Cosmographie in four bookes : containing the chorographie and historie of the whole vvorld, and all the principall kingdomes, provinces, seas and isles thereof / by Peter Heylyn.

8 DECAN.

DECAN is bounded on the East, with Narsinga; on the West, with the Indian Ocean; on the North, with Delly and Cambaia; on the South, with Malavar, and Canara. The reason of the name we shall have anon.

It lieth along the Sea-coast, for the space of 250 miles, betwixt Aliga, and Bate, two noted Rivers; extending East, as farre as the Mountain Gates, and afterwards thrusting into the North betwixt Cambara and those mountains till it meet with Delly. The soil much of the same nature with the rest of India, but not so flourishing as Cambaia. The People for the most part Mahometaus, which Religion was first plant∣ed there by the conquests of Sa Nosaradine, 350 years ago; yet not without some entermixture of their antient Gantilism.

Places of most importance in it, 1. Bider, the Seat Royall of Mamudza, once sole King of this Country, who to beautifie and adorn this City, commanded every one of his Prefects, or subordinate Governors, being eighteen in number, to build here a Palace, and to reside therein certain moneths in the year; each one to leave a sonne there in perpetual hostage. Situtate in the most Northern parts of the Countrey neer the borders of Delly; from the King whereof Mamudza had then newly revolted: and therefore would make sure of this place, as most in danger. 2 Visapore, bordering on Cambaia, the Princely Seat of Idalean, one of the Kings of Decan, after it was dismembered into severall Kingdomes. 3. Da∣nager, confiningon Canara, a beautifull and flourishing City, once the chief Seat of Nisalamoccus, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉, another of the Kings hereof after that division. 4. Decan, so called by the name of the Province, of which the chief City next to Bider the Imperiall Seat. Six miles from which there is an hill encompassed with an high wall, and kept by a strong Garrison, because of the great store of Dia∣monds which are digged out of it. The town so wealthy, that the people generally are attired in silks, or the purest tiffany. 5. Sintacora, on the mouth of the River Aliga, where it falleth into the Sea. 6. Goa, a Sea-Town also, situate in a little but most pleasant Iland called Ticuarinum, fifteen miles in compass; opposite to the mouth or out-let of the River Mandova. A noted Empory, and one of the chief keys which unlock the Indies; for number of Inhabitants, magnificent buildings, and pleasantness of situation, one of most note in all this Country. Possessed by the Portugals, who have here their Ar∣senall, and harbour for their Indian Fleet; by which they do command these Seas. So strongly forti∣fied withall, that though beleagured by Idalcan (of whom before) with 35000 horse, 6000 Elephants, and 250 peece of Ordance, Anno 1573. yet he could not force it. Made in regard of the convenient situation and strength thereof, the ordinary Residence of the Portugal Vice-Roy, who hath here his Coun∣sell, Chancellor, and other Officers, for the government of such parts of India as belong to that Crown: as also of the Arch-Bishop or Primate of the Indian Churches planted by that nation, who is hence called the Arch-Bishop of Goa. 7. Chaul, a Sea-Town in the hands of the Portugals also; and by them well fortified: Insomuch as Nisamalocco, assaulting it at the same time with a very great Army, was sain to

leave it as he found it. 8. Balaguate, in the uplands or Hill-Country, whence it had the name: Bal•• in the Persian language signifying a top, or summit of a mountain, and Guate an Hill. 9. Brampore, once the chief seat of another Kingdome; now the chief City of those parts of Decan which are subject to the Great Mongul. Situate on a great River in the middest of a spacious Plain, beautifull, and of very great trading; in bigness equall unto Paris, yet yielded to Echebar the Mogul, without any resistance, Anno 1600. Miram then King thereof forsaking it, and betaking himself to 10. Syra, a strong hold both by art and nature. Situate on the top of an hill, in compass five leagues, and environed with a triple wall, furnished with victuals, and all other necessary provisions, sufficient to maintain 60000 men many years; 3000 great peeces of Ordnance planted on the walls. Besieged herein by Echebar with an Army of 2000••0 fighting men, he held our against him: till over come by promises of fair correspondence, drawn out of his hold (some of his Counsellers being bribed to perswade him to it) he was detained by the Mo∣gull; and the Commanders won by rewards and hopes yielded up the Fort, and therein all the Princes of the Royall family, accustomably kept therein when the Throne was full; which vacant, the next Heir was taken hence, to succeed unto it. Of the same nature as it seemeth with the hill Amara in Ethro∣pia.

The Countrey formerly inhabited by a people called Venaz 〈◊〉〈◊〉, by Religion Gentiles, and held by them till the year 1300, when overcome by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and King of Delly: who driving the Inhabitants into the Hill-Countries, possessed himself of a great part of it, compelling them to submit unto his Religion. The residue hereof subdued by Abd••••a, whom Sa Nosaradine left here to pur∣sue the warre, was by him governed with great justice for 20 years: when dying, he left his government to his sonne Mamudza, confirmed by the Successor of Sa Nosaradine in his Fathers Regency on the pay∣ment of an annuall tribute. Mamudza soon finding that the young King was of no great Spirit, not only refused to pay the tribute imposed upon him, but took unto himself the title of King of Decan: giving this nameunto the Countrey (before called Canara) in regard that he had filled it with a Mungril body of Chri∣stians, Mahomet••ins, and Gentiles, acknowledging no common Parent, nor agreeing in language, customes, or Religion; the word 〈◊〉〈◊〉 signifying in that tongue, as much as an illegitimate brood, or a body of Bastards. Out of these he made choice of twelve (others say eighteen) whom he appointed Go∣vernors of so many Province: not daring to trust any of the old Nobility, or of the Natives of the Countrey: and hoping that these Slaves thus promoted by him, would be more subject to command. But here his silly hopes deceived him. For these Slaves either governed by their masters example, who had done the like unto the sonne and Heir of Sa Nosaradine, or presuming on their own strength, and some forein aids, left to their master nothing but an empty title, each one becoming absolute in his severall Province. Nor did his Successors for any long time enjoy that title; Daquem the last of them being taken at Bider his chief City: and thereupon the name of King usurped by every one of those petit Tyrants. Reduced at last into fewer hands, such of them as were left became considerable Princes; as appeareth by the great Army raised by Id tlean for the siege of Goa. But in the end, distressed on the one side by the Portugals, who embarred their trade, and invaded on the other side by the Great Mogul with most puissant Armies; Melie entituled King of Decan, and Miram King of Br••mpore, were in fine subdued by Echebar, about the year 1600. Against whom and his Successors, though the Venazarari still hold out, as the Resbutes or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 do in the Realm of Cambaia; and that the King of Amdanager, and perhaps some other pe∣tit Princes, are not yet brought under: yet we may look on the Mongul as the Lord of this Country; the residue of these Roytele••••, and petit Princes, (if any of them be remaining) being Homagers or Vassals to him. A∣gainst whose further Progress to the Cape of Comari, which Echebar so greedily aimed at, the puissant Kings of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and those of Malabar, have opposed their power: whose Kingdomes and estates we must next survey, before we take a view of those other provinces, which are now under the command of that mighty Monarch.