Geography anatomiz'd, or, The compleat geographical grammar being a short and exact analysis of the whole body of modern geography after a new and curious method / collected from the best authors and illustrated with divers maps by Pat. Gordon ...

§. 3. The Peninsula of India beyond the Ganges.

THIS last Division of India is term'd the Penin∣sula beyond the Ganges, because of its Situati∣on, * 1.1 it lying beyond that famous River, in respect of the other Peninsula, or the Western Parts of Asia in general.

The Air of this Peninsula is somewhat different, ac∣cording to the Situation and Nature of the various * 1.2 Parts of that Country, yet generally esteem'd indif∣ferent healthful, and temperate enough, considering the Latitude of those places. The opposite Place of the Globe to this Peninsula, is that part of Nova Zelandia, between 210 and 230 Degrees of Longitude, with 1 to 24 Degrees of South Latitude.

The Soil of this Country (it lying under the 1st, 2d, and 3d North Climate) is extraodinary Fertil, * 1.3 producing in great plenty all sorts of desirable Fruits and Grain; besides 'tis well stockt with invaluable Mines, and great quantity of precious Stones; yea, so vastly Rich is this Country, that the Southmost part thereof (viz. Chersonese d'or) is esteem'd by many to be the Land of Ophir, to which King Solomon sent his Ships for Gold. The longest Day in the Northmost parts is about 13 Hours ½; the shortest in the Southmost, near about 12 Hours, and the Nights proportio∣nably.

The chief Commodities of this Country, are Gold, Silver, precious Stones, Silks, Porcelline Earth, Aloes, * 1.4 Musk, Rhubarb, Alabaster, &c.

Among the Rarities of this Country, we may reckon the Golden House in the City of Arracan, be∣ing * 1.5 a large Hall in the King's Palace, whose inside is intirely overlaid with Gold, having a stately Canopy of Massy Gold, from the Edges of which hang above an hundred Comba∣lenghe, or large Wedges of Gold in form of Sugar-Loaves. Here also are seven Idols of Massy Gold, of the height of an ordinary Man, whose Foreheads, Breasts, and Arms are adorn'd with va∣riety of precious Stones, as Rubies, Emeralds, Saphires, and Dia∣monds. In this Hall are also kept the two famous Caneques, i. e. two Rubies of prodigious Value, about which the Neighbouring Princes frequently contending, have drawn Seas of Blood from each others Subjects, and all from a vain Opinion. That the Posse∣ssion of those Jewels carry along with them a just Claim of Dominion over the Neighbouring Princes.

Archbishopricks, Bishopricks, Universities. None. * 1.6

What was said of the Natives of the other Penin∣sula in point of Manners, the same may be affirm'd of * 1.7 those inhabiting this. The various Europeans here re∣siding, are much the same in Manners with the respective People of Europe, from whence they came.

The chief of the Indian Tongues in this Peninsula, is that call'd the Malaye, mostly us'd in Malacca; but * 1.8 besides the various Indian Tongues, both in the Mogul's Empire, and the two Peninsula's, the Portugueze Language is com∣monly understood and spoken in all Maritime Towns of Trade, it being the chief Language that's us'd in daily Commerce between the Franks and Natives of that Country.

In this Peninsula are a great many different States and Kingdoms, particularly that of Pegu, (a very * 1.9 rich Kingdom) subject to its own Monarch, whose Sovereignty is acknowledg'd by divers other considerable ••ates, as Asem, Aracan, and Tipra, besides the Ancient Brachmans, and other People living on the West of China, as the Layes, Timo∣coues, Gue••es, and Ciocangaes, all Tributary to him. Here also are the rich and flourishing Kingdoms of Tunquin and Cochinchin, especially the former, whose King is esteem'd a mighty Potent Prince, able to bring into the Field vast multitudes of Men upon all occasions. And lastly, The King of Siam (to whom a great many Princes are Tributary) is esteem'd one of the richest and most Potent Monarchs of all the East, and assumes (as some al∣ledge) the Title of the King of Heaven and Earth; and yet not∣withstanding of his mighty Force and Treasure, he is said to be

Tributary to the Tartars, and to pay them yearly a certain kind of Homage.

We find no satisfactory Account of what Ensigns Armorial are born by these Eastern Princes; or if any * 1.10 at all.

The Inhabitants of this Peninsula are generally great Idolaters. Those of Siam are said to maintain Pytha∣goras's * 1.11 Metempsychosis, and commonly adore the four Elements. Wheresoever Mahometanism prevails, 'tis generally inter∣mixt with many Pagan Rites and Ceremonies, as particularly in Cambodia, on the River Menan, in which City are almost three hun∣dred stately Mosques, not only well furnisht with excellent Bells (contrary to the Turkish Custom elsewhere) but also with a great many Idols of all sorts. In the Kingdom of Pegu, they have a great Opinion of the Sanctity of Apes and Crocodiles, believing those Persons very happy who are devoured by them. They ob∣serve yearly five Solemn Festivals, (call'd in their Language Sapans) and distinguish'd by the Names of Giachie, Cateano-Giaimo, Segienou, Daiche, and Donon. Their Priests are call'd Raulini, and are divided into three Orders, distinguish'd by the Names of Pungrini, Pangiani, and Xoxom. They have also many Hermits, whom they divided into Grepi, Manigrepi, and Taligrepi, who are all in great esteem among the People. Christianity was planted here much about the same time with the other Peninsula already mention'd.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Name.
• * 1.2

  Air.
• * 1.3

  Soil.
• * 1.4

  Commodities.
• * 1.5

  Rarities.
• * 1.6

  Archbishopricks, &c.
• * 1.7

  Manners.
• * 1.8

  Language.
• * 1.9

  Government.
• * 1.10

  Arms.
• * 1.11

  Religion.