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10. BOTANTER.
BOTANTER (under which name I comprehend all those petit Kingdomes which are crowded together in the North and North-East of this part of 〈◊〉〈◊〉) hath on the South, Oristan and 〈◊〉〈◊〉; on the West, the River Guenga or Chaberis, by which parted from the Realms of Sa••g••; on the North, the Zagathaian Tartars, divided from it by some branches of Mount Taurus; on the East, the famous River Ganges. So called from Bottia, the principall City of Botanter, which is the chief of these small Kingdomes.
The Countrey great, of three moneths journey in extent, full of high Mountains, one of which may be seen five dayes journey off, in which are said to dwell a people with ears of a span long or more, whom o∣therwise those of the Valleys count as Apes. In those parts which are next Sanga, they are white, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉i in others, more enclined to the Olive Colour. Their garments they wear close to their bod••es, so streight that one cannot see a pleit or wrinckle; and those they never put off by night nor day, whilest they are able to hang on: nor do they wash at any time, for fear of defiling so pure a Creature as the water. Content with one wife (deservedly to be held a miracle in these Eastern parts) and yet cohabit not with her after two or three Children. When any of them dy, the Sooth-sayer is to tell them what to do with his bo∣dy: according to whose direction (first consulting his Books) they burn, bury, or eat it. Few Tow••s of note there are amongst them. The principall, 1. Bottia, the Metropolis of it. 2. Calamur, and 3. N••gar••••t, their Staples for the sale of their cloth, (most of the people being Weavers) bought of them by the Chinors, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Merchants, who resort frequently to those markets. This a distinct King∣dome of it self, the Kings whereof are called Dermair, but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the great Mongul. And so 〈◊〉〈◊〉
2. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, another Kingdome of this Tract, frontire upon Cauch••-China, beyond 〈◊〉〈◊〉; so called from 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the chief Town of it. The Country rich, by reason that it may be drowned, and dried up again, when the people will; full of good pastures by that means, and those well stored with Sheep, Goats, Swine, Deer, and other Cattel, though the people neither kill nor eat them. But on the contrary build Hospitals for them, in which when lame and old they are kept till they die. Yet many times they eat their money, and I cannot blame them; their small money being▪ Almonds.
3. GOVREN, a kind of Desart or unpeopled Country, joyneth close to this. In which are few Villages, grass longer than a man, and therein many Buffes, Tigers, and other wild Basts, none wilder than the Theeves who frequent the wildernesses.
In this Tract also are the Kingdoms of RAME, and RECON, joining upon Zag••th••••, or endi∣ning towards it; possessed by the Mongul Tartars from the time of Tamerlane, if not before: but Fenda∣taries to the Kings of Ch••bul or Arachosie, who commanded in the North-East of Pers••••, and these North parts of India: and from those places drew his Army or the greatest part of it, when called unto the aid of G••lgee, the King of M••nd••o. Here is also the Kingdome of TIPPVRA, naturally fenced with hills and mountains; and by that means hitherto defended against the Mongul Tartar••, their bad neighbours; with whom they have continuall warres. But of these Northern Kingdomes lying towards Tartary, there is but little to besaid, and that little of no certain knowledge: those parts being hitherto so untravelled, that they may pass in the Accompt of a Terra Inc••gnita.