part of Cappadocia and the Countrey of Trebizonde towards the side of the Black Sea and a part of Great Armenia From Constantinople they can travel in less than eight days by Water into Mengrelia which is the best and most populous Countrey of all Georgia The Air of this Province is very moist by reason of its Situation The Air. for on the one side it hath Mount Caucasus out of which flow many Streams The Woods with which it is overgrown prevent the swift passing of the Clouds and the nearness of the Sea and constant Winds which blow from the same bring commonly Mists and Rain The Inhabitants afflicted with many Diseases The Inhabitants are generally troubled with the Spleen which turns to the Dropsie if they use not good Medicines The Tertian and Quartan Agues are also very common here Ancient People commonly die of Rheums and Apoplexies Youth of the Jaundise and Dropsie The Cold is also very great here though there is no appearance of it till the latter end of December from which time there likewise falls abundance of Snow till April The Countrey is very Morassie near the Sea but very Hilly up into the Inland Rivers in this Countrey Mengrelia is also divided by several Rivers which like most of the great Rivers of Asia have their head Springs in Mount Caucasus and disembogue into the
Cup to him When Dadian saw himself thus deceiv'd not regarding the Kings Presence he fell upon Artabeg and cut off his Beard which Injury Artabeg respecting the King's Presence would not at that time revenge but not long after Dadian pursuing a Stag into the Governor Artabeg's Dominions his Subjects finding him separated from his Company seiz'd on him and brought him to their Lord who put him into a Dungeon under Ground in the mean while his Followers suspected that he had broke his Neck by Riding down some steep Rock and accordingly bemoan'd his Death but at length having remain'd a considerable time in Prison Artabeg went to visit him where amongst many other Discourses Dadian declar'd his intention that he had to make himself absolute Master of his Territory shewing him also the easiness to accomplish it Whereupon Artabeg promis'd him his aid and assistance telling him that he had the same Design so they both invented ways to execute their intent and made their Subjects to acknowledge them their Kings who before had the same Power though derivative under the Title of Eristaves The King himself was forc'd not being willing to hazard the remaining parts of his Kingdom to acknowledge his Servants for his Companions insomuch that his Successors entred into a League with them yet nevertheless they went to War with him The present King of Mengrelia The Chesilpes or King which now Governs Mengrelia nam'd Levan Dadian is the fifth of that Family and Son to thc King of Munacchiar who upon a certain time going a Hunting Rode with such force unawares againft another Horseman that his Horse tumbling backwards broke his Rider's Neck whil'st Prince Dadian was yet very young so that one of his Uncles nam'd George Lipardian Govern'd the Realm during his Minority This young Prince Marry'd afterwards a Daughter of the Prince of the Abcassians of the Family of Sciarapsia which is very much affected by this Nation Lipardian though very ancient also Marry'd a young Virgin who Name was Dareggian out of the Family of Ciladze but this Lady delighted more in the company of Dadian who was equal to her in years than in her Husband Lipardians of which Dadian taking notice and resolving to slip no opportunity to satifie both his own and her desire took advantage of this occasion One of his prime Nobles call'd Paponia insinuated himself into the Queens Favor which being nois'd abroad about the Countrey was fo ill resented by the King that according to the Custom of the Greek Church he Divorc'd her cut off her Nose and sent her in the Head of an Army to her Father and committed Paponia to Prison under the custody of the Prince of Guriel his Nephew After this more publickly declaring his Amours towards his Uncle's Wife he took her out of his House and made all his Subjects acknowledge her for Dalboda or Queen In the interim whil'st Dadian kept his Nuptial Feast with all the signs and testimonies of Joy Lipardian in his House perform'd all the Funeral Ceremonies as if his Wife had been dead going with his whole Court into Mourning and crying for forty Days together according to the usual Custom each Person also sympathizing with him he was also visited daily by many of the Nobles till at last being poyson'd his Wife became absolute Queen After this the Countrey had remain'd quiet a long time had not Paponia to revenge himself of Dadian perswaded the Prince of Guriel to proclaim War against him and also contriv'd a Plot betwixt him the Abcassians and the Prince of Basciaciuk the design of which was to kill Dadian and to Crown one of his Brothers nam'd Joseph in his stead to which purpose they hir'd an Abcassian who on a set-day as Dadian was looking over a Balcony ran him through the Back with a Lance which done the Assassinate immediately fled and was never heard of after but one of the Officers that stood by when the King received the Stab which was not mortal being committed to Prison discover'd the Plot upon which Paponia was Strangled and his Body being cut into divers pieces was ramm'd into a Cannon and shot into the Air his Brother also was condemn'd to have his Eyes put out and committed to perpetual Imprisonment the Prince of Guriel was likewise taken Prisoner and his Eyes put out his Wife and Children taken from him and his Territory given to the Patriarch his Uncle call'd Malachia Moreover Dadian afterwards Warred against the Abcassians Dadian conquers the Abcassians who during these Disturbances had made Incursions into his Dominions in revenge of the Disgrace done to his first Wife their Prince's Daughter but he in a short time reduc'd them and made them pay Tribute Makes War upon Imerets Dadian having finish'd the Civil Wars bent his study how to conquer Imereti and accordingly proclaim'd War against it and though to this day he hath not made himself absolute Master thereof because the foremention'd Prince always secures himself in the Castle of Cottis which could never yet be conquer'd yet he hath miserably harras'd all his Territories Dadian an excellent Ptince This King Dadian which now Governs this Countrey is of such excellent Parts that had he been bred amongst a civiliz'd People he would undoubtedly have been one of the greatest Princes in his time for he abhors Gluttony and Drunkenness to which the Natives are much inclin'd often dispensing with his Dinner to dispatch Business he is of an undaunted Courage Prudent Generous and a great lover of his Subjects whom he supports and assists on all occasions suppressing all manner of Tyranny and Oppression And that the Turk his too near Neighbor may not have an itching desire towards his Countrey he uses this policy When he expects Agents from Constantinople he sends several of his Nobles to meet them upon his Borders and to conduct them through Mountains Woods and the worst Ways they can find and also to Lodge them in mean Huts where they have nothing but a little Straw to lie on and Cheese to eat When they are admitted to Audience he receives them sitting under a Tree on an old Carpet in mean Clothes with a great many Servants in pitiful Habits standing about him After Audience they are Lodg'd in a House which will scarce keep the Weather out where they are so ill Entertain'd that the Agents returning to Constantinople affirm this Countrey to be the meanest in the World 'T is not long since he caus'd one of his Noblemens Eyes to be put out for endeavoring to extol his Subjects He Entertains both Jews and Armenians in his Dominions and by that means gains a considerable Trade he also sends for Workmen out of all the adjacent Countreys whom he obliges to stay by giving them Wives and Lands He also makes daily great Presents to the Temple and Spiritual Persons and wants nothing but Architects to build magnificent Churches The Panishment of Malefactors Of all Punishments which
Sobai Chobartei and Abacuas Ananias places also in this Countrey the City Derbend which he takes for the ancient Alexandria but Derbend is by others justly plac'd in the Province of Schirwan Niger makes the City Scamachie which he supposes to be the Samunis of Ptolomy in Albania but Olearius and others place the same rightly also in Schirwan One of the fairest Cities of this Countrey is Zitracha which Thevet calls Zitrack at present a City of great Trade Thevet makes the Metropolis of this Countrey to be Bambanach but Boterus Stran or Stranu formerly call'd Getara or rather Gagara which Niger supposes to be the City Bachu Ananias places here the Countrey of Hanse and Paults Jovius Gorgora of which he makes the Royal City Agazapes though Davity will rather have it to be the Gagara or Gangara of Ptolemy than the Stran or Bachu of Boterus The Air of this Countrey The Air of this Countrey is very healthful and temperate notwithstanding there is a Valley near Hanse constantly cover'd with thick Mists The Countrey near Armenia is partly low and partly mountainous and exceedingly fertiliz'd by the Rivers Cur and some others producing all sorts of Fruit-trees and Plants which are always green and with small trouble yield a fifty-fold increase Vines also thrive here nor want there tame and wild Beasts Scorpions and Spiders otherwise call'd Tarantula's Paulus Jovius tells us that the Albaneses are a valiant People and exceed herein the Mengrelians but Niger on the contrary that they are for the most part Herdsmen and take no delight in Matters of War Anno 1492. Mahomet the Turkish Emperor march'd with an Army against this Countrey from whence he return'd without effecting any thing by reason of the Cliffs and high Mountains over which the Horsemen were not able to pass About the Year 1500. Agasappas Govern'd Albania or at least a part thereof Government and pay'd Tribute to the Sophy of Persia This Countrey according to Thevet is under the Jurisdiction of him who Governs the Tartars which perhaps is the Chan of Zagatey The Inhabitants are Christians who live like the Georgians after the manner of the Greek Church The Province of Curdistan CUrdistan that is The Countrey of the Curdes by Davity reckon'd to be in Great Armenia was anciently by Ptolomy nam'd Gordene by Dion Corduene and by others The Countrey of the Cordiaques or Gordians Della Valle supposes this Countrey had no peculiar Name but was divided amongst many People of several Nations and that the Carduchans deserting the Army forc'd Xenophon with his Army to return back from whence he came They possess according to Purchas the City Bitlis and some other Villages and Mountains of the Countrey of Curduene as also the City Manuscute The Bounds of Curdistan The Curdes are a People who have their Residence in the Mountains which divide Media from the Province of Susiana now call'd Suster It also divides Turky from Persia and bordering at Aderbeitzan hath from East to West not above ten or twelve days Journey in breadth but extends a vast way in length from the North to the South It begins between the Countrey of Babylon and the Province of Chusistan towards the side of the Caspian Sea and extends Northward beyond Ninive between Armenia and Media near the Black Sea It is a strong Countrey and very difficult to come into by reason of the many Mountains which inclose the same It might justly be call'd an Arm of Mount Taurus which parting from it runs through Asia in this part quite into the Caspian Sea so that Nature seems to have delighted her self in making this Countrey as a Bulwark between these two great Realms of Persia and Turky as it was anciently a Boundary between that of the Romans and Parthians Some will have these People deriv'd from the Chaldeans and Mesopotamians for we find what they alledge many Princes of the Curdes in the Countrey of Bagdad Chaldea Carahemid and Diarhekir Moreover Chaldea is by the Turks and Persians call'd Curdistan from the People Curdes who Planted it The Habit of these People agrees with that of the Turks and Persians but is very mean The Habit of the People The Women go bare-headed and are very familiar with all manner of People Their Language and Living Their Language is peculiar and different from the Turks Arabian and Persian but hath most affinity with a certain course Speech of the Persians Many of them live in Huts in the Countrey and range up and down with their Cattel like the Tartars others live in Caves but all that have any Knowledge or Breeding dwell in the Towns They have no manner of Fruits but Feed on Butter Milk and Flesh They are very quiet and free from Pride The Government thereof The Eastern part of Curdistan which separates Media from Susiana or Suster near the City Hamadan and a Boundary of Persia was Anno 1618. Govern'd by one Hilao Chan who besides the annual Tributes and Acknowledgements sent his Son Myrza Chan to the King of Persia thereby to manifest the zeal he had to his Majesty's Service but because of the nearness of the Turks on the side of Assyria and a part of Susiana gave some suspicion to the King he resolv'd to assure himself of the Sons Inclination by placing him in his Father's stead in order to which the King sent for Hilao Chan to come with speed to Casbin where he then kept his Court there being a Report at that time that the Turk intended with a strong Amy to fall into the Countrey through the Borders of Media Hilao Chan not daring to disobey the King's Order fearing to run the same fate of many other Curdistan Lords his Neighbors who unawares offended a Prince that never let any Injury pass unpunish'd went with his Wife and Children and the rest of his Family to the Court where he no sooner arriv'd but the King receiv'd him very graciously telling him that he had great need of his Counsel on all occasions and therefore sent for him to stay by him whil'st his Son should Govern in his stead When the King went from Casbin to Sultania he told him that he would not give him the trouble to follow him in his Journey in respect of his age but order'd him to repair to Ispahan where he expected to find him at his coming thither The Nobility and primest Persons are free from this kind of Servitude Some of the also exceeding the rest in Might and Power are able to bring an Army of ten or twelve thousand Horse into the Field The Powerfullest of the Nobles shew not that Obedience as the Deputies and Subjects to their supream Governors in Europe for theirs consists onely in an acknowledgment that they live under the protection of one of the two Lords for notwithstanding they acknowledge them yet they live free Out of hopes of Gain the Curdes often change their Masters and as Cezy makes mention in his
way of living are separated from the others are call'd Jaques All other People that live so retiredly are either the Wanaprasta's or Sanjasies or Avadoutes The Wanaprasta's go with their Wives and Children into the Wood where they live on Roots and Fruits without doing any kind of Labor Some are of so scrupulous a Conscience that they will not pluck the least Root out of the Ground fearing to sin and be the occasion of disturbing a transmigrated Soul which perhaps might be in the same This kind of living in the Woods is amongst them accounted a great piece of Religion and the Maintainers thereof look'd upon as a very holy People The Sanjasies are a People that pretend to despise the World and all earthly things and are much more retir'd than the Wanaprasta's and are not permitted to Marry to chew Betel or eat and drink above once a day and then not out of Copper but earthen Vessels Moreover they live on the Alms of others They go Cloth'd in Linnen colour'd with red Earth and carry a long Cane in their Hands they may not so much as touch Gold or Silver much less be Possessors of any Money They judge it unholy to stay above one Night in a place and therefore are continually travelling from one place to another They are also oblig'd to conquer five Enemies viz. Cama that is Desire Croota Anger Lopa Covetousness Madda Pride and affection for transitory things and lastly Mattzara Concupiscence In this Conquest they are to persevere all the days of their Lives studying spiritual things Those that lead this kind of Life and are of the Family of the Brahmans are call'd Sanjasies for their excellency but Permaansa if of the Tettrean or Weinsjan Tribe and Jogies of the Soudrean whlch last take more freedom in their manner of living than the true Sanjasies The Avadouta's The Avadouta's being the third sort of Brahmans that live retiredly not onely forsake their Wives and Children like the Sanjasies but pretend to greater Holiness abstaining from many things which the Sanjasies regard not viz. the Avadouta's wear onely a piece of Cotton Cloth before their Privities Their manner of living and some though few nothing at all but go stark naked without the least shame neither do they use Earthen Vessels nor walk with a Cane or any other kind of Staff all which the Heathens look upon as a sign of their Perfection and as a testimony of their despising the World and all things therein They also strew Ashes over their Bodies and when hungry go into a House without speaking and beg Alms by holding out their Hands which the Pagans immediately understanding for they know them by their going naked give them part of what they have in the House which they presently eat up before they stir Some of them will not so much as go into the Street to get Alms but are contented to sit down by some River or other which the Inhabitants accounted holy and there expect such Food as the People that dwell thereabouts will bring them which indeed is done in a plentiful manner for they furnish them with Milk Fruit and other Food because they account it a very pious Work Those amongst the Brahmans that live most reserv'd and are earnest in maintaining of their Law The Boti perform the Office of Priests and are call'd Boti being had in great honor and reputation they live on Alms never Marry despise all transitory things and to all outward appearance live very precisely yet many of them commit most abominable Crimes in secret In most parts of India there reside a pensive sort of People who either through the passion of Love or the death of a Relation whom they highly esteem or some other Misfortune forsaking their native Countreys out of a desperate humor take great Journeys and range about like Vagabonds nothing at all considering or fearing any ill that may befall them These kind of People if Idolaters are call'd Giogi The Giogi otherwise Jogies but if Mahumetans Derwies and Abbali and Abdalla's the last go almost stark naked wearing onely a piece of Leather on their Backs like a Badge and carrying a Staff or Cane in thir Hands Their Habitations and Study These Giogi have no other Dwelling-places than the Portals of the Pagodes or Temples or under the Shades of large Trees or the open Skie They chiefly study Natural Magick and the several Vertues of Herbs Plants and the like as also Sorcery and Conjurations boasting thereby and by Prayer and Fasting to do great Wonders and that they have strange Revelations whenas indeed they attain not to the knowledge of any thing by any other Art than the help of the Devil who appearing to them in several Shapes deludes them nay they have familiar Conversation with him yet imagine the contrary affirming themselves to be onely familiar with certain immortal and unknown Women to the number of forty which they distinguish by their several Shapes and Names assum'd by them They honor them as Goddesses and not onely the Indians but also the Moorish Kings shew them great Reverence keeping great Festivals and making annual Offerings to them in certain deep Pits wherein they say they reside Wherefore if any of these Giogi after long Fasting and Praying can attain to the presence of one of the said Women and by that means have future things reveal'd to them they are for ever after highly esteem'd amongst their Sect but much more if he can attain to that degree of being her Brother or any other step of Relation to her but most of all if he can attain to be her Husband for then he is cry'd up as a Saint and said to have gotten more than humane Nature Live under one Head These Giogi are very exact in their Prognostication and live in common under the Obedience of one supream Head but stand not in that awe of him as the Roman-Catholicks of their Superior neither is he onely respected by his Followers but also held in great esteem by Persons of Quality who also shew Obedience to him kiss his Hands and often stand by him in a melancholy posture to hear him speak accounting his Voice like that of an Oracle The Giogi go all naked onely covering their Privities with a small Lappet They wear their Hair very long and let it hang carelesly over their Shoulders and oftentimes out of a strange superstitious humor paint their Foreheads with Sandal Wood Saffron and other colours either yellow white or red but keep the rest of their Body very neat and clean Another sort of Giogies There are likewise other Giogies who lead a more strict Life but are very slovenly first colouring their Bodies black and afterwards whiting it with a Stone like Chalk They also frequently strew Ashes upon themselves to put them in mind of their mortality They let the Hair of their Heads and Beards grow very long wearing them very carelesly and often
painting them with divers colours which makes them look more like Devils than Men. These Giogi are undoubtedly the same with the ancient Gymnosophists who liv'd after the same manner Vertiaes their manner of life There are also Indians call'd Vertiaes which shave their Heads Peruschi tells us That the Vertiaes live together in great numbers go cloth'd in White with bald Heads and bare Chins for they pluck out the Hair by the Roots leaving onely a little Tuft on the Crown of their Heads They live poorly upon Alms remain single and drink warm Water because they believe the Water to have a Soul and that they should kill that Soul which God hath created if they should drink it cold For the same reason they constantly carry little Brooms or rather Mops in their Hands made of Cotton Thrums with which as they walk they sweep the Ground so to prevent accidental treading on any Animal Wherefore some will not sit down before they have swept the place very carefully where they intend to rest themselves They are under one Supreme Head to the number of a hundred thousand and wear a piece of Cloth of about four fingers broad before their Mouthes with a hole on each side through which they put their Ears Their Opinions They say that the World hath been created many hundred thousands of years and that God in the beginning sent twenty three Apostles and a four and twentieth in this third Age which is not above two thousand years past since which they receiv'd written Laws which before they had not The Opinion of their Sect is written in Books with Surat Letters and Characters There are several other Sects which differ very little from those beforemention'd as the Janjema the Giaugami c. and therefore we will not here any farther particularize concerning them Priviledges of the Brahmans The Brahmans have four things allow'd them in their Vedam or Law-book First They may freely keep the Feast Jagam And Secondly They are permitted to instruct others therein whereas the Weinsja's and Soudra's may neither keep nor learn the manner thereof Their third Privilege is to read the Vedam and teach it to others which is forbidden to all else but especially to the Family of the Weinsja's which may neither read it speak any Words that are in it nor hear them spoken by others nor may they look into the Jastra by which Name all Books are understood which treat of Religion Their fourth Privilege is That they may give Alms if they please and ask the Charitable Benevolence of others And though those of other Families may give Alms yet they are not allow'd to beg They give many Alms. In their Books they write much of giving Alms highly extolling all Charitable Acts though they themselves seldom practise it unless perchance among some few of their fellow Brahmans And if any other Sect happen to come to their Gates or Doors they have nothing but the Word Po Po that is Away away because the Brahmans believe they should be defiled if they should admit the Conversation of any other Tribe Their Office The Office and Exercise of the Brahmans agrees very much with that of the Levites amongst the Jews yet some of them study Astronomy others Physick others are put into Offices by Princes and Governors some teach Children to read write and cypher and all this without receiving any Reward for their Pains But those that are poor and have little to live on may take a small Reward from their Scholars The Brahmans also govern and serve in the Pagodes and notwithstanding the large Munificence of their Kings and though they swallow a third part of the Revenue of the Countrey yet by reason of their great number many of them are very poor and forc'd to beg However the greatest Necessity must not compel them to learn any Trade nor perform any servile Office though for the King himself For if any Brahman should offer to do the same he would not onely be despised by his Companions but excommunicated Nevertheless they are permitted to be employ'd as Secretaries Agents Counsellors and the like for which Businesses they are very fit and few Persons else follow those Employments In former Ages in the time of King Rama-raia the Brahmans according to his Command receiv'd onely one half of the Revenues of the Villages which had been given them before by his Predecessors the other half being receiv'd by the Lords of the Countrey but they have since retriv'd the whole Revenue into their own Hands The Policy of the Brahmans to keep what they have got Sometimes the Countreys or Villages are taken from them which to prevent they use this means viz. When the King hath given them a Village they desire to part it amongst some of their Poor which if granted they have a Letter of License graven on a Copper Plate by vertue of which they make their intended Division And after this such Places are never taken from them by the King or any of his Successors For as they suppose it to be a Duty to do good to the Brahmans which is a Work acceptable to their Gods Wistnow and Eswara whom they serve so they believe likewise that by doing them any prejudice they should offend their foremention'd Deities and incur their heavy displeasure Ceremonies at the Birth of Children The Brahmans never marry out of their own Tribe for those which do so are accounted to be no Brahmans And though any one out of Zeal or to be accounted a Saint be permitted to lead the same course of life as the Brahmans yet they cannot be made Brahmans but must be so born The Brahmans account all Children unclean during the space of ten days after their Birth after the same manner as the Infants and Women in Child-bed amongst the Jews none daring to touch them but those which tend them Moreover the House wherein the Child is born is accounted unclean during the foremention'd time wherefore no Stranger or Friend is permitted to go in till ten days are expir'd after which viz. on the eleventh day the House is made clean and all the Womans Clothes being of Cotton are wash'd all Earthen Vessels are thrown away and the Copper ones scowr'd On the twelfth day they make a Hamam or Fire which they account Holy and throwing Myrrhe into it say several Prayers After the Fire is extinguish'd they give the Child such a Name as is usual amongst them as Mainopa Naraina Beiaewa Damersa Padmanaba Ragoa Tirrenata Marlepa Dewela Tannopa Carpa Wellopa Rama Goyenda Warreda Weinketi or others of that kind The Child thus nam'd they make Holes in the Ears wishing it also much joy and felicity This making Holes in the Ears is not done to hang Jewels therein as many do but is done in compliance with a Promise of Obedience made to Wistnow and Eswara and for a Testimony that they will ever acknowledge them as their
and tearing out the Heart and Liver but if he misses his prey which often happens then he stands still very well knowing it to be in vain to run after them because they are much swifter than himself When the Game is ended the Keeper approaches by Degrees stroaks the Leopard and throwing the Flesh to him blinds his Eyes putting on his Chain and so conveys him into the Wagon again The catching of the Nilgaux or grey Oxen which are a kind of Buffalo's is of no great difficulty for they surround them with a strong Net which they close by degrees and having brought them into a narrow compass the King with his Omrahs and Husbandmen stepping in kill them as they please either by throwing Darts at them or with Bullets Arrows and Swords and in such great numbers that the King sends whole Quarters thereof for Presents to his Omrahs In their catching of Cranes it is very pleasant to see how these Fowls defend themselves against the Birds of prey whom sometimes they kill but very often get from them because the Hawks or Falcons are not so nimble as they in turning and winding The manner of Hunting the Lyon by the Great Mogol But of all their Hunting that of the Lyon is not onely the most Royal for none but the King and Princes may perform the same without special permission but also the most dangerous and is perform'd after this manner viz. When the King is in the Field and the Keepers thereof have discover'd the place where the Lyon keeps they tie an Ass to a Tree near the same the Lyon coming out and devouring the Ass goes afterwards unmolested to seek for some other prey either of Oxen Sheep or whatsoever he can light on then going to drink he comes back to his old place and there rests till the next day when coming forth again he finds another Ass in the same place ty'd there by the Keepers having fed him thus for several days together at last the day before the King is to come to Hunt they tie another Ass in the same place having first given it abundance of Opium that the Flesh thereof may make the Lyon sleep the better then calling in all the Rusticks thereabouts they inclose the Lyon within strong Nets made for that purpose bringing the same by degrees to a small circumference as they do in catching the Nilgaux this done and all things in readiness the King mounts on an Elephant Arm'd with Iron Plates in company of the chief Master Huntsman and some Omrahs all likewise mounted on Elephants several Gourze-berdars and many other Huntsmen on foot Arm'd with Half-pikes and Musquets in which manner approaching the Net they fire at the Lyon who when he feels himself wounded comes directly according to the custom to one of the Elephants but finds himself intangled in the Net where the King shoots at him so long till he hath kill'd him But some Lyons have often been known to leap over the Net to the destruction of many People The Indians account it a good Omen when the King kills a Lyon and a very bad one when he misses him believing the whole State to be in danger if he doth not destroy him They also use great Ceremony at the end of this Hunting for the dead Lyon is brought before the King in presence of all the Omrahs who after they have exactly view'd and measur'd it give an account thereof to the Secretary to Register the same viz. That such a King at such a time kill'd a Lyon of such a bigness and such colour'd Hair and having Teeth and Claws of such a length and all other Circumstances whatever In India they use no Torches or Links as we do here but Copper Fire-pans almost like those which in several Paintings are seen held by infernal Furies In these Pans they feed the Fire with Pitch and the like which makes a great Flame A Servant commonly carries this Fire-pan in a Copper Case with a very long and narrow Neck in stead of a Handle by which he holds the same and still feeds the Flame With fresh Matter The Indians manner of Writing Most Indians especially the Malabars use in stead of Paper to write on the long Leaves of the Coco-tree on which they neatly cut their Letters with an Iron Instrument Their Language As to what concerns the Language of the Indians it onely differs in general from the Moors and Mahumetans but they have also several different Dialects amongst themselves Amongst all their Languages there is none which spreads it self more than the Malayan as shall be declar'd more at large and therefore it will not be amiss in this place to render into English some of their chiefest words A brief Vocabulary of the Malayan Tongue PAckoe To put on Kaelwaer To put off Backasse To worship Minjaot To answer Batturon cabauwa To carry away Carratam pangal To keep off Tarimam To perswade Bangala tana Tilling Oran gouno Husbandmen Sampe To come on Turan cababa To go off Bandagar To hear Backaraga To work Karat To cut off Laing Others Bigitou Also Disoruna There Cassian Poor or Bashful Balacan Behind Lambaet Too late Arry galap Too soon Abis All out Liat To look on Pande To Trade Banan mara O my Thouca Oh his Taua dara Earth or Sand. Piggy darat To go ashore Malan The Evening Samonga Altogether Savou An Anchor Cassion amat Poverty Jabo soau To anchor Tarra kaelwaer To draw off Candati packanita As your self Taugan An Arm. Oupan Carrion to fish with Sendiri All one Kaelwatr darot To Let-blooâ— Badamme To agree Bamanarou onutom To adventure Bapassou To Arrest Yangan to leave off Rawa To bring Nanty Both. Backara mangala To burn Icat To bind Zieron To pour upon Boat adar To prepare Petschaya To borrow Bocaet bae To amend Battan Doelou To feign Semoeny To hide or Keep Tida bishouca To Cough Zouda balanga To bestow Baassap To smoak Trayzion To bathe Peyrzia To break Bayar To pay Moullay To begin Mauncka To desire Bodoy To cheat Tanam To bury Batjagay To inspect Tackana To bewitch Barmayn Foolish Papodan To defend Giget To bite Mangorou To command Bataver To prosper Mintacan To pray Claawaer darat To bleed Betachinta To endeavor Goumartaer To quake Tavar To promise Manaroo To keep Bouta Blind Lebar Broad Kyaey agum A civil Man Dalangh Within Lonaer Without Iddo Blue Attas Above Dibava Below Bayck Better Payit Bitter Rotty Bread Oran pande thicor A Barber Oran pande rotty A Baker Cave cau yan A Bridegroom Macanan minum A Wedding Tampat tidoran A Bedstead Davon A Leaf Backara Beans Pouroot The Belly Casingan bumata A Bladder Pantat The Buttocks Cacky The Legs Janget A Beard Zousou The Breast Addy A Brother Outang Wood. Jambatan A Bridge Gouno A Mountain Binatan A Beast Bongham A Flower Cabon An Orchard Pana A Bough Paen A Tree Kackaer To burn Sarou matta
the new born Reneka and that of the Braman into the Body of a new born Brahman call'd Siamdichemi who coming to age were Marry'd together This Reneka Consort to Siamdichemi had a Sister who was Marry'd to a powerful Ragia call'd Sistraersim with a thousand mighty Arms. Siamdichemi and Reneka going both to a great Wood lying near the River Ganges there built a Straw Hut where they resolv'd to lead a religious Life and feed on nothing but the Fruits of the Field and Trees thus spending their time in Praying without cessation they obtain'd from Mahadeu power to raise the Dead to life again Not long after Reneka according to Mahadeu's Promise was impregnated and bore a beautiful Son which she call'd Prasseram whom they instructed in all pious Exercises and brought him up very religiously insomuch that by the twelfth year of his age he understood the mysterious meaning of all those things which his Father read to him and could readily explain them His Mother had also by her pious Life obtain'd a Cloth which held Water which she daily fetcht in the same out of the River Ganges but on a time going thither as she was wont she espy'd the mighty Ragia Sistraersim with his Consort her Sister and the whole Court riding a Hunting Reneka stepping on one side ask'd one of the Servants who it was that Hunted with so great a Train whereupon the Servant reply'd It is the mighty Ragia Sistraersim with his Queen who not taking any notice of her caus'd her to go mournfully to the Ganges and there to pour forth these sorrowful Complaints O how happy is my Sister and to what a high pitch hath Fortune rais'd her above me she is a Queen and I disconsolate Brahman 's Wife she is stor'd with Riches and Honor I with Poverty and Sorrow O how unequal are these transitory things distributed with how much more delight doth the one spend his days beyond the other After these Complaints ended she went to take up her Cloth full of Water as she us'd to do to carry it to her Hut but it suddenly ran through and would not hold as it had done formerly which made her very sorrowful insomuch that she fear'd to go home and stay'd till almost Sun-setting When Siamdichemi who extreamly long'd for her looking out at the Door saw her stand in a mournful posture whereupon he ask'd her whether she had brought any Water she with a sorrowful Countenance said No relating what had hapned he angrily reply'd Well I am assur'd that you have spoken something in scorn and derision of my pious Life Prasserams of Paresje Rams autaer de zeste and therefore immediately commanded his Son Prasseram to cleave her Head asunder with an Ax but he being mov'd with compassion would not obey till his Father a second time more enrag'd than before commanding him he durst not disobey but cutting her between the Neck and Shoulder she dropt down dead on the Ground whil'st the Father extoll'd his Sons Obedience and his Affections grew to that heighth towards him that he said Prasseram my Son demand of me what thou thinkest fit for I have power to give it thee Prasseram replying said Sir pray do me the favor to raise my Mother from Death and that will be a sufficient Reward for me On which his Father taking up consecrated Water sprinkled the dead Body therewith and having said some Prayers Reneka began again to breathe and stir and soon after rising up said to her Husband Have I ever deserv'd so great a punishment that my Son should be forc'd to become the Murderer of her who next to God had given him Life Have not I ever been careful to do you Service to the utmost of my power Have I not night and day spent my Sighs Groans and Prayers to Mahadeu and willingly undergone all the Pennances that can extend to Piety Have I ever defil'd your Bed or committed Adultery or doth my considering with my self the difference betwixt mine and my Sisters Fortunes deserve so cruel a Death All which Questions Siamdichemi considering curs'd his so rash and sudden act commanded Anger to depart from him and go to its desolate Habitation or else he would not onely banish it out of his own but all other Mens thoughts whereupon Envy immediately forsook him and Love and Unity entring in its place he took Reneka again to be his Wife Moreover Prasseram being so far learn'd in their Religion and the Mysteries thereof though he was but twelve years old that his Father was not able to teach him any more he upon his Father's Command went to Ragia Inder King of the happy Souls in the Realm of Happiness that he might be better instructed by him No sooner was Prasseram departed from his Father but setting himself down on the Ground he laid his Legs across under him with a stedfast resolution to sit in that posture twelve years and spend all that time in Praying to Mahadeu Mean while Reneka serv'd her Husband with her utmost endeavors and the Love between them grew to that heighth that next to Mahadeu there was nothing which she affected more than Siamdichemi when at last the mighty Ragia Sistraersim going a Hunting with his whole Retinue which made a small Army and ranged through several Hills Dales Woods and Mountains came at last to the River Ganges and knowing the Wood where his Wives Sister and her Husband dwelt resolv'd to visit him with his whole Train commanding all his People to pack up their travelling Apparel and other things and Lodge with him at Siamdichemi's Habitation Immediately after all things were made ready they entred into the pious Siamdichemi's Hut and found him in a deep sleep insomuch that he wak'd not with all their noise as beating of Drums sounding of Horns and barking of Dogs but his Wife taking warm Water wash'd the Crown of his Head therewith and so wak'd him Ragia Sistraersim having saluted Siamdichemi told him that he had heard much of his religious Life which had brought him thither with intention to lie there that Night with all his Followers and to Sup with him Siamdichemi was not a little troubled hereat not knowing how to feed so many thousand People but remembring that Ragia Inder kept the white Cow Camdoga and that those which have the same in their House should want for nothing he therefore earnestly implor'd Inder to lend him the same for a small time that these People might see what it was to be pious and that the Religious never want for any thing Inder granting his Request immediately sent the white Cow with Orders to run directly through the Woods to Samdichemi's poor Hut where coming she was by him receiv'd and ty'd by a small Cord. The time to eat being come Siamdichemi desir'd Ragia Sistraersim that he would be pleas'd with his Retinue to seat himself whil'st he fetch'd them Meat asking also what they would please to have desiring each Person to
Rivers of Indus and Ganges which with their Branches water the whole Countrey like a Garden besides many other Rivers which make this Countrey exceeding fertile The Tract of Land from Surat to Brampore is exceeding pleasant and full of Rivulets and Springs but the way from Brampore to Agra is Mountainous and troublesom for the Camels to Travel yet it is free from Robbers The Countrey affords good Wheat Rice and Barley besides many other sorts of Grain and Bread-Corn which may be bought at easie Rates Of the Wheat which is fuller and whiter than the European the Inhabitants bake good and savory Bread upon the Lid of a Pot which hangs over the Fire The Countrey is beautified with many Woods Orchards and Gardens Yet nevertheless in this vast Tract of Land are many Places which are nothing but sulphureous and unfruitfut Mountains and therefore uncultivated and desolate From Cambay to Lahor are sandy barren and unfrequented Desarts but twenty Leagues on this side of Lahor the Ground is fruitful and fat There are very few Springs or Rivulets in all this way and nought but dry Sand which being often rais'd by impetuous Winds up into the Air blows into Travellers Eyes and is ready to smother them partly by reason of these great Wildernesses where there is no Provisions nor Water to be had For fear of robbing most People in India travel in great Companies which the Arabians call Caravans and the Persians Cafila sometimes to the number of four or five thousand People Caravan in the Arabick signifies properly a Company of Travellers Out of the whole Caravan they chuse a Guide who when it is time to proceed forward on their Journey beats three times upon a Drum at the first beating they put up all the Tents under which they sleep in the Night at the second beating they prepare their Camels and Wagons and at the third they set forward When they travel in the Night to prevent all Persons from going astray they give notice by beating on Drums when they shall stand still as also when they meet with any Water-pits by the way which sometimes are digg'd above forty Cubits deep out of which they draw the Water with Oxen. Indostan supplied with Elephants and Horses from other Parts There are many Elephants in the Mogol's Dominions which are us'd in War and for other occasions of the King and the Nobility they also serve them for Carriage in stead of Camels of which there are but few And though the Elephants do not breed here yet they are brought hither in great numbers from the Kingdom of Bengala and Siam and from the Island of Zeilan There are also few Horses or Mules here but what are brought from Persia and Arabia Those Horses that breed here are small and well-truss'd like those of Norway fit to carry Loads like the Asses of which there are great numbers in the Countrey There also many Buffaloes which are put to very hard Work Their Flesh is not edible but their Milk is accounted very wholesom especially for sick People Caravanseras or Houses of Entertainment In the Countreys of Indostan and Surat are no Inns to entertain Travellers onely in the greatest and chiefest Towns and in some Villages are uninhabited Houses in the Arabick call'd Caravansera's that is Caravan-houses otherwise Serrays or Sarraas which are whole Streets and Wards appointed for strange Merchants and other Travellers who take up what Rooms they please and put Locks upon them Each Caravansera hath a Backal or Porter who at set times every Evening locks up the outward Gates which are not opened till the Sun rises This Porter also keeps a Cooks Shop where Travellers may either have Meat ready dress'd or dress it themselves When they set forward on their Journey again and leave the Town they pay a Jeckas of Copper for a Beast to carry their Goods besides their Diet. But in the Caravanseras which are built in the Countrey they need not give any thing for their Lodging whilst the have their Meat from the Porter but these words Salom alecun Peace be with you These Serrays or Caravanser as are built by some eminent People out of Charity for the accommodation of Strangers Idostan very rich Hindostan possesses great quantities of Gold and Silver notwithstanding it hath neither Gold nor Silver Mines but is all brought thither by Strangers never returning out again For they melt down the European or Forreign Coins and recoin them with the Mogol's Stamp Moreover all Ships as well Indian as English Portuguese and Hollanders which carry Commodities yearly from Hindostan to Pegu Tanasseri Siam Zeilan Achem Maoassar Maldives and other Places carry also much Gold and Silver back to Hindostan the Hollanders also carry great quantities of Silver thither from Japan Lastly for all the Gold and Silver which is transported thither from England Holland and Portugal nothing comes in return thereof from thence but Commodities the Money being all kept in the Countrey They have no Pepper Copper Cloves Nutmegs Cinnamon Lead Cloth nor several other Commodities but what are brought from Japan the Molucco Islands Zeilan and Europe Moreover Hindostan is destitute of Fruits which are carried thither from Samarcand Balk Bocara and Persia as Almonds Apples Pears Grapes Raisins which are sold all the Winter long at Dely though very dear They have also from the foremention'd Places several sorts of dry'd Fruits as Almonds Pistachioes Nuts Plums Apricocks Raisins c. There are also little Sea-Cockles taken near the Island of Maldivia which in Bengala and other places go currantly for small Money They have also Ambergreece from the same Island and from Mozambick and likewise Rhinocerots Horns Elephants Teeth Ethiopian Slaves Musk Porcelane Pearls besides many other Commodities The Indians manner of Sailing Texeira affirms That the Mogol's Ships carry greater Burdens than those of Europe and may be compar'd to those Gallions of the Grand Signior which go from Constantinople to Alexandria but are built after another fashion They use neither the Compass nor Quadrant but Sail from India to Persia Bassora Mocha Mozambick Mombas Sumatra Macassar and other Places onely by the help of the North-Star and the Rising and Setting of the Sun The Inhabitants of Indostan There are divers sorts of People in the Great Mogol's Dominions the Chiefest and most numerous whereof being the Natives are Heathens or Idolaters and next them the Moors otherwise call'd Mahumetans from Mahomet the Instituter of their Religion also Mogols or Mogolleans from the Tartar Tribe Mogol from which the real Mogolleans are deriv'd for not all those which at this day bear the name of Mogols are extracted from the Tartar Mogols but also those are call'd Mogols who though Mahumetans are in the Mogol's Service notwithstanding they are Turks Persians or Arabians But there are generally a hundred Heathens to one Mahumetan The Inhabitants of Indostan were anciently all Heathens and are generally call'd Hindoes or Hindous but
by the English and Hollanders Indostans They shave off all the Hair of their Heads but the Baldness thereof is not seen because they always keep them cover'd with Tulbants which they never take off in saluting one another as we do our Hats The Manufacture of the Countrey The Handicrafts Men of this Countrey though naturally lazy follow their Employments very close being either forc'd thereto by necessity or otherwise and make Carpets Embroideries Cloth of Gold and Silver and all manner of Silk and Cotton Stuffs and Linnen which is worn in the Countrey and transported to other Places The Great Mogol or King is necessitated by reason of his many Inland and Forreign Enemies to keep continually a mighty Army as well in time of Peace as War a considerable Body whereof are always near his Person either of Natives as are the Rajas and Patans which for several Reasons he is necessitated to keep in his Service as is before mention'd more at large or chiefly of Mogollers as he himself is or at least those which are taken for such though indeed Strangers For the King's Court is not now as formerly all of real Mogols deriv'd from Tartary neither are those which officiate in Offices and Places of Honor in the Wars all of the Tribe of the Mogols but are Strangers and People of other Nations most or them Persians some Arabians others Turks of their Children though the Children or the third and fourth Generation of the Mahumetans before-mention'd are not so much honor'd and esteem'd as the new-come Mahumetans and are but seldom preferr'd to any Degree of Honor and therefore seem very well satisfied to be ordinary Troopers or Foot-Soldiers It is sufficient in these later times for any one to be accounted a Mogollean though he be a Stranger if he haue but a white Face and be of the Mahumetan Religion to distinguish him from the Indians who are brown and Heathens as also from the Christians of Europe who are call'd Franks or Franguis The Mogol is necessitated to keep strange Soldiers that go by the name of Mogols as we said before because the chief Power of his State consists therein but it stands him in an incredible Charge The strange Soldiers as well Horse as Foot are divided into two Parties whereof one is continually near him and the other scatter'd up and down into all the Provinces In the Troops which attend the Mogol are first Omrah's which are the highest Officers in the second Place Mansehdars in the third Rouzindars The Omrahs Children inherit not their Fathers Estates The Omrahs or Lords of the Mogol's Court are not as we might suppose the Sons of Omrahs or of the House or Family of Noblemen inheriting their Fathers Estates and Honors as here and in France for since all the Lands in the Kingdom are the Kings it follows that there are neither Noblemen nor any other Families that have Estates in Lands Goods or Offices by Inheritance Insomuch that the Children or at lest the Nephews of the most powerful Omrahs are after their Fathers deaths reduc'd to great Poverty and forc'd to List themselves for Common Troopers under the Command of other Omrahs Indeed the Mogol commonly leaves a small part of the Estate to the Widows and sometimes to the Children But if their Father lives long they are oftentimes promoted by him especially if they are well-shap'd handsom-bodied have white Faces and not having gotten too much of the Indian Customs pass for real Mogols Though of late this kind of preferring their Children hath been less observ'd than formerly by reason it is become a general Custom to rise from small Offices to great ones and accordingly their Pay is more and more advanc'd Therefore these Omrahs are nought but Adventurers and Strangers of all Nations and Degrees nay sometimes Slaves who going to serve at the Court are by the Mogol for some or other piece of good Service promoted to that Degree of Honor of which they are again bereav'd at his pleasure Amongst these Omrahs are some call'd Hazary others Dou-Hazary and others Penge Hecht and Deh-Hazary The King 's Eldest Son was also a Dovazdeh Hazary that is A Lord or Commander over 10 or 12000 Horsemen The number of the Omrahs reckoning as well those which are scatter'd up and down in the several Provinces as those which attend at Court is very great and not justly to be set down At the Court are generally from 25 to 30000. The Office and State of an Omrah These Omrahs attain to the chiefest Places at the Court and Offices in the Army and are accounted the Supporters of the Realm and Splendor of the Court They never come into the Street but in very rich Apparel riding either on Elephants Horses or in a Palanquin and attended by a great number of Horsemen which keep Guard before their Houses besides several Footmen who going before and on each side of them make room and by fanning them keep off the Wasps Flies and Dust with the Wings of Peacocks All those that are at Court are bound on pain of forfeiting some of their Sallary to appear twice a day before the King when he sits on his Throne or else visit him every Morning at eleven a Clock and every Evening at six Moreover they are oblig'd to watch once a Week in the Castle by turns for the space of twenty four Hours and therefore carry their Beds Carpets and other Houshold-stuff with them the King providing nothing for them but meat which they receive with great Ceremony viz. they bow three times with their Faces towards his Chamber first holding their Hands over their Heads and next on the Ground They are also oblig'd to attend on the King to all Places when he goes abroad what Time or Weather soever it be either in Palanquins on Elephants or on Tacravans or Thrones carried each of them on eight Mens Shoulders Yet nevertheless the King favors some by reason of their peculiar Offices their Age or Indisposition or to avoid too great Attendance as he doth commonly when he goes a Hunting or to some Banquetting-house near the City or rather when he goes into his Mosque for then he takes no other with him than those that have the Guard that day The Mansebdars Mensebdars are Officers of those Troops Manseb and have a competent Salary yet not comparable to that of the Omrahs but exceeding those of inferior Degrees and therefore they are accounted little less than Omrahs being in the degree of those which are next to that Preferment and the rather because they acknowledge no Superior but the King and are in general oblig'd to do all things which the Omrahs do nay they would be perfect Omrahs had they but a considerable number of Horses under their Command but they have onely six which wear the King's Badges and their Salary also is generally no more than from five to seven hundred Ropies a Month. The number of them being
as big as a Hens Egg about his Neck hung four Strings of Pearl each Pearl being as big as a Musquet Bullet When he sat on his Throne he us'd commonly to order his Elephants Horses Dromedaries Camels and Mules to be drawn by him to see if they were all fed and kept as they ought excepting onely the Tsam-days on which he gave audience to all Persons of what Degree soever Rising from the Throne he retires to a place call'd Gosselchanne where none but his chief Nobles may appear except those which are call'd by his Majesty The Walls of this Edifice are of white Alabaster inlay'd with golden Flowers and the Floors cover'd with Carpets Near this place stands a Pond of clear Water which runs into the same through golden Pipes very curiously made Near this Tank or Pond stands also an invaluable Throne though low made after the manner of a Footstool with four Feet This place also is the King's Treasury for his Jewels which he often looks upon there and also sits here in Council about State Affairs after which he repairs to his Haram or Seraglio where he spends his time commonly till Evening in seeing his Concubines Dance and hearing them Sing with other such like Pastimes then the King to delight himself the more causes two Elephants to fight after which he goes to the Gosselchane where the Nobles must again appear before him and wish him a good Night the King having first commanded one of them with ten or twelve of his trustiest Servants to watch at his Chamber His Entertainment of Ambassadors The King also to Entertain foreign Ambassadors causes Lyons Tygers and Bulls to fight one against another or with noble and valiant Men who would be accounted the Heroes of the Countrey or else fight to gain the Mogol's Favor Next a Tygar being let in a strong Person entred the Lists to encounter him but the Tygar being too subtil and nimble leap'd suddenly upon him first tearing out his Throat and afterwards his whole Body In the third place a little Man of mean aspect entring the Lists ran undauntedly like a Mad-man to the Tygar and at the first Encounter cut off both his fore Feet which forcing him to fall he gave him his mortal Wound Whereupon the King calling to him ask'd him his Name he answer'd Geiby then the King immediately order'd one of his Servants to carry him a Cloth of Gold Cambay or Coat who when he deliver'd it to him said Geiby receive this Coat which the Mogol of his Bounty hath sent you He receiving the Coat with great humility kiss'd it seven times pressing it each time upon his Eyes and Breast and soon after holding it up Pray'd to himself for the Mogol's prosperity which done he cry'd aloud God grant the Mogol to grow as great as Tamerlane from whom he is deriv'd may he live 700 years and his Generation continue for ever No sooner had he utter'd his Wishes but he was conducted by an Eunuch to the King and coming near the place where his Majestry sat he was receiv'd by two Chans and brought before him to kiss his Feet and at his going away the King said to him Be prais'd Geiby Chan for your heroick Exploit this Name you shall keep for ever I am your favorable Lord and you my Vassal The Mogol also keeps several tame Lions which walk up and down peaceably like Dogs at the Court amongst the People never hurting any yet they have Keepers that always have an Eye over them The Mogol possesses an incredible and unvaluable Mass of Treasure having according to report in ready Money in his Treasury seventeen Caroor or Caroras each Carora being a thousand Tun of Gold besides Jewels and other Rearities Purchas affirms the Revenue of his whole Realm to amount to fifty Crous Ropias or five thousand Lecks that is seven Millions and a half yearly of English Money The King's Revenuâ—s According to the testimony of the King's Books of Accompts the Countreys and Realms of Candahar Habove Cassamier Chasane Bannazad Guzeratte Sinde Hatta Ganday Barampour Bengala Orixa Odillo Maloveagra witht he adjacent Places and Delly afford him yearly six Areb and ninety eight Carroras or according to the Accompt of the Countrey a hundred and seventy Caroor and forty five Lack or Leck or a hundred seventy four Millions and five thousand Ropias or nineteen Millions a hundred ninety five thousand pound Sterling In the Treasury at Agra as it is suppos'd is in Gold six hundred Lecks of Eckbars Seraphins which are ten Copias and ten thousand more which are not above half that value besides all which there are thirty thousand Tols each worth a silver Ropie twenty five thousand pieces of another Coin each worth ten Tols and fifty thousand of another sort each worth five Tols In this Treasury likewise is thirteen Crous Eckbars Ropias fifty thousand pieces of another Coin each worth a hundred Tols forty thousand pieces each of thirty Tols thirty thousand each of twenty Tols twenty thousand more each of ten and a hundred thousand each of five besidâ—s two Lecks Savoys and one Leck Jagrys This Treasury incloses also a Batman and a half in Diamonds of which some are rough but the least two Carats and a half in weight two thousand Rubies Balais two Batmans in Pearls two Batmans of Rubies of all sorts and five Batmans of Smaragdes of all sorts besides a great quantity of Topazes Coral and the like almost invaluable There are also two thousand two hundred golden Swords beset with Precious Stones two thousand Ponyards full of Gold and Precious Stones besides an incredible number of Gold and Silver Arms and two thousand Batmans worth of Golden Dishes and other Vessels and a thousand Batmans more in other wrought Gold In Lahor is another very rich Treasury The Mogol keeps a great part of his Riches in six strong Castles viz. in that of Agra Guallier Ratomboe Hassier and Boughtaz His Throne in the Royal Metropolis Lahor is of massie Gold Inlay'd with Precious Stones and richly Enammell'd Likewise the Throne at his Court in Agra which Schach Selim made is beset with Precious Stones and Pearls worth many Millions The Architect of this last was one Augustine Hiriart a Frenchman All the Ground and Land of the whole Countrey is the Kings own so that no Man possesses a Foot of Land but through his favor The King gives to each of his Commanders and Grandees that are in his Countrey certain Lands Lordships and Revenues for which they are oblig'd excepting onely one Third which is the Kings to maintain a certain number of Soldiers as well in time of Peace as War as also some Elephants Horses Camels and Leopards When a Nobleman dies all his Goods not onely what was given him by the King but also what he purchas'd himself falls again to the Mogol who commonly leaves their Widows the Horses and Housholdstuff and gives to the Children some Place of note
murder their Fathers are ty'd to the Tail of an Elephant and dragg'd along the Streets so long till they die Others are kill'd by Elephants wild Beasts and Serpents No Malefactor lies above one Night in Prison and sometimes not at all for if he be apprehended in the Morning he is immediately carry'd before a Judge who either discharges him or passes Sentence upon him which if it be to be whipt he is immediately stript naked receiving his punishment in the presence of the Judge if to die they instantly carry him to the Bazar or Market-place This sudden way of punishing Offenders keeps the People in such awe that they seldom commit any Crime to deserve it The King's Robes given to the Omrahs It is said that the Mogol never wears a Sute of Clothes above one day after which he sends the same with great Ceremony to such Omrahs as are his Favorites who account it a great honor to be clad in the King's Robes He is weigh'd upon his Birth-day The Mogols Birth-day is kept as a great Festival on which he is weigh'd in the Scale against some Jewels Gold Silver Cloth of Tissue Butter Rice Fruit and many other things each of them successively being put into the Ballance all which falls to the Mollas or Priests share This is done in great state whil'st several Elephants hung with Chains Bels Gold and Silver Caparisons and Breastplates beset with Rubies and Emeraulds are brought before him From the weight of the King of which the Physicians take an exact Account they boast to know his Abilities When the Mogol is thus weigh'd he throws small pieces of Silver amongst the Spectators as also some Gold in the form of Flowers Cloves or Nutmegs but very thin and hollow which done he drinks with his Nobles Their way of Salutation The usual Salutation which the Indians shew to their King as also to one another is in the Persian Tongue call'd Teslim in the Indian Sumback and by a corrupt Name amongst the Europeans Sombaya The manner of Salutation is perform'd with the right Hand without taking off their Turbants with which they almost touch the Ground and lifting it up again very leisurely to their Mouthes as if they would kiss it and so still higher and higher by degrees till they hold it above their Heads After the same manner but with both Hands folded together they Salute and shew Reverence to their Gods and other Consecrated things The Indian Heathens in stead of wishing one another Health or a good Day salute one another with the Name of their Idol Ram. The Reverence they shew to their Prince When the King 's Vice-Roys come to the Court or any other place where he is they bow down their Heads to the Ground and touch the same with their Hands after which approaching him by degrees they bow several times one after another till they are very near him when they are search'd by those whose Office it is to see if they carry any Arms about them after which they go to touch his Feet whil'st he stands as if immovable The greatest sign of Friendship that he can shew them is to lay his Hand on their Shoulders Moreover the rest of the Kings of India who are not his Substitutes when they speak of him bow their Heads in sign of Reverence All the Mogol's Provinces are Govern'd by Sultans or Vice-Roys either Moors Heathens or others In the chiefest Towns and Sea-Ports are three Governors or Officers of the Kings viz. the Omar or Nabab who is the Governor or Lord of the City the Governor of the Castle and the King 's Confident call'd Vakea Nevis who oversees the other two The Omar being the Lord of the City Commands also in the Countrey round about and takes care to receive the Customs Excises and other Revenues of which he gives an Account to the King He bears the Title of Nabab which signifies My Lord and keeps two Deputies viz. one in the Countrey call'd Cavasioram whose Office it is with several hundred Bow-men to keep the Ways clear from Robbers and the other in the City nam'd Cotonal or Cutwal who performs the Office of Provost-Marshal seising on all Malefactors and committing them to Prison but his Power extends not without the Liberty of the City except by express order from the Governor The Omar or Nabab Treats of Peace and Matters of Traffique on the Boundaries and Sea-coasts Amongst them also is a Sabandar or Master of the Cinque-Ports The Governor of the Castle who seldom comes out of his Fortress takes upon him the Title of Omar The King 's chief Officers in Cities and Sea-Ports and may refuse the Nabab entrance into the Fort if he comes thither without the King's Order or with too great a Train He also orders the People to Watch and Ward causes the Drums to beat and Trumpets to sound three times a day and as often in the night at each time an hour and a half The Vakea Nevis or Inquisitor General takes notice of the Actions of the Nabab the Governor of the Castle and other eminent Officers inquires into all disorders and informs the Mogol by Letters every eighth day of what happens in that time in the City where he resides The Mahumetan Princes never give any Lands to their Officers for Inheritance nor do they enjoy their Employments any longer than their Princes please The Mogol's Eldest Son inherits the Crown unless for some misdemeanor or want of ability he is by the Father in his Life-time and with the Consent of his Council judg'd undeserving thereof The Indians derive their right of Inheritance from the Mothers side notwithstanding the Men commonly have the whole Conduct of the Realm as being fittest to command Of the Name and Title of Mogol The reason of the Name Mogol THey give their King the Name of Mogol because he is extracted out of a Tribe or Family of the Giagatian Tartars for there are many Tribes of Tartars which is properly call'd Mogol and belongs to the City Samarcand in the Province Giagata or Zagatai otherwise Usbeck which is the ancient Sogdiane and in the Persian Maps call'd Soghd For this reason many of his Subjects and especially the Mahumetan Soldiers which are in his Service though Native Indians call themselves Mogols or Mogolleans because they are deriv'd out of Tartary It s signification Terry tells us That the Name or Title of Mogol signifies Circumcised as he himself is and all the Mahumetans and from hence he is call'd the Great Mogol as being the Chief of the Circumcis'd Some also call him the Emperor of the Ganges The Provinces and Countreys between the Bay of Cambaya and that of Bengala as Telengone or the Kingdom of Visiapour Decan Golconda and many other Territories were not Govern'd in ancient Times by peculiar Princes but by one Supreme Head or by two at the most viz. The Southern Parts were Govern'd by the
restor'd Hamayon to his Kingdom and slew the Rebel Xyrcan A Tartarian Prince settles in India and becomes Founder of the Royal Family there Della Valle writes That a Nephew of one of the Tartarian Princes after Tamerlane had distributed his vast Dominions amongst his Children and Grandchildren travell'd over the Mountain Imaus or Taurus to seek his Fortunes in India at a Prince's Court who possess'd a great part of the Countrey where by means of the chiefest Persons in the Kingdom and many good Services done for the State he so insinuated himself that he got firm footing in the Countrey insomuch that in process of time and several vicissitudes one of his Successors attain'd to the Throne and was made the Founder of the Royal House which Reigns at present and of which Schach Selim who Reign'd about the Year 1620 was the Fourth The Successor of Hamayon Myrza was his Son Gelaladin Eckbar or Ackbar or Akebar otherwise Achabar that is Great or Most powerful Peruschi calls him Mahomet Zelabdin He was born in a Territory call'd Chaquata which lies Northward between the Tartars and Persians and borders Southward upon India SCHACH SELIM Ecbars Death and Character This Eckbar dy'd on the twenty seventh day of October Anno 1605. in the sixty third year of his Age He was belov'd by all his Subjects fear'd by his Nobles and courteous to all he deported himself with equal moderation to Strangers and to the Natives whether Christians Mahumetans or Heathens which oblig'd all Parties to him and rendred them devoted to his Service He Pray'd to God constantly every Morning and Evening Noon and Midnight abhorr'd Cruelties insomuch that by virtue of a Law made by him none were to die unless Sentence had been pronounc'd against them three times and easily pardon'd Criminals if they could but make any reasonable Excuse Mean Presents he receiv'd with as great kindness as those of biggest value regarding onely the good will of the Presenter He fed sparingly eating Flesh not above three or four times in a year the rest of the time his Diet being Rice Milk and Preserves He gave Audience to his Subjects and others twice a day out of a Window He could neither Write nor Read yet nevertheless understood very well all the Affairs of his Realm for the News that his Deputies writ him from all Places he caus'd to be read to him as also several Books He made strict enquiry of Strangers concerning the Power of their Princes and manner of Traffick He order'd a silver Bell to be hung at a Chain of fifteen yards long to the end that all those who could not obtain Justice from his Officers should come and complain to him thereof giving him notice of their being there by pulling the Bell which he no sooner heard but immediately came forth and saw that they had Right done them He had three Sons and two Daughters the eldest who succeeded him in his Throne was Scieco to which as a Title of Honor was added Gio which in the Countrey Language signifies Soul so that Scieco-Gio signifies The Soul or Person of Scieco The second was call'd Pahari by Jarrick Sultan Morad and by Peruschi Sultan Horad who being deliver'd to some Jesuits to be instructed by them in the Romish Religion was slain in the Wars of Decan The third was call'd Dan or Daniel Texeira calls the eldest Xequa Patxa the second Pary Patxa who dy'd of some Distemper Anno 1602 and the third Sabelxa Patxa But the eldest is by Purchas Della Valle and others generally call'd Selim. Scieco Gio succeeds his Father by the Name of Schach Selim. When Scach Selim was born his Father nam'd him Sceichu for Eckbar who till that time had no Male issue believ'd that he had obtain'd him from God by the Prayers of one Schach a Man accounted very holy and religious But his Father about the twelfth or thirteenth year of his Age changing his first Name according to the Custom of the Countrey call'd him Schach Selim which in the Arabick signifies A Peaceable King supposing this Name to agree best with his Temper and Disposition On the the eighth day after Eckbar's Death Selim in the beginning of his Reign to gain the favor and good opinion of the Mahumetans whom he had promis'd to defend their Laws caus'd their Temples to be cleans'd and took upon him the Name of Nurdin Mahumed Jahanair or according to Della Valle Nura Eddin Muchamed Gihon Ghir that is The Light of the Belief of Mahomet and Conqueror of the World because he publickly declar'd to be a Mahumetan notwithstanding in his heart he neither esteem'd Mahomet nor his Laws nor did he regard any Religion yet he kept the Name of Schach Selim by which he was call'd amongst the common People This Scach Selim amongst all his Women had one who was acknowledg'd as a Queen and being honor'd above all the Ladies of his Court bore a great sway nothing being done in the Kingdom but by her Conduct and Power She was a native Indian but of Persian Blood viz. Daughter to a Persian who deserting his native Countrey came into India to serve the Great Mogol as many Persians do who for the many good Services which he had done him made him a Chan and Vice-Roy of a Province A Persian Lady gains to be made Queen by her resolute Carriage This Queen was first Marry'd to another Persian Nobleman who was also in the Mogol's Service after whose Death by some means or other she came acquainted with Schach Selim who falling in love with her desir'd her to go into his Haram or Seraglio amongst his other Concubines which she modestly refusing said That she had once been the Wife of one who in all Places had given proofs of his Valor being never daunted by any of his Enemies Moreover that she was the Daughter of such a Father as accounted Honor the greatest Good wherefore she could never be brought to forget her self so much as to be guilty of any unchaste Action neither would her Birth and Quality permit her to be put into the King 's Haram and us'd as a common Slavess but if the King had so great an Affection for her as to make her his lawful Consort she should never be wanting in the Duty which she ow'd to the King but at all times be subject and ready to obey his Commands This her bold Answer so incens'd the King that it wanted very little but he had forc'd her to Marry one of those Persons call'd Halalchor who are those that without scruple eat of all sorts of Meat and are the most despicable and scorn'd People of all India yet nevertheless she remain'd so firm and constant that she resolv'd rather to die than change her Mind The King more and more overcome by her Beauty at last consulted to Marry her as his lawful Wife and caus'd her to be acknowledg'd as Queen and chief of all the King 's Haram which
in publick with his own Hand but however it hapned Chosrou died an untimely and violent death and left a young Son call'd Sultan Bulachi Chorrom rebells against his Father Schach Selim inform'd hereof and exceedingly enrag'd against Sultan Chorrom sent for him to Court to give satisfaction for the Murder which he had committed But Chorrom not regarding his Father's Command rais'd all his Forces to fight against him and not only forc'd his own Subjects to take up Arms but also the Inhabitants of other Towns which were not under his Jurisdiction as those of Cambaya and other Places and having gotten an indifferent Army accompanied by some petty Indian Princes he march'd to Agra which he plunder'd and ruin'd a second time his Soldiers committing greater Outrages and Cruelties than before perhaps in revenge of the loss which they sustain'd in Storming of the Castle in vain with the loss of many of their Men by reason of the valiant resistance of the Besieg'd Anno 1624. Chorrom being defeated fled with some of his Men to the Dominions of Cub Schiah where Selim not prosecuting him any further permitted him to live in quiet He also defeated the Governor of Cambaya and put another of his Favorites in his stead Some relate the death of Ecbar and that which hapned concerning the Inheritance of the Kingdom by his eldest Son Selim thus Another Relation of Ecbar's death and Selim's Reign Ecbar having subdu'd many Indian Princes which Govern'd Indostan and taken from them the Kingdoms of Candahor Cabul Cassamier Chassenie Benazard Guzuratte Sinda or Tata Ganhees Barampour Baror Bengala Orixa Oda Malouw Agra Deli and reduc'd them to Provincial Governments he undertook the conquering of Decan Mean while Selim whom Ecbar had made General over another Army to subdue Radzia Rana and Mardout rebelling with all his Forces declar'd himself against the King his Father with whom he made Peace again a little before his death For when Ecbar had concluded to poyson one Myrza Gazia and had caus'd two Pills to be prepar'd the one of which was onely for purging of himself and the other which was of Poyson intended to be given to the said Prince Myrza he mistaking in the choice of them took that himself which he had prepar'd for his Adversary At last growing sensible of his mistake and lying on his Death-bed he set his Tulbant on the Head of Selim and also gave him the Sword of Homayon Ecbar's Father and Selim's Grandfather declaring him thereby his Successor Yet nevertheless the Chiefest of the Nobility divided themselves into Factions and Parties after his death which was in the sixtieth Year of his Reign the one chusing the Side of Sultan Corsorronne eldest Son to Selim under pretence that Ecbar had declar'd him his Successor but this Party not long after better considering with themselves the danger they incurr'd suddenly strook up a Peace Yet they forc'd Selim a second time to take up Arms though with the like ill success on their part for their Forces were all destroy'd and Corsorronne himself taken Prisoner and carried to the Castle of Lahor on an Elephant the Boughs being lopp'd off the Trees on the Way as he pass'd that so he might the better see the dismembred Bodies and Heads of those that were of his Party and laid there on purpose to make the Tragedy appear the more terrible to him and him the more sensible of his Father's displeasure Not long after those of the same Party as Myrza Fetulha Myrza Charrief Son to Ethamandaulet whom Sir Thomas Roe calls Etima Doulet Myrza Mouradin and Myrza Ziafferbek contriv'd a Plot against King Selim intending to surprise him in the Mountains of Cabul through which he was to pass and to proclaim Sultan Corsorronne in his stead But they losing their opportunity the King soon after was inform'd thereof and caus'd all the Conspirators to be put to death except Ethamandaulet who bought his Life for two thousand Lek Ropias The King likewise concluded upon advice of Myrza Ombrawe his Son to bereave Sultan Corsorronne of his Sight with the Juyce of an Herb call'd Aok but that onely put out one of his Eyes A short time after this Ethamandaulet with his Daughter Mermetzia Widow to Cheer-affghan were carried to Agra to pay the foremention'd promis'd Sum of Money whither being come Mermetzia went often to see Sultane Rockia Mother to King Selim at one of which Visits the King meeting her in his Seraglio whither Rockia had brought her with her Daughter of five or six years of Age he lifting up her Vail and looking in her Face said That he would be glad to be the Father of such a Daughter and also declar'd his Affection to her Shortly after he sent a Messenger to her Father Ethamandaulet to request his Daughter in Marriage to which her Father consenting he married her with the usual Ceremonies and chang'd her Name of Mermetzia into that of Nourziam Begem that is Light of the World or as Sir Thomas Roe and Della Valle affirm she was nam'd Nurmahal or Nourmahal that is Light of the Court or Seraglio Sultan Chorrom also caus'd his * Chosrou or Corsorronne for they seem to be the same beforemention'd eldest Brother who was committed to his charge to be murder'd judging thereby as he suppos'd to have secur'd himself of the Realm and being impatient to stay any longer plotted with Afaschan whose Daughter he had married to rob the Mogol of his Treasure In which Enterprise failing he proclaim'd War against his Father which he prosecuted to his dying day In the interim Nurmahal sent Sultan Scheriar her Son to Lahor to settle him in the Throne and endeavor'd to get the Militia to side with him But Afaschan whose aim was to place the Crown on Chorrom's Head inform'd him of this Alteration whilst he to keep the Army under his Command advised Bolak otherwise call'd Bulachi Son to Sultan Corsorronne to proclaim himself King by the assistance of the Chiefest Officers which were of his Party in the Army and gave the Guards to his Sister But Scheriar being defeated before Chorrom's coming thither and taken was with Sultan Bolak and many other Princes of the Blood-Royal bereav'd both of Sight and Life Mean while King Selim died Anno 1627. being the last Pretender of the Successors of Tamerlane for the rest which out of ambition aspir'd to Govern after him were wholly cut off This Selim had no Lands in Tartary except those which lay beyond the Mount Gerauny Chorrom succeeds Selim. After the death of Selim Chorrom coming to the Crown was call'd Schach Bedin Mahomet and took upon him the Title of Chagehan or Schach Jehan otherwise Schach Geaan that is King of the World He repos'd great confidence in Afaschan and out of the Respect he bore him pardon'd his Sister Normahal He was a comely Person pretty tall full Fac'd and of a sallow Complexion He was a Mahumetan as also some of his
let slip so fair a one as this but immediately set forward on his March and came safe to Bagnaguer without being known or taken for any other than an Agent sent from Schach Jehan The King of Golconda inform'd of this pretended Ambassador came out as he was accustom'd to receive him honorably in a Garden when falling into the hands of his Enemies he was set upon by ten or twelve Gurgus or Slaves who had secur'd his Person as was design'd had not an Omrah having compassion on the King cry'd Doth not your Majesty see that this is Oranchzef get away otherwise you will be made Prisoner which exceedingly amazing the King he stept forward and with full speed rode to the Fort of Golconda lying not above a Mile from thence which when Oranchzef saw he was not much concern'd thereat because he well knew that Emir would not come with his Army to the King's assistance and therefore possest himself of the Royal Palace and took away all things of any value which he found there yet he sent the King all his Women which is a thing strictly observ'd throughout all India and besieg'd him in his Castle but because the Siege continu'd too long for his Stores of which he had brought but a few with him and also receiving Orders from Schach Jehan to repair to Decan though the Castle was just upon surrendring he was forc'd to raise it Notwithstanding he very well knew that Darasja and Begum had prevail'd with his Father to give this Order for fear he should grow too powerful yet he shew'd no sign of discontent but said that the Orders of Schach Jehan ought and should be obey'd but he came not back without being well paid for his Journey He also Marry'd his Son Sultan Mahumed to the King 's eldest Daughter upon promise that he should make him his Successor giving him in the interim as Portion the Castle and Jurisdiction of Bamguire and also obtain'd the King's consent that all the silver Money which should from that time be Coin'd in the Realm should bear on the one side Schach Jehan's Arms and that Emir with all his Forces should immediately withdraw The great Friendship between Oranchzef and Emir Jemla These two great Persons were not long together before they contriv'd high Designs for by the Way they besieg'd and conquer'd Bider one of the chiefest and strongest Places of Visjapour from whence they went to Daulet Abed where they so ty'd the Knot of Friendship that Oranchzef could not live without seeing Emir twice a day nor Emir without seeing Oranchzef This their Union began to give scope to new Plots and was the indeed the first Foundation of Oranchzef's Royal Dignity SCHAH ORANGZEF Schach Jehan falls desperately sick This conjuncture of Affairs hapned in Hindostan when Schach Jehan being near seventy years of age fell into a dangerous fit of Sickness which immediately rais'd an Alarm and Insurrection through all Hindostan Darasja raising two vast Armies in Dely and Agra the two chief Cities of the Kingdom Sultan Chasausa did the same in Bengala Oranchzef in Decan and Moradbeck in Zurratte each getting those that were inclining to them to be of their Party every one plotting their several Designs Darasja accidentally taking some of their Letters shew'd them to his Father which bred much discontent Begum Saheb his Sister also was not negligent to make use of this opportunity to incense the King against them But Schach Jehan suspecting Darasja and out of fear that he might be poyson'd gave strict order to watch narrowly all things that he should eat of He wrote also as it was reported to Oranchzef concerning it which Darasja hearing could not contain himself from venting high and passionate Threats Mean while Schach Jehan's Sickness increasing and a rumor of his Death spreading through the City the whole Court was in great disorder the Citizens taking up Arms kept their Shops shut up three days whil'st the four Brothers made great Preparations every one for himself and not without reason for they very well knew that they could not expect any mercy from one another there being no other way but conquer or die and that whoever got the better would destroy all the rest as formerly their Father had done his Brothers The four Brothers take up Arms each in his own defence Sultan Chasausa who had gotten a vast accumulation of Treasure in the rich Countrey of Bengala by destroying some of the Ragias or petty Kings and extorting great Sums of Money from others came first into the Field with a mighty Army and proceeded on his Way by the help of the Persian Omrahs of whose Sect he was to Agra reporting all the way that his Father was dead and his Brother Darasja had poyson'd him and therefore he resolv'd to revenge his Father's Death and in a word pretended to be king Mean while Darasja sent Letters to him from his Father with Orders not to come any nearer to Agra assuring him that his Sickness was insignificant and that he found himself much better than he had been But Chausausa having Friends at the Court who assur'd him of the danger of his Father's Distemper he took no notice of the said Letters but proceeded on his March saying he very well knew that his Father was dead but if he did live he was resolv'd to go and kiss his Feet and receive his Commands Oranchzef about the same time or immediately after prepar'd to take the Field and march towards Decan and from thence to Agra when he also receiv'd the same Inhibition as well from his Father as his Brother Darasja with Threats more than usual but he took as little notice thereof as Chasausa However considering with himself that his Means and Treasure was low and his Forces not considerable he politickly resolv'd to make a double trial of his Fortune in both which he succeeded beyond expectation the one was design'd to Moradbeck and the other to Emir Jemla To Moradbeck he wrote a very cunning Letter Oranchzef's subtil Letter to Moradbeck wherein he testifi'd That he had always been his real and intimate Friend and that for his part he was no ways ambitious of Sovereignty having resolv'd with himself to spend his whole Life like a Fakier but withal affirming That Darasja was a Person altogether unqualifi'd for the Crown as being a Caffer and an Idolater and therefore hated of all the principal Omrahs That Sultan Chasausa was of the Persian Religion and consequently an Enemy to Hindostan and therefore unworthy of the Crown so that in a word there was no body but himself that deserv'd the same for all Persons at the Court knowing his Valour would stand up for him and as for his own part if he would promise him that he would when he came to be King let him live in quiet in any Corner of the Realm there to worship God the remainder of his days he was ready to assist him with
his Counsel and Friends and also to commit his whole Army unto his Command to Fight against Darasja and Chasausa in the interim he sent him a hundred thousand Ropias desiring him to accept the same as a Pledge of his Friendship and withal advis'd him to come immediately and secure the Castle of Zuratte where he knew all the chief Treasure of the Countrey lay Moradbeck who was neither very rich nor powerful with great joy accepted of these Proffers made by his Brother Oranchzef as also his Present and shew'd his Letter to all his Subjects to induce the younger sort to take up Arms and the most eminent Merchants to furnish him with the greater Sums of Money which he earnestly desir'd of them and also began to act the Part of a King making great Promises to all those that entred into his Service by which means he got a considederable Army in a short time out of which he chose three thousand of the best which he sent under the Command of Chah Abas an Eunuch yet a valiant Man to Besiege the Castle of Surat whilst Oranchzef sent his eldest Son Sultan Mahmoud who had married the King of Golconda's Daughter to Emir Jemla still employ'd about the Siege of Caliane to perswade him to come to Daulet Abed under pretence that he had Business of grand consequence to impart to him But Emir doubting what it might be excus'd himself and said That he was certainly inform'd that Schach Jehan was not dead and moreover that since his whole Family was at Agra in Darasja 's Custody he could in no wise assist Oranchzef nor declare himself to be for him With which answer Sultan Mahmoud much displeas'd came back to Daulet Abad But Oranchzef would not be thus repuls'd but sent his second Son Sultan Mazum to Emir with Letters who manag'd his Business with so much complacency and sweetness that it it was impossible to deny him and therefore Emir pressing on the Siege of Caliane forc'd the Besieg'd to surrender and then March'd with the Prime of his Army accompanied by Sultan Mazum to Oranchzef who no sooner saw him but receiv'd him with the greatest signs of love and joy imaginable calling him nothing but Baba and Babagy that is Father and My Lord Father And after having embrac'd him divers times he stepping aside with him said That it would not be just to desire him having his Family at the Court in Darasja ' s Custody to undertake any thing for his favor yet nevertheless there was nothing so difficult but that some Expedient might be found out to bring it to pass Let me continu'd he propose a Design to you which perhaps at first may seem strange but as you are in fear for your Wife and Children who are in Custody so it will be a means to secure their safety if I under a colour secure your Person in Prison which without doubt all the World will believe real for who can imagine that such a Person as you would permit your felf to be thrown into a Gaol Meanwhile I can make use of some of your Forces and Guns as you shall think fit You may also lend me a Sum of Money as you have often proffer'd me And then I think it will be fit to try Fortune and that each of us play our Parts that so we may see and find out the best ways If you will consent that I carry you to the Castle of Daulet Abad of which you shall be Master and set my Son Sultan Mazum or Sultan Mahmoud to Guard you there the Design will undoubtedly take the better And I cannot imagine that Darasja can find out the Intrigue thereof nor with what pretence he can misuse your Wife or Children Emir suffers himself to be made Prisoner by Oranchzef Emir whether by reason of the Friendship which he had sworn to Oranchzef or for the great Promises which were made him or out of fear because he saw Sultan Mazum with many well-arm'd Men near him as also Sultan Mahmoud who look'd frowningly upon him because he came with his Brother and not with him and therefore was seen as he walk'd behind Emir to lift up his Foot as if he would have kick'd him I say whichsoever of these or whatever else was the reason Emir consented to all that Oranchzef had propos'd highly extolling his Invention Wherefore Oranchzef was no sooner gone but the Master of the Ordnance approaching commanded Emir in Oranchzef's Name to follow him and suffer himself to be lock'd up in a Chamber where he plac'd strong Guards upon him drawing thither all the Men which Oranchzef had about the House His Army appeas'd by Oranchzef This noise of Emir's being taken Prisoner was no sooner spread abroad but there began a great Mutiny All those which Emir had brought with him though much amaz'd resolving to release him rode up with drawn Swords to the Guards to force open the Prison which might easily have been done Oranchzef not having sufficient Forces at hand to resist so desperate an Undertaking But as this was nothing but a design'd Plot so these Insurrections were soon allay'd by that which was publickly declar'd to the Chief Officers of Emir's Army and by the presence of Oranchzef who with his two Sons first speaking to one and then to another made them great Promises and Presents insomuch that all Emir's Troops and most of those of Schach-Jehan seeing themselves in this confusion and without a General and also believing that Schach-Jehan was dead and the great Promises which were made them of raising their Pay and that they should have three Months Advance thereby become altogether improbable immediately declar'd themselves for Oranchzef who being thus become Master of all Emir's Forces Cammels Tents and Amunition went into the Field with a resolution to go to tho Siege of Surat and hasten the taking of it which his Brother had protracted because his Chiefest Men were engag'd there and found greater resistance than they expected But Oranchzef having March'd some days heard that the Governor had surrendred the Place to Moradbech wherefore he immediately wrote Letters to his Brother advising him of all things that had pass'd between him and Emir Jemla and also that he had Forces Money and private Friends enough at the Court and that since he wanted nothing he resolv'd to March directly towards Brampour and Agra and therefore that he should hasten to meet and joyn with him But Morabech found not so much Silver in the Fort of Surat as he expected either because there was not so much as was reported or that the Governor had convey'd part of it away as most believ'd Nevertheless there was enough to pay his Soldiers which had entred into his Service in hopes to enrich themselves with the Plunder of the foremention'd Castle Neither had he any great reason to boast of the taking of this Place for they lay before it above a Month nor had they then effected their
Women and Oranchzef himself had intercepted several Letters sent from his Father to Darasja Others maintain that there was no such thing and that the Letter which Oranchzef shew'd in publick was onely to blind the People to labor in some degree to justifie himself in so strange an Action and to devolve the cause of it on Schach Jehan and Darasja as if by them he had been forc'd to these Proceedings But however it was so soon as Schach Jehan was shut up almost all the Omrahs were in a manner necessitated to go and shew Reverence to Oranchzef and Moradbech and which is almost incredible there was not one that had the Courage to stir or attempt the least in behalf of their King and for him that had made them what they were and rais'd them from the Dust and perhaps from Slavery it self which is common in this Court to advance them unto great Riches and Honor yet some few there were as Danechmendcan and others that took no side but all the rest Declar'd for Oranchzef Who thus assur'd of Schach Jehan and all the Omrahs took what Sums of Money he thought fit out of the Treasury and then having made Chabestcan his Uncle Governor of the Town he left Agra and march'd with Moradbeck to pursue Darasja Advice given to Moradbeck On the day that the Army was to march out of Agra the particular Friends of Moradbeck but especially his Eunuch Chah Abas who knew that excess of Civility and Respect is too often a sign of an Impostor counsell'd him that since he was King and every one treated him with the Title of Majesty and Oranchzef himself acknowledg'd him so to be he should let him go in pursuit of Darasja and stay himself with his Troops about Agra and Deli Which Counsel if he had taken he would certainly have perplex'd Oranchzef not a little but 't was fatal for him to neglect this good Advice and it was Oranchzef's good fortune that Moradbeck confided in his Promises and the Oaths of Fidelity they had sworn to one another on the Alcoran Wherefore setting out together they marched on their Way to Deli and coming to Maturas three or four small days Journey from Agra Moradbeck's Friends perceiving some things endeavor'd again to perswade him that he should be wary assuring him that Oranchzef had no good intentions towards him and that without all doubt he plotted mischief against him as they were inform'd by several and therefore desir'd him by all means not to go to see him that day but to prevent the Blow as soon as possible but whatsoe're was said to him he believ'd nothing of it being deaf to all the good advice that was given him and as if he had been enchanted by the Friendship of Oranchzef he could not refrain from going to Sup with him that very Night He Sups with Oranchzef No sooner was he come to his Tent but Oranchzef who expected him had already prepar'd all things with Murcan and three or four of his most intimate Captains nor was he wanting in Embracements and in redoubling his Courtship Civilities and Submissions insomuch that he gently wip'd off the Sweat and Dust from his Face with his Handkerchief also treating him still with the Title of King whilst the Supper being serv'd up they sat down and discours'd of various things as they us'd to do when at last a huge Bottel being brought full of Chiras Wine and some other Bottles of Cabul Wine Oranchzef like a grave serious Man and one that would appear a great Mahumetan and very regular rose from the Table and having with much kindness invited Moradbeck to be merry with Mircan and the other Officers withdrew as if he went to repose himself a little Moradbeck loving a Glass of Wine and rellishing that which was given him scrupled not to drink of it to excess insomuch that he fell asleep in the place where he sat This being the onely thing that was wish'd for some Servants of his that waited on him were sent away under pretence to let him sleep in quiet and also his Sword and Poniard were taken from him Oranchzef roughly coming into the Chamber wak'd him with a Kick which he gave him with his Foot and spake to him in this manner Is surpris'd and imprisoned What shame and ignominy is this that such a King should be so intemperate as thus to debauch himself Take this infamous Man this Drunkard tie him Hand and Foot and throw him into that Room to sleep out his Wine which was no sooner said but it was executed for notwithstanding all his out-crying five or six Persons setting upon him bound his Hands and Feet which was not done so secretly but some of his Men that were hard by hearing thereof made a noise and offer'd to break in upon him but Allah-Couly one of his chief Officers and Master of his Artillery who had been gain'd long before threatning made them draw back and immediately several Commanders rode through the whole Army to calm this first Commotion which might have prov'd dangerous had they not endeavor'd to perswade the People that Moradbeck being overcome with Wine rail'd against Oranchzef and abus'd all that were there which had forc'd them he being in that mad raging humor to lock him up in a Chamber apart and that the next Morning when he was come to himself they should see him abroad again Mean while Presents were sent to all the Commanders in the Army the common Soldiers Pay was rais'd and great Promises made them and as there were none but what long since apprehended some such thing so it was no great wonder to see all things quieted the next Morning The ensuing Night the poor Prince was shut up in a little close House which they commonly set on Elephants to carry Women in and being carry'd to Deli was committed to Slingar which is a little Fortress in the midst of the River His Army turnd to Oranchzef After all things were thus appeas'd and all Persons satisfi'd except the Eunuch Chah Abas who made great disturbance Oranchzef receiv'd the whole Army of Moradbeck into his Service and went after Darasja who was upon his March towards Lahor with an intention to fortifie himself and draw his Friends thither but Oranchzef follow'd him with that speed that he had not time to do any great matter finding himself necessitated to take the Way towards Multan where also he could do nothing considerable because Oranchzef notwithstanding the excessive Heat march'd night and day and to encourage all to make haste he often advanc'd alone two or three Leagues before the whole Army being often forc'd to drink unwholsom Water and be content to eat dry Bread sometimes to sleep under a Tree whilst he staid for his Army in the midst of the High-way laying his Head on his Shield like a common Soldier so that Darasja found himself necessitated to to abandon Multan also to be the farther from
much prudence and kindness that neither of them could complain of him He sent them both against Sultan Sujas with a mighty Army and privately told Emir Jemla that he had design'd the Governorship of Bengala which was the best Place in all Hindostan for him during his Life and his Son after his Death and that thereby he would begin to express his Acknowledgments for the great Services he had done him and that therefore it belong'd to him alone to defeat Sujas which so soon as he had done he would make him Mirul Omrah which is the first and most honorable Place in Hindostan and no less than the Prince of the Omrahs To Sultan Mahmoud his Son he said onely these few words Remember that you are the eldest of my Children it is for your self you go to Fight you have done much yet is ' tnothing if you conquer not Sujas who is our greatest and most powerful Enemy I hope God will assist me to be soon Master of the rest With these words he dismiss'd them both with the usual Ceremonies of bestowing upon them rich Serafs or Clothes some Horses and Elephants with rich Caparisons prevailing in the mean time with Emir Jemla to consent to let his onely Son Mahomet Emircan stay with him to be brought up in good Education or rather as a Pledge of his Fidelity In like manner he perswaded Sultan Mahmoud to leave his Wife the King of Golconda's Daughter in Agra pretending that it would be too great a trouble to him to carry her along with him in the Army Sultan Sujah or Chasausa being always very suspicious that the Raja's of the Lower Bengala might be rais'd against him and dreading nothing more than to engage with Emir Jemla no sooner heard these Tydings but out of fear that he might cut off his way to Bengala and that Emir might cross the Ganges either above or below Elabas he instantly went to Benaros and Patna from whence he march'd to Moguiere a little City lying on the Bank of Ganges generally call'd The Key of Bengala lying between the Mountains and Woods In this place he judg'd it convenient to Incamp and fortifie himself causing for his better security a great Trench to be made from the Town and the River to the Mountains with a resolution to stay and expect Emir Jemla's coming and fight with him for the Passage But he was exceedingly amaz'd when he heard that several of Emir's Troops which came slowly along the Ganges were sent to no other end than to Alarm him that he was not there that the Rajas of the Mountains which lay on the right side of the River were joyn'd with Emir Jemla and Sultan Mahmoud who came marching night and day through their Countrey directly towards Ragemehalle with the main Body of the Army intending to intercept him which News forc'd Chasausa suddenly to desert his Fortresses and making extraordinary haste notwithstanding he was forc'd to follow those Windings which the River Ganges makes on that side he came some days before Emir to Ragemehalle where he had time to fortifie himself because Emir when he was inform'd thereof went up along the left side of the Ganges through bad Ways there to expect his Troops with the Artillery and Baggage that were also coming along the River Casausa put slight by Emir Jemla No sooner was his whole Army come together but he went to encounter with Sultan Chasausa who for five or six days time defended himself valiantly but seeing that Emir's Cannon batter'd down all his Works which were made onely of Earth and Bushes and could not possibly oppose him much longer in that Place besides that the Rainy Season approach'd he fled in the night leaving two Pieces of Ordnance behind him besides Ammunition and Provision which in that hurry he could not possibly carry away Emir fearing Ambuscades durst not pursue him in the night but staid till the next morning when just as if Fortune would favor Chasausa there fell a mighty Storm of Rain which lasted three days so that Emir was not onely detain'd at Ragemehalle during that time but necessitated to take up his Winter-Quarters there for these Rains render the Ways so troublesom for above four Months viz. July August September and October that no Army is able to march Thus Sultan Chasausa had time to retire and to chuse a convenient Place of Defence the better to recruit both his Forces and Train of Artillery from Lower Bengale because he had been very friendly to the Portuguese which for the fertility of the Countrey were come to settle there and had always been very respective to the Catholick Priests which are in this Province for the promulgating of their Religion making them great Promises to enrich them all and give them free leave to build Temples wheresoever they pleas'd And indeed they were capable enough to serve him there being in Bengale at least eight or nine thousand Families of Franks either Native Portuguese or Mestizes being such as are gotten by the Portuguese on Indian Women Sultan Mahmoud who for the foremention'd Reasons was grown very insolent and perhaps at that time aspir'd to greater things than he ought pretended to command the Army absolutely and that Emir Jemla should follow his Orders letting also from time to time many insolent Words fall in reference to his Father Oranchzef as if he were oblig'd to him for the Crown and utter'd contemptible and threatning Expressions against Emir Jemla which caus'd a great coolness between them but at last Sultan Mahmoud being inform'd that his Father was much dissatisfied with his ill Conduct and fearing that Emir might have Order to secure his Person he went accompanied with a small number of Men to Sultan Chasausa to whom swearing Fidelity he made great Promises But Chasausa who look'd upon it as a Plot of Oranchzef and Emir durst not confide in him but kept a continual Eye over him and gave him no considerable Command which so dissatisfied him that some Months after he concluded to leave Sultan Chasausa and went again to Emir Jemla who favorably receiving him promis'd to write in his behalf to Oranchzef whom he would endeavor to perswade to forget and pardon his Errors Sultan Mahmoud sent to Govaleor Some are of opinion that this Escape of Sultan Mahmoud was altogether by the contrivance of Oranchzef who car'd not much to hazard this Son to destroy Chasausa and was sensible that this would be a very just pretence to secure his Person But however it was he shew'd himself much displeas'd with him yet at last he wrote him a Letter of Pardon and commanded him also to come speedily to Deli But in the interim he gave Order that he should not come so far for no sooner had Sultan Mahmoud cross'd the Ganges but he met with a Party appointed to seize him who locking him up in an Embory after the same manner as they had done Moradbech carried him to
Govaleor Thus Oranchzef freeing himself from great perplexity told his second Son that the Point of Reigning was so ticklish a thing that Kings must be jealous of their own Shadow Therefore if he were not discreet and careful the same thing might happen to him as had befallen his Brother but that whilst he kept himself within the bounds of his Duty and Obedience he should find him a loving and indulgent Father Protesting likewise That he intended not to offer the least violence to the Person of Schach Jehan his Father But Oranchzef had at this time no occasion to suspect his Son Sultan Mazum or to be dissatisfied with him for never was any Slave more humble nor did ever Oranchzef himself appear more careless of Greatness nor more given to Devotion than Sultan Mazum Yet some knowing Persons believ'd that he was not so in reality but by superlative Policy and Craft like his Father of which we may have a Proof in time Whilst Matters were thus transacted in Bengala and Sultan Chasausa oppos'd Emir Jemla the best he could Emir marching first on one side of the Ganges and then on the other Oranchzef kept about Agra marching from Place to Place and having put Moradbech into Govaleor he went to Deli where he began to act the Part of an Absolute King giving Order for all Affairs of the Kingdom and especially he plotted means to take Darasja and get him out of Surat for the Reasons beforemention'd And by his great Fortune and exceeding subtilty he soon drew him thence in the following manner Oranchzef's Policy to catch Darasja Jessomseingue who was retir'd into his Countrey had with the Booty which he had gotten in the Battel of Cadjore rais'd a considerable Army and wrote to Darasja to hasten to Agra promising to joyn his Forces with him on the Way Darasja who had already gotten a great number of Men and hop'd that several of his Friends when they should see him joyn with Jessomseingue and approach Agra would undoubtedly unite their Forces with his march'd speedily to Asmeer six or seven days Journey from Agra But Jessomseingue kept not his Word with him for the Raja Jesseingue interpos'd to make his Peace with Oranchzef and fasten him to his Party or at least to retard his Design which was capable to ruine him and make all the Raja's rebell Therefore writing to him several Letters he made him sensible of the great danger he underwent to expose himself in that manner That Oranchzef would never pardon him That he was a Raja himself That he should think on sparing the Blood of the Ragipous That if he thought to draw the Raja's to his Party he would find those that would attempt to hinder his Design In a word That it was a Business which concern'd all the Gentry of Indostan and would expose them to danger if such a Fire were suffer'd to kindle which could not be extinguish'd at pleasure But if he would leave Darasja to himself Oranchzef resolv'd to forget all that was past restore again whatever he had taken from him and at the same time make him Governor of Surat which would be very advantageous to him because that Countrey lay near to his Lands and that there he might be in safety so long as he pleas'd In short this Raja prevail'd so much that he made Jessomseingue return to his own Countrey Mean while Oranchzef approach'd with his whole Army to Asmeer and incamp'd in sight of Darasja And now what could this poor Prince Darasja do He fees himself abandon'd and frustrate of all his hopes To return with his Army safe to Amadabad he saw was altogether impossible because it is above thirty five days Journey and in the midst of Summer and he wanted Water the Countreys likewise through which he was to pass belonging to the Raja's all Friends or Allies to Jesseingue or Jessomseingue and that also Oranchzef's Army would certainly pursue him Wherefore said he we must die on the Spot and therefore let us resolve though we are very unequal to them in Power to give them Battel and hazard All. But in vain does he exhort his Soldiers for he is not onely abandon'd by them but having Chah-Navazecan with him in whom he repos'd great Confidence he was by him betray'd and all his Designs made known to Oranchzef It is true that Chah Navazecan was slain in the Battel either by Darasja's own Hand as many believe or more probably by Oranchzef's Soldiers who being private Friends to Darasja found out a means to seize upon and kill him for fear he might have some knowledge of a Letter they had written to Darasja and so discover them The Battel between Darasja and Oranchzef The Battel began in the morning about nine or ten a Clock Darasja's Artillery was planted on a Hill and sufficiently heard but most believ'd they shot nothing but Powder so great was the Treachery of his Officers And indeed this was properly no Fight but a meer Plot to ruine him for the Fight was scarce begun when Jesseingue finding himself near Darasja perswaded him that unless he was resolv'd to be taken Prisoner he should fly So that Darasja exceedingly amaz'd was forc'd at the same instant to retreat in such confusion that he had not time to load away his Goods and Carriage but with great difficulty escap'd with his Wife Moreover it is certain that if the Raja Jesseingue had pleas'd Darasja could never have escap'd but he was always ways inclin'd to be favourable to the Royal Family or rather he was too subtile and politick and too sensible of future things to hazard the danger that might ensue for laying hands on a Prince of the Blood Daraja's Flight and Misery Thus this unfortunate Prince abandon'd by all except two thousand Men which accompanied him was necessitated in the midst of Summer without Tents or necessary Accommodations to travel through all the Countreys of the Raja's which lie between Asmeer and Amadabad whilst the Koullys the Rusticks of this Countrey and the greatest Villains and Robbers of all India pursuing him day and night kill'd and robb'd all those which they found straggling from the Main Body if they lagg'd never so little behind Yet notwithstanding Darasja made shift to get within a days Journey of Amadabad hoping the next morning to refresh himself in the Town and endeavor once more to raise some Forces But all things fell out contrary to the expectation of this unfortunate Man for the Governor whom he had left in the Castle of Amadabad had already receiv'd both menacing and promising Letters from Oranchzef so that his Courage failing he declar'd for his side wherefore he wrote to Darasja That he should not come any nearer for the Gates of the City were shut and every Man up in Arms against him F. Bernier Physician to this Prince and attending then on him saith When he oblig'd me to follow him having then no other Physician about him and
cruel manner for Oranchzef observing that so long as he was in Prison the Affections of the generality of the People were towards him he thought it would not be safe for himself to put him to death in private with Poust as he had done the rest for fear the Vulgar should always be doubtful of his Death and still believe him to be in Prison and therefore devis'd the following Crime to accuse him withal The Children of a very rich Sahed Moradbeck's Death whom Moradbeck had put to death in Amadabad onely to get his Goods when he rais'd his Army and forcibly took or borrow'd all the Money from the Merchants made complaint thereof in the publick Assembly and demanded his Head for the Blood of their Father which not one of the Omrahs durst contradict first because he was a Sahed that is one of Mahomet's Relations to whom for that reason they shew'd great respect and secondly because they all observ'd Oranchzef's Design herein and that it was onely a meer pretence to put him to death publickly so that the Head of him who had kill'd their Father was given them without any farther Examination And thereupon an express Order was immediately sent to Govaleor to Behead him And now there remain'd no other Thorn in Oranchzef's Foot but Sultan Chasausa who still defended himself in Bengala yet he was at last forc'd to submit to the Power and Good Fortune of Oranchzef who sent so many Forces to Emir Jemla that he at last encompass'd him on both sides of the Ganges and all the Isles which lye in the Mouth thereof which forc'd Sultan Chasausa to flie to Dake the last City of Bengala lying on the Sea-shore And here comes the Conclusion of this whole Tragedy Chasausa flies for refuge to the King of Racan For this Prince being destitute of Ships to put to Sea and not knowing whether to betake himself sent his eldest Son Sultan Banque to the King of Racan or Moy a Heathen to know whether he would permit him to make his Court his Place of Refuge for some time and do him the favor when the Mousons or Trade-Winds should come to furnish him with a Vessel to Mecha that from thence he might pass into some Parts of Turkey or Persia The King return'd Sultan Chasausa word That he should be very welcom to him and have all possible Assistance With which Answer Sultan Banque return'd to Dake the King having also supply'd with several Galleys Mann'd with Franks viz. Renegade Portuguese and other Christians who had enter'd into the foremention'd King's Service and maintain'd themselves by Plundering of the Lower Bengale In these Gallies Sultan Chasausa Embarquing with his whole Family viz. his Wife his three Sons and Daughters set Sail and arriving at their desir'd Port they were courteously receiv'd and supplied with all things which the Countrey afforded at the King's Charge Some Months being past He requests a Ship to transport him to Mâ—cha but is deny'd the Season for the Trade-Winds came but he could not obtain the Ship that was promis'd him though he desir'd it upon no other account but for his Money for he wanted not as yet either Gold Silver or Precious Stones but had rather too much of them his Riches being the occasion of his Destruction or at least a great Inducement thereunto For these Barbarian Kings are destitute of all true Nobleness neither do they regard Fidelity or Promises minding nothing but their present Interest and never considering the Inconveniences and Mischiefs that may befal them for their Perfidiousnes To get out of their Hands one must either be very Powerful or at least have nothing that may tempt their Avarice And the more Sultan Chasausa implor'd for a Ship the further he was from having it the King on the contrary beginning to grow very cool and complaining that he did not come to see him It is not known whether Sultan Chasausa look'd upon it as a dishonor to himself and a thing below him to go and visit a King or whether he fear'd that he might secure his Person when he should come into his Palace and so make himself Master of all his Treasure and deliver him to Emir Jemla who promis'd him great Sums of Money and many other considerable Advantages to do the same However it was he would not go thither but sent his Son Sultan Banque who being come near the King's House shew'd his Liberality to the People throwing handfuls of Ropias of Gold and Silver amongst them and coming before the King he presented him with several Embroider'd Coats and wrought Pieces of Gold beset with Precious Stones and excus'd his Father Chasausa's not coming by alledging he was indispos'd desiring him also to furnish him with a Ship and perform the Promises which he had made to him But all this avail'd not for five or six days after the King sent to Sultan Chausasa to request one of his Daughters in Marriage which he not granting so highly incens'd this Barbarous Prince that he suffer'd Chasausa to be driven to great Extremities the Season for putting to Sea being now past When behold he took a strange Resolution which may give a great Example of what Despair can do His Plot against the King of Racan discover'd Though this King of Racan was a Heathen yet he had abundance of Mahumetans in his Dominions which either retir'd thither voluntarily or have been brought thither as Slaves by the Franks These Chasausa privately gain'd to be of his Party and with two or three hundred Men which he had yet remaining he resolv'd one day to fall unexpectedly upon the Barbarian's House and putting all to the Sword make himself Master of Racan Which indeed was a very bold Enterprise and had more of the Desperado in it than of a Prudent Man yet the thing was not impossible to be done But the day before the Stroke was to be given the Plot being discover'd quite overthrew Chasausa's Design and in a short time prov'd the occasion of his Ruine For seeing there was no way to recover himself he attempted to flie to Pegu a thing in a manner impossible by reason of the vast Mountains and Forests which he was to pass Besides He is pursu'd and defeated he was immediately pursu'd so close that he was overtaken the same day he fled when defending himself very valiantly he kill'd a great number of Indians but they at last press'd upon him in such Multitudes that he was forc'd to quit the Battel Sultan Banque being not so far advanc'd as his Fathers defended himself also like a Lion but after having receiv'd divers Wounds with Stones which the Indians threw at him he was taken Prisoner and carried away with his two younger Brothers Sisters and Mother Uncertain what became of him Some say That Sultan Chasausa himself fled with his Wife one Eunuch and two other Persons to the top of a Mountain where he receiv'd a
Wound in his Head by a Stone which strook him down but recovering himself again and the Eunuch having bound up the Wound with his Turbant they afterwards escap'd by the shelter of the Woods RAUCHâ—â—â—ARA BEGUM Mean while the Servants of Sultan Banque with some of the foremention'd Mahumetans laid another Plot not unlike the former but the day being come one of the Conspirators being half drunk began the Work too soon and so spoil'd the whole Design But this incens'd the King so exceedingly against the unfortunate Family of Chasausa that he commanded the same to be quite rooted out sparing not so much as the Daughter he had married though she was suppos'd to be with Child Sultan Banque and his Brothers had their Heads cut off with blunt Axes and the Women being lock'd up in several Rooms died miserably with Hunger And thus ended the War which ambition of Rule had kindled amongst these four Brothers after the expiration of five or six Years viz. from Anno 1655 till Anno 1660 or 1661 and left Oranchzef in the peaceable Possession of this mighty Empire And now Ambassadors were sent to Oranchzef from several Neighboring Princes and States Oranchzef sick to congratulate his happy Victories but having scarce Reign'd two Years he fell sick of a violent Fever insomuch that it was reported he was dead and several were contriving to release his Father Schach Jehan which to prevent and to undeceive the People he caus'd himself in the height of his Distemper four several days to be carried into the Assembly of the Omrahs where calling for Pen Ink and Paper he wrote to Etbarcan and sent for the Great Seal which was kept by Raichenara Begum and commonly enclos'd in a small Bag seal'd with a Seal he always wore about his Arm fearing she had already made use of it for her Designs But soon after recovering he settled all things in good Order preferr'd those that had assisted and been faithful to him in the Wars especially Emir Jemla whom after he had vanquish'd Chasausa and drove him to the Sea side as was before mention'd he made Mir Ul Omrah which in this Realm is the highest Degree of Honor any of the Kings Favorites can arrive at and also Governor of Bengala and his Son Mahomet Emircan was made Great Bakchis that is General of the Horse and the second or third Place in the Kingdom And not long after he sent Emir Jemla with a mighty Army to the Raja of Achan whom he forc'd to flie towards the Mountains to the Kingdom of Lassa Emir Jemla's death But Emir Jemla was no sooner return'd from this Expedition but the Bloody Flux hapning amongst his Army he also died thereof Many other Remarkable Passages hapned in this Empire from Anno 1661 to 1667 of which we will only mention these sew viz. In the Year 1664 on the fifth of February the Mogol's Vice-Roy of Surat call'd Enachat Chan was inform'd by one of his Officers which liv'd two Leagues from the City That a great Army was advancing towards the Town the General whereof call'd himself A Servant to the Mogol and pretended to March with ten thousand Men to the City Amadabad but it afterwards appeared that this was only a Pretence he being in truth a great Robber nam'd Sawasi Which not a little amazing the Governor he caus'd immediately the Bridges which lay cross the Moat that inclos'd the City to be pull'd down notwithstanding it was dry in most places neither was there one Gun planted for a Defence which made him send to the English and Hollanders there residing for aid in this extremity which seem'd not a little strange to them for they having not above forty Men apiece in their Factories were forc'd to take each seventy or eighty Men more into their Service The next Morning Sawasi was advanc'd within a League and a half of Surat where resting near the Village Utena the Governor sent Messengers to request him That he would not come any nearer the City because many of the Inhabitants fled already for fear and that the Great Mogol would resent it very ill if he should offer the contrary But Sawasi not regarding this kept the Messengers in custody and still drew nearer the City in which about midnight there hapned a sudden Fire which burnt so furiously that it consum'd a considerable number of Houses Surat taken by a Robber Sawasi's People taking this opportunity march'd into the Town without any resistance though they might easily have been oppos'd The Governor having ten thousand Horse of the Mogol's went with them and his Chief Officers to the Castle whence he fired several Guns but did more mischief to the Houses than the Enemy who minded nothing but Plunder breaking open Windows and Chests which lasted several days till Sawasi having gotten a vast Treasure left the Place saying Long have I wish'd to get into Oranchzef 's Beard which I have now obtain'd For this rich and brave City Surat is for its Beauty and Stateliness by the Moors call'd The King's or Mogol's Beard The Robber taken and committed to Prison but escapes The Mogol seeing what a mighty Enemy Robber and Destroyer of his Countrey Sawasi was and that he could not hope to overcome him by force he having already an Army of a hundred thousand Men he thought to work that by Policy which his Power could not effect and therefore to get him into his custody he made him large offers of Honors and Preferment promising him the third Place in his Realm which Design taking effect according to his desires he was no sooner come to Court but he was there apprehended and committed to Prison But about three Months after he cunningly made his escape and although Oranchzef sent Agents after him to excuse his being kept a Prisoner and promising upon his Royal Word that he would prefer him to a high Degree of Honor yet he having been once caught in the Snare would not be taken again but reply'd That he thank'd him for his Proffers but he had rather be his own Master than another Man's Servant and that at one time or other he would pay Oranchzef for his kind Entertainment and so went again with his Army to Wingerla a Place which he had taken from the Mogol Mean while Oranchzef keeping his Father Schach Jehan close Prisoner in the Castle at Agra let him want nothing of Recreation or any thing else that he could possibly expect in such a place yet the good old Prince being worn out by age The Death of Schach Jehan dy'd Anno 1665. to the great grief as it is said of Oranchzef who shew'd all demonstrations of sorrow which a Son could express for the loss of his Father At the same time he went to Agra where Begum Saheb his Sister Begum Saheb receiv'd into Favor and formerly the chief Favorite of Darasja caus'd a Mosque wherein he was to stay some time before he went to
the Castle to be hung with rich Tapistry and at the entrance into the Seraglio she proffer'd him a great golden Bason fill'd with her and her Father Schach Jehan's Jewels and receiv'd him so splendidly and courteously that she obtain'd pardon for all her former Offences and participated of his Favors The Mogol's Ambassador abus'd Anno 1666. the Great Mogol sent an Ambassador to Schach Abbas King of Persia for the negotiating an Affair not very pleasing to the the said King who quarrell'd also at his styling himself in his Letters King of all the World which the King of Persia resented so ill that he caus'd the Mogol's Ambassador's Beard to be pull'd off and the Presents which he had sent him to be burnt all which made the Ambassador resolve to go away without taking leave But the Persian Chancellor acquainting the King that this was a Business of great consequence he dismiss'd the Agent with rich Presents and amongst others forty brave Persian Horses and many Pieces of Gold and Silver Stuffs sending also with him a Herauld at Arms to proclaim War against the Great Mogol who when his Agent told him the Disgrace he had sustain'd he was so exceedingly offended at him that he caus'd him by an Allegoer or common Executioner to be driven out of the City and the Horses which the King of Persia had sent him to be kill'd publickly as also the Gold and Silver Stuffs to be burnt and speaking to the Herauld which came from the King of Persia said thus unto him Go tell thy Master that I will treat him thus in his own Realm Whereupon raising a mighty Army he march'd to the Borders of Persia the King whereof came also to meet him with a puissant Army but coming within two days Journey of the Mogol The King of Persia dies he dy'd and immediately his Son Schach Soliman aged about twenty five years and present with the Army being proclaim'd King sent an Agent to acquaint the Mogol with his Father's Death requesting him that he would not impute that to him which had hapned between him and his Father he being no way guilty thereof and desiring nothing more than to live in Peace with his Neighbors The Great Mogol granting his Request made Peace with him and so each march'd back to their own Jurisdictions Thus having given you an Account of the Mogols Countrey and India in general we will now give you a particular Account of all the Kingdoms and Territories which it comprehends and begin from the West side towards the North with Candahar which though it be said to be under the King of Persia's Jurisdiction yet it may conveniently be describ'd here partly for its Neighborhood to the Mogol's Countrey and partly because it anciently belong'd to the same Paropamisa or Candahar Sablestan and Balassy THe Countrey of Candahar was anciently by the Greeks according to Cluverius and Golnitius call'd Arachosia by Minadoi Paropamisa though as Niger writes some call Paropamisa Dacha Castaldus Ananias Della Valle hold Sablestan or Sabelestan for the ancient Paropamisa but Della Valle will have Candahar to be Paropamisa or at lest a part thereof so that the ancient Paropamisa seems to contain two several Provinces as Candahar and Sablestan Ananias places in Paropamisa the Kingdom of Balassan by Pol call'd Balassan Bounds of Paropamisa and the Inhabitants The Territory of Paropamisa hath as Ptolomy saith in the West Aria in the East a part of India and in the South Arachosia The ancient Inhabitants of Paropamisa were the Bolites Aristophilians Ambants Parietes and Parsiers who were all call'd by one general Name Parapomisades or Paropamisades from the Mountain Paropamisus which Castaldus calls Calichistas and is a part of Mount Taurus and as Pliny saith rises to an exceeding heigth Arrianus and Diodorus Siculus tell us that Alexander the Great 's Soldiers call'd the said Mountain Caucasus though improperly for the real Caucasus lies between the Euxine and Hircanian Sea The utmost parts of these Mountains are according to Strabo by the Barbarians call'd Eodae and Himaon The Head of the River Indus Out of this Paropamisus the River Indus hath its Spring being by Pinetus and Gerard Mercator call'd Pamer This is also said to be the highest part of the Earth Coropius Becanus tells us contrary to the opinion of the Fathers that Noah's Ark rested on this Mountain This Territory of Candahar The Extent so call'd from its Metropolis lies according to Mr. Edward Terry Northwest from the Mogol's Jurisdiction and borders Westward upon the Kingdom of Persia at the Stream Abi Saba or Abi Bust Don John of Persia reckons the length of it to be sixty Leagues and some affirm the circumference thereof to be thirty days Journey The chief Towns Ptolomy places in the ancient Paropamisa the Towns of Nacka Belcas Eadras Canda Aclama and Bagsius the Metropolis of the County of Basoia from whence they enter into Balassan But the Metropolitan City of Paropamisa or Candahar is call'd Candahar or Candor or according to Jarrick Candacar from the Province it self Castaldus affirms that the ancient City Carure of Ptolomy or Ortospane of Strabo is the modern City Candahar which though it be but small yet it is very strongly situated and surrounded with two Mud Walls and a Moat ten Foot broad between both It stands on the Borders of Aria now call'd Arat and on those of India near the High-way by which the Merchants travel when they come from Persia and Chorazan to Sinde as on the other side those that come from Lahor to Agra and the Countreys of India travel along the same to Chorazan Media and Persia the Caravans being forc'd to make use of this Way either in their going to Persia or coming from thence to go for India SEGUM SAHEB The King of Persia esteem'd this Place to be of great consequence because he intended in the beginning of this Age to make it the Metropolitan City for the Trade which was formerly driven in the Red-Sea and to Ormus to which purpose he kept a strong Garrison in the City of Candahar under the Command of a loyal Person A Place of great Trade In peaceable Times the Persians Jews Armenians and Benjans drive a great Trade in this City especially with Indian Commodities Moreover there come Merchants thither from China and all Parts of India Temperature of the Air. The Province of Candahar is naturally warm and hath no hard Winters and though it Freezeth there a little in the Nights in January it Thaws again at the rising of the Sun the Inhabitants also keeping their Cattel abroad both Winter and Summer which is the reason they make no Hay But nevertheless it is so cold in Winter in the Mountains Bellor that Strangers cannot travel though them without great Fires It is a very fertile Countrey producing abundance of Barley Wheat Rice French-Beans Pease Negur and Cotton besides all sorts of Indian and Persian
Kingdom of great and little Tibet and those of the Raja Gamon which are its next Neighbors The first Mountains that inclose it viz. those which lie nearest the Plains are of an indifferent heighth and overgrown with Trees and Grass which serve for Pasturage for divers sorts of Beasts as Oxen Cows Sheep Goats Horses Stags Hares and a certain Beast which produces Musk as also Bees in great abundance But there are which is a strange thing in India no Serpents Tygers Bears nor Lions or but very rarely to be found here Beyond these indifferent high Mountains rise others which being very high are cover'd all the year with Snow and reaching above the Clouds and the usual foggy Damps carry upon their tops calm and serene Weather These Mountains of Caximir cannot be travell'd without great difficulty with Camels they being so very steep and craggy Eleven or twelve days Journey from Lahor and five from Caximir are the Mountains Bember which are high spiry black and barren and are as a mighty Wall of that part of the World Great Heat in March and the effects of it Between Lahor and Caximir near Bember it is intolerable hot in March which proceeds from those high Mountains that lie Northerly and prevent or break off all the cool Winds which come from that side and reflecting the Sun-beams back on the Fields scorch and burn them neither are there any Clouds seen nor one Blast of Wind stirring insomuch that the Horses often fainting fall down under their Riders Strangers that travel this way break out full of red Pimples which prick like Needles all over their Bodies nay many of them die of the extream Heat When you travel in March out of the Mountains of Bember into those of Caximir you come out of a torrid into a more temperate Climate and that which is more strange Travellers find so great an alteration as if they were transported out of India into Europe the Fields being overgrown with all kind of European Plants Grain and Herbs except Hyssop Thyme and Rosemary the Woods full of Elms Ash Chesnut and Palm-trees whenas there is not one Shrub to be seen in the scorch'd Fields of Indostan Difference of Air in one Mountain A days Journey and a half from Bember is a Mountain which on both sides is overgrown with Plants but with this distinction viz. on that side which respects the South towards India is a mixture both of Indian and European Plants but on the North side grow none but European just as if the Southern part of the Mountain did participate with the Temperature of the Air of Europe and India and the North side onely of Europe In the Valleys and deep Precipices between these high Mountains lie hundreds of Trees one above another some wither'd and others rotten with age and also many young ones which are sprung out of the Roots of the rotten There are likewise some scorch'd Trees either set on fire by Lightning or by the motion of the Wind in the midst of Summer which causeth them to clash one against the other or as the Inhabitants say they take fire of themselves when grown old and dry The highest Mountain of all is call'd Pirepenjale from which at a great distance you discover the Countrey of Cachemire and travelling over this Mountain in March you are sensible in less than an hours time both of Summer and Winter for in ascending it your are exceedingly perplex'd with the intolerable heat of the Sun but coming to the top you find frozen Snow through which you must cut your way being often so extraordinary cold that it chills the Traveller An odd Hermite Anno 1664. F. Bernier travelling over this Mountain found an ancient Recluse on the top thereof who had dwelt on the same ever since the Time of Schach Selim his Religion was not known to any but he had the power as the Inhabitants affirm to perform great Miracles viz. to cause Thunder Lightning Wind Hail Rain and Snow whensoever he pleas'd He appear'd to Bernier who went to visit him in his Cave like a Salvage with a long grey Beard asking Alms of him and desir'd that his Pitchers which he had set together on a great Stone might be fill'd with Water after which he beckned with his Hand to him and his Company that they should not stop but pass over the Mountain with all the speed they could and frown'd at those who stood still or made any noise alledging that it would occasion great Tempests there and told Bernier that Oranchzef had done well in not suffering any to make a noise there as also his Father Schach Jehan but that Schach Selim scorning his Advice caus'd Drums to be beaten and Trumpets to be sounded there whereupon there arose such a mighty Tempest that he despair'd of getting alive from thence In or between the Mountains which belong to Cachemire are many fertile Plains and amongst others one which pays Hides and Wooll for Tribute which the Governor sends for yearly The Women here are very handsom chaste The Women handsom and Laborious The Merchants of Cachemire go yearly from Mountain to Mountain to buy up the Wooll of which they make a certain Stuff call'd Chales There is yet another Place very remote from Cachemire which also pays Tribute in Hides and Wooll and possesses very many pleasant and fruitful small Plains and Valleys which produce Wheat Rice Apples Pears Apricocks Melons and Grapes of which the Owners make excellent Wine The Inhabitants have often refus'd to pay Tribute on the account of the troublesom and almost inaccessible Ways that lead into their Countrey but there have ever been means found to get into their Jurisdiction to reduce them to Obedience Moreover in the Mountains which lie farther off and not under the Jurisdiction of Cachemire are very pleasant Tracts of Lands inhabited by a white and well shap'd People who seldom come from thence There are some that are under no King nor have they any Religion onely some account it a sin to eat Fish Out of all these Mountains rise many Springs and Rivulets which the Inhabitants convey to their Rice-Fields along great Ditches which having fill'd many lesser at last make a great navigable River for Ships of a considerable Burthen This Stream having pass'd round about the Kingdom and through the middle of the chief City Caximir seeks a passage out at Boramoule between two spiry Rocks from whence falling with great force it receives by the way the Waters of many little Brooks which also spring out of the Mountains and at last discharges its Waters near Attack in the River Indus All these Rivulets gliding from the Mountains make the low Lands exceeding fertile insomuch that the whole Kingdome is like a Garden which being all over green hath here and there some Villages situate amongst the Trees and is divided into several Beds Sow'n with Rice Wheat and other Grain besides Saffron and Hemp interwoven
of the Earth that it may rather be call'd a River than a Spring The Water thereof is so exceeding cold that one cannot hold ones Hand in it The Garden is very large and pleasant having many brave Walks and abundance of Fruit-trees as Apples Pears Plumbs Apricocks and Cherries and also many Fountains and Fish-ponds Not far from Achiavel is another brave Royal Garden in which are all the foremention'd things for recreation but it excells in having a Pond full of Fish which upon calling or throwing of Bread into the same appear above Water the biggest of them have been seen with golden Rings in their Noses with Mottoes engraven on them which are said to have been put on by order of the famous Nourmehalle Queen to the Great Mogol Schach Selim. A Description of the Mosque at Baramoulay About as far from the City Cachemire as Send-brary is a Place call'd Baramoulay where a curious Mosque is built and in it a brave Tomb of one of the famous Mahumetan Pires or Saints which daily as the Moors relate works miraculous Cures upon the Sick which resort in great numbers to the said Tomb. Near this Mosque is a Kitchin in which are many great Copper Kettles full of Flesh and Rice which perhaps is the Load-stone that draws the Poor thither and the Miracle which cures them On the other side is a Garden about which are Chambers for the Mollahs who quietly spend their Lives there A wonderful Stone There is also another Wonder viz. there is a thick round Stone which the strongest Man can scarce lift up from the Ground yet nevertheless eleven Men by the help of the foremention'd Saint may take up the same without any trouble by putting each of them onely one Finger thereto Eleven Mollas saith F. Bernier who was present Anno 1664. at the working of this Miracle standing close round about the said Stone with their long Coats prevented the exact discerning after what manner they lifted up the same but all of them said that they touch'd it not but onely with the ends of their Fingers and that the Stone felt as light to their appearance as a Spunge As for my part who well observ'd them and look'd upon them with a curious Eye I could not perceive but that they took great pains and made use of their Thumbs besides their Fingers yet I forgot not to cry with the rest of the Mollas and other Spectators Coramet Coramet that is A Miracle A Miracle and at the same time gave a Ropia to the Mollas earnestly desiring them to let me be one of the eleven which should next lift up the same which at first they would not grant till throwing them another Ropia and seeming really to believe the Miracle one of them gave me his Place they judging amongst themselves that ten of them would be enough though I took no pains to lift it up so nimbly that I should not perceive them but they were exceedingly deceiv'd for the Stone which I lifted not but with the end of my Finger stirr'd not till they pushing the same on me I was forc'd to put my Thumb to it also in which manner we lifted the Stone though with great trouble from the Ground yet when I saw they all look'd angrily upon me and being a Stranger fear'd they might have ston'd me I readily cry'd out with the rest Coramet and gave them another Ropia A considerable distance from Baramoulay is a great Lake through the midst of which runs a River to Baramoulay It is full of Fish especially Eels and swarms with Geese wild Ducks and other Water-fowl which draws the Governor of Cachemire thither to spend the Winter In the midst of this Lake is a Cell with a little Garden about it which is said to drive after a strange manner upon the Water In this Place a Recluse spends his Life without ever coming from thence They relate divers Stories concerning this Hermitage but by most it is generally believ'd that an ancient King of Cachemire out of curiosity built the same on great pieces of conjoyn'd Timber About this Lake is also a remarkable Spring which boyling leisurely rises very slowly with little Bubbles and also casts up a certain fine Sand which returns back to the bottom after the same manner as it came up In a moment after the Water becomes still without boyling or casting up the Sand and then begins a fresh as before yet without observing exact times between It is said that this Wonder proceeds from a Man's speaking or standing near the same especially if he stamp with his Foot against the Ground In the Mountains is a great Lake which is full of Ice in Summer and resembles a little Icy Sea for the Winds breaking the Ice asunder moves the same up and down The Stone Sengsafed Next you come to a Place call'd Sengsafed which signifies A White Stone which is very eminent because it is overgrown with several sorts of Flowers all the Summer and at all times when many People travelling that way make a great noise there instantly falls a great Shower of Rain But whether this be true or no may be a little question'd for when Schach Jehan went over the same some years since he thought he should have dy'd there by reason of an excessive and unusual Shower of Rain notwithstanding he had given strict order to make as little noise as was possible The same happens often on the Mountain Pire Penjale The Character of the Cachemirans The Cachemirans are accounted a beautiful People and have as handsom Bodies as the Europeans having no resemblance at all with the Tartars onely they have little Eyes like those of Cachever and great Tibet their Neighbors The Women are very slender and streight Bodied which makes most of the Strangers that come to the Mogol's Court covet them for Wives to have Children by them that may be whiter than the Indians and so pass for right Mogollans Women of any Quality come seldom into the Streets but the meaner sort scruple it not These People are very crafty and more subtil and ingenious than the Indians and no less addicted to Poesie and other Sciences than the Persians Moreover they are very Lahorious and quick of apprehension and are good Artists in making Sedans Bedsteads Cupboards Desks and other neat Works They varnish their Wood-work very curiously and imitate the Veins of a certain Wood on any thing what they please by Inlaying it with Gold Wyres But that which is remarkable and peculiar to these People and that which brings a Trade and Money into their Countrey is the great number of Sashes or Chales which they make and also teach their Children the Art of making them These Chales are certain pieces of Stuffs about an Ell long and three quarters broad Embroider'd at both ends The Mogols and Indians both Men and Women wear them on their Heads or throw them over their Shoulders like a Cloak
valiant of them use they often put their Enemies to flight This Countrey was formerly Govern'd by a peculiar King and belong'd not long since to the King of Pattan but of late hath been subdu'd by the Great Mogol who in the beginning kept his Court in the Metropolis thereof The Inhabitants are most of them Moors or Mahumetans the rest Heathens who live very miserably for being subdu'd by the Moors who bereav'd them of what they formerly possess'd they are forc'd to range up and down the Countrey from one place to another and are therefore call'd Joguez The Kingdom or Province of Mando or Bando THe Province or Kingdom of Mando otherwise Bando by the Inhabitants according to Texeira call'd Mandou and by Purchas Mandao borders in the East at Agra in the North at Dely in the West at Jesselmeer and in the South at the Province of Malway The Description of the City Maudo The Metropolis which bears one and the same Name with the Province hath six Miles in circumference It lies on a high Mountain the top whereof is flat and spacious The Ascent to the City is very high and steep and troublesom to walk up Not far from the foot of the Mountain is a large Town call'd Achabar Pore by which glides a broad River call'd Narbodag The top of the Mountain is overgrown with shady Trees in such a manner that it is very pleasant to â—â—hold either from the foot upwards or from the top downwards This wooddy Mountain serves as a Recess for Lions Tygers and wild Elephants In this City the Great Mogol hath a House or spacious Palace built of square Stone in which he often resides Not far from this Palace is a Cave cut in a Rock which is no less artificial than pleasant by reason of its coolness The Countrey is barren sandy and mountainous full of Lions Tygers and wild Elephants and produces great plenty of Costus in the Malayan Tongue call'd Pucho and Amphion or Opium There is also abundance of Azur with which the Inhabitants Trade to China Cambaya and Ormuz It is said that the valiant Amazones Reign'd in this Countrey but at present they retain nothing of their Predecessors Qualities but onely to Ride well on Horseback with half Boots and Spurs Whenever the Queen Rides abroad she is accompanied by at least two thousand Women on Horseback The Province of Malway or Malva THe Province of Malway or Malva bordering in the East at Narrat in the South at Chilor and in the North and West at Jesel is very fruitful The chief City thereof is call'd Rantipore the other Towns are Toda and Upen which Thomas Rohous makes to be the Metropolis A pretty way from the City glides the Stream Cepra which is a Branch of the Ganges which is said to fall into the Bay of Cambaya Near this Stream lies the City Callenda formerly the Court of the Kings of Mando or Bando The Territory of Sanga or Chitor and Vtrad THe Territory of Sanga or Chitor formerly a great and ancient Kingdom borders in the North-East and East at Malway in the West at the Mount Ranas and Jesselmeer and in the South at Zurratte and Chandi half way between the Towns Chitor and Asmeer The City of Chitor anciently a glorious City The Metropolis is also call'd Chitor but anciently Taxila and was the chief City of India when King Porus went to Fight against Alexander the Great It lies in 25 Degrees Northern Latitude on the top of a high Mountain inclos'd within a Wall of about ten Miles in circumference Before the ruine thereof it was a fair City not onely for its Buildings but also its Bulwarks and Walls for which reason it was in the Countrey Language call'd Citor that is The Fan of the World It may compare for antiquity with any City in India but at present it is not above three Miles in circumference There are yet above a thousand ruin'd Temples seen in the same several large though decay'd Palaces besides many stately Columns There is onely one Ascent which leads up to the City to which they go through four stately Gates along a Path cut in a Rock The chief Inhabitants at this day are Birds and wild Beasts which the Benjans hold in great veneration By whom destroy'd This City was formerly possess'd by an ancient Prince call'd Ranas whom King Gelaladin Acbar forc'd in the latter end of the former Age to leave his Kingdom and to flie into the Mountains from him call'd Ranas where he setled in the City Odipore to which he was forc'd by a long Siege which the Inhabitants werre not able to hold for want of Provisions The City when surrendred was by the Conqueror laid waste and so continues at this day Others affirm that Badur Sultan of Cambaya Besieg'd the City and that when the Inhabitants saw no likelihood to preserve it any longer they burnt all their Gold and Silver Precious Stones and other things and also themselves insomuch that above seventy thousand perish'd by the Fire which lasted three days together after which Badur enter'd the City Not long after the Kingdom of Cambaya was totally subdu'd by the Great Mogol The Province of Utrad conterminates with that of Chitor and lies near the City of Sinde The chief City thereof bears the same Denomination Productions of the Province of Vtrad This Countrey affords Sal Gemmae or Stone Salt by the Inhabitants call'd Geucar a Name deriv'd from Geu which signifies Barley and from Car which signifies Salt This Province also produces a certain Dreg or Gum by Physicians in the Latine Tongue call'd Assa Foetida and in English for its ill scent Devils-Dung Avicenna and other Arabians call it Altit the Indians Juden and the Benjans Inguh or Hing That which grows here is the least bitter of any The Plant which produces it is of two sorts the one is a high Tree or Bush with little Leaves not unlike those of Rew the other is like a Raddish and hath several great and small Stalks with Leaves almost like the Fig-tree This Plant grows best in Mountains and barren places it is gather'd in Harvest for about die latter end of the Summer the Gum begins to run out of it Theophrastus Dioscorides and others take this Gum to be the Juice of a Plant which they call Laser or Laserpitium The Benjans of Zurratte use this Gum in all their Meat and account no Dish or Sawce to be well made without it They also anoint all their drinking Vessels therewith nay they are so us'd to it that the strong scent which turns the Stomach of others is sweet and pleasant to them The Kingdom of Zurratte or Cambaya THe Kingdom of Cambaya hath receiv'd that Denomination from the Portuguese who so styl'd it from the City of Cambaya which being a Sea-port Town is better known to the Portuguese than any other in this Countrey by reason of the vast Trade which they drive there
Guandari at the place where it falls into this Bay sixteen Leagues Northward from the City Brotcha or Brotsch and according to Linschot fifty three Leagues from Diu. The compass and strength of it Cambaya being twice as big as Surratte is two hours walking in circumference and is surrounded with a double Stone Wall which hath twelve Gates It s chiefest Ornament consists in its great Suburbs The Streets are streight and broad and lock'd up every Night with a great pair of Gates The Houses are partly of Brick and partly of Free-stone but all kept very moist and consequently cool and would here be accounted but mean Houses yet are reckon'd the best in the Countrey being cover'd with Tyles and having Gutters to receive the Rain-water which in the three Summer Months falls in great abundance The Description The City is not very old and perhaps built out of the Ruines of some other It hath three great Market-places in the middle and fifteen pleasant Gardens full of Mangas-trees the Fruit whereof grows so plentifully here that they are sent to all the adjacent Countreys besides all which there are four Pools out of which the Inhabitants have Water all the year On one side of the City is a a square Pool rais'd with Marble and several Steps on which they descend to the Water for besides that which is sav'd in these Pools during the rainy Season there is little else in Cambaya This City hath no Haven of any great consequence put onely a bare Road by reason of the inconvenient Situation and low Shore yet it is call'd a Haven because of the great number of Ships which come thither from all Places At High-water the Ships may Anchor close before the City but lie dry at Low-water which are only small Vessels for Ships of Burthen are forc'd to lie a good distance from the Shore in deeper Water The Ebb and Flood of the Sea about Cambaya is exceeding swift the Sea rising in a moment and in less than a quarter of an hour to its usual heighth which is done with such wonderful swiftness that no Horse can out-run the same for it comes so furiously out of the Sea that like a great Current it overflows a vast Tract of Land Many Villages are under the Jurisdiction of this City where all Goods which are brought thither by Water pay Three per cent and Four if they come by Land This City was formerly the Seat of the King 's of Surratte and famous for Transporting of Agats and other Precious Stones Both without and within the City are many Hospitals for sick and maimed Beasts as is already mention'd which the Benjans look to and cure with great care for they abominate the killing of any Beast About a League and a half from Cambaya in the way to Amadabat lies a Village call'd Saima seven Leagues and a half farther Southwards another nam'd Mator and three from Cambaya another call'd Sarode which is inhabited by Rasbutes who Rob on the High-ways and Rivers Most of the Inhabitants are Pagans or Idolaters who are very careful in the preservation of their Laws the rest are either Moors or Mahumetans In the Village Cansari lying not far from the City stands a Pagode which hath several Cloysters and Walks on the out side built after a pretty kind of fashion as also the whole Structure which though it be not very big yet it is built in a handsom method Within this Pagode which belongs to the Indians call'd Vertias who shave the Hair from off their Heads stands upon a high Altar which is ascended by Steps an Idol with divers burning Lamps hung before him Hither resort many People to Offer Incense before the Idol Not far from hence is another square Pagode furnish'd with divers Idols A League from Cambaya lies the Village Agra which according to the Relation of the Benjans was anciently the Royal Seat and chief City of the Kingdom of Surratte Descriptio of the City of Brotcha The City of Brotch otherwise call'd Brotsch and Baroch and by Della Valle Barockci and Bebrug lies twelve Leagues Northward from Surratte and about two from the Sea side near the Northern Shore of the Stream Nardabat or Nardaba otherwise Nerheda which in a broad though shallow Channel glides by its Walls and coming down from beyond Decan and Mandou discharges its Water into the Bay of Bengala By reason of its great distance from the Sea it never comes up to the City though at high Flood The City which is pretty large lies on a Hill and is naturally well fortifi'd and by reason of its convenient Situation may be made the strongest Fortress of all India It is surrounded with Walls of hard Stone in manner like a Fort and strengthned with Bulwarks and hath three Land-Gates each with a Portal and according to the fashion of the Countrey is very strongly built besides two more along the side towards the River out of which the Water that is us'd in the City is fetch'd daily with Buffaloes There also with leave of the Receiver of the Customs many Boats with Wood are unladen On the Land they keep a strong Guard in several places without whose leave none may pass through them The Inhabitants relate and some old Rubies testifie that Brotcha was formerly a stately City but at present the best Houses are fall'n to ruine and few People of note inhabit the same Most of them being Benjans maintain themselves by making of Callicoes which they sell to a good advantage About the City or at the Foot of the Mountain lie two Suburbs call'd Poera inhabited by People of several Nations which also maintain themselves by making and Trading with Cotton Goods and they make the best Callico that is to be had in all Surratte and therefore send it to all parts of India They also make strip'd Stuffs half of Silk and half of Cotton which are much us'd and highly esteem'd in India for though it be wash'd never so often it changes not its colour The English have a Factory in this Town and pay Two per cent for all their Goods The Jurisdiction of this City The Jurisdiction of Brotcha extends over eighty four Villages and did formerly over three Towns which now have each a peculiar Governor Herbert affirms that it Commands over many great and remote Towns as Medapour lying seventeen Leagues from it Radgipour or Brodera six Leagues from thence Jown-basser seven Leagues from thence and many others which at this day have each their peculiar Lord of whom the Mogol receives yearly a Million two hundred and sixty thousand Momoedies for a Revenue The Harbor for Ships is before the River Nerheda in the open Sea without a shelter against the Winds For some Leagues about the City the Countrey is very plain and fertile being water'd by the River Navar or Nardabath Northward from Brotcha lies the Stream Dilavel and eight Leagues from the said City in the Way
to Cambaya you may see a great Village call'd Giambierser or Junbuglar otherwise Jambouser A Tomb whereto Pilgrimages are made Between Brotcha and Amadabat is the Tomb of a certain Mahumetan Saint call'd Polmedony being highly reverenc'd by the Inhabitants who out of a mad zeal go thither in Pilgrimage believing that they shall merit great things thereby and that they may seem to be the more penitent they load themselves with Iron Chains and Stones by which means they imagine they shall obtain fair Children Health Riches and what else their Hearts can wish or desire Description of Goga Goga is a Town or great Village lying about three Leagues from Cambaya near the Sea side where the Gulf or Bay of Cambaya grows narrower and appears like a River It is a pretty large Town but hath neither Gates nor Walls except towards the Sea side where there is a Wall of Free-stone near which is the Road and Place of Rendezvouz for the Portuguese Frigats which come as Convoys to their Merchants Ships and when laden conduct them to Goa and other of their Factories About nine Leagues Westward from Goa lie two Villages call'd Pattepane and Mangerel Bysantagan a City Bysantagan a great City lying in the midst of Surratte boasts twenty thousand Houses large Towers and Temples and in the middle of it a great Pool wherein the Inhabitants both Men and Women bathe themselves every day It is inhabited by Brahmans and was formerly but a mean Village but is come to its present splendor by the fertility of the Soyl about it which drew many People thither from other Places Pattan a very large City Pettan a large City six Leagues in circumference is surrounded with a Wall the Houses built of Stone In the middle of the City is a most magnificent Mahumetan Mosque built formerly by the Heathens on a hundred and fifty Pillars of Marble and other Stone Besides this there are many other fair Structures and without the City divers pleasant Gardens but most of them being decay'd have left their ruin'd Heaps to testifie their former splendor On the East side of the City stands a great Castle surrounded with high Walls and strong Towers and is the Residence of the Governor The Inhabitants are most of them Benjans who are exceedingly perplex'd by the Coelies being certain Robbers that dwell in an adjacent Territory who often force them to pay Contribution to the great prejudice of their Trade Cheytepour is a Town of Village lying six Leagues from Pettan and forty five from Amadabat built on the Banks of a pleasant Rivulet Messane an open Village lying seven Leagues and a half from Cheytepour hath an old decay'd Castle where the Governor resides with two hundred Horse A little League from Amadabat is a Village call'd Jessempour which hath a great Sary or House of Entertainment for Travellers A League and a half farther is another great Village nam'd Batova with a large Pool Three Miles from Batova is a Village nam'd Canis which lies near a River of the same Denomination Fourteen Leagues from Amadabat and nine from Brotcha is a little Town call'd Nariadet or Niriaud or Nieriaut built with fair Houses and Pagan Temples Seven Leagues and a half from Nariadet lies the Castle Wasset with the Villages Sejantra and Amenogy between both two or three Leagues one from another It is an old decay'd Structure built upon a high Hill near a River which falls into the Bay of Cambaya There are generally a hundred Horsemen in Garrison who in the King's Name receive one Ropia and a half for every Carr which the Caffilas drive by this Place Brodera a Countrey Town lies between Amadabat and Brotcha one and twenty Leagues Eastward from the first and thirty Westward from the last on a sandy Plain near a small Rivulet nam'd Wasset It was built by a Heathen call'd Rasia Ghie Son to Sultan Mahomed Begeran the last King of Surratte about a League and a half from old Brodera then call'd Radiapora which by this means was ruin'd and left desolate all the Inhabitants going to the new Brodera This Town or City which is surrounded with Walls and Bulwarks of Chalk and Stone hath five Gates one whereof is lately stopt up for want of a Way On the West side is a large Suburb inhabited by Weavers and Dyers who are for the most part Benjans Ketteyans and a few Moors Two hundred and twenty Villages are under the Jurisdiction of this City seventy five whereof pay Tribute to the Governor for the maintaining of his Soldiers the rest are by the King given to several of his Officers that by some heroick Exploits or good Service have oblig'd him in requital whereof he gives them the Revenues of the foremention'd Villages to maintain them Within the City are ten magnificent Houses Gardens and Tombs whereof one very stately built in the midst of an Orchard is the Tomb of a mighty Lord and all his Family Besides all these there are five pleasant Gardens full of Fruit-trees Flowers and Herbs On the East side right before the Gate that leads to Brotcha is a pretty deep Pool about half a Furlong broad and flank'd on one side with a Stone Wall from whence the Inhabitants fetch all their Water On the East side also about eight Leagues from Brodera lies a Village call'd Sindickera and five or six Leagues Westward from Brodera are eight or ten Village more which are all under the Jurisdiction of Brodera some Leagues from which towards the side of Amadabat lies a Castle or Fortress on a Mountain surrounded with a Wall near a small Brook More Northerly is an old decay'd Town call'd Surbrodra where there is a Custom-house Next to that is the Village Amemoygra where there is a Well of excellent Water Daman a large City with a Castle The City Daman lying on the right hand at the coming in of a Sea-Bay forty Leagues South-East from Diu in 20 Degrees Northern Latitude It is a great City situate near a River at the Sea and fortifi'd with a strong Castle Della Valle affirms that it is not very big but well built and surrounded with strong Walls like a Fortress This City was in the Year 1559. conquer'd by the Vice-Roy Constantine for the Crown of Portugal Conquer'd by the Portuguese for when the Portuguese had with the consent of the Inhabitants built a Fort near the City for the securing of their Trade the Inhabitants endeavor'd afterwards to force them from thence but the Portuguese being well fortifi'd oppos'd them and in a short time made themselves Masters of this Place making it an Example to all the Kings of India especially the Great Mogol who being warn'd by the Fall of his Neighbors would not permit any Europeans to build Forts in his Dominions nor give them a Foot of Land in possession The Blacks Natives of this Place Converted to Christianity are the best Musquetteers of all India of
which they have given sufficient testimony for about the Year 1644. when the Great Mogol's Son Besieg'd this City with ten thousand Men they behav'd themselves so bravely that the said Prince having lost a great number of his Men was forc'd to retreat from thence in a confus'd manner The Portuguese possess several Isles near Daman which pay Tribute to the King of Salsette wherefore he is call'd Choura of Daman Southwards from which lies a Place near the Sea call'd Dary beyond which is the Bay Kielme Mahi so call'd from two Villages lying near the Sea the one nam'd Kielme and the other Mahi and beyond them appears the City Bazaim The City Bazaim Sixty Leagues Southward from Deman near the Island Salsette lies the City Bazaim which Mercator affirms to be the Borace of Ptolomy in nineteen Degrees and a half Northern Latitude By reason of the many Rivers and Brooks the Way between Bazaim cannot be travell'd in less than three days The City being pretty large hath a convenient Harbor The whole Coast produces much Rice Pease and other Grain Oyl and Coco-nuts In the beginning of this Age many Houses were swallow'd up by an Earthquake in the room of which none have since been built On the Main Continent near the Island Salsette de Bazaim the Portuguese have a Fort call'd Manora and also a Village with many Hamlets near it â—â— Bay ende Stadt DABUL gelegen â—â—de noorder breetsâ—â—â— The Rock Asserim The Fortress or Rock of Asserim lies up some Leagues farther into the Countrey up which they generally climb bare-foot that so they may take the surer footing it being very high steep and slippery insomuch that those who ascend the same are in great danger of falling from the top to the bottom or else if they ascend on the other side they climb up by Ropes with which they hoise up Cows and other things which they want And though this Rock lie between many other which may easily be ascended yet it is so high above them that it seems to be a Fortress which Commands over the rest And as this Place is the Key to all the rest which the Portuguese possess to the Northward in India so it is likewise a great Eye-sore to the neighboring Kings who have for that reason practis'd divers ways to conquer the same which to prevent the Portuguese are continually upon their Guard especially at those Places which yield a good Prospect On the top of the said Rock is a large Plain surrounded with many great Stones which they throw down upon those that come to invade them Not onely the Soldiers but also the Inhabitants of the Place watch every Night and carry Torches made of a kind of Wood like Canes which last a long time and cannot be put out by any Wind or Rain which rather makes them burn the better This Place is also a Sanctuary for all Criminals who repairing thither for shelter are receiv'd and kept there for Soldiers which with their Wives and Children amounted formerly to about seven hundred The Portuguese conquer'd this Rock in the time of the Governor Francis Borrero The Countrey of Surratte The Countrey of Surratte is interlac'd by many Rivers viz. the Nardabat which takes its course by the City Brotcha and divides it self into two Arms about four Leagues from the City towards the South near the Village Hansoot in some places it is one and in others two Miles broad and is divided by many other Streams which have Passages into the Sea The Soil is for the most part clayie and mix'd with Sand except near the City where it is all Sand it extends East North-East and West South-West The other Rivers are Wasset and Bate which last springs out of the Mountains of Gate and falling into the Gulf of Bambain divides the Kingdom of Decan and Countrey of Surratte or Cambaya The Tapta otherwise Tyndee also glides between the Countrey of Surratte and that of the Benjans The River May otherwise Mehi or Guandari along whose Banks the City of Cambaya is built is dry at low Ebb except in three or four places which having always about four or five Foot of Water are dangerous to wade through without a good Guide because of the strong Current that is in them This River ebbs and flows daily seven Fathom perpendicular At High-water the Ships come to an Anchor close before the City but are left quite dry at Low-water The Ground being sandy and mix'd with Clay is much better and easier for those Vessels that lie dry upon it than if it were hard Sand. About a League Southward from Cambaya glides the River Mihi whose Shore must be travell'd at the low Ebb of the Sea and not without great danger because the Sea rising flows up above five Leagues and at low Tide you are forc'd to wade through two or three deep places if any one should venture to wade through at the coming in of the Tide he would undoubtedly be swallow'd by the Sea for when the Water flows with greater strength and higher than ordinary for it observes no Rule but rises and falls more or less according to the course of the Moon it carries and washes away both Horse and Man and oftentimes with such force that an Elephant cannot withstand the same nor all his weight prevent him from being carried away wherefore all travellers wait for a certain time to wade through the same viz. when the Sea is low which is at the new Moon at which time they may go over it in Coaches or on Horseback without any danger Coaches are commonly held fast on both sides that they may not be overturn'd by the Waves those that go on foot strip themselves naked and tying up their Clothes carry them on their Shoulders many times a whole Caravan with abundance of People travel over the same some in Coaches some in Waggons some on Horseback and others on foot both Men and Women stark naked accounting it neither shameful nor immodest The Soil between both viz. between the said River and the City Cambaya is firm and hard and is not overflown though plain and not far from the Sea In most Places of the Kingdom is excellent Water except in the City of Cambaya where there is great want of it There are several Pools of Water in the Towns and some of them so big that the Inhabitants filling them in the Winter have enough to serve them all the year In those Countreys which lie near the Indian Sea is a certain rainy Season or Winter viz. four Moneths in the year beginning in June when the Sun enters into the Tropick of Cancer and ending in September If it Rains out of the Season it is unusual but betokens a fruitful year for in the other eight Moneths the Weather is so serene and clear that there is scarce a Cloud seen in the Skie neither doth it rain constantly during the foremention'd four Months as in Goa but
of Ravisaldee an eminent Raja which hapned accordingly as may appear by the following Relation There was formerly as their Histories make mention a Raja call'd Syde Ravisaldee after whose Decease his Son built a stately Tomb in a Place call'd Sythepolapore so to express to his Successors the Affection and Reverence he bore to his Father When this magnificent Structure was finish'd with great Labor and Charge he consulted with the Bramines and desir'd to know of them if the stately Tomb he had built would be of any long continuance or would be subject to decay as well as other worldly things by whom it should be ruin'd Upon which a Madewnauger experienc'd in the Bramines Art answer'd That a certain Sultan call'd Alaudin King of Dely should ruine the same and make great Conquest in Surratte Syde Ravisaldee to prevent the ruine of this Structure sent the Bramine Madewnauger with great Sums of Money to Dely to this Alaudin to obtain of him that he would let his Fathers Bones rest and not destroy the Temple he had built for him But the Bramine coming thither could not find any Person of that Name in any Government or Command but after long search he was inform'd that a certain Wood-cutter living there had a Son of that Name whereupon going to this Man who was extremely amaz'd to see him he related to him his Journey whilst the Son of Alaudin standing behind his Father was preparing a Dish of Goats-flesh The Bramine going to him told him of the good Fortune that should attend him and that on a certain Day he would come to be King of Dely and make huge Conquests in Surratte and that Syde Ravisaldee had sent to proffer him a great Sum of Money requesting that when he should be Victor he would be pleas'd to defend the Temple which he had built as a Monument over his Fathers Grave at Sythepolapore Alaudin made this Answer That it was beyond all possibility he should be so powerful and attain such great Fortunes yet nevertheless if the Heavens had ordain'd it it was not possible to prevent it and it would be impossible for him to defend that Temple He also generously refus'd the Presents and the Money which the Bramine proffer'd him but his Father and Mother whom his Necessity gave good Advice to and knew better than he what was good for them persuaded him to receive the Presents partly to relieve themselves out of the present Indigency in which they were and make use thereof as an Instrument to attain to those things which were Prophesied Alaudin hereupon liking their Advice receiv'd them and gave to the Bramine a written Paper to this effect That since the Heavens had appointed he should fetch some Stones from this Structure he would only take them from one Corner without ruining it as well to perform that which was foretold him as to answer the Requests of Syde Ravisaldee With this Money Alaudin rais'd a considerable number of Soldiers and happily succeeded in all his Enterprizes insomuch that being press'd forward by his good success and emboldned by the Prophesie that he should do such valiant Exploits he at last attain'd to be King of Dely conquer'd Surratte and perfom'd that which he had promis'd Syde Ravisaldee and also ruin'd many Rajas to the great prejudice of the State of the Benjans who then began to decline But at last being wearied with the toil and care of War which continu'd a long time and was very â—roublesom because many Rajas retreated into inaccessible Places he appointed one Futterâ—on to compleat his Victories Alaudin seeing â—hat Fortune had rais'd him from nothing to the highest Degree of Honor he resolv'd to sâ—â—re his Happiness with him who had the least thoughts thereof and seriously considering thereupon a whole Night he concluded to give the Government of all those Places which he possess'd in Surratte to the first that should come and offer him any Presents when just as if it had been appointed Futterkon came into his Chamber to proffer him a Glass of Wine which Alaudin receiv'd with great joy and immediately in the Face of his whole Army declar'd Futterkon Successor of all those Dominions which he had or should attain and commanded all his Officers to shew him the Respect due to him as his Successor and to obey and assist him in all things which were necessary for the carrying on and finishing the already begun Conquests After which Alaudin retir'd to Dely whilst Futterkon prosecuted his Conquests of Surratte which the other Mahumetans that succeeded him in the Government of his Dominions compleated to the destruction of the Realm of the Benjans As to what concerns their present Condition some Rajas that were in a good Condition and others that retir'd into the middle of the Country into Places which could not be conquer'd are yet in Being and Rob those Caravans which Travel by the Places of their Residence and often Sally out to the Gates of the most strong and populous Cities for Booty They have many brave Soldiers that accompany them in these Enterprises who are by some call'd Rasphootes or Rasboten and Rasbookes and by others Resbuten Raspouten Reisbutos and Ragipous which signifie Kings Children for being of the Tribe of the Kutteries in all probability they were deriv'd from those Noble Persons that were destroy'd in the Conquest of Surrate Among those that were not conquer'd and are at present living is one Raja Surmulgee whose Residence is at Raspeplaw another Raja Berumshaw at Molere the Raja Ramnagar Raja Burmulgee and the great Raja Rannah who have maintain'd many a Field-Battel against the Great Mogols Army There are above a hundred Rajas or Pagan Princes sprinkled up and down in this Realm that are not under Subjection to the Great Mogol nor pay any Tribute to him some of them dwell near others a good distance from Dely among them are fifteen or sixteen very rich and powerful but chiefly five or six as the Raja residing in the Country of Jesselmeer who formerly Reign'd as Emperor over the Rajas and is said to be Extracted from King Porous and likewise Jesseingue and Jessomseingue which are rais'd to that heighth that if those three would but joyn together they would keep the Mogol sufficiently employ'd each of them being able in an instant to bring twenty thousand Horse into the Field better Exercis'd and Arm'd than those of the Mogol The present Great Mogol's chiefest Soldiers are Rajas as Jesseingue Jessomseingue and others to whom he gives great Salaries to be always prepared with a certain number of Ragipouts their Subjects and maintains and keeps them as Omrahs that is to say as other strange Lords and Mahumetans sometimes among those Forces which he always has to Guard him and sometimes in the Field These Rajas are commonly oblig'd to perform the same Duties that the Omrahs do that is to be upon the Guard though with this distinction they do it not in any
God had wholly destroy'd the Family of the Kutteries therefore he resolv'd to renew the same by a Prince and ordain'd that the Kings for the future should be Extracted out of the Family of the Brahmines the chiefest whereof that were then living having been preserv'd by Wistney were call'd Ducerat The first Child which was born after this universal Destruction was ordain'd to be the Race of Kings and Princes who being zealously brought up manag'd both the Affairs of State and Religion Governing the People with great Wisdom and Piety according to their several Tribes perform'd many heroick Acts and was a Protector of all Brahmines and other Spiritual Persons His Name was Ram and by his Just and Pious Life attain'd to that Dignity that his Name is to this day exceedingly honor'd amongst them for in their usual Salutations they with a loud Voice cry Ram Ram that is I wish you Health and all Happiness 'T is certain many Just and Pious Kings Reign'd after him but as all things do daily degenerate so in process of Time receding farther and farther from their original Purity they grew proud and ambitious insomuch that they acted daily contrary to the Commandments comprehended in the Book of Bremaw These hainous Enormities did once more so highly incense the Almighty that he gave Power to Ruddery to open the Earth that it might swallow them up alive except a few of each of the four Tribes which he preserv'd to re-people the World anew with And in this manner ended the third Age of the World Soon after God commanded that the World should be re-planted by those that were preserv'd which was one Kysteney or Kistna who was a famous King Wise and Religious and one of the most comely Persons of the former Age. He propagated Religion with great Zeal insomuch that during his Life there was great Reformation amongst the People and very hopeful beginnings of Piety and Honesty When by Kysteney's coming Wistney's time was expir'd God as they relate took him up to Heaven there being no further need of his Service here below because there would be no other World after this fourth Age which now in being will according to the Opinion of the Brahmines last much longer than any of the former and that after its ruine Ruddery will be taken up to Heaven likewise They call these four Ages by four several Names viz. the first Kurtain the second Dnauper the third Tetrajos and the fourth Kolee The manner of destroying this last Age will as the Brahmines relate be much more terrible than any of the former to wit by Fire at what time Ruddery will gather all his Powers together as absolutely necessary for the execution of so grand a Destruction The Moon will shine red the Beams of the Sun will be like the Flames of burning Brimstone Thunder and Lightning will make a dreadful noise the Sea will change into all manner of Colours and Fire and Smoke will cover the surface of the Earth the four Elements of which the Heavens were first made will maintain War against one another and the World being thereby utterly destroy'd will resolve into its first Primordia The World will be destroy'd by Fire as they suppose for this reason That it must be extinguish'd by that which gave it beginning and because it consists of Earth Water Air and Fire therefore it must be destroyd by these four Elements for the former Ages on which this Opinion is grounded were destroy'd the first by Water the second by Wind and the third by Earth therefore the fourth and last must be consum'd by Fire This being finish'd Ruddery shall carry all humane Souls up to Heaven there to rest in the Bosom of the Almighty but all Bodies will decay for they deny the Resurrection of the Body affirming That Heaven is too pure a Place for such gross and unclean Bodies The Kingdom or Territory of Chandish or Sanda THe Kingdom or Territory of Chandish otherwise call'd Sanda is by Robert Covert call'd The Land of Heathens or Countrey of the Great Can of Canouwe formerly the Overseer of the Great Mogol's High-ways Jarrick calls this Country or a great part of it The Kingdom of Brampour or Brampore or Barampour from its Metropolis It borders in the West on the Kingdom of Surratte in the South at Dekan having the Dukedom of Parthapsha between in the North at the Provinces Chitor and Malway and in the East at Berar A certain English Writer borders the same on the one side upon the Kingdom of the Benjans from which it is separated by the Tynde or Tasy and on the other side upon the Country of Bulloits having the great Stream Andre between and is suppos'd to lie in 28 Degrees Northern Latitude Terry affirms this Kingdom to be a mighty and populous Country and the South part of the Mogol's Dominions It is divided in the middle by the River Tynde or Tasy which makes the Country conveniently pleasant and fruitful about those Places through which it flows though for the most part it is a barren unwholsom sandy and dry Tract of Land the Metropolis thereof is call'd Brampore or Barampour by Herbert and Jarrick Breampour and lies in 28 Degrees and 3 Minutes Northern Latitude 220 Miles Eastward from Surratte 420 from Asmeer and 100 from Agra Herbert holds the same to be the ancient City Baramatis of Ptolomy and signifies Brachmans Pous or The City of the Brachmans because it was formerly and is still to this day an University of the Brahmines Jogues or Gymnosophists The City lies low in a healthful and spacious Plain it hath many Streets but very narrow their Houses are indifferent handsom though low Purchas renders the same to be a very fair City much bigger than London and the most famous and richest which the Mogol possesses On the North-East side of the City is a large strong Castle or Fort on the Banks of the Stream Tapy This City was formerly the Metropolis and Residence of the King of Dekan who was in process of time driven from thence Not far from thence is a Garden or Chan Channa in which are many delightful Springs and Fountains The City is for the most part inhabited by Benjans Before the Town in the River Tapa stands an Elephant most curiously Carv'd of Marble which the Benjans worship Anno 1600. the Great Mogol Ekbar after having conquer'd the Kingdom of Dekan made himself Master of this City Brampour which was then desolate and deserted by King Miram who was fled to the Fort Syr which for its Situation and Strength is the most considerable of all the Country and impregnable for it lies on the top of a high Mountain and is three Leagues in circumference surrounded with three Walls which are so made that the one may conveniently defend the other for though Ekbar besieg'd King Miram with a hundred thousand Men yet he could not conquer the same by Force but only by Policy and Treachery In
this Castle were anciently kept according to the Custom of the Country seven Kings with their Families and Retinues which never came from thence except that King of the Country which was nearest related to him dy'd without a Male-Issue Within it is a Fountain of fresh Water The other Towns of this Country are Saddise lying near the River Tynde nine Leagues from the City Netherbey and two Days Journey from Brampour the next is Caddor fifteen Leagues from Brampour on the side of the Bulloits Country then follows Sawbon fourteen Leagues from Caddor Kanowe a great City three days Journey from Caddor fourteen Leagues farther flows the great River Andere which runs to Bengala where the utmost Limits of the Heathens terminate and crossing this River you go out of the Heathens Couâ—try into that of the Bulloits Five Leagues Journey from Agra is a Castle call'd Hoffer the most eminent and the strongest of all the Province of Chandish it is built on the top of a high and steep Mountain incredibly fortifi'd by Nature and able to contain forty thousand Horse in the middle of it are Springs which water the Mountain and make the Earth so fruitful in the production of Grass Herbs and Corn that there is no want either of Provisions or other Necessaries it is also Planted round about with very fine Brass Guns which were brought thither by the last King of Surratte But the Water which springs out of this Mountain is very unwholsom to drink and causes Worms to grow in the Legs which was the only Instrument whereby Ekbar conquer'd this Place The Inhabitants of Brampour are very affable and courteous occasion'd perhaps by their converting commonly with many of the Nobility by whose Example the Vulgar are very much civiliz'd Every Person may Hunt freely without any interruption and those that will not go on foot may be furnish'd with a Horse at a very low Rate The Inhabitants of Kanowe drive a great Trade in Clothes Swords Musquets and a certain Fruit to Dye withal and those of Brampour in Cloth of Gold and Silver Silks and Woollen Cloth The Country is sufficiently fortifi'd against an Enemy for Anno 1609. the King of Kanowe came with an Army of fifty thousand Elephants thirty thousand Horse ten thousand Camels and three thousand Dromedaries to attack the same It is at this day Govern'd by a Substitute of the Great Mogol's The Inhabitants are Heathens and worship the Sun as their Supreme God They eat not the Flesh of any living Creature according to the manner of the Pythagoreans They adore all Creatures as Gods and worship that Beast they meet with first in the Morning for their God all that Day Anno 1600. the City of Brampour with the whole Kingdom and Fort of Sye was conquer'd by the Great Mogol Ekbar for at the coming of Ekbar with his Army after having conquer'd the Kingdom of Dekan King Miram deserted die City of Brampour and fled with all the Inhabitants and their Goods to the Fort Sye so that Ekbar got nothing but the empty City and therefore went from thence to Sye with an Army of 200000 Men. The Fortress was plentifully stor'd for many Years with Wood Corn and other Provisions for sixty thousand Men and was fortifi'd with three thousand Pieces of Ordnance In the Fort was besides King Miram and the seven other Heroick Princes which though of the Mahumetan Religion yet Extracted Portuguese who having the sole Conduct of this War fortifi'd the Fort with no less Care than Art so that the Mogol's Labor though he had besieg'd the Fort with two hundred thousand was all in vain for the Besieged by the convenient Situation of the Fort their continual discharging of great Guns and prudent management of Affairs they prevented him from taking the same by Storm When Ekbar saw that it was impossible to Conquer the Fort by Force he resolv'd to try what he could do by Policy wherefore he endeavor'd to attain his Ends by Money and Presents and desir'd to enter into Conference with King Miram swearing by his Head the greatest Oath imaginable that immediately after he had spoken wiâ—h him he should return in safety to the Fort again Miram being doubtful what might be the Event of this Busines entred into Counsel with his Officers about it where the Abyffinian Commanders and seven other Princes judg'd it altogether inconvenient for him to go out of the Castle but others who were entic'd thereto by Bribery seem'd to be quite of another Opinion whose Advice he following went out of the Fort having upon him a Garment in fashion of a Cloke which reach'd down to his Knees as a testimony of his Submission Coming to the Great Mogol whom he found sitting like an Image yet with a smiling Countenance he bid him welcom three times upon which Miram approaching nearer to him bow'd down his Head when one of the Mogol's Princes taking hold of him threw him on the Ground to which rude Affront 't was judg'd Ekbar consented notwithstanding he seemingly reprehended him for his rashness and mildly perswaded Miram to send Letters to the Watches which Guarded the outward Walls After which Miram requir'd liberty to return to the Castle but Ekbar not regarding his Oath would not permit him to go back again The Abyssinian Governor was no sooner inform'd of what had pass'd but he sent his Son with a Letter to the Mogol in which he tax'd him with Injustice for detaining Miram contrary to his Oath advising him to to let him return peaceably according to his Promise The Mogol hereby understanding that the whole management of Affairs were left to the Discretion of this Abyssinian thought if he could but corrupt him the Place might be easily subdu'd wherefore he ask'd the Son If his Father would not come thither in case King Miram should command him To which the Youth boldly reply'd That his Father was no such Person as he took him for neither would he leave his Castle to come and Consult with him that he must in vain expect to obtain the Fort with his Father's Consent and if he would not release Miram yet there should not long want a Successor Which confident Answer so incens'd Ekbar that he caus'd the young Man immediately to be Stabb'd which when his Father had notice of he presently sent the Mogol word That he would beg of the Gods never to behold the Face of such a perfidious Prince and afterwards taking his Sash in his Hand he went amongst the Soldiers and thus bespake them Oh Brothers the Winter approaches which will drive the Mogol from the Siege and to avoid their utter Ruin force them all to retire home None but God shall ever he able to Conquer this Place unless the Inhabitants thereof will surrender the same therefore resolve valiantly to defend the same Having ended this Speech he went and Strangled himself immediately After his Decease the Inhabitants defending the Place for some time kept
or Fatipor by Jarrick call'd Fateful or Pateful by Cowert Fetterbat and by Herbert Fettipour was anciently call'd Tzikkerim or Sykary and lies twelve Kours or four Leagues from Agra This City was upon the following occasion built by the Great Mogol Ekbar viz. At his Return from Asmer whether he went to visit the Tomb of Mandy he visited St. Derwis or a poor Monk call'd Seid Selim that is Seid Selim who accounted himself highly honor'd that God had employ'd him to tell Ekbar that in a short time he should be the Father of three beautiful Children and indeed Ekbar to acknowledge the Kindness would have his eldest Son call'd Selim the second Chan Morad or Amurath and the third The Haen Schach or Daniel nay this Prophecy was so acceptable to Ekbar that he caus'd a fair Mosque to be built there and inclos'd both that and the ancient City Tzikerim or Sykary with a high Wall and from that time caus'd it to be call'd Fettipore that is A Place of Delight nay his Affections were so strongly inclin'd to this City that he built a Palace there and also a Bazar or Exchange the fairest in all the Eastern Parts resolving farther to make it the Metropolis of the whole Kingdom for which it stood very convenient being seated on the Bank of a River yet the unwholsomness of the Air forc'd him to leave the same since which time it is become a ruin'd and desolate Place Robert Cower affirms that this City is much bigger than London and is adorn'd with a Temple very artificially built though much decay'd The whole Tract of Land between this City and Agra is always throng'd with People like a Market The City Bian is four Leagues from Fatipor beyond which are the Towns Ladana Mosabadan and Bandason next lie Asmeer or Esmeer where the Great Mogol Ekbar had a large House or Stable in which he commonly kept six hundred Elephants and a thousand Horses The City Asmeer lies in 35 Degrees and 15 Minutes Northern Latitude on a high and inaccessible Mountain twenty five Leagues from Agra The greatest part of the City lies at the foot of the Mountain well built but ill fortifi'd notwithstanding the Wall is of good Stone A Prophet one of Mahomet's Disciples lies buried there in a stately Tomb to which belong three pleasant Yards pav'd with Free-stone polish'd after the Persian manner Not far from hence is Godach formerly the Residence of an eminent and very valiant Rasbout Some place the City Fatipor in the Province of Bando At every half Leagues distance between Agra and Asmeer stands a Pillar or Column resembling those which the Romans us'd to erect at the distance of a thousand Paces At the end of every twenty five Mile there is an Inn or Place of Entertainment for Men and Horse where certain Women constantly give their attendance and get ready such Victuals for every one as they desire for which and their Horse-meat they pay Three pence There are also fair Houses at every ten Miles distance which were built by the Great Mogol Ekbar for the convenience of his Women when he took a Journey to Asmeer to visit the Tomb of Mandy Mahomet's Disciple The whole Country being water'd by the Stream of Jemna aboundeth with Corn Lemmons Oranges Cherries Pears Apples Plums and other Fruit amongst which are Grapes which being preserv'd are as big as Damas Pruins There also grows abundance of Anil or Indico and store of Cotton Saltpetre is likewise very plentiful here and all sorts of Poultry Falcons Pheasants Partridges Hearns and Wild-ducks Here are also great store of Goats Cows and Hogs and Fish in such abundance that Eighteen pence will purchase enough to feed three hundred Men. In Agra are generally kept four Markets where besides Provisions divers other Goods are sold From Persia and China are Transported hither considerable Quantities of Gold and Silver Cloths which though slighter are yet dearer than those of Europe In this City as also in Lahor the Inhabitants drive a great Trade in Anil or Indico and at Bandason there is vast quantities of Course Wooll Cotton Lances Bowes Javelins Swords and other Arms. In Lahor are commonly kept two Markets The Inhabitants drive also a great Trade to Forein Parts When the King resides at Agra no Stranger is permitted to stay there above twenty four Hours unless they give him an account of their Business and of what Quality and Country they are but none are permitted to see him without a Present In this City the Netherlanders keep a Factory for their East-India Company who maintain four or five Persons which formerly made a great advantage on Scarlet Cloth great and small Looking-glasses and other Merchandises and also by buying of Indico which grows about Agra but especially at Bianes two days Journey from thence whither travelling twice a Year they have built a Lodge or Store-house there where they buy in all those Stuffs or Cloths which come from Jelapour and Laknau about six or eight days Journey from Agra But at this time it is said the Gain is nothing so considerable whether it be because the Armenians drive that Trade themselves or because Agra lies so far from Suratte that one Accident or other doth generally befal their Caravans which are constrain'd to travel by the City Amadabad through the Raja's Country to avoid the bad Ways and Mountains which lye on the side of Govaleor and Brampour which is the shortest way The Country of Bulloits THE Bulloits which by Robert Covert are call'd Pythagoreans border on one side at the River Andere which seperates them from the Country of Kanawe or Brampour otherwise Chandisch and Surratte and on the other side at the River Tamlao or Tamliko which is the Boundary between them and the Kingdom of Agra The Towns of this Country are Gorra Sandaye Erasmie Zingrene Barrandon Tranado Zajoberdee and Haud Gorra lieth a days Journey from the River Andere and is about two Leagues in Circumference Two of the King's Sons formerly maintain'd a long War about this City till Thei le King of Ostlohm obtain'd the Victory and after a seven year peaceable possession thereof he was also conquer'd by the Great Mogol the sixth of Tamerlain's Successors who made himself absolute Master of all this Country Two days Journey from Gorra is the City Sandaye beyond which about twenty two Leagues further lies Erasmie and seven Leagues further Zingrene eight Leagues from which is the City of Barrandon After six days Journey from hence through a thick Wood you come to the City Tranado eight Leagues beyond which is Zajoberdee and nine Leagues further Haudee which hath a Castle built on a Rock and fortified with many Guns A days Journey from thence flows the River Tamliko which falls into the Indus at the Place where it separates the Indostans from the Bulloits In this Country near the City Zajoberdee is great plenty of Corn and about Zingrene great abundance of Oats and Beasts But
is the utmost Northern part of the Mogol's Jurisdiction The Chiefest Towns thereof are call'd Decalce and Purhola The County of Gor lieth North-east from Kakares and is very Mountainous The River Sersily takes its Original in this Country and after long Course Southerly discharges it self into the Ganges The Metropolis bears also the name of Gor. The Provinces of Pitan Canduana and Patna THE Province of Pitan conterminates Northwards at that of Kakares Eastward at the River Sersily Southward at the Territory of Patna and Westward at that of Siba It is water'd by the Stream Canda which empties it self on the Borders into the Ganges The Chief City is nam'd Pitan The County of Canduana verges Westward on the River Sersily which divides it from Pitan This and the Territory Gor are the furthest Limits of the Mogol's Jurisdiction to the North-east The Metropolis is call'd Carhacatenca The Province of Patna borders Westward at the River Ganges Eastwards at Sersily and the County of Jesuat and Northwards at Pitan The Territories of Jesuat Merat and Vdessa THE Territory of Jesuat borders on the West at that of Patna and on the East at Merat The Chief City thereof is call'd Raiapore Merat joyns On the East to Udessa and on the West to Jesuat It is a Mountainous Country and hath Nariel for its Head City The Province of Udessa is the furthest part of this Jurisdiction Eastward and hath Jekanat for its Metropolis The Kingdom of Decan THE Kingdom of Decan is according to Juan de Baroes generally taken for the whole Extent which the Country of Cuncan comprehends because the Inhabitants call that Tract of Land Cuncan which extends it self along the Sea from North to South to the River Aliga and from East to West from the Sea to the Mountains of Gate So that these People are call'd Cuncanyns and not as the Portuguese improperly stile them Canariins But the Coast of Decan which extends Eastward to the Mountains of Gate is call'd The Kingdom of Decan and the Inhabitants Decanyns and as Linschot hath it this Country is also call'd Ballagate that is The Upper Gate for Balla signifies Upper and Gate A Mountain Or rather the Country of Ballagate by Ananie call'd Bilagate is that Land which extends over and among those Mountains as appears by the Description of Linschot who makes three Kingdoms of this Country dividing it into Ballagate Decan and Cuncan All these three Countries taken together border on the North at the Kingdom of Cambaye or Zurratte with the Stream Bate between both and also at the Kingdom of Orixa on the East at the Kingdom of Narsinge on the West at the Sea on the South at Canara being parted by the River Aliga This Country extends it self along the Sea above 250 Italian Miles or as Ananie saith full sixty two German that is from the Mouth of the Stream Bate to that of Aliga or rather as Juan de Baroes hath it from Chaul to the River Aliga in Sintacora is sixty five Spanish Miles But Texeira and other Modern Writers rightly distinguish the Country of Decan from that of Cuncan or Visiapour by its extent to the North calling that Country Cuncan which extends to the South and that which lies more to the North and nearer to Cambaye Decan Decan borders on the North at Cambaye on the East at the Mountain of Ballagate on the South at Cuncan and on the West at the Sea It extends from the South to the North along the Sea-coast of Sifferdan to Negotana a Tract of twenty Leagues and runs up into the Country near Cambaye The Metropolis of Decan according to Texeira is call'd Hamedanager by Ananie and some others singly Danager by others Amdadanager who place it up in the Country and make it the King's Residence affirming That he made this the Seat of his Realm because of the pleasant Situation of the City and the delightful Gardens about the same Yet there are some that make Beder or Bider by Barbosa call'd Mavider the Metropolis of all Decan and Residence of the Kings Next to this is reckon'd the City of Decan In this Kingdom lies also a City built near the Sea-shore which Texeira calls Chaul but Baroes Chiaul by Della Valle Ciul and Chaul and by Barthema Ceuul which by Castald is taken for the ancient City Camane of Ptolomy It lies ten Leagues to the Southward of Bazzain in 19 Degrees and 50 Minutes of Northern Latitude two Leagues from the Sea near a River which by the help of the Flood coming from the Sea brings up Ships close to the Walls of the City It runs up a great way into the Country from whence it takes its Course trending through Hills and Valleys till it discharges it self into the Sea making a spacious Haven in the midst of the Bay below the City The Portuguese have two Forts here whereof the one was built Anno 1520. by Diego Sequeira who obtain'd leave of the King for it The other built by the Moors is on the other side of the Haven viz. on the Right hand when you enter into it To the Southward of this Haven lies a famous Mountain in the Portuguese Tongue call'd Il Morro di Ciul that is A Member of Ciul which commands both the City and Harbor having a Fortress built on the top which is in a manner inaccessible and belong'd formerly to the Moors of Decan that is to Nizam Schiah King or Lord over all the adjacent County This Fortress was conquer'd by the Portuguese who with discharging their Musquets at an Elephant which was by the Moors plac'd to defend the Gate with a great Chain in his Mouth so frighted him that he remov'd to one side and permitted the Portuguese to creep under his Belly and make themselves Masters of the Place But others relate that the Place was taken after this manner viz. When the Portuguese had first with a handful of People defeated a considerable Party of the Moors and put them to flight they retreated to the Fort Il Morro di Ciul where they thought to be secure from the fury of the Portuguese but an Elephant being wounded in the Battel and retiring amongst them towards the Fort fell down dead at the entrance of the Gate which then could not be shut against the Portuguese who by firing boldly upon their Opposers soon made themselves Masters of the Place which since that time they have made much stronger and by that means defended the City Chaul from the continual Assaults of the Moors Pyrard tells us That there are two Cities call'd Chaul in one of which inhabit abundance of Handicrafts and Tradesmen In this City is a famous Temple dedicated to the Goddess Crangene Without the City is a Toll-house Also the Chief Church of the Portuguese stands near the Sea-shore not far from which is a Cloister of the Jesuits with a Church dedicated to St. Peter Southward from Chaul by the Sea lies a Place by Barbosa
of the City Mirisdie Mirisdie otherwise Mirdsy is a large and desolate City fortified on the South-west side with a strong Castle which is so well furnish'd with Men and Amunition that the Great Mogol after the conquering of many Towns and Fortresses could not subdue this Castle with his whole Army It is adorn'd with a Metzid built after the Moorish manner in which lie buried two Kings of Dely which died about 500 Years ago their Graves being adorn'd with Hangings and other rich Ornaments are frequented by the Inhabitants and travelling People who shew great Reverence to the same Two Kos from Mirdsy lies the Village Epour and three Kos further on the Banks of the River Koecenna are two Towns the one call'd Great and the other Little Graeen about a Cannon-shot one from another Five Leagues and a half-from the River Koecenna is the great and rich Trading City Asta with the Villages Toncaa and Astacka in the Road about two Kos and a half one from the other between which two Villages is a Barry or Hamlet Three Kos from Asta stands the large and well-built City Ballouwa and three Kos further two Towns about a Cannon-shot one from the other call'd Oerem and Jesselampour the last of which hath a strong Castle with high Walls wherein the Governor for the King of Visiapour hath his Residence Two Kos from thence is a Village nam'd Taffet and three Kos further another call'd Cassegam and two beyond that the decay'd City Caljaer Two Kos from Caljaer is the Village Galoure and six Kos beyond that the City Tamba and Village Winge near the City Quelampour and another Town call'd Domo The City Tamba is large and well Peopled built along a Running Water which hath its Original out of the River Coyna Two Kos from Tamba is the Village Morel two beyond that Suppera and four Kos further Beloure two more from hence lies a great Village call'd Werad nine Leagues from the Ballagatean Mountains Not far from this place is the Village Patan formerly the Residence of a famous Robber call'd Hiewogy who forc'd Tribute from all Travellers which none could hinder him from notwithstanding all possible means were us'd to prevent it for so soon as any Forces were sent against him he immediately fled into the Mountains which were naturally inaccessible Another Village call'd Helewaek lies about three Kos beyond Werad by which runs the River Coyna Three great Kos or a League and a half from the River Coyna on the Mountains of Ballagate is the Village Gatamata so call'd in respect of these Mountains for Gata in the Persian Tongue signifies A Mountain and Mata Above or On the top Three Kos further lies another Village call'd Poly at the foot of the foremention'd Mountains which by reason of their steep narrow and Rocky Ways are very troublesom to travel Two Kos from Poly or the Foot of the Ballagatean Mountains is the Village Combaerly and sixteen Kos from thence at the River Ghaybeer a great Village nam'd Chipolone from whence is a passage by Water to the City Dabul All Goods that come out of the Country of Decan are carried in Boats from thence to Dabul and so farther up into the Country which makes this Place to be very populous and plentifully stored with all manner of Provisions The Merchandises and Commodities which are brought thither by Water pay for each Kandy or 450 Pound weight one Laryn and a half Freight to Dabul Four Gau or twelve Leagues from Chipolone down the River Helewacko lies the City Dabul or Dabrul anciently very famous but of late much ruin'd by the Wars and decreas'd in Trade It lies in 18 Degrees Northern Latitude or as others affirm in 17 Degrees 45 Minutes and is built along the Shore of the River Helewacko ten Leagues from Chaul It lies open onely on the South-side which fronts the Water where are two Batteries planted with four Iron Guns On the Mountains are several decay'd Fortresses and an ancient Castle but without any Guns or Garrison On the Northern Point where the Bay begins stands a little Wood which at a distance appears like a Fort and below this Wood near the Water is a white Temple or Pagode as also another on the South Point on the declining of the Mountain besides several other Temples and stately Edifices This City was taken from the King of Idalcan by the Portuguese Anno 1508. but was afterwards won from them again and ruin'd by the English Two Leagues Southward from Dabul lies a Promontory or Cape by the Portuguese call'd Dabul Falso that is False Dabul because in sailing by the same they often find themselves deceiv'd taking it for the Point of Dabul which it very much resembles Beyond this Cape is a Bay by them call'd Enceada de los Brahmannes that is The Bay of the Brahmines because many Brahmines dwell thereabouts Beyond this is the Ragiaputa and the Cape Caraputa the Enceada or Sea-Bay Calasi or Calesci lying not far from the Cape Carapeta and next to that Tambona Four Leagues from Dabul lieth the Bay of Zanguizara in 17 Degrees and a half of Northern Latitude Twelve Leagues from Zanguizara or rather from Dabul and twenty from Goa lies the Haven and Road of Ceitapour in 17 Degrees and 20 Minutes Northern Latitude behind an Island which secures it from all Winds This Haven hath at the lowest but three and at the highest not above six or seven Fathom Water Beyond the River three Leagues from this Island and the Road Ceitagour lies the City Rasapour one of the eminentest Towns of the Kingdom of Cuncan and Visiapour Travelling from the Sea-side about Goa up into the Country to the Metropolis Visiapour you pass by and through the following Cities and Villages First A great City call'd Ditcauly lying three Kos from Goa Not far from thence near the River Madre de Dios lies a Castle call'd Ponda Banda a mighty City is about one Gau or three Leagues from Ditcauly two from Goa two from Wingerla and three and a half or nine Leagues from Ballagate It is built near the River Dery which glides by this City into the Sea having broad Streets with many fair Buildings and several Pagodes or Temples Between Banda and the Ballagatean Mountains lie several Villages as Amby two Kos from Banda and Herpoli four Kos Eleven Kos from thence on the other side at the Foot of the lowest of the Ballagatean Mountains is the Village Amboly beyond which near the River Herenecassy is another Village of the same Name A Cannon-shot from Herenecassy in the Valley between the Mountains of Ballagate is a Dorp call'd Berouly and two Kos further another call'd Weseree three Kos further Outor six and a half more Berapour half a Kos beyond Matoura and one more the pleasant Village Calingra close planted about with Trees A Cannon-shot from Calingra is the Village Cangier a little beyond a place by a general Name call'd Bary for all those Places
taught the Trade or Calling of his Parents The Rusticks maintain themselves with sowing of Rice and Fishing on which they live very poorly inhabiting near the Sea-shore and the Banks of Rivers for the convenience of the Coco-Trees which grow along the same The Decanders which dwell near the River Zanguizara maintain themselves with Tillage and keeping of Cattel People of more Ability Traffick in Pepper in which the chiefest Trade of this Country consists which coming out of Canara is sent by Sea to Persia Suratte and Europe They deal likewise in all sorts of Provisions for this Country is the Store-house for all its Neighbors The Inhabitants also drive a great Trade in Calico and another sort of Cloth call'd Beirames which being brought by Land from Indostan Golconda and the Coast of Choromandel is sold to great advantage for in most Towns are kept Weekly Markets to which the Merchants carry all their Commodities but especially Corn and Provisions which are generally bought up by a valiant sort of People call'd Venesars and transported through the whole Country of Indostan which they penetrate with Cafilas consisting of three four nay sometimes eight or ten thousand Beasts of Burthen accompanied with Women and Children which follow them like an Army In Visiapour dwell many Jewellers which Trade in Diamonds that come from Golconda and Pearls of a great value There is also a great Market wherein nothing but Diamonds are sold which are bought by the Benjans of Surratte and Cambaye and by them dispos'd of again at Goa and other Places Out of this Country is also carried great store of Betel to Ormus Aden and Cambaye The Portuguese of Goa drive a great Trade with the Inhabitants of Cuncan but chiefly with the Merchants of Ditcauly and Banda In the City of Raiebaag dwell many eminent Dealers which Trade in Pepper and other Commodities The Coins and Current Moneys of Cuncan are of different Valuations there being two sorts viz. Laryns and Pagods A Laryn of Dabul coyn'd of the ordinary Metal is valued at ten Pagods whereas those of Persia make but eight Moreover the Pagods are likewise of a different Value for some are worth seven and a half or eight Persian Laryns and ten In-land Their small Money is of Copper and is call'd Basarucus and Paysas two hundred and ten Basarucus and in some Places a hundred and eighty make a Laryn and twenty eight Paysas are of the same value Every Town and Village hath for the most part a peculiar Coin and Value on their Money in which is great deceit especially in Laryns and Pagods which the subtle Benjans make so artificially of Copper and other Metals that they cannot be distinguish'd from the good Wherefore few will receive Money without the presence of a Xaraf or Exchanger who for a small Reward looks over all the Money and makes good the Damage if there happens to be any bad Money among that which he receives And if it be found that an Exchanger so entrusted as is before-mention'd shall designedly put away bad Money he is immediately condemn'd to have his Hands cut off and all his Estate forfeited to the King notwithstanding which they practice it daily The Weight of this Country is like that of Surrat having onely some small difference for twenty seven Maons of Cuncan make but twenty Maons of Surrat The ordinary Maon of forty Ceeres a Ceer is sixty Peysses is about twenty seven English Pounds with which Weight they weigh all heavy Goods and with another Weight call'd Goemy each Goemy being twelve Maons they weigh their Pepper A Quintal which is also a common Weight makes four Maons and five Quintals or twenty Maons one Candy which is five hundred and forty English Pound weight There are many other Coins and Weights in use among them which every Person in buying or selling of Goods agree upon at their pleasure but these before-mention'd are the most common and generally us'd through all the Country The Arms which the Inhabitants of Decan and Visiapour use both for Horse and Foot are broad Swords Pikes Lances with a square Iron at the end about a Span long Bows and Arrows Shields Darts which they throw with great dexterity at their Enemies Their Defensive Arms are Coats of Mail and Coats lin'd with Cotton which they call Landaâ—hes When they march into the Field they carry with them Tents of Callico under which they sleep They make use of Oxen to carry their Baggage Their common way of Fighting is on Foot though when they march some walk others ride on Horses and some on Elephants of which the King keeps a great number for that purpose The King of Cuncan is said to be very powerful and able in a short time to bring eighty thousand or as some say two hundred thousand armed Men into the Field both Horse and Foot He keeps many Persians and Mogols constantly in his Service which commonly enjoy the most eminent Places under him He likewise maintains many valiant Rasepouts There are four very eminent Castles or Fortresses in Cuncan known by the Names of Ponda Perinda Salpoure and Bellegam Chapour The King hath divers great Guns in his Magazen and about two hundred Cannons Demi-Cannons and Culverins Round about the City and Castle-walls of Visiapour are planted many small Pieces as Drakes and the like In the City of Visiapour is a Copper Gun of an incredible bigness its Chamber being large enough to contain above five hundred Pound of Powder It was found in a conquer'd Castle call'd Perando from whence it was convey'd to Visiapour by ten Elephants fourteen hundred Oxen and an incredible number of Men. The Founder of this Piece is reported to have been a Roman who undertook the same to make his Name Immortal and that his Work might be admir'd by the whole World which is the more talk'd of because after he had finish'd this prodigious Piece he kill'd his own Son and sprinkled his Blood over it for an Offering It hapned also that whilst this Gun was Casting Braman the King's Treasurer coming to demand an Account of the Charge from the said Roman he caus'd a Fire to be made in the Pit wherein the said Gun was Cast and throwing the said Braman into it bid him take an Account of the Fire which consum'd the Silver and Copper The News carried to the King by the Relations of the Deceased he seem'd not at all concern'd thereat but rather displeas'd with the Complainants telling them he never gave his Treasurer any Order to demand an Account With this Cannon the King took an almost invincible Castle call'd Salapoure making a Breach in the Wall at the first Shot of fifteen Ells long and at the next batter'd down the whole side of the Wall which so amaz'd the Besieged that without any further resistance they surrendred the Castle The Inhabitants relate many strange and ridiculous things of this Gun as that it formerly Prophesied like the Oracle at Delphos They
sustain by it You will not want much Ammunition in these Countries therefore do not refuse sending Assistance to us In the same year in the beginning of December a Peace was concluded between King Adel Schiah and the Portuguese whereby both Parties were allow'd free access one to the other The King of Visiapour maintains also Wars against some of his Rais or Rajas which are Heathen Princes or petty Kings which with the Rabutes their Subjects reside in the Mountains of Ballagate in Places naturally inaccessible where they neither fear being surpriz'd nor besieg'd They have no Written Laws in the whole Realm but the King's Will is a Law to all his Subjects All Civil Debates that happen to arise in the City Visiapour are determin'd by the Coutewael or High-Sheriff but Criminal Causes are try'd by the King himself The Criminals are often executed in the King's Presence with great cruelty throwing them oftentimes before Elephants and other Wild Beasts to be devour'd and sometimes cutting off their Arms Legs and other Members besides other ways not usual in Europe In other Towns or Provinces the Vice-Roy or Governor passes Sentence after the same manner For by vertue of their Patents which they call Firman they are particularly impower'd to give Judgment against Criminals They commonly judge of these Causes according to the first Complaint which they hear so that he which complains first for the most part fares best Differences of Debt are soon decided among them for if the Debtor do not pay his Creditor according to the time limited by the Judge he is severely whipp'd and his Wife and Children sold for Slaves by the Creditor Such Persons as are forc'd to swear are plac'd in a round Circle made upon the Ground laying one Hand upon some Ashes brought thither for that purpose and the other on their Breast and uttering several Expressions to their Gods after which they think themselves oblig'd on pain of Damnation to make a true Answer to all such Interrogatories as are put to them Linschot makes the Idalcans or Kings of Cuncan to be Subjects and Tributaries to the King of Narsinga but Jarrick affirms them to be mortal Enemies The Kings of Cuncan were formerly absolute Lords of vast Territories and subject to none but about sixty Years ago in the time of King Mamedh Idelxa Son to King Ibrahimxa who Anno 1635. possest the Crown in the twenty fourth Year of his Age they were reduc'd under the Mogol's Jurisdiction viz. when in King Mamedh Idelxa's Minority who Govern'd his Realm under the Guardianship of Chavas Chan the Great Mogol assaulting those of Visiapour with two hundred thousand Foot and eighty thousand Horse for their refusing to pay him Tribute After a long and bloody War and the death of Chavas Chan a Peace was concluded Duke Mustaff Chan and the Kings of Visiapour brought under subjection to the Great Mogol with Conditions to pay nine thousand Pagods yearly for Tribute But at present as F. Bernier affirms the King of Visiapour pays no Tribute to the Great Mogol but defends himself against all Attempts which he makes upon him for though he be not so powerful as those of Golconda oppose the Mogol's Forces yet he hath this advantage by reason of the remoteness of his Country from Dely and Agra that the Mogol makes not such frequent Attempts on these Parts besides which that part of the Country of Visiapour which lies next the Mogol's is very difficult for an Army to approach because of the scarcity of Water and Provisions and the badness of the Ways The Metropolis Visiapour is also very strong situate in a dry barren Soil and guarded by many Fortresses built on the circumjacent Mountains which are most of them inaccessible Many Rajas also joyn with him for their own security Moreover he oftentimes receives private assistance from the King of Golconda who always keeps an Army ready on the Borders to assist the King of Visiapour whenever he perceives him to be too much oppress'd by the Mogol Yet nevertheless this State as also that of Golconda is much declin'd for the Mogol hath taken Paranda from them which is the Key of their Country with the Magnificent City Bider and some other eminent Places But especially because of a difference between these two Kings for the last King of Visiapour dying without Issue-Male the present King who is a young Man being brought up by the King of Golcondas Sister who took him for her Son doth not acknowledge her Favours Ibrahim Adil Sciah who Reign'd Anno 1620. notwithstanding the Countries of Cutb Sciah or the King of Golconda and Nizam Sciah King of Decan lay as Bulwarks between his Dominions and the Mogol's and upon occasion was able to raise an Army of a hundred thousand Men stood nevertheless in great fear of the Mogol to whom though he paid considerable Tributes yearly yet he was so slighted by the Mogol that he sent his Letters to him by a Common Soldier or Slave whom he was forc'd to meet with his whole Army and conduct him in great Pomp to his Court where he plac'd himself in a Chair of State prepar'd purposely for him whilst Adil Sciah was forc'd to stand in his Presence like a Slave And when the Messenger had laid the Letter on a Carpet he bow'd down to the Ground three times according to the manner of the Country before he durst take it up This Ibrahim Adil Sciah is said to have caus'd his own Son to be put to death for persuading him from paying the usual Tribute to the Great Mogol and counselling him by force to free himself from that Slavery The King now Reigning sends oftentimes great Presents to the Mogol Anno 1656. in June the King Sciah Sahep sent a Present of seven Lak Penas or Two hundred and eighty thousand Pounds to the Mogol Prince Oranchzef at present King Residing at Dautabake who then accompanied with Mirsimula lay with his Fathers Army on the Borders of Visiapour in a Province call'd Pretapapour The Venassars and Collers or Coulys as also the Rasboutes of Cambaye pay Tribute to this King The thirteenth of November Anno 1656. the King of Visiapour call ' d Adil Sciah deceas'd at which time Fettechan guarded the King's Palace and Chan Channa coming with his whole Army near the Walls desir'd to know of Fettechan whether it would not be convenient for him to bring the Army into the City to prevent Insurrections Whereupon Fettechan reply'd That he had taken upon him in Chan Channa's absence to Guard the Fort and therefore he judg'd it best for the safety of the Realm to let Chan Channa come into the City Whereupon he repair'd to Fettechan in the Palace where consulting together they concluded to Crown the King 's adopted Son call'd Cha Chade which was perform'd the same day he being then in the twenty fourth Year of his Age. This new King receiv'd the Name of Aly Adel Sciah and was permitted to use
Moors The Women not permitted to go to their Temples Fol. 152 The Order of the Derwises amongst the Hassenists The Diet of the Hassenists with several of their peculiar Customs Fol. 153 The Nature and Complexion of the Hassenists Fol. 154 The Habits of the Mogollans Fol. 155 Christians dispers'd all over India ibid. The Realm of the Great Mogol otherwise Hindostan or Indostan The Bounds of the Kingdom It s Circumference Extent and Division Bengala a Fertile and Rich Kingdom Fol. 156 Indostan supply'd with Elephants and Horses from other Parts Caravanseras or Houses of Entertainment Indostan very Rich. The Indians manner of Sailing The Inhabitants of Indostan The Trade and Manufacture of the Country Fol. 157 The Omrahs Children Inherit not their Fathers Estates The Quality and Office of an Omrah The Mansebdars The Rouzindars Fol. 158 The Mogol's Infantry His whole Military Strength computed Fol. 159 The Court Splendor Magnificence and Riches of the Great Mogol The Description of the Mogol's Court at Lahor King Chorram's Cavalcade from Agra to Lahor Fol. 160 The King's Train and Splendor of his Court Fol. 161 His Entertainment of Ambassadors ibid. His Revenues Fol. 163 The Weights Measures and Coins of the Country ibid. Their manner of Travelling Fol. 164 Their Musick The Chief Officers of the Mogol's Court Fol. 165 The Execution of Criminals The King's Guard Three Orders of Chans The King sits in Person in Court Fol. 166 Variety of other Punishments for Criminals ibid. The King's Robes given to the Omrahs He is weigh'd upon his Birth-day with great Ceremony ibid. Their way of Salutation and the Reverence they shew their Prince ibid. The King 's Chief Officers in Cities and Sea-Ports Fol. 167 Of the Name and Title of Mogol The Reason of the Name Mogol and its Signification The Signification of Chan ibid. The Extract and Descent of the Mogol Kings The Great Mogol from whom descended Fol. 167 The Expedition of Tzingiz Chan. A Tartarian Prince settles in India and becomes Founder of the Royal Family there Fol. 168 Ecbar's Character and Death Scieco Gio succeeds his Father by the Name of Schach Selim Fol. 169 Several Opinions concerning Selim's Issue Fol. 170 Chosrou Rebelling against his Father is Defeated ibid. The mutual Constancy of Chosrou and his Lover ibid. Chorrom takes up Arms against his Father the Mogol with the Occasion of his Rebellion Fol. 170 171 Another Relation of Ecbar's Death and Selim's Reign Fol. 171 Chorrom succeeds Selim ibid. The Issue of Schach Jehan The Character of his Children Fol. 172 He sends his Sons to Govern several Provinces keeping onely the Eldest at home Fol. 173 Emer Jemla's Plot against the King of Golconda Fol. 174 The King of Golconda narrowly escapes from the Hand of Oranchzef The great Friendship betwixt Oranchzef and Emer Jemla ibid. Emer sent with an Army against Decan Fol. 175 Schach Jehan falls desparately sick ibid. The four Brothers take up Arms each in his own defence ibid. Oranchzef's subtile Letter to Moradbeck ibid. Emer suffers himself to be made Prisoner by Oranchzef Fol. 176 His Army appeas'd by Oranchzef ibid. Oranchzef and Moradbeck joyn their Forces together Fol. 177 The Mogol raises Forces against his Sons though unwillingly ibid. Soliman Chekouh Darasja's Son made General against Chasausa He fights Chasausa's Army and gets the Victory ibid. The Courage and Passion of Jesseingue's Wife Fol. 178 A violent Humor of Darasja ibid. The Policy of Oranchzef ibid. Darasja resolv'd to fight Oranchzef though contrary to his Fathers Will and the Advice of his Friends Fol. 179 The Ordering of the Battalia Fol. 180 Moradbeck's Valour Fol. 181 A notable piece of Treachery and the Effects thereof ibid. Oranchzef's Behavior after the Battel and Darasja's miserable Condition ibid. Oranchzef marches streight with his Army to Agra Schach Jehan circumvented in his Design Fol. 182 The Counter-Policy of Oranchzef and his Letter to his Father Fol. 183 The Advice given to Moradbeck He Sups with Oranchzef is surpriz'd and imprison'd Fol. 184 His Army goes over to Oranchzef ibid. Darasja's Management of Affairs cavill'd at by the States-men ibid. Darasja betakes himself to Amadabad and is honourably entertain'd by Schach Navazecan Fol. 185 Oranchzef engageth with Sultan Sujas ibid. Sultan Sujas guilty of the same fatal Error with Darasja Fol. 186 Oranchzef returns to Agra He grows jealous of Sultan Mahmoud his Son and Emer Jemla ibid. Chasausa put to flight by Emer Jemla Sultan Mahmoud seiz'd on and sent to Govaleor Fol. 187 Oranchzef's Policy to take Darasja The Battel between Darasja and Oranchzef Darasja's Flight and Misery Fol. 188 Darasja betray'd by the Raja Catche The Siege of Tatabacar Fol. 189 Darasja is made Prisoner by Gioncan and carried in Triumph through the City of Deli Fol. 190 A Consultation held Whether to put him to Death or send him Prisoner to Govaleor ibid. Darasja murder'd Tatabacar surrendred Fol. 191 Soliman Chekou taken and imprison'd He is brought to the Court ibid. The Poust what it is Moradbeck's Death ibid. Chasausa flies for Refuge to the King of Racan He requests a Ship to transport himself to Mecha but is deny'd His Plot against the King of Racan discover'd He is pursu'd overtaken and defeated What became of him uncertain Fol. 192 His Family ill treated but at last pardon'd yet soon after extirpated by the Conqueror Fol. 193 Emer Jemla's Death Surratte surpriz'd by a Robber The Robber taken and committed to Prison but escapes ibid. The Dea sh of Schach Jehan Begum Saheb receiv'd into Favour The Mogol's Ambassadors abus'd by the Persians The King of Persia dies Fol. 194 Paropamisa or Candahor Sablestan and Balassy The Bounds of Paropamisa and its Inhabitants ibid. The Head of the River Indus The Extent of the Country and its Chief Towns ibid. Candahor a Place of great Trade The Temperature of the Air. It often changeth its Lords When it became subject to the great Mogol and its several Vicissitudes Fol. 195 Candahor Besieg'd by the Mogol Schach Jehan Fol. 196 The Fortress Calabust taken by the Persians ibid. The Description of the City Balassan ibid. The Government of Balassan Fol. 197 The Towns and People of Sablestan ibid. The Kingdom of Cabul Its Borders and the Derivation of its Name c. ibid. The Territory of Multan Its Borders This Country Famous for excellent Bowes and Arrows ibid. The Country of the Bullochs or Bobochs or Kingdom of Ballochy otherwise Haican or Hangi-chan The Borders and the Nature of the People Fol. 197 The Province of Bucker or Buckor Its Borders and the Trade of the Chief City Suckera Fol. 198 The Kingdom of Send or Sind otherwise call'd Diu and Tatta The Etymologie of its Name Its Borders Tatta a Place of good Trade The Chief Commodities ibid. The Provinces of Sorit Jesselmeer and Attack Their Borders Limits and Boundaries ibid. The Province of Penjab or Pengab The Signification of its Name The Description of its Chief City Lahor The Nature of the
Air c. Fol. 199 The Kingdom or Territory of Caximir Its Borders Situation and Extent ibid. Great Heats in March and the Effects thereof The difference of Air in the Mountains The Women very handsom European Plants and Herbs here in great abundance Fol. 200 The Description of the City and Lake of Cachemire A wonderful Spring on the Confines of this Kingdom Fol. 201 A Description of the Mosque at Baramoulay A strange Fable of a Stone The Character of the Cachemirans Fol. 202 Caximir Conquer'd by the Mogol Fol. 203 The Territories of Banchish Jangapore and Jenba Their Situation and Boundaries c. ibid. The Kingdom of Dely. It s Situation and Limits Jehan Ahad a new City how Seated ibid. Sixty thousand Houses consum'd by Fire Anno 1663. Fol. 204 The Furniture of their Houses Dely stor'd with divers sorts of Fruit from other Parts The several sorts of Provisions in Dely. The Description of the Castle Fol. 205 The Course of the River Jemini Fol. 206 The Nature of the Tree Baxama Fol. 207 The Kingdom or Province of Mando or Bando The Description of the City Mando c. Fol. 207 The Territory of Sanga or Chitor and Utrad The Description of the City Chitor anciently very Famous ibid. By whom destroy'd Fol. 208 The Productions of the Province Utrad ibid. The Kingdom of Zurratte or Cambaya By whom and why call'd Cambaya It s Extent and Limits The Sea-Port Towns ibid. The City Amadabath or Ahmedabath The Reason of its Name and its Description Fol. 209 The Description of a stately Pagode and two Magnificent Tombs Fol. 210 The Description of Surratte with several Remarks of note therein Fol. 211 The Legend of Oman Hidal Chan. The Haven or Harbor of Sohali The Fertility of the Soil The Derivation of the Name and Situation of Cambaya The Compass and Strength thereof It s Description c. Fol. 212 The Description of the City Brotha The Jurisdiction of this City The Tomb of Polmedony whereunto Pilgrimages are made The Description of Goga The City Bysantagan Fol. 213 Pattan a very large City Daman a large City Conquer'd by the Portuguese Anno 1559. The City Bazaim Fol. 214 The Productions of the Country c. Fol. 216 Serpents and other noxious Creatures Fol. 217 The Ancient and Modern Inhabitants of Surratte The Apparel of the Persians of Surratte their Diet c. Fol. 218 The Description of the People Their several Feasts The Original of Fire-Worship Fol. 219 Their Ceremonies of Fire-Worship Their Initiation of their Children Their Marriages and Nuptial Ceremonies Fol. 220 Their Burying-places and Funeral Solemnities Fol. 221 The Riches and Trade of Surratte Fol. 222 The Government of Surratte Fol. 223 The State of the Chan or Supreme Governor Their Punishment of Criminals The Religion of the Surratteans The Opinion of the Benjans concerning the Creation Fol. 224 The Kingdom or Territory of Chandish or Sanda It s Name with the Description of its Metropolis call'd Brampore It s Strength and manner of Government Fol. 237 The Provinces of Berar and Narvar Their Borders and Principal Cities Fol. 238 The Province of Gwaliar or Gualier It s Chief City The Mogol's Treasure kept here ibid. The Kingdom of Agra or Indostan It s Name and Metropolis A great and famous Castle ibid. The Description of the Royal Court Fol. 239 The Jurisdiction and Extent thereof Fol. 240 The Product of the Country Fol. 241 The Country of Bulloits It s Situation and the Fertility of the Soil ibid. The Province of the Hendowns or Hindous It s Meteopolis Fertility of the Soil and Manners and Customs of the Inhabitants Fol. 242 The Province of Sanbat or Sanbal and Bakar It Borders Some Special Remarks A Magnificent Tomb ibid. The Province of Nagrakat It s Metropolis and the Splendor thereof c. ibid. The Provinces of Siba Kakares and Gor. Their several Metropolisses and other Chief Towns c. Fol. 243 The Provinces of Pitan Canduana and Patna Their several Boundaries and Principal Cities ibid. The Kingdom of Decan Its Borders Extent and Metropolis ibid. Chaul a great City where the Portuguese have two Forts The famous Mountain Il Morro di Ciul The Fertility of the Soil The Air c. Fol. 244 The first Conqueror of Decan The ancient Name of the Kings of Decan A Story of a prodigious Gun Fol. 245 The Kingdom of Ballagate It s Name Extent and the Cities therein contain'd Fol. 246 The Kingdom of Cuncan or Visiapour It s Extent and Chief Cities ibid. The Description of its Metropolis Visiapour Fol. 246 247 The City Tamba ibid. The Kingdom of Cuncan how Water'd Fol. 248 The Armenian Stone found near Ustabado The several Inhabitants of Decan and Cuncan Their Complexion and Constitution Their Habits and some Superstitious Customs The Arts by which they are maintain'd and their several Manufactures Fol. 249 Their several Coins and Weights Their Arms both Offensive and Defensive ibid. Their manner of Fighting A Gun of an incredible bigness The Inhabitants speak several Languages The manner of their Marriages and Funerals Fol. 250 The King's Name and Title His Court and Attendance Adel Schiah takes Goa twice from the Portuguese ibid. The King of Cuncan desires Assistance of the Netherlanders and grants them great Immunities Fol. 250 251 A Peace concluded between the King of Visiapour and the Portuguese Fol. 251 The King professes the Mahumetan Religion Fol. 252 Many Portuguese reside in Cuncan Fol. 253 DIRECTIONS For Placeing the SCULPS IN THIS First Volume of ASIA THe Title Persia sive Sophorum Regnum Fol. 1 Schamachie Fol. 9 Derbendt Fol. 11 Ispahan Fol. 13 Kom Fol. 17 Saba ibid. Cachan Fol. 18 Soltaine Fol. 21 Ardebeile Fol. 25 Caspise Zee Fol. 30 Tabula Colchidis Hodie Mengrelie Fol. 90 Magni Mogolis Imperium Fol. 104 The Ten Altars Matsias or Matx the first Fol. 135 Caurams or Courmas the second ibid. Warras or Warrahas the third Fol. 136 Narsing the fourth ibid. Vannams the fifth Fol. 137 Passerams or Paresje Ramas the sixth Fol. 138 Rams or Ram Katas the seventh Fol. 140 Kistnas or Cristnas or Crexno the eighth Fol. 142 Bhodes or Boudhas the ninth Fol. 143 Callenkyns the tenth ibid. The Court of the Great Mogol Fol. 160 Schach Selim Fol. 169 Schach Jehan Fol. 172 Schach Oranchzef Fol. 174 Nurmahal Fol. 188 Rauchenara Begum Fol. 193 Begum Saheb Fol. 194 De Stadt Souratte Fol. 211 Dabul Fol. 214 Visiapour Fol. 246
Sofians which make up the greatest number or Heathen Fire-worshippers or Gaures who are but few in respect of the others besides Banians Jews Armenian Christians Nestorians Manichees Franck-Armenians and others Muselman what it signifies The Xiahies or Schiati are those which follow Mahomet's adopted Son Aaly for all the Sects of the Moors which some say are seventy eight are reduced to two viz. that of the Sunis or Sonni comprehending the Arabians Turks and all those that follow the Alcoran and that of Schach Sefi receiv'd in many Countreys out of Persia The Persians as well as the Turks call themselves Muselmans from the Arabick word Salama which signifies Releasing or Freeing and was first impos'd or assum'd because when Mahomet first set afoot his Doctrine all those were put to Death that would not declare their Belief in the following words La Ilah Illa Alah Muhammed Resul Allah that is There is no other but one onely God and Mahomet his Prophet Upon this Declaration the Remonstrants were released and call'd Muselman but now they call the Children as soon as they are Circumcis'd Their Circumcision Muselman Their Youths they Circumcise in the seventh eighth and ninth year at which time they inebriate them with sweet Liquors that they may not feel the pain They not onely Circumcise the Males but also use a Ceremony signifying the Circumcision of Females but the Turks onely cause their Daughters to lift up their Hands and speak some certain words Wherein the Turks and Persians differ or agree In this Matter and the Alcoran the Persians agree with the Turks but differ in several others as 1. Their Expositions and Explanations of the Alcoran are not the same 2. Their Imams or Saints are different 3. Their Ecclesiastick Ceremonies and Customs are several 4. The Miracles wrought by their Saints are repugnant to each other The Persians also differ from the Arabians and Turks in many other things for the Persians affirm that God is the cause of all Good and the Devil of all Wickedness which the Turks deny saying That then we should have two Gods one good and the other bad The Persians believe that God is immortal but that the Soul of Man as well as of other things is mortal On the contrary the Turks hold That the Glory of the Law is a Work of God and that all God's Works are without beginning or end as likewise the Godhead The Persians affirm That the Souls of the Good in the other World do not behold God in Essence because he is a Spirit but onely see his Glory Mercy Goodness and the like which are his Attributes But the Turks say That the Souls of the Blessed see God as he really is The Persians also say That when Mahomet receiv'd the Law from Heaven which he was to publish to the World his Soul onely was by the Angel Gabriel carry'd to God But the Turks and Arabians say that not onely his Soul but his Body also appear'd before God The Persians reckon the Sons of Aaly and Fatime and their twelve Nephews the most eminent of all Prophets except Mahomet The Turks allow them Prophets but deny that they exceed others The Persians judge it sufficient to worship God three times a day viz. in the Morning at the rising of the Sun which they call Sob at Noon which they name Dor and in the Evening when the Sun sets by them styl'd Magarib But the Turks Pray five times a day viz. in the three foremention'd times of the Persians and beside these a little before the Sun sets which time they call Hacer and likewise when they go to Bed The Persians chiefest Prayer is the Fatah and Alhemdo Lilla which Translated is to this effect Praise be to God the Lord of Creatures A Persian Prayer and the King of Judgment We honor thee on thee our Aid we call Lead us in the right way in the right way of those whom thou hast done good unto but not in the way of those against whom thou art incens'd nor in the way of such as go astray Amen Moreover all the Chapters in the Alcoran begin with these words Bismilla Rahman Rahin that is In the Name of God Gracious and Merciful So likewise in all their Actions they have the word Bismilla in their Mouths No Linnen Draper will measure out an Ell of Callico nor a Shoemaker set Stitch in a Shoe but first he repeats the word Bismilla and sometimes also Benam Oukinamesch Herestzanehaft that is In the Name of him who is the Protector of Souls They are very zealous They are very zealous in their Devotions for they continually either call down their Eyes or look up to Heaven according as the Prayer directs some pray and cry in their Houses with such earnestness and so long that being out of breath they often fall down on the ground as in a Swoon their speech ending with the word Hacka that is God which they repeat fifty or sixty times over Some also use in their Prayers a String of small Beads which they call Moher Tesbih and distinguish'd in three places with those of a larger size Their Sermons After their Prayers on a Holy-day in their Temples a Chattib goes into the Pulpit and reads some Lectures with their Explanations out of the Alcoran They call our Bible a decay'd and unregarded piece of Work Their Opinion of the Bible alledging that the Text was corrupted by the Jews and Greeks and that God sent them the Alcoran in stead thereof Concerning the Creation of the World Adam and other sacred Relations or Histories Of the Creation as also of the Day of Judgment and everlasting life the Persians hold many ridiculous opinions different from the Turks They dedicate their Children to their Saints The Persians have also a Custom to devote their Children whil'st yet unborn to be Servants to some of their Saints as a Token of which after the Birth they bore a hole through the Ear of it from whence some bear the Names of Mahumetculi Imamculi Aalyculi that is Mahomet's Imam's or Aaly's Slave but this onely happens when they have few Children left alive having bury'd several As the Sofians despise the Doctrine of Abubeker Omar Odsman and Hanifa and follow that Tzafersadak so likewise in the Church-Ceremonies and other Customs they seem to exceed them or at least in their own conceit whereof we will instance one or two Particulars Persians and Turks different Ceremonies in preparing themselves to prayer When the Persians prepare themselves to prayer first they wash themselves but not like the Turks for they making bare their Arms above the Elbows first wash their Hands which they stroak twice down from their Elbows to their Fingers and with their right Hand onely wash themselves twice over the Face whereas the Turks rub their Face with both hands and stroak their Arm three times upwards and three times downwards and also wash