A new account of East-India and Persia, in eight letters being nine years travels begun 1672 and finished 1681 : containing observations made of the moral, natural and artifical estate of those countries ... / by John Fryer ... ; illustrated with maps, figures and useful tables.

A Special Chorography and History OF EAST-INDIA.

CHAP. VI.

Is a Summary Rehearsal of the Whole.

EAST-INDIA,* 1.1 when Alexander's Sword had enlarged its self thither,* 1.2 was Inhabited by the Daedali, Mezegi, Melli, Oxydraci, and Gangarides (if History tell truth); which Nations Time has long since worn out of the Indian Annals. Something they do speak of King Pore, but so uncertain, that it is a doubt whether ever he and Alexander waged War, though good Authors do attest it. But it is plain that Two hundred and seventy Years ago, between the Indians and Scythian Tartars, under Tamer∣lane, there was begun, what after-Emperors compleated by the then introduced Forces, a total Conquest; under which the greater part of the Natives rest content with their Subjection.

India it's likely took its Name from Indus,* 1.3 whose Mouths are so choaked up by Sands, that they cannot speak much in this behalf neither, it being changed into the Name of Sinda, which imposes at this day a Name to as large a Province as is in all India; the shal∣low Currents of which River stretching themselves far and near to the River Ganges almost, has given occasion to Geographers to call it a Peninsula. Omitting these Disputes, I shall at present apply my self to give you a faithful Chorography and Account of those things that fell under my Remark: It is then the largest Country in Asia, which Ptolomy divides into Within and Without the River Ganges, being in Length from the Golden Chersonese, now called Comory, 3600 Miles: In the most Northern part the Day lengthens to Fifteen Hours, but in the Southern it has no more or less than Twelve: The Breadth of it, from the widest place, to wit, Bengal to Candahar, 1500 Miles; from whence, like a Wedge, it lessens into the Cape of Co∣mory. On the West it was formerly bordered by the River Indus; on the North by the dispersed Mountains from Taurus; from the East it

is washed with the Oriental Sea, and from the South with the Indian.

It is a Land in all places very fruitful,* 1.4 and enjoys a Temperater Air than would be allowed by the Poet under the Fifth Zone, under which the greatest part of it lies; as often as the Sun visits the Arctic Pole, it brings with it grateful Showers and Winds (whose Heat otherwise would be intolerable) by which the Earth is cooled and made Productive; neither in the extreamest Heat does it want by the equality of Days and Nights after Sun-set, the favourable Dews of the Heavens, when you shall soon perceive a kind Moisture fall to refresh the Earth, and nourish the almost scorch'd up Plants; though these alone are not so powerful to take away the Labour from the industrious Husbandman, who this Season is forced by artificial Channels to assist Nature to produce, otherwise she would fall one short of a threefold Harvest in some places, every Year; but every where they have a double Harvest.

As the Sun becomes Twice Vertical to them within the Tropicks,* 1.5 at each Tropick but once, beyond never; so nearer the Equator the Sun and Stars ascend and descend more directly, but the farther from the Equator the more Obliquely, whereby the dawn of Light here is but short before either the appearance or fall of these Bodies, when as the Twilight is some Hours after Sun-set or afore Sun-rise the nearer either Pole: Having premised this, know they begin their Alma∣nack with our Lawyers, or rather when the Sun is in the Equinoctial Line; but their Months being Lunary, every Third Year bears an Intercalary one, which they clap in August, and count it double: The Names of their Months are

• March Falgunu 1
• Chaitru 2
• Vaixaque 3
• Zestthâ 4
• Assadâ 5
• Srauana 6
• Bharapadrâ 7
• Asuinu 8
• Castica 9
• Margassica 10
• Puxu 11
• Magu 12

They distinguish their Time by Weeks,* 1.6 i e. Seven days; Sunday being observed by the Indians as an Holy Day; agreeable to what is Taught by Philostratus, Dion Cassius, and Justin Martyr.

The Hours of Day and Night have all the Year round the same Number,* 1.7 Twelve; not minding their Length or Decrease: They have no Watches or Hour-Glasses, but measure Time by the drop∣ping of Water out of a Brass Bason, which holds a Ghong, or less than half an Hour; when they strike once distinctly, to tell them it's the First Ghong, which is renewed at the Second Ghong for Two, and so Three at the end of it, till they come to Eight; when they strike on the Brass Vessel at their liberty, to give notice the Pore is out, and at last strike One leisurely, to tell them it is the First Pore; which is repeated after the same manner for the Second about Mid∣day, when they strike Two, and so at the end of the Third Pore Three, and of the Fourth Four; at the end of which Pores the Priests Ascend their Steeples and are Monitors to them of their Devotion;

And as solemnly dividing the Night into as many Pores; so that Thirty two Ghongs and Four Pores make the Day, and as many more the Night; in all Sixty four Ghongs and Eight Pores.

As our Year is divided by the Seasons of Spring,* 1.8 Summer, Autumn, and Winter; to every which we allow a Quarter of a Year: Theirs also agree with their Seasons of Weather, but square not in respect of the Account of the Year, having Four Months for each Season;

New Colla	The Rains.
Ger Colla	The Cold Season.
Deup Colla	The Heats.

To every one of which they attribute Eight Constellations; are skilled in the Sun's Course through the Zodiac, have their wandring and fixed Stars, and are exact in the Eclipses of the Two Inferior Luminaries.

What has been Experienced in the particular Accounts, I must confirm again in this general one, That the first Full Moon in May brings the Rains, when it Rains a Fortnight only, and holds up till the middle of June, in which times, Empyemas, Fluxes, Fevers of all sorts (except Pestilential) Haemorrhages, rage; after the Rains are fully settled, it grows Healthy. From the setling in of the Rains till the Full Moon in August, it Rains without intermission, after which it clears up for a Fortnight, and with little variation (bating the accidental Causes of its beginning earlier or later) it Rains all September till the Elephant breaks up, the last Rainy Star: After which is the Harvest for Rice, when it is gathered; and then just af∣ter the Rains they are most Sickly, the Sun exhaling Vapours, the Earth grows Muddy and Stinking, though abundantly Productive: From thence to the latter end of January commences the Cold Sea∣son, when their Bodies are Healthier, and a lovely Verdure Cloaths the Earth; at the latter end of this they reap another Harvest with∣out extraordinary pains; all this time the Evenings are very sharp, and at Surat I have seen an hoar Frost in the Morning. From Fe∣bruary the first, till the Rains set in, are the Heats, and in March the Leafs fall off the Trees, yet always supplied with fresh, so that the Trees are always Green, though the Grass and Fodder are quite burnt up; and with difficulty, by the advantage of Aquiducts, a lean Harvest is brought forth: The Peasants Morning and Evening draw Water out of Wells by Buffola's, or Oxen; or else by a thwart Post poised with a sufficient weight at the extremity, laid over one fixed in the Earth; the Water is drawn by a Bucket of Goats Skins; others have Pans or Buckets of Leather hanging round about a Wheel, some always in the Water, others rising up, and at the same time others pouring out as the Wheel turns round: And thus are their best Gardens kept alive.

The Mountains here are one continued Ridge,* 1.9 dividing the Two Coasts each from other, and are all along called the Gaot; they run North and South till they cross the Imaus; and are the reason of some difference of the Seasons, both in respect of themselves and Low-Lands:

They are plentifully stored with Woods, and Increase of all things, except Rivers, which are in some Places compensated by living Springs out of the Rocks, but every where by Water falling in the Rains.

The Rivers are innumerable;* 1.10 but those of greatest fame are In∣dus and Ganges, the latter not only for its many Navigable Streams for some Hundreds of Leagues, but for its Purity in the esteem of the most Religious; besides all which, are great Tanks or Ponds of Rain-Water, where it wants the other Benefits, with deep Wells, of extraordinary Costs and Charges; some purely for Pomp, and to transmit their Names to Posterity; others for the good of Travellers, but most for the sake of Religion, in which they are extravagantly profuse, every great City striving to outvye each other; the most ad∣mirable whereof are those cut on high Hills and Fortresses thereon, out of the main Rocks, seeming rather the Works of many Ages than one to finish them: At Rajapore are Hot Baths; here are very few other Mineral Waters.

The Plain Country is Rich in all things necessary;* 1.11 Pasturage, by reason of the long Summers Drought, being the only lack; which in the Rains and Cold Season they have Time and Store to provide against. Cocoes grow all along the Sea-side round India, within the Tropicks, and Beetle-Nut is in great Request, not only for that it is the Courteous Entertainment or Farewel at all Friendly Interviews, but because wrapped in Pawn-Leaves with Chinam, it exhilarates and makes a kind of pleasant Drunkenness, if much eaten, as the Na∣tives of any fashion are seldom without it in their Mouths; and these are peculiar to the Low-Countries as are Water-Melons; other Fruits, as Grapes, Mangoes, and the like, are the common Growth of In∣dia: Rice thrives best in Watry Places, it swimming always there∣in till Harvest, when the Water is let out by Drains; all other Corn rejoices better in drier Grounds; Cotton is a Lover of the same, from whence comes all the Wealth to India, quae effodiuntur opes, which are dug for in other Places and laid up here.

Woods are every where, in which sometimes are met Inhabi∣tants not yet mentioned, and for their Solitariness called Men of the Woods, or more truly Satyrs; there are Nereids too, or Men of the Rivers, but dye as soon as taken: A Couple of the former I saw asleep in the day-time, in the Night they Sport and Eat; they were both in a Parrot-Cage, they had Heads like an Owl, Bodied like a Monkey, without Tails; only the first Finger of the Right Hand was armed with a Claw like a Birds, otherwise they had Hands, and Feet which they walk upright on, not pronely, as the other Beasts do; they were coloured like a Fox, of the length of Half a Yard; though they grow bigger till Twelve Years old, when they copulate.

Here are Sandy Deserts near the Gulph of Cambaja, and beyond Bengala,* 1.12 towards Botan and Cochin China, whence they fetch Musk.

Mines, besides those of Diamonds, Rubies, Agats, Cornelian, Granats,* 1.13 Topazes, and Iron, none are discoursed of; which with what else comes to Memory, shall be specified in their proper place. Of Diamond-Mines there are two sorts, the Old and New Rock, the

latter the Larger, the other the Best; the first in Duccan, the other in Gulconda.

Wild Beasts frequent here,* 1.14 are the fiercest Tigres in the World, with all their sorts; Lions here are some, but feeble and cowardly; Leo∣pards, Balus, a sort of Wolf, wild Cats, or Catamountains, Monkeys, wild Dogs, which they say Piss out the Eyes of Venison as they feed in the Woods, and so Venom them with their Urine, that they be∣come their Prey; Squirrels, Jackals, Mungooses, wild Bulls, Ele∣phants, Rhinoceros, Buffolaes, Bears.

For Game,* 1.15 all sorts of Antelopes, Deer, Boar, and Elks. The Fields are stored with Tame of all kinds, but mostly with Kine and Goats.

Fowls of Prey,* 1.16 Eagles, Vultures, Kites, Newries, Crows, which last hath an Enemy, though in Bulk contemptible, yet in Revenge implacable, being no bigger than a Bumble-Bee, yet it never leaves the Crow's Breast till it have left it breathless, making a Vent there∣in by its piercing Bill.

For Game, abundance of all sorts: The Bats here are the biggest of any place.

Fishes common to India are not to be numbred,* 1.17 some spangled with Gold, Vermilion, and other Colours, not usual with us; but the best known are Sharks, Whales, Sea-snakes, (the assured Tokens to the Pilots of their approaching the Coasts of India); Pilchards come in Sholes as our Herrings do; Porpoises, Oysters, Crabs, Tor∣toises, the Sword-fish, Saepae, or the Ink-fish of Gesner, Spanish Mack∣rel. The Rivers are well provided (and the Grass too) with Snakes, many of which are venomous, and some big enough to devour a Sow and Piggs, if the Natives may be believed.

Insects (besides Fleas) are large Flies in the Rain,* 1.18 who will be sure to be our Tasters, unless one stand purposely to beat them off with a Mirchal; nor are Ants less vexatious, nothing eatable can be set by but they will be at it; but the greatest Pest is the Mosquito, who not only wheals, but domineers by its continual Hums; the Chints are as venomous, and if squeezed leave a most Poysonous Stench; these breed in the Cotton, and where once they beset an House, they are not easily removed, they being Proof against all Fumes or Remedies used to destroy such-like Vermin; and there∣fore keep Possession, while the Inhabitants being not able to endure them, must turn out to other Dwellings; and these Plagues are in all their Quarters.

The Inhabitants and Natives of India are divided into Five Sects, to wit;

• I. Gentues; the first Possessors, Aborigines, or Natives.
• II. Moguls; the next Invaders or Conquerors by Land.
• III. Portugals; the first Discoverers or Conquerors by Sea.
• IV. Dutch, English, &c. Strangers; partly by Conquest; partly by Trade.
• V. Parsies, by Permission.
• ...

• The Gentues are again distributed into these Classes;
• The Gymnosophists, Brachmins, or Book-Men.
• The Quetories, Rashpoots, or Soldiers.
• The Merchants or Mechanicks.
• The Labourers, Peasants, Combies, Coolies, Frasses and Holencores.

The Brachmins

Are chiefly distinguished by Butts and Sinais;* 1.19 from these two Roots spring the other Branches: The difference was occasioned by a Famine in the Low-Countries, where the latter resided, on which ac∣count they were constrained to break their Fast with Fish, or else starve; for which reason they are greatly despised by the purer Butt, having never deviated from his Pythagorean Institution and Primary Abstinence from all living Creatures. Yet notwithstanding, the Si∣nai keeps his Cotton-String Badge (the Characteristick Note of a Brachmin) under his Left Shoulder as well as the Butt, and has his Disciples.

The Butts addict themselves to the profoundest Mysteries in their Religion, giving themselves over to an exact Regular Life, abstracted from all Worldly Employments, unless such as are for the saving and preserving of Life, the Chiefest and Skilfullest Physicians being of their Tribe: These are the Masters of all their Heathen Cere∣monies, or Doctors of their Canon Law, every Tribe being instruct∣ed by them; they chiefly consist in Washing, Abstinence, and other Austerities imposed at their Pleasure.

The Sinais are more biass'd by Secular Offices, out of which are made their fighting Bishops, Defies, or Farmers of the King's Rents, Pundits (Governors of Towns and Provinces), Physicians, Ac∣countants, Scrivans, and Interpreters: Any of these, if they ar∣rive to any smattering in Learning, are admired and highly reveren∣ced by the Vulgar. Their Cabala's or Pious Secrets are kept in a Language communicated to none but themselves, as are all the Ar∣canaes of every Science, written in a peculiar Character; they are very dogmatical in their Dictates to the People, singing them out in a Lofty Tone, as the Fauns and Bards of old are reported, as the Sy∣bils by Lactantius, the Salians by Livy, the Druids by Caesar, the Delphian Enigmaes by Herodotus, the Spartan Rites by Eustathius: Suas nimirum cogitationes non eâ pervulgatâ & detritâ & dissolutâ quâ quilibet uteretur oratione, consignare, sed aliâ exquisitâ, & astrictâ, & numerosâ, & vinculis alligatâ, praeclarum aestimârunt. Dr. Beyn. in Orat. 6.

God they say is incomparably Good;* 1.20 in some of their Languages they hardly have a name for Hell; their Notions of the World's Creation and the Origine of all things, are mere confused Stories; their Account of Time is perplexed, and not to be reckoned up. For the Immortality of the Soul, they rely as well on Plato as Pythago∣ras, (viz.) That it is transmigrated, and in such a Revolution of time they appear in the World again, Princes or Rajahs, according to the

Demerits of their former living, or Penalties inflicted on them to pu∣rify them; their Souls not being informed, but inclosed as a Bird in a Cage.

Whence it is that,* 1.21 propped by these Persuasions, the Women freely Sacrifice themselves, in hopes of coming into the World great and famous, after they have passed the Limbo of Transmigra∣tion with their Husbands; and in the mean while are Canonized and Invoked as Saints by their Kindred and Relations; and their Patri∣archs oblige themselves to incredible Abstinence from Food, for ma∣ny days together refusing any Sustenance, undergoing the strictest Penances; having learned from Pythagoras, Angustam & asperam esse viam ad vitam beatam.

SCIENCES

In Esteem among them are principally Magick and Judicial Astrolo∣gy,* 1.22 one of the Sectators of which on all accounts are consulted, as well by Moors as Gentues; Grammar and Rhetorick, some of them being Masters of Persian, Indostan, Arabick, Sanscript (or Holy Lan∣guage) Portugueze, and all the depending Speeches of Indostan, as Duccany, Moratty, Conchany, and the like; besides the Canatick, in which all their Sonnets and Poesies are expressed, being softer and more melting than the others; which is an Argument also of its Antiquity, Indostan not having a Character to express its self in, on which the later Dialects depend. Elocution, Physick, Metaphysicks, are not out of their Element: Their Philosophers maintain an Ari∣stotelian Vacuity; nor are they quite ignorant of Medicks, though Anatomy is not approved, wherein they lean too much on Traditi∣on, being able to give a very slender account of the Rational Part thereof. In what Perfection Musick stands (as I am no competent Judge) I could never give my Ears the trouble to examine, it seem∣ing loud and barbarous; yet they observe Time and Measure in their Singing and Dancing, and are mightily delighted with their Tum∣bling and Noise. They as much dislike our shriller Musick, hardly allowing our Wayts fit to play to Bears, and our Stringed Instruments strike not their hard-to-be-raised Fancies; but our Organs are the Musick of the Spheres with them, charming them to listen as long as they play. Arithmetick being the most profitable Science, is the best understood by them; to which they have a Natural Propensity, and will in a trice, without the help of Pen or Ink cast up the dif∣ficultest Sums, and never pause upon it.

In some Places they write on Cocoe-Leafs dried,* 1.23 and then use an Iron Style; or else on Paper, when they use a Pen made with a Reed, for which they have a Brass Case, which holds them and the Ink too, always stuck at the Girdles of their Scrivans.

Among these are enrolled the Muttanies,* 1.24 Jougies, or Pilgrims, who lead a Beastly Life, having all things common, and are courted wherever they come; nor do they ever depart, without leaving a Stain to their Profession: When they ease Nature they scrape an Hole, as Dogs or Cats do, to bury their Excrements, to prevent breeding of Insects. These are covered, the first with a White Sheet,

and carry Perfuming Pots, and Bless all as they pass; the others have a Snapsack, a Mirchal, and a patch'd Goat, rambling up and down as the Fakiers; the first are buried with their Heels upwards and Heads downwards; the others sometimes buried, sometimes burnt.

At the Heel of these may be reckoned the Bengal Juglers,* 1.25 Moun∣tebanks, and Conjurers, as also the Dancing People; these are Va∣grants, that travel to delude the Mobile by their Hocus Pocus Tricks (living promiscuously like our Gypsies); among whom I saw one who swallowed a Chain, such as our Jacks have, and made it clink in his Stomach; but pulling it out, it was not so pleasant to the Spectators (being mostly Ladies, for whose Diversion he was brought) they puking when it was accompanied with a filthy roapy Slaver.

Others presented a Mock-Creation of a Mango-Tree, arising from the Stone in a short space (which they did in Hugger-Mugger, be∣ing very careful to avoid being discovered) with Fruit Green and Ripe; so that a Man must stretch his Fancy, to imagine it Witch∣craft; though the common sort think no less: Sed Magus quò peri∣tior eò detestabilior.

I was promised to see a Fellow that cast up his Tripes by his Mouth, Stomach and all, shewing them to the Beholders; but he was excu∣sed, having some time allowed him to prepare himself for it: In his stead were brought me two; the first of which, by Suction or draw∣ing of his Breath, so contracted his lower Belly, that it had nothing left to support it, but fell flat to his Loins, the Midriff being forced into the Thorax, and the Muscles of the Abdomen as clearly marked out by the stiff Tendons of the Linea Alba, as by the most accurate Dissection could be made apparent, he moving each Row like living Columns by turns. The Aetiology whereof I think to be this; that while all the Contents of the Belly are moved upwards, all Respiration is expelled, only the voluntary Motion of the Animal Spirits acts upon the Nerves (the Mind or Soul commanding them) while the Vital or Natural are compelled to the contrary.

After this I saw another Fellow of a good Habit of Body, that had taught himself by use to depress his Sternum, with the Serratus Posticus Inferior, Sacro lumbus, and Triangular Muscles, so that the Cartilaginous Substance of the Ribs, which Anatomists separate for Dissection of the Thorax, and throw it back over the Face, by this means was crowded in, that it made a notable Cavity as deep as the Spine would suffer; in the mean while the Man was almost strangled, as if pressed to death; for under this Constraint neither he nor the former could take their Breath, yet remained so some time: Which may be a visible Instance that divers Urinators may continue a long space, being inured from their Infancy to keep under Water. From the rest of these I observed nothing more excellent than what is perform∣ed by our Rope-dancers, for Feats of Activity, or Slight of Hand. These pester every open place in great Cities and Publick Fairs, as they do in Europe.

The next Rank,

Is of the Soldiers, commonly called Rashpoots, who by their Valour

have won unto themselves the Perpetuity of their Arms, and the Credit of being called in to the Aid of divers Princes,* 1.26 and are in con∣tinual Action under some one State or other bordering upon them; never altering their Vocations, being bred Warriors; these aspire not to great Charges, nor admit Commanders over them, unless o•• their own Cast; fighting Pell-mell, as every one is inspired from the Pay they receive; their Arms are Sword, Pike, and Buckler. A Soldier that puts on a Crocus-dye, intimates a Resolution either to dye or be Conqueror.

Opium is frequently eaten in great quantities by the Rashpoots,* 1.27 Queteries, and Patans, when they fight, which makes them run up∣on any Enterprize with a raging Resolution to dye or be victorious. Before Engaging, it is usual for them to embrace one another, as if parting for another World; esteeming it happier to be killed in their Vocation, than to submit to the Lust of a Conqueror; their very Women disdaining to own them for their Husbands, when they once turn their Back upon their Enemies: Of one of which Vira∣goes goes this Story; Her Mate had made an Escape honourable enough for a prudent Retreat, when coming home and craving Meat from his Spouse, after many obloquious Salutes she put this Affront on him, she served him with a Brass Ladle, whereas before his Meals were taken up with one made of Iron; whereof he demanding the Reason, she tartly replied, Lest the sight of Iron should turn your Sto∣mach from your Victuals, as it had done from Fighting.

The Banyan

Follows the Soldier,* 1.28 though as contrary in Humour, as the Antipodes in the same Meridian are opposite one to another: These have for∣got if ever they were Jews, or no; but if any of these People are such, these are most likely; and by a double Right of Jew and Gentile, are a Compound of the greatest Cheat in the World, the fittest there∣fore to make Brokers and Merchants of: They are devout Proselytes in the Worship of this Countrey, and tenacious of their Rites and Customs; strict Observers of Omens, so that in travelling ten Miles they shall sometimes double the Ground, to avoid encountring a Caphala of Asses, or to take the Hand of a Flock of Goats or Cows grazing: In the Rains they will not ride in a Coach, for fear they should kill the Insects generated in the Cart-Ruts, or stinking Puddles: So foolishly superstitious are they and precise in Matters of Religion; in cases of Trade they are not so hide-bound, giving their Conscien∣ces more Scope, and boggle at no Villany for an Emolument.

The Poor Artisan

Can hardly live for these, who will grind their Faces to fill their own Hoards, as much as the Desies do

The Peasants

And Combies, who Till the Land, and dress the Corn, with no re∣markable

difference from other Nations; they plough with Oxen, their Coulters unarmed mostly, Iron being scarce, but they have hard Wood will turn their light Grounds. The Gentues thrash their Corn with a Stick, not a Flail; the Moor-men that are Husbandmen tread it out with Oxen (but muzzle their Mouths), which they do in the open Fields, before they carry it home; fixing a Stake in the Earth, and yoaking the Oxen three, four, or more abreast, fasten them to a turning Pole, passing round till all be done.

Coolies, Frasses, and Holencores, are the Dregs of the People, and are not permitted to have their Funeral Rites or Marriages with the others; so abject, that the others think themselves defiled if they touch or converse with them.

All these are distinguished one from another by the Cut of their Beards,* 1.29 or different Painting of their Bodies and Foreheads, as well as winding of their Turbants. A Brachmin paints himself on the Front with a Pythagorean Y between his Eyebrows, descending to his Nose, and gives to every Tribe their peculiar Mark.

The Gentues wear little Beards,* 1.30 and shave them; the Moors great Beards, and trim them only to keep them decent: And since their Barbers are so necessary, as well to give them their distinguishing Shape, as for other Uses, we will let you know they seldom keep Shop, but go about the City with a Checquered Apron over their Shoulders, and a Mirror in their Hands, which they offer any to see their Face in; and if any employ them, they are well paid with a Gosbeek, much under a Farthing: When they pluck out a Razor not an Inch long, a Bason of Brass as big as a Coffee-dish, and a piece of Castle-Soap, which they dip into the Bason of Water, and rub about the Lips or Head, with no more Water than it gathers up, and so shave very well; and for the Head few out-do them, both for Ease and Readiness: They have an Iron Tool also, one end to pick the Ears, another to cut the Nails, both which they do dextrously, clearing the Ears of great quantities of that thick Wax inclosed therein; they also wash and anoint their Bodies, it being not obsolete here to anoint every day with Sweet Oyls, and the Poor, both Men and Wo∣men, with Cocoe••Nut Oyl, which being Rank, together with their eating Hing and Garlick, makes them always smell so strong, that it is very offensive passing through Places of Resort, before one be accustomed to them; they also rub the Hair of their Head with a sweet Powder to get the sweat out, and then bedawb it with stinking Oyl, which they say preserves it: In the Bath or Hummums they have a large Province.

The Moguls

Are the Invaders of their Liberties and Properties, ruling tyranni∣cally; yet more tolerable than what they were when first invited hither by the Plenty of this Country, and Scarcity of their own, which was a means to gain, as well as now to preserve their Conquest; for they were originally Tartars, coming from Scythia with their Leader Tamerlane, and thence prided themselves to be called Whites, and still do so in scorn of the Indians, who are Blacks;

and it is the Flower of their Emperors Titles to be called the Great Mogul, Burrore Mogul Podeshar, who reckons but few Descents from Tamerlane, and is at present Auren Zeeb; who Governs by this Maxim, To Create as many Ombrahs, or Nobles, out of the Moguls or Persian Foreigners, as may be fairly entrusted, but always with this Policy, To remove them to remote Charges from that where their Jageah, or Annuity arises; as not thinking it fit to trust them with Forces or Money in their allotted Principalities, lest they should be tempted to unyoke themselves, and slip their Neck from the Servitude imposed on them; for which purpose their Wives and Children are left as Pledges at Court, while they follow the Wars, or are Administring in Cities or Provinces; from whence when they return, they have nothing they can call their own, only what they have Cheated by false Musters and a hard Hand over both Soldi∣ers and People; which many times too, when manifest, they are forced to refund to the King, though not restore to the Oppressed; for all Money, as well as Goods and Lands, are properly his, if he call for them.

Out of these are made Generals of Armies,* 1.31 under whom are Commanders of Hundreds and Thousands, as the Centurions and Legions; from thence to Fifty, Twenty, and Ten.

A Cavalier is Armed with a Poniard at the Right side of his Gir∣dle; a broad Bladed Sword of an unwieldy size (and therefore poi∣sed with an heavy Pummel), on his Left side in a Belt; a Bow made of Horn strongly and artificially Glutinated (Adducto flectere cornua nervo) and Arrows in a Quiver at the Bow of his Saddle; and a great Lance in his Hand, with a Target hanging cross his Shoulders Bossed.

A Foot Soldier carries a Match-lock Gun, or else a great Lance and Target, and sometimes a Sword; the former are ranked under the great Ombrahs, or the Chief Commanders of Hazory; the latter have a Standard of their own to repair to.

Munsubdars,* 1.32 or petty Ombrahs, own the King only for their Lead∣er, and have not above Four or Five Horse under them.

Rousanders are Cavaliers that are Paid by the Day, a considerable Salary, surpassing the Munsubdars, though not so Honourable.

A simple Cavalier under the Ombrahs have some of them Two Horses apiece, as his Lord favours him, and his Pay 30 or 25 Rupees per Month.

Among these may be reckoned the Artillery in which the Fringi's are Listed; formerly for good Pay, now very ordinary, having not above 30 or 40 Rupees a Month.

For Artillery they have both great Ordnance and small Field Pieces,* 1.33 drawn by Elephants and Oxen, adorned with Streamers, be∣sides Camels that carry Petereros.

The Soldiery are Paid, partly out of the Treasury, and partly out of the Lands allotted for that purpose.

The Husbandman is forced to Build low, and the Doors like en∣tring Ports, otherwise the Soldier would bring his Horse in as well as himself.

The Moormen domineer over the Indians most unsufferably; and these are of the Turkish or Arabian Sect in matters of Religion, owning Mahomet,* 1.34 and his Brother to be his Successor: The Chias, or Persian, own Mahomet also, but place the Succession of the Caliphship in the Daughter; and this is a Dispute of so high a nature, that they Eat not, neither Communicate one with another.

There are some great Merchants among them,* 1.35 that are buoy'd up more by the Authority of their Religion and Cast, than Cunning, the Banyan being forced to flee to them for Patronage: They imitate a noble Pomp, and are not encountred abroad nisi magna Comitante catervâ, without a great Train, using many Odors in the Hummums, or Balneo's; nor are they without Oils, Perfumes, and Essences of Sandal, Cloves, and Oranges, which are in their kind very exqui∣sitely drawn off. They go Rich in Apparel, their Turbats of Gold, Damask'd Gold Atlas Coats to their Heels, Silk Alajah, or Cuttanee Breeches, Embroidered Sashes and Slippers, Golden Hilted Swords and Poniards, as also Golden Embossed Targets; Silver and Gold Capparisons for their Horses, which are of Arabia, Persia, or Turky.

The Moguls Feed-high, Entertain much, and Whore not a little.

The Women are conformable to the Wills of their Husbands, be∣ing truly no more than their Chief Slaves; Dressing the Victuals, and Waiting till their Lords have Dined, before they Eat themselves. Every Cast in India refuse to Eat with those of a contrary Tribe or Opinion, as well Gentues, Moors, and Persians, as any other; nor so much as to Dress the Meat in their Vessels, they accounting them Defiled.

A Fakier

Is an Holy Man among the Moors;* 1.36 for all who Profess that Strictness (for such it should be) they esteem them Sacred; and though be∣fore apparent Traytors, yet declaring for this kind of life, and wear∣ing a patch'd Coat of a Saffron Colour, with a pretended careless neglect of the World, and no certain Residence, they have Immunity from all Apprehensions, and will dare the Mogul himself to his Face: Of this Order are many the most Dissolute, Licentious, and Pro∣phane Persons in the World, committing Sodomy, will be Drunk with Bang, and Curse God and Mahomet; depending on the Tole∣ration the Mogul indulges them with, having been one himself in the time of the Contest among his Brethren; so securing himself till they had destroyed one another, and made an easy passage for him to the Throne; these People Beg up and down like our Bed∣lams with an Horn and Bowl, so that they enter an House, take what likes them, even the Woman of the House; and when they have plaid their mad Pranks, away they go to repeat them elsewhere. Under this Disguise many pass as Spies up and down, and reap the best Intelligence for the benefit of the Prince that Employs them.

The Portugals,

Not to defraud them of their due,* 1.37 might have Subdued India by this time, had not we fallen out with them, and given them the first blow at Ormus; upon which the Dutch fell in and took from them the best of their Conquest, and all their Spice Trade; notwith∣standing they have added some Christians to those formerly Con∣verted by St. Thomas, but it is a fond report to say all India; no more than to have Conquered all the Inland Country, where they never pierced, their Possessions being most by the Sea-side; yet at this day they bear the Port of a Vice-Roy at Goa, who has his Council, and Governs after the Mode of Portugal: His Reign is Triennial, as are all their Capitaneas.

The Dutch,

Though a Commonwealth in Europe, find it properest to bear the face of a Monarchy here, appointing a General at Batavia, whose Power is extensive over all India: These begin to be taken notice of, and are esteemed as Men of War among these Nations; for obliging and fair Means prevail not here, they being of a less Ingenuous Temper than to be won by any other ways than Force; so that a Tyrannical Government in India is as necessary to keep them under, as abstaining from Flesh and Washing their Bodies, to keep them in Health; wherefore they have wisely Ordained Religious Rites: And this is the reason they have a value for

The English,

Who they see are content with Bombaim,* 1.38 and a peaceable way of Trade; square with the Humour, and meet with the Praise of the Banyans; but command not that Awe by which these People are best taught to understand themselves.

The Parsies,

As they are called,* 1.39 are of the old stock of the Persians, Worship the Sun and Adore the Elements; are known only about 〈◊〉〈◊〉; where they are famous for what all other Nations deem infamous, the ex∣posing their Dead to the Fowls of the Air: And these coming in by permission are obliged to Conformity with the Heathen Customs, being almost, as the Gibeonites to the Israelites, Hewers of Wood and Drawers of Water; having been curbed formerly by the Gen∣tiles, and now by the Moors used as perfect Slaves; yet they en∣dure this, that so they may enjoy their Religion, and that benefit, which is tolerated to the Indians more than any where, the liberty of getting Children, and an indulgence for Poverty.

The Indians are Tall of Stature, Large Boned; their Colour va∣ries according to the diversity of the Region; the Parsies are Straw Coloured, as Hyppocrates witnessed for them; Aethiopians are Black

and Frizled; the Indians here are a mixture of these, but long Haired. The heat of the Sun alters our Europe-Men to a dark Brown; such as Sail to and again constantly in these Climates, by going Naked and exposed to the Sun, being almost as Swarthy as the Natives, with this difference, that by Cloathing the Sunburnt wears off; but contrariwise, it remains indeleble on the Indians.

Infants when newly Born have the same Flesh Colour as ours; but in a few Days, by the inbred Humour, and the Sun's Heat, de∣clare their Hew to be of the same with their Parents.

The Women are Small,* 1.40 and most an end Plump, and Short in respect to the Men; as to the order which Nature observes in them they are more forward than ours in Europe, and leave off Child∣bearing sooner. It is reported the Menstruums of the Africans are pernicious, but there is no such slander here, these being Neat, Well-shaped, and Obsequious to their Husbands; for the different Positions of their Veins it's a silly Query, they being of the same Species of the rest of the World, bating their Education, which is agreeable to them, and bear as good a Meen naturally, as ours in∣structed by the Masters of Behaviour; they keep their Breasts bound up carefully, and on that account are no more extended than they should be; they are quick in Labour, and Affectionate to their Children, Bearing them Naked on their Hips a straddle; are well Proportioned, and for that reason not ashamed to shew the Motion of their Bodies, all their Limbs being visible, yet love to hide what should not be seen: They are Cleanly, as well in their Cookery as in their Bodies, Pruning themselves by plucking the budding Hairs off their Privities up by the Roots, they being all as smooth there as the back of their Hands, though they suffer the Hair of their Heads to grow in Tresses, which the Rich Embroider with Gold, Coronets, and Rich Jewels; the Poor Brade with Strings of Jassa∣min Flowers, and make Necklaces of the same; the Rich have their Arms and Feet Fettered with Gold and Silver, the meaner with Brass, Glass, or Tuthinag; besides Rings at their Noses, Ears, Toes, and Fingers: Their Attire alters not into new Modes, nor need they a Taylor; a Lungy being tied loose over their Shoulders Belt-wise, and tucked between their Legs in nature of short Breeches, besides a short Wastecoat, or Ephod to keep up their Breasts, being all their Garb; going constantly without Shooes or Stockins, Shoes being allowed their Midwives only, which are like the Mens, only a few Silk Tufts upon them for distinction sake. Those that have Buried their Husbands (or rather Burnt them) are rifled of all their Jewels, and Shaved, always wearing a Red Lungy, whereby to be known that they have not undergone the Conflagration; for which cause they are despised, and live more Uncomfortably than the meanest Servant.

The Moors Women are all Cloathed like the Men, as has been said elsewhere, only Vailed when they go abroad; and thus the In∣dian Women are Habited.

They use no swathing to their Babes,* 1.41 and have very few deformed or Dwarfs among them; are Temperate, and live to a good Old Age, when their Hair also turns from Black to Grey. What Ovid relates

of the Glaucus Fish, Aestivo nunquam conspectus Sydere Glaucus, is true in these Hot Countries of the Colour of the Eyes of these Sun-burnt people, for I never saw but one Grey-ey'd, and therefore I suppose them rare; (unless they should tincture them with some Fucus, it may be of Antimony, which we read in the Sacred Page the Jews used, especially the Women, both to preserve them from Filth, and to procure a graceful Blackness, 2 Kings 9. Jer. 4. Ezek. 23.) Nor but one Dwarf, which was a Brachmin, 109 Years old, well limb'd, and of a quick Apprehension, being not Three Foot high, free from the Infirmities of Age.

In general they are melancholy inclined,* 1.42 and love a sedate Life more than Action; and whether that may not add to their Dye, I leave to the Sceptical; and conclude in this Point of these Asiaticks, as Naso did of his Africks;

Sanguine tum credunt in corpora summa vocato Aethiopum populos nigrum traxisse colorem.

The Indian Wives dress their Husbands Victuals, fetch Water, and grind their Corn with an Hand-Mill, when they sing, chat, and are merry; such prevalency has Custom: They make their Bread as thin as Wafers, bak'd on broad round Plates or Stones, commonly of Rice; the Moors is made of Wheat, thicker and oblong, bestuck with Seeds to correct Wind, and mostly bak'd in a Furnace, which they stick to the sides, when Dough, as we see Cow-Turds on a Mud-Wall. Boiled Rice, Nichany, Millet, and (in great Scarcity) Grass-Roots, are the common Food of the ordinary People; which with a Pipe of Tobacco contents them.

CITIES

Are many and Populous; three more Renowned than the rest (Dhil∣ly, Lhor, and Agra), for the Residence of the Emperor in one of these for every Season of the Year: The rest are known either for Trade, or the Provinces whose Names they bear.

Their Buildings suit with the Country and State of the Inhabi∣tants,* 1.43 being mostly contrived for Conveniency: The Poorer are made of Boughs or Oleas of the Palmeroes, or Leafs of Teke, and thatch'd both Sides and Coverings; the middle sort of the Gentues with Mud one Story; floored with Cow-dung, which they do afresh every day, after they have swept and cleansed them: Under which, their Houshold-Gods, themselves, their Family, and Cattel, are all housed, and many times in no distinct Partition: They plaster Cow-dung be∣fore their Doors, and so keep them clean, having a little place or two built up a Foot Square of Mud, where they plant Calaminth, or (by them called) Tulce, which they worship every Morning, and tend with diligence.

The Richer and the Moors build with Stone and Mortar, some∣times with Brick, making small Shew without, but delicately contri∣ved within, with Tanks, Airy and cool Choultries, private Recesses for their Women, Tarass'd atop, and sometimes three or four Stories

high: Their Furniture is moveable, as Rich Carpets to sit on the Floor, and Rich Cushions behind them, without any Chairs within-doors, unless large Elbow Chairs when they sit at their Doors smoking in State.

And in these they spend their Lives,* 1.44 and have the Length of Days here as in other places, they spinning them out a long while: Whether the Cause may be attributed to the Air, or Temperance in their Diet, I know not: Yet this is certain, they are careful what they eat shall be well dressed, that the Stomach be neither over∣charged, or have much trouble to concoct.

And as they are careful what they take into their Bodies,* 1.45 so are they solicitous to evacuate in good order, always washing their Fun∣daments, and squatting when they make Water; nor do the Wo∣men scruple to do their Occasions in Publick Streets or Highways, going hand in hand for that purpose at Set-times of the day, and if any pass by in the Interim, will turn their bare Backsides upon them, but will hide their Faces; and this at Sun-rise and Sun-set every day they do in Droves; Men by themselves, and Women by them∣selves; if in the City, most an end, under dead Walls, where when they have finished, they wash the Filth off with their Left Hand, be∣cause they feed themselves with the Right. The Moors think hard of them for this Freedom; nor do they conceive a better Opinion of our Women, when they see an Englishman salute them with a Kiss, or walk together in a Garden to take the Innocent Diversion there: So that the Jealousy of the Moor must not reflect on the Modesty of our Indian Women.

As soon as they are gone,* 1.46 the Cows come and lick up their Ordure (which they watch for), being nothing but Herbs, Roots, or Pulse, digested without any other mixture either of Flesh or Strong Drink: If they unload themselves out of the Town, they make to∣wards the River-side, or Brinks of their Ditches, and leave a filthy Stink behind them, notwithstanding they eat nothing Carnous, which remains upon their Excrements; and for that reason it is somewhat strange the Kine should be so fond of them: And hence is it that in their Streets, and near the Towns and Cities, it is but ill taking the Air. Yet however Natural this becomes to them, as well as the rest of Mankind, they are not in this particular to be taxed with Sloth and Sluttery in respect of their Bodies; for besides their constant Washings at the Times of their Devotion, they never eat nor drink before they have cleansed themselves with Water poured all over them from Head to Foot; nor will they suffer their secret Parts to harbour any Nastiness, they using Depilatories for Breast, Arm-pits and Groins, are always shaving their Heads and Beards, cutting their Nails, washing their Mouths, and rubbing their Teeth, whereby they look like Ivory.

And since Cleanliness is the next in esteem to Godliness in Human Society,* 1.47 I will conclude with their Washers, which are Women as well as Men; they are hired at easy Rates, and are the best in the World, as our Calicuts transmitted hither declare; they have each a little Pit, into which the Water springs, and near it a great smooth Stone, on which they beat their Cloaths till clean; and if for Fa∣mily-use,

starch them with Congee, and so carry them home when dried; if for Sale, they lay them a Whitening, and after Congee or stiffen them, and so deliver them to the Packers, Labour being to them instead of Soap, for were they at much Expence therein they could not live, their Pay being inconsiderable. And by this small Taste of their unweariedness in Pains-taking, their Cheapness of every thing, and their faring hard, all their other Craftsmen may be valued, who work for nothing, comparatively with our Europeans; though in many things they exceed them for Curiosity, as in staining of Calicuts, and fine Work either in Gold or Silver.

The Language

At Court is Persian, that commonly spoke is Indostan (for which they have no proper Character, the written Language being called Banyan) which is a mixture of Persian and Sclavonian,* 1.48 as are all the Dialects of India: A good Argument to me of the peopling the World this way originally from the Scythian Mountains after the Deluge; their Speech containing many Words agreeable enough to ours in Sound, as well as Figure; more Scraps whereof may be found when we come to Persia.

The last thing Observable is the Coins, Weights, &c. A Col∣lection whereof follows:

COLLECTIONS OF THE COINS, WEIGHTS, AND Precious Stones, Usual in those Places of Trade within the Charter of the Honourable East-India-Company.

Tantum scimus quantum in Memoria tenemus. Ex Reminiscentiâ fit Scientia.

CHAP. VII.

COLLECTIONS OF THE Coins, Weights, and Precious Stones, Usual in those Places of Trade within the Char∣ter of the Honourable East-India Company.

Coins of Surat, Amadavad, Agra, &c. in India.

THere are divers sorts of Coins in Gold, seldom used in Payments among Merchants, some of a greater, others of lesser Value; so also in Silver; but the Rupee is the most ordinary, whereof there are;

RUPEES

• Cazzanace,
• Hundea,
• Magarree,
• Chillannee,

All valued at Mamoodoes, 2 ¼; the latter is of greater Weight, but course.

MAMOODOES are current only in Surat, and Parts adjacent; they are worth somewhat less than an English Shilling, but are so account∣ed in the Company's Books; and among Merchants in the Countrey, 2 ¼ Mamoodoes is reckoned a Rupee. Yet to change Mamoodoes into Rupees, there is sometimes given 3, sometimes 8 or 10 Mamoodoes on the 100 Ru∣pees, according to their Plenty or Scarcity, or as the Governor or Banyans please to advance the Cambio, which is called among them Vattaw: In Anno 1663. was given 20 Mam. per Cent.

PICE, a sort of Copper-Mony current among the Poorer sort of People;* 1.49 of these, sometimes 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, to 24, make, or are reckoned to a Mamoodoe; therefore because they rise and fall, the Com∣pany's Accounts are kept in Book-rate Pice, viz. 32 to the Mam. and 80 Pice to the Rupee, for that without any reason the Rupee is by the Ac∣comptant rated at 2 ½ Mam. whereas if it were rated at Mam. 2 ¼ per Ru∣pee, then in Book-rate the Rupee would fall to be 72 Pice.

Weights and Measures of Surat, Agra, &c.

The Surat Maund was formerly 18 Pice to the Sear of 40,* 1.50 and made 33 l. Averdupois: At present it is 40 Sear,* 1.51 of 20 Pice the Sear, which is 37 l.

The Maund Pucka at Agra is double as much,* 1.52 where is also the Maund Ecbarry, which is 40 Sear, of 30 Pice to the Sear, whereby Indico, Silks, and other fine Goods are sold.

By the foresaid Maund of 20 Pice to the Sear, 40 Sear to the Maund, all sorts of Grain are sold, and other Goods of Weight, whereof 20 Maunds make a Candy.

Amber and Coral, 18 Pice weight goes to a Sear.

Measures of Surat are only Two; The Lesser and Greater Coveld.

The former of 27 Inches English, the latter of 36 Inches English: By the first are sold all things (except Broad-cloth,* 1.53 Velvet, and Sattin, which are sold per English Yard); by the other, the foresaid Goods in all other Places.

Goldsmiths and Jewellers Weights in Surat, viz.

Goldsmiths Weights.

• 1 Sear is 35 Tolaes.
• 1 Pice is 1 Tola ¾.
• 1 Tola is 12 Mass.
• 1 Tola is 32 Valls.
• 1 Tola is 2 Gudjanas.
• 1 Tola is 96 Ruttees.
• 1 Tola is 2 ¼ Tanks.
• 2 Tolas and 19 Valls; or 83 Valls make 1 Ounce Troy.
• 2 Tol. 6 Val. the Weight of a Cruzado.
• 2 9 the Weight of a Dollar.
• 9 9 ¼, the Weight of a Chequeene.
• 100 Duchra, 1 Rupee, an Imaginary Coin.
• 48 Juttals, 1 Pagod, an Imaginary Coin.

Jewel Weights.

• 3 Ruttees is 1 Val.
• 1 Tank is 24 Rutt.
• 1 Rupee Oranshaw, 64 ½ Rutt.
• 1 Miscall is 1 Tank and 4 Ruttees.
• 8 Ruttees is 7 Carracks.
• 1 Carrack, 4 Grains.
• 20 Vassael, 1 Rutt.
• 3 Tanks, 1 Tola.
• 1 Mangere, 1 Rutt. 11 ½ Vas.
• Note, That 3 Grains Gold, make one Carrack, Diamond-weight.
• A Venice Ounce is nearest 1 Tola ¾: And 1 and ½ Venice Ounce, makes 1 Ounce Troy.

Coins, Weights, and Measures of Rajapore.

Imaginary Coins.

• The Pagod is 3 and ½ Rupees.
• 48 Jattals is 1 Pagod.
• 10 and ½ Larees, 1 Pagod.
• Zeraphins 2 ½, 1 Old Dollar.

Weights, &c.

• The Candy is 14 Maunds Surat.
• 4 Maunds Rajapore, 1 Surat Maund.
• 56 Sear Rabag, is 40 Surat Sear.
• 9 Maunds Rabag, is 8 Maunds Raja∣pore. And 8 Maunds Raja. is 6 Maunds Surat.

Coin and Measure in Rabag.

• 48 Rues in Rabag, is 1 Tucca.
• 8 ½ Tuccaes 1 Pagod.
• The Guzz is 28 Inches ⅘.
• 5 Guzz is 4 Yards.

Coins and Weights in Goa.* 1.54

Coins.

• The Old St. Thomas, 16 Tan. 30 Res.
• The New St. Thomas, 15 Tan. 15 Bas.
• The Pagod, 15 Tan. less 96 Bas.
• The Venetian, 18 Tan. 30 Res.
• The Cruzado of Gold, 12 Zeraphins.
• The Zeraphin, 5 Tangoes.
• The Tango, 5 Vinteens.
• The Vinteen, 15 Basrooks,
• Whereof 75 make a Tango.
• And 60 Rees make a Tango.

Weights.

• 1 Baharr is 3 ½ Kintal.
• 1 Kintal is 4 Arobel, or Rovel.
• 1 Arobel is 32 Rotolas.
• 1 Rotola is 16 Ounc. or 1 l. Averd.
• 1 Maund is 24 Rotolas.
• 1 Candy is 20 Maunds.
• 1 Mark is 8 Ounces.
• 1 Pipa is 4 Barrels.
• 1 Barrel is 6 Almoodaes.
• 1 Almooda is 12 Cannales.
• 24 l. Portugal is 26 English.

Coins, Weights, and Measures of Duccan.

• The Maund or Barkey of Hubly and Carwar, is 26 l. ½, Averd.
• The Gunny of Pepper in Hubly is 12 Maunds.
• The Candy in Ellepore is 20 Maunds, of 26 l. ½ per Maund.
• The Sungar Pagod is 8 s. 9 d.
• The Tipkee Pagods, 4 Rupees.
• But in Vattaw differs from 100 Sun∣gar, to 118, and 123.
• The Asmeloh Pagod is 1 per Cent. less than the Sungaree.

Coins and Weights of Bombaim.

• 3 Larees is 1 Zeraphin.
• 80 Raies 1 Laree.
• 1 Pice is 10 Raies.
• The Raies are Imaginary.
• 16 Bugerookes make 1 Piece of Eight.
• The Company's Mark upon all their Goods, Bales, and Parcels.
  [illustration]
• The Company's Rupee, equal to the Surat, called Paxdro.
• The latter inferior by 4 Pice each.
• 28 l. is a Maund.
• 15 Pice to the Sear.
• The Country Weight is a Rotola, 27 making a Maund.
• A Candy is 20 Maund.
• 100 Mooras, 154 ¼ Candies.
• 8 Parras is a Candy.
• 12 and ½ Parras is a Moora.
• 20 Addalins is a Parra.

Calicut.

• N▪ B. The Weights are the same as at Cocheen and Quilom.
• The Coins are specified in its History, pag. 55.
• Tarrs are the peculiar Coin, the rest are common to India.

Cocheen.

• A Kental 128 Rotulas.
• 120 Rotulas is 112 l. English.
• 7 per Cent. difference.
• The Candy 20 Maunds; 25 l. per Maund.

Quilom.

• The Babar is 20 Maunds; 24 l. Port. or 26 l. English, is the Maund.

Fort St. George, Mechlapatan, &c.

• Pagods
• Gold of
  • 2 Matts fine, 10 Pa∣gods w^t, is worth 2 ¼
  • 3—3 3/8
  • 3 1/••—4
  • 4—4 ½
  • 4 ½—5 1/8
  • 5—5 ¾
  • 5 ½—6 ¼
  • 6—6 ¾
  • 6 ¼—7 1/8
  • 6 ½—7 ½
  • 7—8
  • 7 ½—8 ½
  • 7 ¾—8 ¾
  • 8—9 1/••
  • 8 ¼—9 ½
  • And so on.
  • Note, That a Pagod touch is 8 5/8 Matts fine.
  • Note, 1 Pagod is 1/•• weight of 1 Dollar.

The Standard,

• Is 8 Matts, and 5/8 Matts Fine: Our English 20 s. is 9 and more. Fa∣nams is 4 ¼ Mats fine.
• 9 Pagods weight make 1 Ounce Troy.
• 16 Pagods weight of Silver, is 1 Pa∣god weight of Gold.
• ½ Pagod in 1000 is allowed for loss in Mint.
• 5 Fanams in 1000.
• 8 Pagods is just weight of 1 Piece of Eight.
• The Accounts are kept in Pagods and Fanams, at 32 Fanams to a Pagod, and Cash, 6 whereof make a Fa∣nam.
• There is likewise a double Fanam current at Porto Nova.
• Eight Shillings make one Pagod; 32 Fanams 1 Pagod; every Fanam 3 d. and 6 Cash a Fanam.

Coins and Weights of Siam, Bantam, &c.

SIAM.

• 1000 Couries is 1 Miam.
• 2 Foods is 1 Miam, or Mass.
• 4 Miams is 1 Pecul.
• 80 Pecul is 1 Cattee.
• 1 Cattee is 100 Rupees.
• 500 Cattees is 1 Hobb, or Pecul; or nearest 130 l. English.
• Note, 1 Pecul Macau is a tenth part more than 1 Hobb Siam.
• The Pecul is 1 Rupee ¼.
• 4 Mass is 1 Pecul.
• 15 Pecul is 18 ¾ Rupees.

BANTAM.

• The Bahar Banda is 100 Cattees, and each Cattee 6 l. is 600 l. Neat.
• The Bahar Malaga is 200 Cattees, each Cattee 2 l. is 400 l.
• So that 1 Cattee Banda, makes 3 Cattees Malaga; and 300 Cattees Malaga make 100 Bahar Banda.
• 22 Cattees Banda, make 1 Pecul China, of 132 l.
• 4 Pecul and 12 Cattees Malaga, make a Bahar Banda.
• 66 ⅔ Cattees Banda, make 1 Bahar Malaga.

All Commodities and Merchandizes in Macassar, by the Banda Datchin, or Weight, and from thence, are to be reduced to their proper Weight.

Pepper is sold by the Ganton, of which 225 make a Bahar Banda.

The Quoin, which is the Rice measure, 40 Great Gantons, each Ganton weighs 90 l. English, which makes the Quoin 3600 l.

A Lesser Ganton there is, whereof 20 makes 1 of the Greater.

Tortois-shell is bought by the Bahar Malaga, which is 200 Cattees, weighed by the Banda Datchin.

• 1 Cattee Banda is 4 Catt. China, which is 21 Ounces Averdupois.
• 1 Cattee Malaga, 1 ½ China.

• In Macassar
  • The Mass is 2 s. 10 d. 2/7.
  • 4 Cappans is 1 Mass.
  • 7 Cappans is 1 Dollar of 5 s.

ACHEEN.

COINS.

• 1152 Cash is 1 Mass, 16 Mass is 1 Tale, 1 Tale is Sear, or 18 s.
• 1 Mass is ½ Rupee, and 32 Cash is 1 Pice.

Ditto WEIGHTS.

• 1 Bahar is 10 ½ Maunds Surat; 200 Cattees is 1 Bahar.
• 1 Cattee is 29 Ounces; 1 Bahar is 360 l. English.
• 1 Cattee is 70 Tolas, Surat.
• 1 Buncal Gold Weight, is Tola's 3, 18 Vals.
• 20 Buncals is 1 Cattee of Gold.

Note, That if the following Goods from Acheen hold out the following Rates, the Factor employed is no farther responsible.

• Tin for 1 Bahar Maunds 10 18 Sear.
• Pepper, 1 Bahar Maunds 9 20
• Benzoin, 1 Bahar Maunds 9 20
• Sapan Wood, 1 Bah. Maunds 9 00
• Dammar, 1 Bahar Maunds 9 00
• Patch Leaf, 1 Bahar Maunds 7 20

Quedah and Jahore.

COINS.

160 Tares is a Mass; 16 Mass is a Tale; 1 Tale is 40 Rupees, or 4 l. 10 s. at which Rate 1 Mass is 2 ½ Rupees; and 1 Tarr is 1 1/8.

Ditto WEIGHTS.

2••0 Cattees is 1 Bahar; 1 Bahar is 10 ½ Maunds Surat; so 1 Cattee is 2 ••/10 Sear. The Quedah Baharr of Tin holds out more than the Acheen Bahar, about 10 Sear per Bahar.

MALLACCA.

Coins.

• 1 Cruzado is 6 Tangoes.
• 1 Tango, 10 Vinteens.
• 1 Vinteen, 20 Lashees.

Weights.

• 1 Bahar is 14 Roves.
• 1 Rove, 32 Pounds.
• The Cattee, 32 Ounces.
• 1 Ganto, 2 Cannales of Goa.

MANILLA.

Coins.

• The Royal of Eight is 8 Tominians.
• 20 Barillioes is 1 Tomin.
• 34 Maravidies to the Tomin.

Weights.

• The Rove, or Aroba, is 26 l.
• The Pico is 140 l.
• ••00 Cattee is a Pecul.

MACHAWO.

Coins.

• Formerly the Course Dollar Silver, being in the Year 1657, and since, in Esteem, was current with them; but since they have coin∣ed Dollars of their own of an ex∣quisite Fineness, and buy our Goods with their Dollars, and re∣ceive them again for what Goods we buy; insomuch that all the Dollars the King Ferdinando, &c. ships, they brought back again, to their great Loss.
• 1 Cattee is nearest 16 Taies.
• 1 Teen is 10 Mass.
• 1 Mass in Silver is 10 Quandreens.
• 1 Quandreen is 10 Cash.
• 733 Cash makes one Royal.
• 1 Grain English Weight is 2 Cash.

Weights.

• 1 Pecul the Datchin Weight, is 4 Maunds Surat.
• 1 Pecul is 100 Cattees, which is near∣est 132 l. Averdupois.
• 1 Cattee is nearest 21 Ounces Aver∣dupois.
• The Maund 27 ⅔ Surat Sear, of which 40 makes 37 l. Averdupois.

BƲSSORA.

Coins.

• The Old Royal. Embraems.
• The Laree 5⁸¾ make 1 Royal.
• Abassees turn to Loss.
• 5 Fluce is 1 Parrow.
• 6 Parrows, 1 Shahee.
• 4 ½ Shahees, 1 Abassee.
• 3 ½ Abassees, 1 Royal.
• 2 Mamod. 1 Abassee.
• 2 Royals, 1 Chequeen.

Weights.

• The Maund is 24 l. or 28 Sear.
• 1 Muckee 4 Maunds Surat.
• 1 Mertigat, 1 ½ is a Surat Tola.
• 1 Miscal, 12 Valls, and ½ Ruttee.
• The Measure lacks little of an Eng∣lish Yard.

MAECHA.

Coins.

• The Royal.
• The Ebraim 1 ⅞ is 1 Royal.
• The Cabeer 80 is 1 Royal.
• 2 Royals accounted a Chequeen.

Weights.

• The Bahar 15 Ferasilahs of 30 l.
• The Ferasilah is 10 Maunds of that place.
• The Maund is
• The Ferasilah is 27 l. Rottulas 30.
• The Rottula is 15 Vachia.
• The Vachia is 1 Ounce.
• The Marbat or Catla is 7 ½ Ferasilahs.
• Indico is sold by this Weight.

Weights in Aleppo.

• A Quintal 480 Pound English.
• A Churle, 130.
• A Rottolo, 4.

PERSIA.

Coins.

• 10 Cosbeagues is 1 Shahee; 4 Shahees is 1 Abassee, or 16 d.; 50 Abass. 1 Thomand; 3 Shahees is 1 Mam. Surat; 2 Shahees is 1 Mamood. Persia; 6 ¾ Sha. or 67 ½ Cosb. is 1 Rupee.
• 200 Shahees is 1 Thom. or 3 l. 6 s. 8 d. 2 ½ Sha. is 1 Larree, or 10 d.

Weights.

• 1 Maund Shaw is 12 l. ½; 1 Maund Cannala is 9 l. 3/8, being a Wine-Weight; 1 Maund Taberez is nearest 6 l. ½; 5 Maunds Taberez is 33 l.
• 400 Drachms is 1 Maund Shaw.
• 200 1 Maund Taberez.
• 300 1 Maund Cannab.
• 2 ½ Miscals is 1 Surat Tola.

Measurcs.

• 37 ½ Inches, 1 Guz for Cloath, &c.
• 27 Inches 1 Guz for Carpets, Silk, Fine Stuff, &c.,

Coins of Mosambique.

• 1 Cruzado is 4 Testoones.
• 1 Roy of 8/8 is 5 Testoones.

Elephants Teeth.

• Elephants Teeth of Mozambique, are bought per Weight, whereof are three sorts, viz.
• Muyn, such are the greatest, free from Flaws.
• Muyda, which are the lesser, or the great ones with Flaws.
• Sera, the least, or worst sort.
• The Weights by which they are bought, are Baharrs and Frasslees; each Baharr 20 Frasslees, each Frasslee 12 l. and they call the Baharrs Gross.
• Of Muyne, ½ Baharr of 20 Frasslees, makes 1 Baharr Gross.
• Of Muyda and Muyn they hold equal Price, in regard that though the Teeth of Muyn be bigger than the other, yet the Muyda giving more Weight, they balance Account.
• Formerly they have been worth 260, 270, 280 Cruz, per Baharr Gross.
• Of Sera, the current Price was 150, or 160, and rarely 180 Cruz, per Ba∣har Gross.
• In Surat are three distinctions of Elephants Teeth: All over 16 Sear sell at 40 Sear to the Maund; from 10 to 16, at 60 Sear to the Maund; from 10 Sear and under, 80 Sear allowed to the Maund.

Tortoise-shell.

• When one Head (as they call it) which is more properly an entire Body, weighs 1 l. ½, or 2 l. 'tis worth 30 or 36 Cruz. per Frasslee.

Directions for Knowledge of Bezoar-stones, &c.

BEZOAR.

THE Monkey Bezoars which are long, are the best; those that are rough prove commonly faulty, breaking with Stones in the middle: Others in form of Tares, somewhat flat, which break in smaller Stones in the middle, are better than the rough ones.

Bezoar is tried sundry ways: As the rubbing Chalk upon a Paper, then rubbing the Stone hard upon the Chalk, if it leave an Olive-Colour it is good. Also touch any with a Red-hot Iron, which you suspect because their Colour is lighter than ordinarily they use to be, and if they fry like Resin or Wax, they are naught. Sometimes they are tried by putting them into clear Water, and if there arise upon them small white Bubbles, they are good, and if none, they are doubtful. The use of the Hot Iron is esteemed infallible.

MOSK.

It is best to buy it in the Cod, for so it will be preserved; that which openeth with a bright Mosk Colour is the best, and will yield per Ounce. When taken out of the Cod, if a little being chawed, and rubbed with a Knife on clean Paper, do look smooth, bright, or yellowish, it is pro∣bably good, but if the Colour be as it were mixed with Gravel, it is bad. The Goodness is best discerned per Scent.

AMBERGREECE.

The Grey is best; for Trial thereof, if a little be chewed, and yield an odoriferous Fragor, feeling in substance like Bees-Wax, then it is good, otherwise not.

The Names of Precious Stones of the East.

• A Diamond.
• Ruby.
• Saphire.
• Emerald.
• Topaz.
• Hyacinth.
• Amethist.
• Gurnett.
• Chrysolite.
• Turkois.
• Agat.
• Splen.
• Jasper.
• Lapis Lazuli.
• Opal.
• Vermillion.
• Clystropie.
• Cornelian.
• Onix.
• Bezoar.

The DIAMOND

IS the hardest, and when Cut, the most beautiful of all Stones; in knowledg whereof there is great difficulty, having a Crust on them before they are Cut; therefore Caution is to be used in buying them, be∣fore-hand to make a Patern in Lead: Their Waters are White, Brown,

Yellow, Blue, Green, and Reddish; whereof take notice, rating them according to their Waters: In our Climate the perfect White Water is most esteemed.

Rough,* 1.55 Brute, or Uncut Stones, are in Value half the Price of Cut, or Polished Stones.

Neither the Thick nor too Thin in Substance is best;* 1.56 a Thick Stone, which is high and narrow Table, not making a shew answerable to its Weight, must be valued at less than that which is well spread, hath its ••••rners perfect, and a pure White Water: Without Spots or Foulness, is called a Paragon-stone, and in full Perfection.

Uncut Stones are distinguished into two sorts, Thick or Pointed, which are called Naife-stones, and Flat Stones: The Flat Stones are to be cut into Roses or Thin Stones, the Naife into Thick Stones; and those Rough Stones which will bear a good shape, without least diminishing in cutting, are in best Esteem.

The Names of Rough Stones, according to their Forms and Substance.

• 〈☐〉〈☐〉 A Point.
• 〈☐〉〈☐〉 An ½ Point.
• 〈☐〉〈☐〉 A Thick Stone.
• 〈☐〉〈☐〉 An ½ Ground Stone.
• 〈☐〉〈☐〉 A Thin Stone.
• 〈☐〉〈☐〉 A Rose Stone, if round; if long, a Fossel.
• 〈☐〉〈☐〉 A Naife.

The Rough Diamonds that seem Greenest, prove of a good Water when cut; and those that seem White when rough, prove often Bluish being cut.

Care is to be taken likewise in Choice of Rough Diamonds, to avoid those that have Veins, for they will never cut well, seeming as if they were filed with a rough File.

For vending, Stones of six Grains and under, to one and a half, are best.

For Trial of a Diamond, take a Pointed Diamond, such as Glaziers use, try it on any Stone but a Diamond, and it will cut the same.

The Diamond that is Sandy, or hath any Foulness in it, or is of a Blue, Brown, or Yellow Water, is not worth half the Price of a perfect Stone of a White Water.

For cutting of Diamonds, you must never mould any Diamond in Sand or Cuttle-bone, but you must use the second Lead to make a Patern of, because the first will come somewhat less than the other.

Never cast it off but of the perfect Lead; for if you should cast it with Tin, it being the lighter Metal, you may wrong you Judgment thereby, but in Lead you will find the Experiment to be good; viz.

Take the Mould of the Stone you would buy, which having moulded, cast it off in perfect Lead, then make a Patern of it; but before you go about to make a Patern (of the Stone you would cut) weigh the Lead,

and set down the Weight in a Piece of Paper; then form the Piece of Lead to what fashion you think best and most advantagious to the Stone; then re-weigh the Lead so formed, and setting down the Weight, you may find what the Stone will lose in cutting. The Lead will weigh three times as much as the Stone, which is a sure Rule; and commonly it loseth one third part in cutting.

To make Diamonds clean; if you see a thick Table Diamond in a Ring, a Jewel, or in a Collect for a Jewel, you must first make it cl••an either with a little Pumice-stone, or with a few hot Ashes, or with a lit∣tle Oyl, and boil it, which will make it very clean.

Valuation of Diamonds.

There is a Rule acurately to be observed, which is this; A Stone of one Carrack is worth 10 l.; to value 2 Carr. multiply per 2, which makes 4, and that 4, per 10, the Price of 1 Carr. which makes 40 l.: So for 3 Carr. 3 times 3 is 9 Carr. and 9 times 10 l. is 90 l. This for even Car∣racks comes nearest the true Value; but for ½ or ¼ of a Carr. although a Stone of 2 Carr. be worth 40 l. yet in this Rule and way of reckoning (meaning ½ a Carr. so valued) it is valued at but ¼ of a Carr. which is 50 s. and ¼ of a Carr. but at ¼ of 50 s. although a single Stone, containing a Crain, or ¼ Carr. is worth 30 s. As for Example: You would know what a Stone of 6 Grains is worth; 6 Grains is 3 ½ Carr. 3 times 3 is 9, and 9 times 50 s. is 22 l. 10 s. which is the Value of the Stone of 6 Grains. So of 5 Grains, 5 times 5 is 25, and 25 times 12 s. 6 d. is 15 l. 12 s. 6 d.

To make a Foil for Diamonds.

A Foil to be set under a thick Table Diamond, is to be made with Black Ivory and Mastick, picked and made very clear, with a very little Oyl of Mastick to incorporate them.

Black Ivory and Turpentine heated on the Fire is good, but the former is better.

For a thin Table, Black Ivory scraped very fine is good; or take a lit∣tle of the said Ivory with a little Oyl of Mastick, and dry the same; or Ivory with a little Gum; fair Water is also very good.

If you sell a thin Diamond that hath high Bisalls, then you may set it upon f••ll scraped Ivory, which graceth the Play of the Stone.

A Rose Diamond that is very thick, it's good to set it close upon the Ivory, and it will play very well; or Black Velvet is good under a thin Table-Diamond, scraped as you do Lint.

The RƲBY.

There are four sorts of Oriental Rubies; that which is the hardest, the best, and fairest Colour, if it be very fair and cut Diamond-Cut, is no less esteemed than a Diamond for the Weight, (or of the same Weight), but it is rare to see such an one.

The second sort of Ruby is White, Oriental, and Hard, which also is of good esteem, if cut of a Diamond-Cut, but not of so high Price as the perfect Red Ruby; but yet if it be in Perfection, 'tis very rare, be∣cause there are but few of this sort.

The third sort of Ruby is called a Spinell, which is softer than the for∣mer, and is nothing of like esteem, because not so hard, neither hath it

the Life of the other, nor of such perfect Colour; it's naturally some∣what greasy in cutting, because of its Softness.

The last sort is called a Ballace Ruby, which is not in so much esteem as the Spinell, because it is not so well coloured: This also is a Stone natu∣rally greasy, and will scarce take a Polish: This looks like a Garnet.

SAPHIRE.

There are three sorts, one perfect Blue, and very hard, which if cut of a Diamond-Cut, and without Calcedone, is of very good Esteem, and worth a good Price, if it be in perfection.

The second is perfect White, and very hard, which if without blemish, Diamond-Cut, is likewise in Esteem.

The third, called Water-Saphires, are of small Esteem, being not so hard as the other, and commonly of a dead Waterish Colour; they are of a slender Value.

CORNELIANS.

Cornelian Rings, of pure Red Colour, without spots:

Seal-stones of the bigness of 6 d. or 1 s. well coloured, are esteemed.

TREE-STONES.

Stones with the lively Representation or Form of a Tree thereon, are esteemed.

EMERALD

Is a Stone of good account, and if in Perfection, 'twill bear a very good Price, especially if it be cut Diamond-Cut, which is very rare; for naturally they are foul, and softer than the Saphire or Ruby.

There is a paler sort, but not affected, being base.

The TOPAZ

Is a Stone very hard, full as hard as the Saphire; some are very yellow, and like the Colour of Muskadine, pleasant to look on, which bears a good Price if good and without fault. The Stones may be burnt white in the Fire, and look very well. Another sort are said to be white natu∣rally, which would bear a good Price if perfect, and cut of the Diamond-Cut. There's another sort of them soft, yet shew very well, but have not the quickness of the other, and therefore of low esteem; trial of their hardness may be made by a Saphire or such a Stone.

The HYACINTH

Is a Stone Yellow and Transparent; it's of the hardness of the Eme∣rald; these Stones are naturally foul, and full of little Sands like Gold; if they be in Perfection, and of a very good Colour, they bear a reaso∣nable Price.

The AMETHIST

Is a Stone of three several Colours, some of them are of a Violet Co∣lour, some are of a more Oriental Colour, therefore called (Amethist Oriental) which bears a very good Price, few of these being to be found, but are the pleasantest Colour of all Stones. Another sort being Pale••s called the White Amethist, or Amethist of Carthagena: This naturally is of a quick or sparkling Water, and very good Colour, having for the most part a Blush of Red, which Stones in Perfection bear a tolerable Price.

AGATS for Hafts of Knives, white and well marled are good.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Chap. VI.
• * 1.2

  The Business of Alexander and King Pore is suspici∣ous.
• * 1.3

  The Name of India doubtful from what be∣ginning.
• * 1.4

  India produ∣ces Three Harvests in some places.
• * 1.5

  The Year made up of Lunary, not Calendar Months.
• * 1.6

  Sunday Ob∣served by the Indians.
• * 1.7

  How they count the Hours.
• * 1.8

  Their Year divided into Three Sea∣sons.
• * 1.9

  Mountains:
• * 1.10

  Rivers.
• * 1.11

  The Country rich in In∣crease.
• * 1.12

  Deserts.
• * 1.13

  Mines.
• * 1.14

  Wild Beasts.
• * 1.15

  For Game.
• * 1.16

  Fowls of Prey.
• * 1.17

  Fish.
• * 1.18

  Insects.
• * 1.19

  Their men of Learning.
• * 1.20

  Their Notion of God.
• * 1.21

  The Conceit of Transmi∣gration forci∣ble to Merits.
• * 1.22

  Their aptness to learn Lan∣guages, and Skill in Phi∣losophy.
• * 1.23

  Write on Leafs.
• * 1.24

  Muttanies and Jougies.
• * 1.25

  Juglers, &c.
• * 1.26

  A Crocus-co∣loured Coat intimates a Resolution to dye, or be Conqueror.
• * 1.27

  Opium eaten often, and in quantities.
• * 1.28

  Whether the Banyan be a Jew.
• * 1.29

  Distinguished by their seve∣ral Paintings on their Fore∣heads,
• * 1.30

  And Cuts of their Beards.
• * 1.31

  The Ombrahs.
• * 1.32

  Petty Ombrahs.
• * 1.33

  The Artillery.
• * 1.34

  Their Differ∣ence in Reli∣gion with the Persians.
• * 1.35

  Their Pride and Luxury.
• * 1.36

  The reason of the Licenti∣ousness of the Fakiers.
• * 1.37

  The Portugals might have Conquered In∣dia had not the English In∣terrupted them, and the Dutch fal∣len upon them.
• * 1.38

  The English much valued.
• * 1.39

  The Parsies expose their dead to the Fowls of the Air.
• * 1.40

  The Women of the same Species as others, the Position of their Veins being the same.
• * 1.41

  Few Crooked or Deformed.
• * 1.42

  The Cause of their Blackness left in sus∣pence.
• * 1.43

  Their Houses built for Con∣veniency.
• * 1.44

  Live to a good Age,
• * 1.45

  By Care of their Diet,
• * 1.46

  And Cleanli∣ness.
• * 1.47

  Their Wash∣ers and other Craftsmen work well for little Money.
• * 1.48

  The World peopled after the Flood from Scythia.
• * 1.49

  As in Anno 1660, 61, 62, 63, when Cop∣per was dear.
• * 1.50

  M^d Surat, 40 S^r, is 37 l. M^d Pucka, double so much. M^d Ecbarry, 40 S^r, 30 Pice the S^r.
• * 1.51

  Letter IV.
• * 1.52

  4 M^d Ecbarry, 6 M^d Surat. 3 M^d Shaw Jehan, 6 M^d Surat.
• * 1.53

  32 Tuss▪ is an Engli••h Yard.
• * 1.54

  Chap. VII.
• * 1.55

  Brute Stones.
• * 1.56

  Of Perfection.