3. MANDAO.
THe Kingdome of MANDAO is bounded on the North, with Pengab; on the South, with the Realm of Agra; on the East, with Delly; and on the West, with the River Indus. So called from Mandao, the chief City of it.
The Country more mountainous and rugged than the rest of these Provinces, by reason of the many branches of Mount Bittigo, the Southern part of the Imaus, which do overrun it: in other things partaking of the rich∣es of India. The men, as most of those who live in such mountainous tracts, of a warlike temper; com∣paratively with the rest of the Indians: the women here antiently as valiant as the men in other places; ri∣ding astride, and practised in the Arts of Horsemanship: for that cause called Amazons; some of which are said to be still remaining. Insomuch as it is written in the stories hereof, that the King of this Countrey not long since going to the warres, was accompanied by the Queen his Wife march∣ing in the Front of two thousand women all well mounted and prepared for service.
Chief Cities hereof▪ 1. Mandao, seated on the bankes of the River Mandova, (the Manda of Ptolomy and the Antients) whence it had the name. A City of great note, said to be 30 miles in com∣pass; yet so well fortified, and furnished with all necessaries so: defence and resistance, that it held out