2. PENGAB.
OPposite to Dulsinda, on the Eastern-side of the River Indus, but more inclining towards the South, lieth the Country, or Division rather, which my Author calleth by the name of PENGAB; bounded on the West, with Indus, which divideth it from Dulsinda; on the South, with the Kingdome of Mandoa; on the North, and East, with those many Kingdomes, which we have comprehended under the name of Botanter.
The reason of the name I find not, nor any thing memorable of the Country; but that it was divided in the time of Ptolomy, into the Provinces of the Lambatae, Caspiria, Cylindrine, and Suastene: subdued by Alexander in his expedition into India: the famous Rivers of Acesines, and Hydaspis (but by what names now called I find not) having here their course. So that it seemeth to have been a part of the Kingdom of Porus, or that the Kingdome of Porus was a part of this.
Places of most importance in it, 1. Lahor, on the Eastern banks of Indus, affirmed to be the fairest and most antient City in both the Indies; of most esteem for wealth and greatness. In compass about six∣teen miles, and honoured for a while with the ordinary Residence of the Great Mogul, till on the burning of his Palace, spoken of before, he removed his Court to Caximir, from thence to Fatipore, and at last to Agra. Since that time made the Seat of the eldest sonne, or heir apparent, sent hither for avoiding all occasion of factions, which their living in the Court might breed. A City of exceeding great trade, as being the chief Staple for the Spices in these parts, and other commodities of India, from hence transported into Persia by the way of Candahor, the principall Town of Arachosia; and so to Spahan the chief City of the Sophian Empire, where they are sold, by reason of so long and chargeable a journey, at excessive rates. It is said that 12000 Camels at the least pass every year thorow it with their lading, besides what is ferried down the River, and brought up by the Portugals, who therewith traded unto Ormus till that Town was taken. By this we may conjecture at the wealth hereof, but more by that great Mass of treasure which a late Governour hereof did leave behind him. At whose death Echebar the Mogul (for the Mo∣gul is the heir General unto all mens wealth) found in his Coffers three millions of Gold ready coined, great quantity of Gold and Silver uncoined, and some store of Jewels: besides Horses, Elephants, Houshold-furniture, and other goods almost invaluable. 2. Sultan-puare, of more antiquity than beauty; yet of good esteem. 3. Athec, in the common Road from Lahor to China; reported in the description of the travels of Benedictus a Goes, a Portugal Jesuite, to be a moneths journey from Lahor, and yet in the same Province with it. Which if it be true, either the Province must be large, or his journies short: or if not true, we must remember that we had it from the pen of a Jesuite. And yet as great as this Province or Di∣vision is affirmed to be, we do not find the names of any more Towns of consideration which may be said with confidence to belong unto it.