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.

OF INDIA.

INDIA is bounded on the East, with the Orientall Ocean, and some part of China; on the West, with the Persian Empire; on the North, with some branches of Mount Taurus, which divide it from Tartary; and on the South, with the Indian O∣cean. So called from the River Indus, the neerest of esteem and note in all the Country, towards these parts of the world.

It is conceived to be the largest Country of any one name in the world, except China and Tartaria; affirmed by Pomponius Mela, to be of such a great extent on the Sea-coasts of it, that it was as much as a ship could sail in 40 daies. Extended from 106, to 159 Degrees of Longitude; and from the Aequator to the 44th degree of Northern Latitude. By which accompt it lieth from the beginning of the first, to the end of the sixt Clime: the longest Summers-day in the Southern parts being 12 hours only, and in the parts most North, 15 hours and an half.

Concerning the monstrous Fables which the ages foregoing have delivered to us of this Countrey, give me leave to say, that as the Poets used of old to fill up the times of which they were ignorant, with strange fictions, and prodigious metamorphoses; or as our modern Geographers, in the Maps of the world, fill up those unknown parts thereof, of which they can give us no certain description, with strange pictures and uncouth shapes of beasts and trees: so also the writers in former ages have filled the more remote Coun∣tries, of which they knew little, with such impossible and incredible relations. Hence there have been attributed to this India, the fables of men with dogs heads; of men with one leg only, yet of great swift∣ness; of such as live by sent; of men that had but one eye, and that in their foreheads; and of others, whose ears did reach unto the ground. It is reported also that this people by eating a dragons heart and li∣ver, attain to the understanding of the languages of beasts; that they can make themselves, when they list, invisible; that they have two tubs, whereof the one opened yields wind, the other rain, and the like. But these relations, and the rest of this strain, I doubt not but the understanding Reader knoweth how to judge of, and what to believe. For my part I am of the same mind with Curtius, Plura equidem tran∣scribo quam credo; nec enim affirmare aus••us sum quae dubito, nec subducere sustineo quae accepi: I may perhaps relate some things which I do not credit, but shall not let them pass without some censure; that so I neither may impose any thing on the Readers belief, nor defraud him any thing conducible to his contentation.

The Countrey, to report no more of it than it doth deserve, enjoyeth an exact temperature of the air; two Summers, (or one as long as two,) and a double encrease: blest with all things which are either neces∣sary to the life of man, or of convenience and delight; particularly with mines of Gold and Silver, and with precious stones; with spices of all sorts, and Civets; with the best medicinable drugs; metals of all kinds, except Copper and Lead; abundance of all sorts of Cattel, except horses. Somewhat defective also in Wheat and Vines, that so this Countrey might be beholding unto others, as well as others to this. Famed also for abundance of Camels, Apes, Dragons, Serpents, Rhinocerots, Elephants. These last more savouring of reason and human ingenuity, or else more tractable and docile, than any brute Creature whatsoever. Of this we have a fair instance in the story of the Acts of Alexander. The Elephant which King Porus sate on, finding his Master strong and lusly, rushed boldly into the thickest of the E∣nemies Army: but when he once perceived him to be faint and weary, he withdrew himself out of the battell, kneeled down, and into his own trunk received all the Arrows which were directed at his master.

The greatness of the Creature makes it yet more admirable, that either he should have soul enough of his own, to actuate so vast a body; or being of such strength and bigness should submit himself to the instru∣ctions of another: some of these Indian Elephants, as Aelianus hath affirmed, being nine Cubits high, and as many long, and in breadth or thickness about five Cubits. Nor doth the Sea afford less plenty or variety, than we find on shore: yielding abundance of the richest and fairest Pearls, huge sholes of fish, and amongst them the Whale or great Leviathan; exceeding the proportion of that land-monster the Ele∣phant. For though the ordinary dimension of the Whale be but 36 Cubits in length, and eight in thick∣ness: yet Nearchus in Arianus is said to have measured one in these Indian Seas, which was of the length of 50 Cubits, and of breadth proportionable: not to say any thing of that incredible report of Plinie, who speaketh of some Indian Whales which were nine hundred and threescore Foot, or four A∣cres long.

The people are of five sorts, and as many Religions, that is to say the Naturall Indians, derived from the Original Inhabitants of it▪ 2. Moors, or Arabians, who more than two hundred years ago pos∣sessed themselves of some Sea-Towns driving the Natives up higher into the Countrey; 3. Jews, scat∣tered

and dispersed (as in other places) into all parts of it; 4. Tartars, in those parts and Provinces which are under the Great Mongul; and 5. Portugueze, who have many Colonies and Factories in the Ports and Islands; but brag as if they had made a conquest of all the Countrey. Which notwith∣standing, considering that the Naturall Indians are by far the greatest number, we must relate to them on∣ly in the Character, which is made of this people. Affirmed to be tall of stature, strong of body, and of complexion inclining to that of the Negroes: of manners Civill, and ingenuous, free from fraud in their dealings, and exact keepers of their words. The Common sort but meanly clad, for the most part naked, content with no more covering than to hide their shame. But those of greater estates and fortunes (as they have amongst them many antient and Noble families) observe a majesty in both Sexes, both in their At∣tendants and Apparel; sweetning the last with oils, and perfumes, and adorning themselves with Jew∣els, Pearls, and other Ornaments befitting. They eat no flesh, but live on Barley, Rice, Milk, Ho∣ney, and other things without life.

The W••me•• not of much fairer complexion than the men, yet of lovely countenances, wear their hair long and loose, but covered with a thin vail of Calicut Lawn. Their ears hung with many rings, so great and heavy, that they are torn, and stretched to much disproportion; their noses also ringed, and behung with Jewels according to their estate and quality. Servilely obsequious to their husbands, whose af∣fections they divide amongst them without jarre or jealousy: the men allowed here, as in all the East, the use of many wives, whom they buy of their parents for a yoke of Oxen; and may mary as often as they list. In which they have too great a privilege above the women, who after the decease of their common hus∣band, do either burn in the same flame with him, or else are forced to doom themselves to perpetuall Widow-Hood. But of this we may speak more hereafter when we come to the parti∣culars.

The Christian faith was first planted in these Countries by Saint Thomas, from whom the remainders of Christianity take denomination; and unto whom the Records and Miniments of that Church do as∣cribe their conversion. For in one of their Treviaries written in the Chaldaean tongue, and translated in∣to Latine by Father John Maria Campa•••• a Jesuite, we find it thus, Per D. Thomam evanuit error Idololatriae ab Indis, &c. i. e. By Saint Thomas, the errors of Idolatry vanquished out of the Indies; by Saint Thomas, they received the Sacrament of Baptism, and the Adoption of Sonnes; by Saint Tho∣mas, they believed and confessed the Father, the Son, and Holy-Ghost; by Saint Thomas, they kept the faith received of one God: And finally by Saint Thomas, the splendour of saying doctrine did ap∣pear to all India. His body as they say, in••ombed in the City of Maliapar, upon the Coast of Choroman∣d••ll; the truth of which tradition I dispute not here. But this plantation of the Gospel by the hand of Saint Thomas was not universal over all the Countrey; but in some parts and Provinces only: or else was forced to give ground a while to prevailing Heathenism. For in the reign of Constantine, we read how the Indians living on the further-side of the Rive Ganges (for so I understand the Indi interiores of my Author) were converted to the Faith byr•• the ministery of one Frumentius, of the City of Tyr••••, who having spent the greatest part of his time amongst them, was employed in that service, and consecrated the first Bishop (for those Churches) by the great Athanasius of Alexandria. But being the foundation of this building was laid by Saint Thomas, the remainder of Christians here being, ascribe the whole work to him; called therefore Christians of Saint Thomas. Governed origi∣nally by their own Bishops, subordinate to an Archbishop of their own also, residing at Augamale fifteen miles from Cochin, one of the chief Cities of this Countrey: who for long time acknowledged obedience to the Patriarch of Musal, by the name of the Patriarch of Babylon, as by these Christians of India he is still termed. The number of these Christians computed at 15 or 16 thousand families; or at 70000 persons in the accompt of others: inhabiting for the most part in that large tract of ground, which begin∣ning at the outlets of Ind••••s and Ganges, stretcheth unto the Cape or Promontory called Cape Comari. The points wherein they differed from the Church of Rome, 1. Their administring the Sacrament of the Eu∣charist in bread seasoned with salt; 2. Administring in both kinds, but using instead of wine (which is scatce or not at all to be had in this Countrie) the juice of raisins softn••d in water over night, and so pressed forth; 3. Not baptizing children untill 40 dayes old, xcept it be in danger of death; 4. Permitting no Images in their Churches, but that of the Cross; 5. Allowing one mariage to their Priests, but debar∣ing the second; 6. In painting God with three heads on one body to denote the Trinity. 7. Denying the use of extreme Vnction; and 8. Not acknowledging the Popes Supremacie. And in this State they stood till the year 1599, when by the sollicitation of the Portugals, they renounced their obedience to the Pa••riarch of Musall, and submitted their Churches to the jurisdiction of the Pope of Rome, in a National Synod held at Diamper, not farre from Maliapar by the Arch-bishop of Goa (the Primate of the Portugals in those parts) not onely rejecting all opinions contrary to the Romish Tenets, but deli∣vering all their Books and Liturgies to be altered and reformed by the said Arch-bishop, according to the Rites and doctrines of the Church of Rome, which was done accordingly.

But these comparatively to the rest, come not to an handfull; the main body of the People wallowing in their Gentilism; and still retaining many of those antient Customes, which they used of old: as viz. 1. Not knowing their wives after they have born them two children; 2. Nor keeping them, if after five years ••••habitation, they can raise no issue by them; but then exchanging them for others; 3. Reward∣ing none for any military exploit, if they bring not with them in their hands the head of an enemy; 4. Killing their Friends, before they were withered or decaied by Age, or sickness. To these they have since added others of a later invention, perhaps more barbarous, of which we may have opportunity to speak anon. Their Priests or learned men, in the time of old were called Brachmanes from one Brachman, the prescriber of their

Rites and Laws, by whom instructed in the Rudiments of their Philosophy; a Sect of which, from their going naked, had the name of Gymnosophists; who were to them as the Chaldaei, to the Assyrians; the Magi, to the Persians; and the Druides, to the antient Britans. Had in great Reverence by the People, and living for the most part an austere and solitary life in Caves and Desarts; feeding on herbs, poorly apparelled, and for a time abstaining from all carnall pleasures: but that time past, they may indulge them∣selves more liberty, and admit the company of women. Others of them live together with the common-people, as being their ordinary Priests. Of these, the great Alexander, when he was in this Countrey, surprized ten; one of them called by the name of Calanus, with whom he had a great deal of communica∣tion: propounding to him many strange questions, and receiving back to many of them, (as himself con∣fessed) some not unsatisfying though strange answers. To these Gymnosophists, or Brachmans the Bramines do now succeed, both in place and authority; but differ from them most extremely in point of learning, and the civilities of their lives: these Bramines being the most impure, libidinous, and sensuall beasts in all the Countrey; privileged with the first nights lodging of every Bride, which when sated with their filthy lust, they sell, or trafick with, to strangers; serving as Stallions to old men, and as Pandars to young; so flesh'd in wickedness, and ignorant of all good letters, that they have nothing of a man but the voice and shape. Mahometanism is also entertained in a great part of the Countrey, first brought in by the Tartars, and neighbouring Persians unto whom conter••••nous; but much increased by the victories of the Great Mongul: who being originally a Tartar, and of that Religion, hath caused it to be propaga∣ted in most parts of his large dominions.

Mountains of most note in it, besides Caucasus, and some other of the branches of Taurus or Arara••, common to this, and the Tartarian and Persian Empires, 1. Sardonix, full of mines of those precious stones which are called after the name of the Mountain. 2. Vindius. 3. Bittigo. 4. Adisathras. 5. Those called Apocopi, and 6. Those named Orodii. And on the further side of Ganges. 7. Se••yrrus. 8. Maeandrus. 9. Those called Damusi, and 10. Semanthinus; part of this last extending also unto China. All of them very fruitfull in the production of mines, and Rivers, as will appear by looking over the particulars when we come unto them.

But the Mountain of Chief note of all is that which Ptolomy calleth Bitigo, and is now named Gates, the Southern part of the great Mountain Imaus spoken of before: extended from Mount Caucasus, where it crosseth the Taurus in right Angels, to Cape Comari, a known Promontory of Industan, or the Hi∣ther India (which it divideth into East and West) for the space of 400 leagues and upwards. Conceived by Postellus a learned Writer, to be that Mount Sephar, mention whereof is made in the 10th of Genesis, where it is said to be the utmost Eastern limit of the Sonnes of Joktan, Gen. 10. v. 30. With probabili∣ty enough, for ought I can see, the sonnes of Joktan being settled in these parts of India, and the Provinces of the Persian Empire which lie neerest to them. And so farre Stephanus doth concurre with Postell, as to affirm of this Mount Sephar, that it is Mons Indiae, an Indian Mountain: both of them grounding on Saint Hierom, who expressly saith, Sopheramons Orientis in India, juxta quem habitaverunt filii Jectam, i. e. that Sephar, or Sopher, is the name of a Mountain of the East in India; neer to which dwelt the sonnes of Jocktan. More probably, without doubt, than that we should transfer it into A∣mercia, as I see some do; and make it there to be the great Mountain of the Andes, which runneth the whole length of Peru, from one end to the other; and thence as some will have it to the Streights of Ma∣gellan. Which should we grant, we must not look for Joktan, or the sons of Joktan, either in Arabia Fe∣lix, where Bochartus placeth them; nor in the Eastern parts of Asia, where most probably they may be found: but we must cross the vast Orientall Ocean, and look for them in a place where they never were: besides, that granting this for true, we must allow America to have been known in the time of Moses; which no Author that I ever met with did so much as dream of.

Rivers of most note are, 1. Indus, which ariseth out of that part of Taurus which the Antients cal∣led Paropamisus, the Moderns, Naugrocot; and having received into it 19 other Rivers, after a course of 900 miles, falleth into the Ocean at seven Mouths, that is to say 1. Sagappa, being the most Western, 2. Sinthum, 3. Aureum, 4. Cariphi, 5. Sappara, 6. Sabalassa, 7. Lonibare, the most Eastward. But five of these being chaoked with sands, or drawn into the neighbouring Chanells, there now re∣mains but only two. A River famous in Records and antient stories for giving name unto the Country, and that so celebrated voyage of Alexander, who sayled down it towards the Indian Ocean: the voyage holding above five moneths, of which there is said to have passed no day wherein he sai••ed not 15 miles, or 600 Furlongs. 2. Ganges, which riseth as some say from the Mountain Imaus, (or rather from that part of Taurus, where Imaus falleth right upon it,) and falling headlong down the Rocks, is first col∣lected into a Lake, or Pool (supposed by others for the fountain and Original of it) whence with a gentler pace it passeth towards the Ocean; taking in by the way, as is said by Pliny, 30 navigable Rivers. In the narrowest place of eight miles breadth, in the broadest 20. seldome so shallow but that the depth there∣of is 100 foot, or 20 Geometrical paces. Parted into five great Chanels it falleth at last into the Sea; the first of which most towards the West, is called Cambysum, 2. Magnum, 3. Camberychum, 4. Psendostomum, and 5. that which lyeth furthest towards the East, called Autiboli. This River erro∣neously supposed to be that Pison which watered Paradise: and to encrease the reputation of the error, we find it countenanced by Josephus, and other no less eminent names; and also backed by some traditi∣ons of the people which inhabit neer it. By whom it is affirmed that one of the Bengalan Kings sent men up the River, who came at last to a pleasant place, blest with a fragrant Earth, sweet air, and quiet waters; beyond which they could go no further. The truth and reality whereof doth so possess them, that at the mouth of this River called Gangasagie, such as are weary of this world use to cast themselves into the cur∣rent,

and are presently devoured by a fish called Sea-dogs, by whom they hope to find a quick passage to Paradise. The occasion of which error among the Antients proceeded from those words of the Scripture, in which it is affirmed of Pison, that it compassed the land of Havilah: which granting that it did, infer∣reth not that either this River must be Pison, or that India is intended by that Havilah. For besides Havilah the sonne of Jocktan, planted in some part of India; there was another Havilah the sonne of Chus, settled in the land of Havilah or Chasiana, not far from Babylon: this last indeed watered by the River Pison, and the first by Ganges; too farr asunder, and divided by too many Nations, to be taken or mistaken one for another. But not less famous, because none of those which neighboured the garden of Eden: perhaps of greater fame than any of those which did. For to this River do the superstitious Indians make their solemn Pilgrimages, vainly conceiving that they shall be sure of their eternity, if at the time of their death they may drink of this water. To the overflowings of this River do the People ascribe the fer∣tility of the Countreys adjoining, as the Aegyptians do to Nilus. And finally, by this River was the whole Countrey antiently, and at this present is, divided into two main parts, (each subdivided into many particular Provinces) viz. 1. India intra Gangem, 2. India extra Gangem. Of each of which we will first take a brief survey with reference to the state and story of it in preceding times; and then consider them with reference to the present age.

INDIA INTRA GANGEM.

INDIA INTRA GANGEM, is bounded on the East, with the River Gan∣ges till the fall thereof into the Sea, and after that with that large and spacious Bay, called antiently Sinus Gangeticus, now the Gulf of Bengala; on the West, with Paropamisus, Arachosia, Gedro∣sia, Provinces of the Persian Empire; and part of the Arabian Seas: on the North, where it is broadest, with Mount Taurus, branched into Paropamisus, Caucasus, and other parts; and on the South, where it endeth in a sharp point or Promontory, by Ptolomy called Commaria extrema, but now Cape Com∣mari, with the Indian Ocean. So named from being situate on this side of Ganges; by the moderns Indostan.

The Countrey of the same nature formerly, as it is at the present, not altered but by changing of the cha∣nels of Indus; which being shifted by an Earthquake, turned a great part of the once neighbouring Region to a sandy Desart: Indus (as many other of the Indian Rivers) fatning and enriching all the land which it overfloweth. The people of those elder times much like the Scythians, especially in their course of life, living without Cities, Temples, Houses, in their moveable tents: their food the bark of a tree called Tala, which served for bread; and the flesh of bucks, does, and other venison, with the skins whereof they made their Garments. All of them Free-men, but no Slaves to be found amongst them. Less warlike than the Scythians, but as great Contemners of death as they: the very women contending eagerly amongst themselves, which should accompany their Husband (one husband having many wives) to his Funerall Pile. Of which thus Saint Hierome, Hae igitur contendunt de amore viri, & ambitio summa certantium est ac testimonium castitatis dignam morte censeri. A custome still retain∣ed amongst them; of which somewhat hath been said already, and more is to be said in another place.

Principall Rivers of this part, 1. Hydaspes, by Ptolomy (and by him only) called Bidaspes, one of the furthest bounds of Alexanders conquests. 2. Suastus, 3. Coa, 4. Acesines, very memorable in the Gests of Alexander. 5. Sandabilis, 6. Zaradrus: all comming from the Northern Mountains, and all falling (Hydaspes with three other Rivers first received into it) into the greater bed of Indus. 7. Diamna, 8. Sorabus, and 9. Soa, falling from the like Northern Mountains, into the main Cha∣nell of Ganges. 10. Naragonas, issuing from Mount Vindius. 11. Baris, from Bittigo. 12. Cha∣beris, from Adisathras. 13. Tindis, from the hill called Vxentus; and 14. Tina, from the O∣rodian Mountains, with many others of less note. By what names called at the present, I determine not; nor find I any which have dared to adventure on it. But doubtless to be found in 1. Catamul, 2. Ceb∣cha, 3. Ray, 4. Chenao, 5. Rebeth, all tributaries unto Indus, which is now called Schind. 6. Taphi, 7. Harunda, 8. Chambel, 9. Jamena, which empty their waters into Ganges; the which, with such others of the principal Rivers as are now known by name unto us, shall occasionally be touched on in that which followeth. Besides which Rivers, here is a famous Lake mentioned in the Gests of Alex∣ander, (but the name occureth not) not much above a mile in circuit, but exceeding pleasant, shaded on every side with woods; memorable for the great refreshment which it gave to Alexanders Army, when e∣ven pined with thirst.

The Countrey so exceeding populous in the time of Ptolomy, that it afforded him the names of more no∣ted Cities, than any one Countrey in the world. Of which 1. Cottiara, 2. Nigama, 3. Sa••••da, 4. Rarassa, 5. Masopelle, and 6. Pityndra, are honoured with the name of Metropoles; as being the head Cities of their severall and respective Nations. 7. Ozene, 8. Sora, 9. Palibothra, 10. Gan∣ge, 11. Batana, 12. Hippocura, 13. Carara, 14. Modura, 15. Orthura, and 16. Mala••ga, mentioned as the Royall seats of severall Princes; by the name of Regiae. 17. ••ardaxem••, 18. T••••∣dis, 19. A••gari, 20. Curula, 21. Chaberis, on the River so called. 22. Palura, on the shores of the Golf of Bengala, and 23. Palura, on the banks of Cambysum. 24. Tilegramocum; marked out above the rest with the name of Civitates, (Cities) and therefore probably of more note than others not so distinguished. And finally 25. Monogsassum, 26. Simylla, neer a Promontory of the same

name; 27. Nitra, 28. Maziris, 29. Elancorum, 30. Colchi, 31. Salur, 32. Sobura, 33. Poduca, 34. Melange, 35. Maliarpha, 36. Contacissyla, 37. Nosygne. 38. Barygaza. Speci∣fyed as the most noted and celebrious Empories; besides 39. Canthimus, 40. Stathmus, (and 41 a Road opposite to Chrysas) two commodious Stations or Roads for shipping. The names and situation of these places is the most we find of them, which makes me pass them over with a bare recitall, only to shew how populous and well planted this Countrey was in the time of my Author.

Of less name, but of more note in the course of story; 1. Nysa, built by Bacchus at the time of his Indian conquest, and called thus by the name of his Nurse, to preserve her memory, his mother dying in Child-birth of him. Replenished by him with his sick and wounded Souldiers, whose posterity continued here till the time of Alexander, who spared the City and the people for his love to Bacchus, who was therein worshipped in a Temple of his own foundation, planted about with Baies, Vines, and Ivy, whose shidie branches covered the roof of it. In the middest thereof an Image, with all the Instruments belonging to a plentiful Vintage, all of Gold or Silver. 2. Taxilla, or Taxiala as Ptolomy calleth it, seated be∣twix•• Indus and Hydaspes in the Region called Varsa, and built most probably by Taxiles a puissant King of India, in the time of Alexander. Adorned in elder times with a Temple dedicated to the Sunne, and therein with an Ivory image of A••ax, a Golden Statua of Alexander, and the portraiture of King Po∣rus made in copper. The floor of Mosaical work pouldred with Pearls, the walls of red marble inter∣laied with gold, which made it shine a far off, like a flash of lightning. 3. Nagarna, called also Dio∣nysiopolis; in memory of Bacchus who was also called Dionysius, and Liber Pater. 4. Adorne, by Diodorus called Aornos, and Avernus by Strabo; so strongly seated on a Rock, that Hercules was not able to force it: which made Alexander, imitating, and therein out-going the Acts of Hercules, assault it with the greater force, and at last he carried it. 5. Bucephala, built by Alexander on the banks of Hy∣d••spes, and named thus in memory of Bucephalus his beloved horse, which had served him in all the course of his Fortunes, and dyed hereabouts, being then thirty years old. 6. Pireta, another of his foundations, so called by the name of his dog, whom he dearly loved. 7. Alexandria, on the banks of Indus, another of his foundations also. 8. Mazage, on the West of Indus, one of the first Towns of India taken by the Macedonians, though garrisoned within, and environed without by an host of 300000 men: but yielded after some resistance, with the use of her own body, by Cleophe the Queen the••eof, who received it back with other favours from the hands of the Conqueror. 9. Nora, a strong City on the same side of Indus, taken by Polysperchon, one of his Commanders. 10. Samus, on the banks of the same River, taken by Alexander in the course of his navigation down that sea of waters; the Inhabitants whereof fought against him with poisoned Arrows, with one of which Ptolomy, afterward King of Aegypt, was dangerously wounded, and cured with an herb which Alexander dreamt he had seen in the mouth of a Serpent. 11. Oxydrace, the chief City of the Oxydracans, at the siege whereof Alexander is said to be the first that scaled the walls, and the last that could do so: the ladder breaking as soon as he was at the top. Standing thus alone as a mark to all their darts, he was by the Souldiers desi∣red to leap down amongst them; but he in a daring bravado leaped into the Town among his enemies, where it was not only his good hap to light upon his feet, but to have an old tree at his back to defend him behind. In this posture he is said to have maintained the fight a long time against all the Souldiers of the Town; killing two of them with his own hands, and by that example teaching the rest to be more mannerly: till being wearyed, and dangerously wounded, he was forced to leave his feet, and commit the weight of of his body to his knees. In this case Leonatus, Peucestes, and some other of his Captains, came to as∣sist him; who defended their dying Master, till the whole Army entred the Town, and put all the people to the sword, in revenge of their King, whose life they had little hope to enjoy, though he with much dan∣ger did afterward recover. For my part I give little or no credence to this story, ranging it in the same Ca∣talogue of truth with the Adventures of Donzel del Phoebo, Rosicleer, Beliams, Amadis, and the rest of the rabble of Knights errant. Neither is this the first time that Curtius hath disgraced the soundness of Alexanders judgement, and the truth of his actions, with the like idle and impossible fables: though indeed in that particular, he saith that it was multo magis ad temeritatis quam ad gloriae famam. And 12. Nicaea, built by Alexander on the banks of Acesines, in memory of his many great and signal victories. Not far from which finding how unwilling his Souldiers were to pass further East, he purpo∣sed to leave behind him some Monument of his great exploits, and to make his fame immortall a∣mongst the Indians. And to that end he caused the form of his Camp to be inlarged, and the Cabbins to be made bigger than sufficed for his men to lodge in, the Mangers to be set higher than his horses could reach, Armour and Bits for horses of too great a ••ize (made not for use, but ostentation of his might,) to be scattered up and down the Camp for the savage people to wonder at in the times to come. By means whereof he got nothing amongst knowing men but a suspicion that his Actions were in∣deed less memorable than they are reported to have been, since he so vainly laboured to have them thought greater than indeed they were.

The old Inhabitants hereof were the Indo-Scythae, inhabiting on the North-West of Indus, the Mazagae, Sadani, Piratae, Limyrices, Aii, the Soringi, Arvari, Oxydracae, Malli, and Lambatae; the Gandarides, or Gangarides, neer the mouch of Ganges; the Caspiraei, under the shades of Mount Vindius. The Musicani, Chatziaei, Polindae, Phyllitae, Bittigi, Chadramotitae, Pezuari, Adisathri, Mandalae, Dryllophitae, Sabarae, Pandioni, with many others to the num∣ber 122 several nations, if Megasthenes be not out in his reckoning; too many and too impertinent to be mustered here.

Originally descended from the Sonnes of Noah before they left these Eastern parts to go towards the

unfortunate valley of Shinaar. We could not else have found this Countrey so full of people in the days of Semiramis, the wife of Ninus: who leading an Army compounded of several nations to the number of four millions and upwards (if Ctesias, and Diodorus Siculus who reports it from him be of any credit, but certainly the greatest Army that was ever raised) was encountred by Staurobates King of India, with greater forces made up of naturall Indians onely, by whom she was vanquished and slain. A matter beyond all belief, though neither Army could make up a fourth part of that num∣ber, if the Indians had been no other than some one of those Colonies which were sent from BABEL; or rather a second or third Swarm of those former Colonies, which went thence under the command of the first Adventurers. For that any of the first Adventurers, who were present at the building of the Tower of BABEL, travelled so far East, is not affirmed by any who have laboured in the search of their plantations. So that I take it for a matter undeniable, that the plantation of India pre∣ceded the attempt of BABEL; though by whom made there is nothing to be said for certain. Yet if I might have liberty to express my own conceptions, I am inclinable to believe that all the East∣ern parts of Persia, with China, and both the Indiaes, were peopled by such of the sons of Sem, as went not with the rest to the Valley of Shinaar. For otherwise I can see no reason, that the posterity of Japher should plant the greatest part of the Lesser Asia, and the whole Continent of Europe, with the Isles thereof; and that the sonnes of Cham should spread themselves over Babylonia, Palestine, the three Arabiaes, and the whole Continent of Africk; the posterity of Sem being shut up in a corner of the Greater Asia, hardly so big as some one Province taken up by the other Adventurers. And therefore that I may allow to the sonnes of Sem an equall Latitude, I think it not improbable to fix them in these Eastern Countreys, spreading themselves this way as they grew in numbers, before the rest of the Adventurers went to seek new fortunes at the Tower of BABEL. And being that the Coun∣trey was large and wealthy, and might have room enough to spare for some second commers (especially descending from the same root with them) I doubt not but to place here also all the sonnes of Jocktan, Havilah, Chatsarmaveth, Saba, Abimail, who have left here some tract or monument of them∣selves, as hath been shewn at large in our GENERALL PREFACE; and as concerning Ophyr, shall be shewed hereafter. To proceed therefore to our Story, the next who made a∣ny invasion on this Countrey, after that of Semiramis, was Bacchus or Liber Pater, the sonne of Jupiter and Semele, accompanyed with Hercules Aegyptius; not much more fortunate than she: the forces of Bacchus being defeated, and Hercules forced to throw away his Golden Shield. But what they could not do by Arms, they effected by Arts. Bacchus instructing them in the use of wine, oyl, sacrifices, and the Art of Architecture, and drawing them into Towns and Cities, for that cause ho∣noured as a GOD. To Hercules they ascribe the Nation of the Pandioni, proceeding from a daugh∣ter of his called PANDAEA: the memory of both preserved in Statuaes and Pillars erected by them.

After this unattempted till the time of Alexander, who having made a full conquest of the Persian Empire, invaded India with an Army of an 120000 fighting men. Beginning with CLEOPHE, Queen of the Mazagae, a people of Indo-Scythia, he brought her to conformity, possessed himself both of her person and estate; on whom he begot a sonne called Alexander, who is said to have succeeded in her Dominions. Being passed over the River Indus, Taxiles (by some called Omphis) a prudent Prince, whose Kingdome is affirmed to be bigger than Aegypt, submitted of his own accord, offering his service and assistance to promote his conquest, and presenting him with a Crown of Gold, and 80 Ta∣lents of ready money. The King made welcome, but his money not so much as looked on: the Mace∣donian being so far from fingring of this Indian gold, that he gave him a thousand Talents of his own trea∣sure. Encouraged by this Royall dealing, Abiajares, another puissant Prince of the opposite faction unto Taxiles, submitted also, and was as graciously received: Porus, whose Kingdome lay on the other side of Hydaspes, would not be so conquered, and therefore mustereth up his forces, and valiantly made good the banks of the River. But vanquished at the last, not without much difficultie, he was made a Pri∣soner to the Victor; who honouring the man for his brave resistance, gave him his liberty and Kingdome with a great inlargement. The Conqueror had a great desire to go further East, but the Souldiers would not be perswaded: sufficiently taught by Porus, what they were to look for, if the Indiansshould unite their forces. Unable to prevail, he erected in the place twelve Altars, as high as Towers, where he observ∣ed many solemn Games and Sacrifices: and having sacrifised to Hydaspes, Indus, and Acesines, he sailed down Indus towards the Southern Ocean; which seen at distance, he turned towards Gedrosia, and thence to Babylon, where he died.

After his death Eumenes raised some part of his forces hence. But the Macedonians being plunged in a Civil war, one Androcottus stirred up the Indians to recover their freedomes; making himself at first their Captain, but at last their King. Possessed of all that had been conquered by the Greeks, he was encountred by Seleucus, who had then got the command of Asia: against whom he brought an Army of 600000 fighting men. Frighted wherewith, Seleucus made peace with him, and contracted a solemn League betwixt them; continued with the interchange of friendly Offices amongst their posterity; and more confirmed by an interview betwixt Antiochus the Great, and Saphagasenus, one of the Successors of Andracottus; by whom Antiochus was presented with 150 Elephants, and the promise of some trea∣sure to be sent after him. By the Posterity of Andracottus was the Kingdome held till the prosperity and full height of the ROMAN Empire. The power whereof though they rather knew by report, than trial, yet was it not amiss to entertain a potent, though remote State, in terms of amity. Therefore they sent Embassadours unto Augustus, who presented him with a number of Tigers, (which beasts

(saith Dion) till then, the Roman people had never seen) and which was the most pleasing, a little boy born without arms, who with his feet could bend a bow, shoot, and play on wind instruments, as exactly as others with their hands. Tra••an the Emperor had a great desire to see this Countrey, but was diverted from that purpose by matters of more necessary importance to the State of his Empire. Moved with the same of Antoninus, the Roman Emperor, they sent a solemn Ambassie to him; making him Umpire in some Controversies which they had with the Bactrians: from which Ambassadors it is probable that Pto∣lomy the Geographer who then lived, might receive his informations of the estate of this Countrey. The like they did to Julian the Apostate also, then setting forwards on his expedition against the Persian; de∣siring his friendship and alliance. How it was with them in the time of Constantine and Justinian, hath been shewn already. After these times by little and little, histories have been in a manner silent concern∣ing the affairs hereof; but for some conquests made on the parts next Persia, by the Chaliphs of Bagdet. For no••withstanding that there was continual traffick from the Red Sea hither; and between the Persians, Turkish, and Indian Merchants for spices, and the other commodities of this Region; yet were not these Merchants acquainted with the state of the Countrey; because they entered not into it, but were met by the Indian Merchants at Sarmachand, being as it were the common Emporie. Neither did the Aegyp∣tians at all enter into India, but were met by the Indians at Ormus, or some other Iland: even as now the Chinois, make some of the Philippinae, the staple of their trade with the Spaniards; whom they li∣cence not to come into the Continent among them. But our modern navigators have withdrawn this mask of obscurity, and shew us her lively portraiture in as lively colours. One of the first which brake the ice, and gave us any certainty of their affairs, was Sir John Mandeville, accompted at his comming back for the greatest Fabler in the world: so incredible seemed his reports of the magnificence of those Kings, and the wealth of their Countreys, and the many rarities which he found amongst them. But better thought of by our neighbours, he obtained a Monument in a Convent at Leige, the Friers of which keep some things of his, Comme pour honorable memorie de son excellent, for an honorable memorial of his Excellencies. Many of his Relations since confirmed by the Portugals, who under the conduct of Vasquez de Gama first discovered this Countrey, by the new way of the Cape of good hope, Anno 1497. By whom and some la∣ter observations, we have been informed, that in this part of India were no fewer than 47 Kingdomes, whereof some few have still their own natural Kings; the rest all subject to the power of the Great Mogul. Contracted into a lesser number by joining many lesser territories into one Division, we shall look on it as distributed into 15 Provinces. Some have reduced them unto five, but give us neither the bounds nor ex∣tent of any of them. And others in the description of their travels, ramble up and down with such uncer∣tainties, (most of them being men of trades and ignorance) that though they tell us where they lodged, and what entertainments they did meet with; yet we shall hardly know by them (for I think they did not know themselves) in what Province they were; or to what part the severall Towns thorow which they passed, did of right belong. So that our passage thorow these Countries (having such blind guides to fol∣low) will be full of difficultie, and not so satisfactory to the Reader as he might expect. Howsoever, I desire him to bear me company, whilest I take the best survey I can of these 15 Provinces, to which the whole may be most handsomely reduced: that is to say, 1. Dulsinda, 2. Pengab, 3. Ma••dao, 4. Delly, 5. Agra, 6. Sanga, 7. Cambaia, 8. Decan, 9. Canara, 10. Malabar, 11. Narsinga, 12. Oristan, 13. Botanter, 14. Patenaw, and 15. Bengala.

1. DVLSINDA.

DVLSINDA is bounded on the East, with the River Indus; on the West, with Paro∣pamisus, and Arachosia, two Persian Provinces; but for the most part, under the command of the Great Mogul; on the North, with Caucasus, by which parted from Tartary; on the South, with the Kingdom of Cambaia. So that it taketh up all the Northern parts of this Estate, which lie upon the West of the River Indus: from which River called by the Natives Sinda, most probable it is that it took this name: and therefore I have written it with an s, Dulsinda, and not Dulcinda with a c, as I see some do, but on no good reason.

The Countrey by reason of the Northern situation of it more temperat, but less fruitful than the rest of In∣dia. The seat, in antient times, of the Mazagae, and Indo-Scythae, when subdued by Alexander. Made up at present, of many lesser Kingdomes, and smaller Provinces, denominated, for the most part, from the principal Tows, and Cities of them, as in other places.

Amongst which those of most esteem, are 1. Caximir, Cascimir, or Chesmur, (for by all these names it is called) the chief of a Kingdome once, unto which it gave name, till subdued by Echebar, the Mogul; who in a pleasant Iland, (in the middest of a great and deep Lake, about three leagues off the City) beset round with Trees, built a Royall Palace: which he honoured sometimes with his Court, removed hither from Lahor, partly the better to assure this new conquered Kingdome; but principally because his Palace at Lahor, and therein an infinite deal to Treasure, had but newly been consumed by fire. The City it self situate in the most healthy Country of all India, encompassed with high Mountains, covered for the most part of the year with snow; the rest a delicate, goodly plain, diversified with Pastures, Woods, Corn-fields, Meadows, Parks, Gardens, and Rivers, even to admiration. The air hereof, and of the Country round about, by reason of the Northern situation of it, and the snowie Mountains, very cool and temperate. The soil abundantly productive of Wheat, Rice, and Vines; which last they plant at the foot of the Mulberry-tree, which seemeth by this means, to bear double fruits. Both Town and King∣dome subdued by Echebar, the Mogul, about the year 1597. their own dissentions more conducing to

that subjugation, than any visible force which he brought before it. 2. Roree, a Fort of the M••gul•• towards Paropamisus; but bordering upon the Country of Multan, to which People it properly belong∣eth: garrisoned not so much for fear of the Persian, (for Paropamisus, now called Cabal, is his antient Patrimony,) but to preserve the People from the spoil of Theeves, who alwaies hang about the Mountains. 3. In the most Northern parts hereof, stood the Nagara of Ptolomy; mistook by some for the modern Agra, of which more anon. 4. Sestan, the chief City as I take it, of the Kingdome of Rebat; situ∣ate on the East of Caxim••r, betwixt it and the Indus: in the same Latitude with that, but not of so temperate an air; the snowy Mountains much conducing to the Temperature of the Realm of Caximir., 5. Mul••an, a great and antient City, and the chief of a Kindome, on the South of Caximir, or Chesmur, and about three French leagues from the banks of the River Indus. The ordinary thorow-fare of the Ca∣ravans, in the way from Lahor to Spahan, (the chief Seat of the Sophy or King of Persia) forced to abide there divers dayes, sometimes ten or twelve, to enrich the Town, which of it self is of no great trading nor otherwise able to subsist but by this device. 6. Duckee, a Fort or Garrison, situate in the Streights of the Mountains to secure the Caravans, and protect other Passengers from the danger of Robbers, hover∣ing in these hill-countr••es, the out-parts of this Empire.

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.

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

twelve years against Mirumudius, or Merhamed, the Great Mogul, who then besieged it. Surren∣dred at the last, and with it the Kingdome. Memorable for the great battail fought before it betwixt the said Merhamed, then comming to the relief thereof; and Badurius King of Cambaia who had then distressed it: in which fight Badurius lost his tents and Treasures, and was fain to fly disguised unto Diu, to crave aid of the Portugals. 2. Moltan, once the chief City of a Kingdome, or a Kingdome rather of it self, but of no great note: the women whereof though not so good Souldiers as their Ancestors of the fe∣male sex, yet to come as neer them as they can, use boots and spurs when they take a journey, and so fit∣ted fit astride the saddle. 3. Scernus, on the River so called, of more Antiquity than greatness; as is al∣so▪ 4. Polymbothie, the Palibothra of Ptolomy and others of the antient writers, then the chief Town of the Palibothei (by Pliny and Strabo, called Prasii) a People of as great authority and power as any in India.

This once a Kingdom of it self of great power and wealth, till Badurius King of Cambaia having conquered the Realm of Citor, and therewith a great part of Sanga, made an attempt upon this also. Galgee then King of Mandao finding himself too weak for so strong an Enemie, craved aid of Merhamed (of Mira∣mudius as the Latines) the Mongul Tartar, then reigning in Chabul or Arachosia, and possessed of some parts of India also since the times of Tamerlane. Who compounding an Army of his own subjects, some mercinary Persians, and a great body of Zagathaian Tartars, from whom originally descended, came in accordingly: discomfited the vast Anny of Badurius, consisting of of 150000 horse, and 500000 foot, in two set battails, the first at Doceti, the next at Mandao; and following his blow possessed himself of the whole Kingdome of Cambaia. But not content with that success, quarrelled the Mandoan King in whose aid he came; besieged him in his principal City, which at last he won, and therewithall the Kingdome also: the wretched King shewing hereby a fair both evidence and example to succeeding ages, that the easiest way for a Prince to ruin his own estate, and endanger his neighbours, is to admit a Forrein power into his own Dominions, which he cannot as easily thrust out, as he hath brought them in.

4. DELLY.

DELLY is bounded on the West, with Mandao; on the East, with the Kingdome of Botanter; on the North, with the Eastern parts of Pengab; on the South, with the Eastern parts also of the Kingdome of Agra. So named from DELLY the chief City of it, by some called Delin.

The Countrey, besides what is common to it with the rest of India, is said to be more abundantly stored than any other part of it with horses, Elephants and Dromedaries. Of the people nothing singular, ex∣cept it be that many of them taking more delight in thee very than honest trades, live for the most part upon spoil: but those especially whom they call by the name of Belemi, being such of the nobility or better sort, who since the conquest of their Countrey by the Great Moguls, have lived like Out-Laws on the Mountains. Of the same temper with the Resbutes in Cambaia, and the Agwans in Sanga and Dul∣sinda; who rather than submit themselves to a forrein yoak, (as they count that of the Mongull) choose to forsake their proper dwellings, and all honest waies and means of living.

Places of most importance in it, 1. Delly, A City not only honoured heretofore with the residence of the Great Moguls, who from hence pass in common appellation, by the names of the Kings of Delly, and that amongst their most knowing Subjects; but beautified with many sepulchres of their antient Kings, whose funerals and Coronations were herein celebrated. And though deserted of late times, by the Great Moguls, moving their Courts from place to place, as they inlarged their Empire, and increased their con∣quests: yet still a great many of the Nobles, and not a few Captains and Commanders, do frequent the same; and have their houses and pleasure of retirement in it. 2. Tremel, upon the Western side of the River Mandova; but not much observable. 3. Doceti, memorable for the great battel fought neer unto it, in which Merhamed the Mongul overthrew the forces of Badurius, and therby opened a fair way to the Realm of Cambaia.

This Countrey governed a long time by its natural Princes, was at last conquered by some Moores or Saracens, comming from Persia or Arabia, but I find not which, who grew to so great power and wealth, that Sanosaradine, a Mahometan, one of their Descendants, dreamt of no less than the con∣quest of all India, if not of the whole Continent of Asia also. Having about the year 1300 (memorable for the beginning of the Ottoman Empire) subdued by little and little all the neighbouring Princes which made head against him; he pierced at last into Canora, now called Decan, and conquering a great part of it returned back to Delly. The pursuit of his victories he left un••o one Abdessa his Lieutenant there, who added the rest of that Countrey to his Masters territories; but kept the possession to himself, confirmed ther∣in by Sanosaradine, with the Title of Regent. But Sanosaradine dying in a war against the Persians, left for his Successor a sonne so unlike his Father, that the conquered Provinces revolted from him unto other Masters, more able to govern and protect them. Confined unto its former bounds, it remained notwith∣standing of sufficient power to prese••ve it self, from any of their equal neighbors, till the rising of the Great Monguls: whose puissance being unable to withstand, it submitted at the last to Adabar, the son of Mer∣hamed, the second Emperor of this line: who to assure himself of the peoples loyaltie, and confirm his conquests, settled his Court a while at Delly, the chief City of it; from whence removed on the next prospo∣rous emergency, as before was noted.

5. AGRA.

THe Realm of AGRA is bounded on the North, with Delly, and Mandao; on the South, with Sang••, and Cambaia; on the West, with Indus, which parteth it from the Province of Sinda, a part of the Kingdome of Cambaia; on the East, with Oristan, or Orixa. So called from Agra the chief City of it, and the Seat Royall, of late times, of the Great Monguls.

The Country said to be the best and most pleasant of India, plentifull in all things, and such a delicate, even peece of ground, as the like is hardly to be seen. Well watered, as with other Rivers, so most espe∣cially with those of Tamtheo and Jemena; which last runneth thorow the middest of it, North and South, or rather from the North-west to the South-east: from whence bending more directly Eastwards, it falleth at last into the Ganges, or that which is supposed to be Ganges, for the bed of that great River is no: ncer∣tainly known. The People for the most part Gentiles; Mahometanism coming in with the Great Mogul; and generally inclining somewhat to the Pythagorean. For such as live upon the banks of the River Jemena, neither eat flesh, nor kill any thing. The waters of which River they esteem so sacred, that thereof they usu∣ally make their Temple, and say their prayers therein, but naked (in which posture they both dress their meat and eat it): lodging upon the ground, being imposed by them as a penance, and so conceived.

Places of most esteem herein, 1. Fattpore, or Fettebarri, on the West-side of the River, a very fair and goodly City, once beautified with a Royall Palace here built by Echebar (after the removall of his Court from Cascimar) with many spacious gardens belonging to it, but much decaied, since the fixing of the Court at Agra, to which most of the Stones are carried, and no small quantity of Corn sowed within the Walls. 2. Agra, on the North bank of the River Jemena; inferiour to Lanor for wealth and great∣ness, but far more populous: the constant residence of the Court here in these latter times, drawing to it great resort of all sorts of People. By some supposed to be the Nagara of Ptolomy; but such a supposition as is built on no better ground, than some resemblance of the names. For Ptolomies Nagara is by him placed on the Western-side of Indus, in the Latitude of 33. whereas this Agra standeth on the East of the River Jemena, five Degrees more Southwards, in the Latitude of 28. But what it loseth in Antiquity, it hath got in honor: the Town and Territory being a peculiar Kingdome, till Echebar the Mogul subdued it, Anno 1598 in his passage from Lahor to Decan. But it lost nothing by the hand. For Echebar delighted in the situation of it (and that withall it stood in the middest of his Kingdomes) made it the Seat Royall of his Empire; fixt there, for the most part ever since: by means whereof exceedingly increased in wealth, beauty and greatness: the very Castle in which the Mogul usually resideth, being two miles in compass, envi∣roned with most high and unscalable walls, and fortified with great store of Ordinance. The whole space be∣twixt it and Fatipore, being 18. miles, affirmed to be a continuall Market: and all the Intervall from hence to the Town of Lahor (from which distant 600 miles towards the South) adorned with continuall Rowes of Trees on both sides of the wayes, most of them bearing a kind of Mulber••y; and at every ten miles end, houses erected by the King or some of the Nobles, for beautifying the way to the Regall City, preserving their own memory, and the safe lodging of Passengers, in danger otherwise, by night of Theeves and Cut∣throats. 3. Hendee, a Town more towards the South, beautified with a fair Castle of the Kings, cut out of the main Rock, and wrought with carved work round about, fortified with 50 peeces of Ordinance, and thought impregnable: for that cause made a Prison for great persons. Here are also two Hospitals for such Captains (and Captains only) as are maimed in the wars. 4. Beani, twelve course or 18. miles from Fattipore; the most noted place for Indico in all the Indies; for the making whereof they have here twelve mills. Which Indico, (by the way) groweth on a small shrub like our Goose-berry-bushes, bearing seed like a Cabbage-seed: which being cut down, are laid in heaps for half a year, and when rotten, brought into a vault, to be trodden with Oxen from the Stalks, and being ground small and fine at the Mills, is last of all boiled in furnaces, refined and sorted.

6 SANGA.

SANGA is bounded on the North, with the East parts of the Realm of Agra; on the South and West, with Cambaia; from which parted on the West, by the Mountain Gate; and on the East, with O∣ristan. The reason of the name I find not: this Country being too far South to be so called from Sangalassa, a Town of chief note neer the fountains of Indus, where placed by Arianus, lib. 5.

Places of most importance in it, 1. Azmere, or Agimer, 180 miles from Agra. At the end of every course (each course a mile and an half) a fair pillar erected, and at every tenth course a fair Seraglio (such as we call Innes) for the entertainment of Travellors. All built by Echebar, who wanting Children, is said to have gone in Pilgrimage, on foot from Arra to Azimere, saying his prayers at the end of every course, and lodging all night at the tenth. 2. Citor, the chief City of Sanga, and once a Kingdome of it self, or the chief of that Kingdome. Situate in the midle way betwixt Surat, a known Port of Cambata, and Agra spoken of before: and most magnificently built on the top of a rocky hill, to which the passage is so narrow, and so well fortified, (there being in it three Gates, at the top, the middle, and the bottom) that thereby, and by other advantages of Art and nature, it was thought impregnable. Affirmed to he 12, miles in compass, beautified with many goodly buildings both publique and private; but once more glo∣rious than it is; here being to be seen the ruins of 100 Temples, and above 100000 houses, either demo∣lished by the wars, or suffered to decay by the great Moguls, who would not willingly have any thing in the Indies of more Antiquity, than themselves; and therefore are rather inclined to build new Cities, than

uphold the old. The greatness and Antiquity of it have made some men think that it was the Royall Seat of Porus. Others affirm the same of Delly, but neither rightly: the Kingdome of Porus lying more towards the River Indus, and not so far South. Governed not long since by a Queen called Crementina, not more fair than valiant, who revolting from Badurius King of Cambaia, to whom she formerly had paid tribute; was dispossessed of the Town of Citor, where she had fortified her self with 30000. foot, and 2000 horse: the People in a desperate resolution, laying all their treasures on an heap, which they burnt to∣gether with themselves; in which flame it is said that there perished 70000 persons. But the Cambatan did not long enjoy his victory. For not long after both the City and a great part of the Countrey, was conquered by the great Mogul, the mountainous parts hereof being held against him by Ramee, the Sonne or successor of Qu. Crementina: till seeing himself destitute of all better helps, he put himself into the hands of one of the Sonnes of the late Sultan, by whom reconciled unto his Father. Some other Towns there are in this Province, and in that of Agra before mentioned, and those of good esteem perhaps amongst the natives; but of no observation or importance in the course of business.

7 CAMBAIA.

CAMBAIA hath on the East Delly and part of Mandao; on the West, Gedrosia a Province of the Persian Empire; on the North, Dulsinda, and the rest of Mandao; on the South, the main Ocean, and some part of Decan. It lieth on both sides of the Indus; and is so called from Cambaia, the chief Province of it. The whole divided into 1. Sinda. 2. Guzarate, and 3. Cambaia specially so cal∣led.

1. SINDA hath on the East the River Indus, by which separated from Mandao; on the North, that part of Sanga which is called Dulsinda; on the West, parts of Gedrosia, and Guzarate; and on the South, the rest of Guzarate onely: coasting along the Western banks of the River Indus, whence it had the name; that River being now called Sind, as was said before. And for this reason, as I take it, the Western part of Sanga lying North of this, took the name of Dulsinda, and not Dulcinda (with a C) as most commonly written.

The Country for the generality very rich and fertile; but in some places nothing but a sandy Desart, in∣habited for the most part by wild Asses, Foxes, Deer, and some wilder beasts; but none so wild as the Caelies, a robbing nation, so numerous withall, that they sometimes rob whole Caravans as they pass that way, notwithstanding the many Forts and Castles built of purpose to secure those passages.

Places of most importance in it, 1. Tutta, (or Gutu Nagar Tutta) on the banks of Indus, a Town of great trade, but most frequented by the Portugals; who here receive such Indian commodities, as come down the water from Labor; returning Pepper in exchange, which they bring up the River from their other Factories. 2. Lawribander, at the mouth or out-let of the Indus, three dayes journey from Tutta, the Port-town unto which it is, notwithstanding that distance. Supposed to be situate in or neer the place of that Alexandria which Alexander built in memory of his navigation down this River to the Indian Ocean. An Haven much frequented because free from worms, which about Surat, and other Havens on these Seas, so infest the ships, that without much cost and care bestowed upon them, they make them unable to return. 3. Calwalla, memorable for the Tenure, as given by Echebar the Mongul to a company of Women and their posterity for ever, to bring up their daughters to dancing, and more wanton exercises. 4. Radempoore, a great Town with a strong Castle, seated at the edge of the Desarts: thorow which those that are to pass use here to provide themselves of water and other necessaries for their journey. 5. Nuraquemire, a pretty Town on the further side of the Desarts, esteemed a Paradise by such as have passed thorow those uncomfortable and dangerous sands, for the space of ten or twelve daies journey. 6. Sarrama, a large Town, twenty miles from Tutta; the Center in which all lines meet, and from whence the distances of all Towns in Sinda, are accustomably measured.

The Countrey antiently subject to the Kings of Cambaia, and in the right of that Crown to the Great Mongul: but the people for the most part so untamed and masterful, that except in some of the greater Towns they pay no Tributes, and in some places even within half a daies journy of Tutta, will acknow∣ledge no King, but rob and spare whom they please. If at any time the Mogul sends a force against them, (as he doth sometimes) they fire their houses, made like a Bee-Hive of straw and mortar, which are soon rebuilded; and retire themselves unto the Mountains. Yet one good quality they have amongst many ill ones. When they have robbed a Traveller, or took money of him in the way of toll or custome for his passage by them, they will conduct him honestly to the end of the Desarts, lest any should rob him but themselves.

2. GVZARATE hath on the North, Sinda; on the South, the main Ocean; the River Indus on the East; on the West, Gedrosia, which the Indians call Nawatacos, but the Persians, Circam.

The Soil of the same temper and fertilitie with that of Cambaia, specially so called; and there we shall speak further of it. The common people whom they call Guzorates of the same disposition generally with the rest of the Indians: but the greatest part of the Countrey is possessed by the Resbutes or Ras••ooches, the antient Inhabitants of this tract. Who when their Countrey was subdued by the Moores or Saracens, retired unto the Mountains and fatuesses of it, standing upon their guard, and were never yet subdued by the Great Monguls. Who though possessed of the Sea-shores, and most Towns of consequence, are fain to leave the inland parts and open Countries to the power of these Out-lawes: who either prey upon the people, or force them to compound for their peace and quiet at uncertain prices. Their Arms most com∣monly a Sword, Buckler, and Launce; well-horsed, and resolute in any thing which they undertake:

which made one of the Moguls say of them, that no men in the world knew to die, but they.

Places of most importance in it, 1. Diu, in a Peninsula looking towards Persia, but on the Eastside thereof, neer the mouth of Indus. Possessed by the Portugal, and by them fortified with a strong and impregnable Citadel, built with the leave and liking of King Badurius, thereby to buy their aid against Merhamed the Mongul who had newly vanquished him. A matter of such consequence to the Crown of Portugal, that John Bo elius confined to India for some Crimes by him committed, undertook (in hope by the merit of that service to obtain his pardon) to carry the first news of it in a small vessel not above 18 foot long, and but 6 foot broad (the best which for the present could be provided): which with great courage he performed, and thorow that large, wide, and tempestuous Ocean, came in safety with his news to Lisbon, to the great joy of the King, but greater admiration of all sorts of people. Scarce settled in their new possession, when besieged by Solyman Bassa, Admirall to Solyman the Magnificent, with a Flcet of 80 ships and Gallies, Anno 1537. offended with the Portugals for aiding the King of Persia, more for diverting the Spice-trade unto Alexandria. In which he had so ill success, that having assaul∣ted it in vain with his Land-forces, he was fain to raise his siege in such hast and tumult, that he left his great O dnance behind him. 2. Sauran, a Town and Castle of the Resbutes, spoken of before; and by them held against the power of the Great Mongul. 3. Boldra, a very fair and beautiful City, but of no great compass. 4. Ardovat, not far from the banks of the Indus, on the North of this Region to∣wards Sinda. 5. Madibat, by some called Amadabat, affirmed to be both for wealth and greatness the cheif of Guzarate, neer as big as London; well walled, and situate on a plain neer the Rivers side; seldome without Merchants of all Religions, Jews, Gentils, Christians, Moores, some of all, and neither. 6. Saringt, 7. Periano, 8. Serkeffe; this last remarkable for the Sepulchres of the old Kings of Cambaia, fair, and well kept, and visited from all parts of the Kingdome.

Nothing considerable in this part of the Countrey, as to point of story, but what is common to them with the rest of Cambaia; but that the Rasbutes, or Rasbooches still remain unconquered. Possessed not only of the hills and Mountains, but of some strong holds: and governed by the Heads of their Casts or Tribes: all which acknowledge the Morgul for their Superiour in regard of his power; but none of them obey him as their Lord or Soveraign: conceiving it to be some abasement of their own authority, if they admit of him as an Umpire to compose their differences, which they sometimes do.

3 CAMBAIA specially so called, hath on the North, Mandao; on the South, the main Ocean, and some part of Decan; on the East, Delly, from which parted by a ridge of Mountains; on the West, the Main Ocean, with some part of Guzarate. It standeth on the East-sides of the out-less of Indus, running along the Sea-shore for 500 miles, and took this name from Cambaia the chief City of it.

The Countrey said to be the most fruitful of all India, abounding in Rice, Wheat, Sugar, Spices of all sorts, and choicest fruits: of silk and Cotton so great plenty that they fraught yearly forty of fifty ships with those commodities. In the mountains they find Diamonds, Chalcedonies, and a kind of Onyx-stone, which are called Cornelines, and corruptly Cornelians. Amongst the Rarities hereof, they reckon the Abades, a great Beast, twice as bigge as a Bull, having on their snowts a little horn, and the hide so hard as no man can pierce it with a thrust; which is the Rhinocerot of the Antients.

The people effeminate and unwarlike, and therefore not much used by the Moguls in a war of con∣sequence; to supply which defect he furnisheth himself with Souldiers out of Persia, of which his stand∣ing bands consist; most of their Sultans and Commanders of that Nation also. More given to merchandise than war, and therein thought to be as cunning (if not deceitful withall) as any people in the world: trea∣cherous in their trust, proud in their carriage, bloody upon advantage, and much given to Venerie; igno∣rant of letters, but well practised in Mechanical Arts. In matters of Religion, for the most part Gen∣tils; not knowing, or contemning the Law of Mahomet; but very punctual in their own heathenish super∣stitions. The Bannians in this Countrey, being natural Indians, nusled in Paganism, and so wedded to their old Idolatries, that no perswasions can prevail with them, make the greatest number: and seem to be all Pythagoreans in some opinions, for they eat not any thing that hath blood or life, but feed on Rice, Roots, Plantons and such natural fruits; paying a large Revenue yeerly to the Great Mogul, that no Oxen may be killed amongst them. And because new opinions should not grow amongst them, they mary in their own Tribes only, and never out of their own Trades; secure thereby as they conceive from all innovations.

Cities of most observation in it, 1. Cambaia, three miles from the Indus, and as many in compass, one of the nearest and best built in all the East. So populous withall, that it is thought to contain 130000 Families, and is therefore called the Caire of the Indies. Of most esteem in all this Kingdome (though far less than Madabay) to which it doth impart its name. 2. Barocho, Southwards of Cambaia on the top of an hill, with a fair River underneath it: well-walled, and noted for the best Calicuts (a kind of linnen Cloth so called from the City of Calicut, where it was first made) not to be matched in all the Indies. 3. Swalley, still more unto the South, and about a mile from the Sea-shore; but giving name unto a large and capacious Bay, where the ships ride which trade at Surat. 4. Surat, about ten miles from the Bay of Swaller, from whence the River navigable but by Boats and Shallops; fortified with a Castle of Stone well stored with Ordnance. The houses for the most part of Sun-dried bricks, very large and lasting: built with flat roofs, but battlemented on all sides for fear of falling; and beautified with goodly Gardens of Pomgranats, Melons, Figs, and Limons, interlaced with Riverers and Springs. Made of late years a Factory for the English Merchants, who have here their President, and a magnificent house for the reception and staple of their Commodities. 5. Neriand, a great Town, and as remarkable for

the making of Indico; which growing on a small shrub like our Goose-berry-bushes, bears a seed like a Cabbage seed, and being cut down, is laid in heaps for half a year. Grown rotten, it is brought into a vault to be trod by Oxen from the Stalks, then ground in Mills, and finally boyled in furnaces, refined and sorted, and so sold to the Merchant. 6. Daman, upon the Sea-side over against 'Diu, and posses∣sed as that is by the Portugals. A beautifull and pleasant Town, fortified with a strong Castle: at the North-end of it, of white chalky stone, well planted with Ordnance: opposite whereunto on the South-side of the Town, a goodly Church, edged atop with white. Which with the houses, for the most part of the same colour also, afford a pleasing prospect to the sailers by. 7. Cumpanel, situate on the top of an high mountain, and environed with a seven-fold wall, once the Seat Royall of the Kings of Camba••••. 8. Da••aitote, a place of such strength that the great M guls could never get it by force. Rendred at the last upon composition, conditioned they should still be governed by a King of their own. 9. Netherby, a great market of brazen ware, beasts, and Armour. 10. Ba••nd••r••. 11. Tanai, &c.

This Kingdome taking in Guzarate and Sinda, as parts hereof, is extremely populous, said to contain 60000 Towns and Villages very well inhabited: but the people not accustomed to, or unfit for warres. Antiently governed by Kings of their own, it was first subdued by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or Moores, Anno 1423. under the conduct of one Mahomet or Machamut: who having forced the Resbutes or naturals of the Country to betake themselves unto the Mountains, was made Kings hereof. To him succeeded his soane Mamudius, one of no great action. But what he wanted was supplied by his sonne Badurius, who having conquered the Kingdome of Citor, invaded that of Mandao also. His Army for that warre consisted of 500000 foot, 150000 horse, 1000 great pieces of Ordinance, 500 wagons loaded with powder & shot, and as many wain-loads of gold and silver to pay his Army. But being discomfited in two great battels, by Merhamed the Mongul Tartar, whom Galg••e the Mandoan King had called in to his aid, he shaved his beard, and fled in a disguize to Diu then possessed by the Portugals, whom he licenced in that distress to build the Citadel: slain afterwards by a mean mariner, at his return from the Portugal Vice-Roy, whom he had visited on ship-board. And though Mamudius his Successor endeavoured to free his Kingdome from both pretenders: yet weakned with the loss of so great an Army he was not able to effect it. First dri∣ven from Diu, which he had besieged both by Sea and land, to his great dishonour; and after vanqui∣shed in battell by Adabar the sonne of Merhamed, not far from Serkeffe, the antient buriall-place of the Kings of Cambaia, but then the Sepulchre of the Kingdome: which by that victory fell to the Great Monguls, who have since enjoyed it.

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.

9. CANARA.

CANARA is bounded on the North, with Decan (where of antiently it was a part) on the South, with Malabar; on the East, with Narsinga, from which separated by the Mountain Gates; on the West, with the Ocean. The reason of the name I find not; nor much worth the searching.

The Countrey hath a fair Sea-Coast, with many capacious Harbors to it, which cannot but adde much to the wealth thereof; as liberally furnished in the in-land parts, with Rice, Figs, and Sugars; but desti∣tute of Wheat, Pulse, and Barley. Not much the poorer for that want, the people either not know∣ing or not regarding the use of bread; but living on such fruits as the earth produceth of it self without the charge or care of the husband-man. In other things, but little differing, if at all, from the rest of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉: their Religion for the most part Pagani••h; but intermixt with Mahometans.

Principall Towns and Cities of it, 1. Me••inde, a commodious Haven. 2. Onor, a Port-Town of good note, sometimes held by the Portugals. 3. Buicalia, situate in the richest part of all this Country; never possessed by the Portugals, but under contribution to them. 4. Mangalor, a town of great wealth and trade; fortified with a strong Castle, once destroyed by the Portugueze, but recovered and repaired by the King of Narsinga, who is Lord of this Country. 5. Mayendre, more within the land. And so is also 6. Lispar, famous for her Quarries of Adamant. 7. Solsette, in a Peninsula of 20 miles com∣pass containing 36. Villages, and 80000 Inhabitants: the Town about 9 miles from Goa, and subject with the whole Peninsula to the Portugals.

This Country is now subject to the Kings of Narsinga; but formerly under the command of its own Princes:

the name of Canara, compreheading in those times all that Countrey also, which is now called Decan. Conquered by Sa Nosaradine and Abdessa, and by Mamudza cantoned into many Praefectures, this part reverting to its old name, fell to the Narsingan, who taking his advantages, in the minority of one of their Princes, became Master of it. And when the Idalcan, (for I take that not so much for the name of a man, as a Title of dignity) quarrelled his possession of it, as appertaining properly to the Kingdomes of Decan, Chrismarao then King of Narsinga, brought a powerfull Advocate to defend his right, that is to say, an Army of 606000 Foot, 29650 Horse, and 537 Elephants: every Elephant having a Tower on his back with four men in it, with which strong Argument the Idalean being confuted in the Schooles of war, with much difficulty saved himself, though he lost his cause: the Narsingan ever since continuing quiet in the possession of this Country; except onely some of the Sea-Towns in the power of the Portugals. Who in the year 1567 destroyed in those few places by them possessed no fewer than 200 of their Idol-Temples, with many of their Pagodes, or Idols in them; converting the Rents and Lands which belong∣ed unto them, with the Revenues raised from the severall Ports which they hold herein, to the mainte∣nance of a College of Jesuites in Salsette, and other Religious houses founded by them, in their other Cities.

10. MALABAR.

MALABAR is bounded on the North, with Canara, from which parted by the River Gan∣geraco; on the East, with the great Mountain Gates, by which divided from the Realm of Narsinga; on the West and South, with the main Ocean. On the Coast whereof it doth extend for the space of 300 miles, that is to say, from the River Gangeraco, to the Cape Comori, which I conceive to be the Com∣maria Extrema of Ptolomy, though others take it for the Promontory by him called Cory. But the breadth hereof is nothing answerable to the length, not above 50. miles where broadest, and ending towards the Cape in a point or Conus,

The Country more populous, for the bigness, than any in India; enjoying a very temperate Air, and a fruitfull Soyl, well watered, and indented with many Creeks: unfit for Corn, but plentifull in Rice, and all manner of Spices, as Ginger, Cinnamon, Cassia, Pepper, and most excellent fruits. Amongst their Trees, there is one whose name my Author speaks not, which bears Dates like unto the Palm; out of which they have not onely wood for Fewell, but they draw from it, wine, sugar, oyl, fine cloth and cordage: another tree, which beareth Cotton, and Cypress, or Cobweb-lawn, of the leaves whereof they make a fine stuff like to Sattin or Taffata. They have also great store of Apes, and Monkeyes, Parats, Paraquitoes, and other Creatures not known in these parts but from thence: not to say any thing of their Lions, Elephants, Bears, Bugles, common to them with others of their Indian neighbours. The flowers there alwayes in their Verdure, and the Trees perpetually green, by reason that the Air is so sweet and temperate.

The people are of coal-black colour (differing therein from the rest of the Indians, swarth and complexi∣oned like the Olive) well limbed, and wearing their hair long and curled: about their heads an hankerchief wrought with gold and silver, and about their middle a cloth, which hangeth down to conceal their naked∣ness. Of manners treacherous and bloody, more properly to be termed desperate than stout and valiant; and for more surety in their wars, they use poisoned Arrows, as they do also in their theeving both by Sea and Land, to which more addicted. In Religion for the most part Gentiles, and more besotted general∣ly on their Idolatries, than the rest of these Nations. The Pagode, or Idol which they worship, seated upon a brazen throne, and crowned with a rich Diadem. From his head issue out four horns, from his mouth four Tusks; his eyes fiery like a Glow-worm, his nose flat and ugly, his visage terrible, his hands like claws, his legs and thighs like those of a Lion. In a word, we cannot paint the Devill in a more ugly figure, than they do their God. Unto this Pagode, or his Priest, they offer the virginity of all their daugh∣ters: the Pagode having in the place of his privy parts a Bodkin of gold and silver, upon which the Bride (maried most commonly at ten or twelve years of Age) is forcibly set; the sharpness of it being such, that it forceth out the blood in great abundance: and if she prove with child that year, it is said to be of his be∣getting, and the more esteemed. Others with more humanity, instead of torturing their daughters to this wretched Idol (parallell almost to the offering of their sonnes to Moloch amongst the Syrians) present them to the Bramini, or Idol-Priest, to be deflowred the first night of the wedding: and without one of these two handsels, no man is suffered to enjoy the use of his wife, not their Kings themselves. More privile∣ged yet than many women neighbouring on them, in that they are not compelled to burn themselves with their husbands bodies: but may have many Husbands either successively or at once, as they list themselves: and if at once, she sends her children to that husband (as we know who did) who she thinks to have the best right to them.

The Country very well watered, as we said before, and parted by large Rivers into many Provinces; as if intended naturally to be cantonned into many Kingdomes. Divided at present, and long since, into those of 1. Cononor. 2. Calecut. 3. Granganor, 4. Chochin. 5. Cai-Colam. 6. Coulan, and 7. Travancor.

1. CONONOR, joineth to Canara, extending Southward on the shore about 20 miles, where is bordereth on the Kingdome of Calicut. The chief Cities of which, 1. Cononor, giving name to the whole Kingdom, well built, and beautified with a very fair Haven, not more safe than spacious, capacious of the greatest vessels, and for that cause much frequented by forein Merchants; but specially by the Portu∣gals, who for the assuring of their trade have here a Citadel, erected and well garrisoned with the Kings con∣sent.

2. Cota, not far from Cangeraco, the border betwixt this and Canara. 3. Peripatan, on the confines of Calicute. 4. Marabia. 5. Tramopatan. 6. Main, intermediate Towns, but not much observable.

2. CALICVTE, South from Cononor, extending on the Sea-shore 25 Leagues, and situate in the most pleasant and fruitfull part of all Malabar. Chief Towns whereof, 1. Pandaram, on the skirts of Cononor. 2. Tanor, a retiring place of the Kings. 3. Patangale. 4 Chatua, on the bor∣ders of Cranganor. 5. Chale, a strong peece, once in the hands of the Portugueze, but in the year 1601 recovered by the King of Calicute, who had besieged it with an Army of 90000 men. 6. Capa∣cote, the Haven to Calicute. 7. Calicute, the chief City of the Kingdom, to which it gives name, in length upon the Sea three miles, and a mile in breadth; containing about 6000 houses, but standing some of them far asunder, mean and low-built, few of them exceeding the height of a man on horse-back; the soil being so hollow and full of water, that it is not capable of the foundation of an heavier building; for that cause unwalled. Insomuch that Merchants houses are here valued but at 20. Crowns, those of the common sort at no more than ten. Which notwithstanding, of great trading, and much frequented by A∣rabians, Persians, Syrians, Indians, yea the very Tartars, these last from the furthest parts of Catha•• 6000 miles distant. The common Staple in those times of all Indian Merchandise, till distracted into seve∣rall Ports by the power of the Portuga••s: who being more industrious, and better Architects, have for∣ced a foundation on the shore for a very strong Castle, by which they do command the Haven, and receive custome of all Merchandise going in and out. The inconvenience whereof being found by the King of Ca∣licute, he besieged it with 100000 men: and though the Portugals held it out a whole winter together, yet in the end they were fain to quit it, but first den olished it to the ground, that it might not be made usefull to those of Calicute. A City of exceeding wealth, and of no less wantonness; the men here using to change wives with one another, to confirm their Amities: & the women spending their whole time in adorning themselves with Rings and Jewels, about their ears, necks, legs, arms, and upon their brests; though going naked for the most part, one would think that a little dressing might suffice them. If covered, it is onely with a smock of Calicut, a kind of linnen cloth here made, and from hence so called: and that not used but by those of the better sort.

3. CRANGANOR, lieth on the South of Calicute, a small Kingdom, and affording little worth the speaking of: but that a great part of the Inha••itants of it are of those old Christians, whom they call Christians of Saint Thomas. Cranganor, the chief City, which gives name to the whole, assumed to be so full of them, that they amount unto the number of 70000; vexed and exposed to publique scorn both by the Id••laters and Mahometans, amongst whom they live. The City rich, commodiously built for trade, at the mouth of a River, which watering with his crooked streams the most part of the Country, makes it fat and flourishing.

4. COCHIN, more South than Cranganor, extended on the shore for the space of 40. Leagues: and therein many Christians of the first plantation, besides some converts made of later times by the Jesu∣••tes. Towns of most note herein. 1. Augamale, the Arch-Bishops Sce of those antient Christians, fifteen miles from Cochin. 2. Cochin, a Bishops See, but of later erection, and the chief City of this Kingdome, which takes name from hence. Situate on the mouth or out-let of the River Mangat, by which almost encompassed like a Demy-Iland; Of great trade in regard of its Haven, very safe and spaci∣ous; as also by the friendship of the Portugal Nation. By whose power and favor they have not onely freed themselves from the King of Calicute, to whom before they did acknowledge some subjection; but drawn from thence a great part of the trafick also: this King permitting them to erect a Castle on the Ha∣ven, to secure their trade; which the other on good reasons of State forced them to destroy. The King here∣of in some respect superiour unto him of Calicute, when a Vassal to him: this King being the Pipe or Cheif Bishop, as it were, of all the Bramines: for which cause reverenced by all the Kings of Malabar, (as the Pope by many Princes of these Western parts) who look upon him as the head of their superstit••or, no pay him many Annuall duties.

5. CAI-COLAM, is on the South of Cochin, with which agreeing both in the temper of the Air, and the fertility of the Earth: which notwithstanding, the King hereof is not so rich as his other neigh∣bours. Here live also mary of the old Christians, taking name from Saint Thomas; but those so desti∣tute of Priests and Ministers to instruct them in the Principles of Christianity, that once in three years there came some formerly from the Patriarch of Muzall, in Assyria, to baptize their children. Better I hope provided for in these later daies: since their embosoming and reconcilement to the Church of Rome. Their chief Town of the same name with the Country, hath a very fair Haven, in the fashion of a Semi-Circle; well traded till destroyed by the Portugals; but since that re-edified. Of less note there are many both Towns and Villages, but such as do deserve here no particular mention.

6. COVLAN, upon the South of Cai-Colam, extended 20. Leagues more Southwards upon the Shores, is said to be destitute of corn, but plentifull of pepper, and most sorts of spices. So stored with Horses, and sit Riders to serve upon them, that the King hereof keeps 20000 Horse in continuall readiness either for invasion or Defence. This Kingdome, as the rest before, takes name from the chief City of it, which is called Coulan, 24. miles from Cochin, and once a member of this Kingdome; of great resort by forein Merchants, by reason of the fair and commodious Haven. In former times the ordinary Seat of the Cobritin, or chief Priest of the Bramines, till removed to Cochin: and held to be the Metropolis or mother City of all Malabar; the rest being thought to be but Colontes of this. Both in the City and the Country there are many Christians, as well of the originall foundation of Christianity, as of the late improvements which are made by the Jesuites.

7. TRAVANCOR, called also TRANCANOR, reacheth from the Kingdome of Coulan, to the Cape of Comarim, and turning towards the East, bendeth again unto the North, as far as Cael, in the Kingdome of Bisnagar or Narsinga. By which accompt it hath the benefit of the Sea on all sides ex∣cept towards the North: reaching in breadth from the West Seas unto the East about 90 miles. The Country, as the rest before, inhabited by many with the name of Christians, if they may be called so which want Sacraments: the condition of these Thomaean Christians in former times being so unhappy, that in 50 years before the coming of the Jesuites, (if the Jesuites may be believed from whom we have it) they had seen no Priest, nor other Minister of the Gospell. Chief Towns hereof, (for of those many o∣thers of less note I shall make no mention) are 1. Travancor, the chief City, which gives name to the Province, but neither well-built, nor of very much trading. 2. Quilacare, the head City of a peculiar Signeury, but held of the Kings of Trancanor, as their next and immediate Lords, though all those Kings also Feudataries of the Crown of Narsinga. And were that the worst Tenure by which they hold, it might be tolerable; but there is a matter of worse consequence which attendeth these besotted Princes. The Kingdome here is but a pomp of twelve years continuance, and then endeth in a sad Catastrophe. For at the end of those twelve years, the King repairs to Quilacare, prayeth before the Id••l above mentioned, then mounteth on a Scaffold covered with s••lk or Tape••try, and in the sight of all his People, gathered to∣gether to behold this strange solemnity, cutteth off his nose, ears, lips and other parts, which he casts to∣wards the Idol, and in conclusion cuts his own Throat for his finall Sacrifice: his designed Successor being present at this bloody Sacrifice, who at the twelve years end is to do the like. Never was Scepter bought at so dear a rate: For though all Crowns be lined with thornes, yet here the pomps of soveraignty be less lasting than in other places; the entrance full of fears, and the end, of horrors.

These Kingdomes heretofore but one, till the year 900 or thereabouts, were branched and cantoned into these seven by Sarama pereimal, the sole Monarch. He by the sollicitation of some Arabians, trading to his Ports, became Mahometan; and therein so devout, that he resolved upon a Pilgrimage to Meccha, there to end his daies. At his departure, he divided his estates into these seven parts, distri∣buting them amongst the neerest of his kindred: assigning unto him of Coulan the preheminence in sacred matters, and the Imperiall dignity unto him of Cale••ute, with the title of Samorin, that is to say, Chief Emperor, or as some write, a God on earth. He only privileged with the right and power of coinage; the rest to be subordinate, if not subject to him. From Percimals setting forwards to the City of Meccha, the Malabars accompt their reckonings, and begin their years; as the Christians from the birth of their Lord and Saviour. And for a time his hests were punctually observed. But the Kingdome of Calicute being weakned by the power of the Portugals, the other Kings began to free themselves from that subjec∣tion, and in the end to cast off all Relation to him, and to his Prerogatives. Yet still he is esteemed of more power and majestie, than any of the rest of the Kings of Malabar; and looked with more re∣verence than any of them. The certainty of his Revenues I have no where met with, but conjecture them to be very great; first in regard of that infinite trading which is mannaged from most parts of the World in his Port of Calicute; the customes and imposts upon which must needs be of exceeding value; and second∣ly in reference to the wealth of private Merchants, many of which are said to equal some Kings in Africk, and Dukes in Europe not a few.

Quid Domini facient? audent cum talia Fures. And if the man such riches have, Then what must he that keeps the Knave?

What Forces he is able to raise may be fully seen by that which hath been said before; wherein we find him with an Army of 90000 men besieging and taking in the Fort of Chalen; with another of 100000. beleagursing the Castle which the Portugals had built neer his City of Calicute. And when the said Por∣tugals stirred up the King of Cochin to make head against him, he fell upon them suddenly both by Sea and Land, with 60000 Land-souldiers, and 200 good Vessels of war for the service at Sea. Sufficient force to reduce the rest of these petit Kings to their old acknowledgements, but that some of them to avoid the danger, have put themselves under the Vassallage, or protection at the least, of the Great Mongul: others by suffering the Portugals to build forts in their Kingdomes, have engaged them in defence of their estate against this pretender. His forces consist most of Foot, Horse being unserviceable in these Countries, by reason of those many Rivers which interlace it. And these Foot are compounded most of Gentry which they there call Nairos, trained to their weapons when they are but seven years of Age; every one to that weapon which he most delighteth in; which makes them very expert and nimble at them: much privileg∣ed for that cause by the Lawes of the Countrey; and so esteemed of by the King, that out of them his Si∣sters choose what men they please to be their Husbands; some of them by that means being made the Fa∣thers of the King succeeding.

Nothing else memorable touching the affairs of Calicute, but the way of succession to the Kingdome: the Crown descending upon none of the Kings Children, but on the sonne of his Eldest Sister, or neerest kinswoman. For being that one of the Bramines hath alwaies the maidenhead of his Queens, and that some of these Stallions are continually allowed to keep them company; it is presumed, or very probably sup∣posed, that the Queens Children are the Bramines, and not the Kings.

8. NARSINGA.

NARSINGA is bounded on the South, with Travancor; on the West, with the Mountain Gates; on the North, with Oristan or Orixa; on the East, with the Golf of Bengala. So called from

〈◊〉〈◊〉 the chief City of it, and the Royal residence of the King.

The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is said to be in length 600 miles, or as some say of as much extent as can be travelled in six Months: plentiful in the same commodities which the rest of India do hafford, except Pepper and some other spices which are proper to Malabar. Not so well furnished with Rivers, as some other places: which want is liberally supplyed by water falling from the Mountains, and received into trenches, meers, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which do wonderfully cool, moisten, and enrich the land, causing the Corn and Cat∣tel to prosper above all imagination. Most destitute in this kind is the Province of Choromandel, in which if any year passeth without rain, they fall into such extremities, that they are fain to ••ell their children.

The People, in Religion 〈◊〉〈◊〉, so worshipping one God, as the Lord of all, which is taught them by the light of nature, that they join the Devil or their Pagodes in Commission with him, where to indu∣ced by the perswasion of their beastly Bramines, who thereout suck no small advantage. Some Christians there are intermixt, of the old plantation, especially in Ma••apur, and the Region of Choromandel: but not to well instructed in the Principles of their own belief, as to be able to convince or convert the Gentiles, nor to disswade them from the use of some Heathenigh customes, though barbarous, inhumane, and against all reason; not used in any place but amongst the Indians. Amongst which I reckon for most savage, the forcing of poor women to burn themselves with their husbands bodies, the womens kindred not the hus∣bands thrusting them on these hard conditions, who reckon it a disgrace to their familie, if she should re∣fuse. And because they will be sure not to have that infamy stick upon them, they have ordered that the woman who shall so refuse, must shave her head, and break her Jewells, and not be suffered to eat, drink, or sleep, or company with any body till her death. A life more miserable than the Flames which they seek to shun. This makes them leap into the fire with joy and greediness, and to contend which shall be formost: she being thought to have been most loving during his life, which is now most willing to accom∣pany him in his death, and offer her self to his Mane, at the funeral pile: whereunto thus alludeth the Poet.

Et 〈…〉〈…〉, quae viva sequatur 〈◊〉〈◊〉 r••est non licuisse mori. 〈…〉〈…〉 & praebent pectora sammae: 〈…〉〈…〉

A shame 'tis not to dy: they therefore strive, Who may be sam'd to follow him alive. The Victor burns, yields to the flame her brest; And her burnt face doth on her husband rest.

Chief Cities of this Countrey, 1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, on the borders of Travancer, belonging antiently to the Kings of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, now to those of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the people whereabout called Paravt, are a kind of Christians, who live for the most part by fishing for Pearl, which they fell to the Portugals, and Bengalan Mer∣chants. 2. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the chief City of the Province called Musulipatan, the Lord whereof is a Moor, of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sect; but a Vassal to the Kings of Narsinga. 3. Chamdagrin, one of the Seat-Royals of the King. 4. Prepett, three miles from Chamdag••••n, memorable for an yearly feast here celebrated in honour of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (once s••le King of Malavar) reckoned for a Saint at least in these parts of India: the offerings at which accustomably amount unto 200000 Crowns. 5. Chadambaram, the Mo••he-City of these 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Solemnities, which are done to Pereimal, who hath here a Temple endowed with 30000 Ducats of annual reat, all consumed by the Bramines belonging to it, who pretend to have been born out of P••re••••alls head. 6. Madura, honoured with the residence of the Cho••an••t•••• or the Chief Prelsc of the Bramines of this Kingdome; so numerous, that in this Town, and the territories of it only, are thought to be no fewer than an hundred thousand. The seat also of one of three 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or tributary Kings of the Crown of Narsinga: the other two residing at 7. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and S. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the Chief Towns of their Principalities, but not else observable. 9. Mahapur, called also St. Thomas, from an opinion that the body of that Apostle was here interred: martyred here by the 〈…〉〈…〉, whose posterity, in other things like unto other men, are said to have one legand foot as big as an Elephants: a punishment inflicted on the whole Generation for the sin of their An∣cestors: How true this is I cannot say, but sure I am that Dorotheus faith, that he resteth at Calaem••na, where he was slain with a dart. However, the Portugali, to make some use of the old tradition, removed some bones from this place which were said to be his, and enshrined them in Goa, their own City; much visi∣ted by profitable 〈◊〉〈◊〉, to their great enriching. The City once so large and populous, that it con∣tained 330 Temples for the use of divers Nations which resorted thither. In these later daies desolate and forlorn, inhabited onely by some old Christians, till the Portugueze began again to people it with new Colonies. 10. Choromandel, giving name to a large Sea-Coast, lying on the West side of the Golf of Bengala. 11. Casta, a Town of Choromandel, in which the woman is not burned with her Husband, as in other places of this Countrey; but buried quick in the same grave with him. 12. Negapatan, in the same Region, inhabited for the most part by Saint Thomas Christians. 13. Tarnassari, once the head City of a Kingdome to called, the King whereof was able to bring into the field, 100000 horse and foot, and 100 armed Elephants, but now subject to the King of Narsinga. The people black, but so out of love with their own colour, that they willingly prostitute their wives or daughters, to any people of a whi∣ter and more cleer complexion. 14. Bisnagar, once the chief City of this kingdome, whence the King is sometimes called the King of Bisnagar. In those times 24 miles in compass, with nine Gates in it, (amongst others) continually guarded with Souldiers; and a magnificent Palace not elsewhere equalled. In the year 1565. sacked by four of the Mahometan Kings of Decan, who with their joint forces had invaded this kingdome, it became desolate and forsaken; and the Court removed to 15. Penegardc,

eight daies journey within the Land (Bisnagar being seated on the borders of Decan) But long it had not staid there when removed to 16. Narsinga, where it hath ever since been fixed, which is now the chief City of this Kingdome, unto which it gives name, though the King many times call himself by the name of that City where he resideth for the present.

Of the Antiquity of this kingdome I have little to say; these Eastern parts not being known at all till these later times, nor well known in these. About the year 1550 their King then reigning was imprisoned by three of his Captains or Commanders; who shewed him only once a year to his Subjects, parting the pow∣er and government amongst themselves. He being dead, and his sonne kept in the like restraint, Romara∣gio the first Captain ascended the Throne, Timaragio mannaged the Estate, and Bengahe commanded the Army. But these Usurpers being overthrown by the kings of Decan, in the year 1565. Timaragio the Survivor took the charge of all; whose sonne, to make himself sure of the kingdome, murdered his impri∣soned Soveraign (the life and liberty of kings being much of a date) whence followed many broiles and troubles touching the Succession, till settled in the person of Chrismarao, the undoubted Heir: who did not only restore peace and quiet to Narsinga it self, but recovered Canara out of the hands of the Idalcan, who had before endangered his estate therein. Of the great Army which he led against this Idalcan, we have spoke already: adding here onely, that before he went upon this enterprise (called the journey of Ra∣chiol) he sacrificed in nine daies 2036 Beasts to the Countrey Idols, the flesh whereof he caused to be distributed amongst the poor; Routed at first, and being perswaded by some about him to go out of the field, he is said to have made this Noble Answer, that he had rather the Idalcan should boast that he had slain him, than vanquished him. And thereupon leaping into the thickest of his enemies, and well followed by the valiantest of his Friends, he obtained the victory. But this vast Army of 606000 foot, 30000 Horse, 537 Elephants, with necessaries answerable to such infinite multitudes, speaks only what he can do on extreme necessiry, or when he hath some long time of preparation, as he had in that Action. The power of Kings is better measured by their standing forces, than by premeditated Levies. And here∣in this Prince comes not much short of his greatest neighbours: his standing bands consisting of 40000 Nai∣ros, or Gentlemen of his own Kingdom, which serve on foot; 20000 Horse, who are either Persians or Ara∣bians, and 200 Elephants; well paid, and kept in continual readiness: his foot defraied out of his Re∣venues, his Horse maintained like the Turks Timariots out of cerrain lands distributed amongst his Cap∣tains (some of which are said to have a million of Crowns per Annum) to furnish him with these stable bands of Horses and Elephants.

As for his Revenue it is reckoned at 12 millions yearly, out of which he is thought to lay up three, de∣fraying with the rest the expence of his houshold, and the entertainment of his Foot. This sum amassed together out of the lands, mines, and forrests of the Countrey, which are wholly his; and the waters of of some Rivers, (sold by him to his subjects) which he monopolizeth; the common people having nothing but their Armes and Labour. Of which, the mines, forrests, and one third of the lands, he retaineth to himself; the other two being divided amongst his Captains. So that it is no marvel if so rich a Coun∣trey yield him such an income, considering it is all his own. I do rather wounder (of the two) it should yield no more.

9. ORISTAN.

ORISTAN or ORIXA, is bounded on the South, with Narsinga; on the West, with Del∣ly, and Mandao; on the North, with the Kingdomes of Botanter; on the East, with the Golf of Bengala, and part of Patanaw or Patan••; so called from Orissa, the chief City of it.

The Countrey hath plenty of Rice, cloth of Cotton, and a fine stuff like silk, made of grass, and there called Yerva; with which, together with Long Pepper, Ginger, Mirabolins, and other commo∣dities here growing, they use to load 25 or 30 Ships from the Haven of Orissa only. The people so well governed, or so hating theft, that in the time of their own kings, before they came under the Moguls, a man might have travelled with Gold in his hand without any danger. In other points of the same temper and religion with the rest of the Indians subject to that Prince.

It is generally well watered, and interlaced with many Rivers, which do much moisten and refresh it, but none so beneficial to the Kings hereof, as the River Guangen (of old called Chaberis) the waters whereof esteemed sacred by the Kings of Calicure and Narsinga, and much used by them in their sacrifi∣ces and superstitious purgations, are wholly ingrossed by this King, who selleth them to those Princes at excessive rates. Besides which Rivers it is watered with a fair Sea-coast, of 350 miles in length; that is to say, from Cape Guadarino in the South, which divides it from the Realm of Narsinga; to Cape Leo∣gorae in the East, which parts it from Bengala. But for all that not very much traded, because not so well provided of commodious Havens, as many other Indian Provinces of a far less Territory.

Towns of most note herein, 1. Orissa, on the Sea-side, or not far from it, the best traded Port of all this Kingdome; to which the name thereof is to be ascribed, as the Head-City of the Countrey. 2. Cate••ha, six daies journey within the land, the ordinary residence of their Kings, before it was subdued by the Great Monguls. 3. Angeli, a well-frequented Port, at the bottom of the Golf of Bergala, from whence many ships are yearly laden with Indian wares. 4. Bacolli, or Bacola, more within the land, and once the head City of a Kingdome, but a very poor one. 5. Simergan, where they held it an impiety to eat flesh, or kill any beast. 6. Senerpate, of which little memorable. Nor do I find any thing which deserves much memory in the affairs of this Kingdom; but that the Kings hereof were Gentiles, subdu∣ed not many yeers since by the K. of Patanaw: and both, grown weaker by that war, by Echebar, the Great Mongul.

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.

11. PATANAW.

PATANE or PATANAW, is bounded on the North, with the Realms of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on the East, with Ganges; on the West, with Oristan; and on the South, with the Kingdome and Gulf of Bengala. So called from Pata••e the chief City of it. There is another Kingdome of th•••• name in the further India: but whether it were so called because a Colony of this; or from some resemblances in the nature of the severall Countries, or from the signification of the word in the Indian language; I am not able to determine. Certain I am, that though they have the same name, yet they are under several Go∣vernments, and situate in farre distant places: no other wise agreeing than in some resemblances, as Hol∣land in the Low-Countries doth with Holland in Lincol••shire.

The Country yieldeth veins of Gold which they dig out of the pits, and wash away the earth from it in great Bolls. The people tall, and of slender making, many of them old: great Praters, and as great dissemblers. The women so bedecked with silver and copper, especially about the feet, that they are not able to endure a shooe. Both Sexes use much washing in the open Rivers, and that too interm••xt together in their naturall nakedness; especially such as live neer the banks of the River Jemenae (esteemed more ho∣ly than the rest) which from Agra passing thorow this Country, falleth into Ganges.

Chief Towns hereof, 1. Patane, a large town and a long one, built with very broad streets; but the houses very mean and poor, made at the best of earth and hurdles, and thatched over head. The Metro∣polis of this Kingdom, because the antientest, and that which gives the name unto it. 2. Bannaras, a great Town on Ganges, to which the Gentiles from remote Countries use to come in pilgrimage, to bath them∣selves in the holy waters of that River. The Country betwixt this and Patanaw, very fair and flourishing, and beautified upon the Rode with handsome Villages. 3. Siripur, the chief Seat of one of the old Princes of this Country; not yet subdued by the Great Mongu's. 4. Ciandecan, on the bottom of the Gulf of Bengala; the Seat of another of their Kings. One of which memorable for a trick put upon the Jesu••es when blamed by them for the worship of so many Pag••des, as contrary both to the law of God and na∣ture. For causing them to rehearse the Decalogue, he told them that he did offead no more against those

commandements in worshiping so many Pagodes, than they themselves in worshipping so many Saints. 5. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, a fair City (for a City of Moores) once part of Patanaw, since ascribed to Bengala.

The people of this Country properly called Patanea••••, but corruptly Parthians, w••re once of great command and power in these parts of India. Lords for a time, of a great part of the Kingdom of Benga∣la, into which driven by Baburxa, the Mongul Tartar, the Father of Emanpaxda, and Grand-father of E••hebar. Their last King being slain in that war, twelve of ••heir chief Princes joined in an Aristocra∣ty, and warring upon Emanpaxda had the better of him. After this, their Successors attempted Oristan, and added that also to their Estate. But they could not long make good their fortunes; subdued by E∣thebar the Mongul, and made subject to him. Three of them, viz. the Prince of Siripur, the King of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and he whom they call Mausadalion, retain, as yet (for ought I can learn unto the contra∣ry) as well their antient Paganism, as their natural liberty. The other nine, together with Mahome∣tanism, have vassail••d themselves to the great Mongul, now the Lord Paramount of the Country.

12. BENGALA.

BENGALA is bounded on the North, with Patanaw; on the East, with the Kingdoms of Pegu; on the South and West, with the Gulf of Bengala; So called from Bengala the chief City of it.

It containeth in length on the Gulf and River 360 miles, and as much in breadth into the Land A Countrey stored with all things necessary to the life of man, great plenty of Wheat, Rice, Sugar, Ginger, and Long-Pepper. Such aboundance of Silk, & Cotton, and of Flesh and Fish, that it is impossible that any Countrey should exceed it in those commodities. And which crowns all, blest with so temperate and sweet an air, that it draws thither people of all sorts to inhabit it. Here is also, amongst other rarities, a Tree called Moses, which beareth so delicate a fruit, that the Jews and M••hometans who live here, af∣firm it to be the fruit which made Adam to sin.

The natural Inhabitants for the most part, are of white complexion, like the Europaeans, subtil of wit, and of a courteous disposition, well skill'd in dealing in the world, much given to traffick, and intelligent in the way of Merchandize, if not somewhat deceitful. No•• ignorant of other Arts, but with some imat∣tering in Philosophy, Physick, and Astrology. Stately and delicate both in their Diet and Apparell: not naked as in others of these Indian Provinces, but clothed in a shirt or smock reaching to their feet, with some upper Garment over that. The women of an ill name for their unchastity, though Adultery be punished with cutting off of their noses. Neat, if not curious and too costly in this one custom, that they never seeth meat twice in the same Pot, but for every boyling buy a new one. In Religion, for the most part Mahometans, especially on the Sea-shores, which lay most open and commodious to the Arabians; by whom Mahometanism was here planted many ages since.

Of Rivers we need take no care having spoke of Ganges. That with its many Channels may abundant∣ly serve to water so small a Province. But hereof more anon in a place more proper. Proceed we now unto the Cities. The principall whereof, 1. Bengala, which gave name to the whole Kingdom, situate on a branch of the River Ganges, and reckoned for one of the most beautifull Towns of all the Indies. Ex∣ceedingly enriched by trade, but more by Pilgrimages, by reason of the holyness and divine operations a∣scribed by the Indians to the waters of it: there being few years in which not visited by three or four hundred thousand Pilgrims. 2. Gouro, the seat-Royall of the antient Kings. 3. Catig••n, on the bottom of the Gulf of Bengala, a well-traded Port. 4. Taxd••, once a Town of great trafick, and situ∣ate in those times on the banks of Ganges; now by the changing of the Channel (occasioned by the fre∣quent overflowings of it) above a league off from the River. 5. Porto Grande, and 6. Por••o P••qu••no, two Towns of the Portugals, but without Forts for defence, or rules for Government. Places like the Asylum, which was built by Romulus; whereunto such as dare not stay in their own Countries, or any well-regulated Cities, use to make their resort; privileged here to live in all kind of licentio••sness.

Here is also in the North parts of this Province, or adjoining to it, the City and Kingdom of ARA∣CHAN. Lying along the banks of Ganges, but so remote from the Sea, that it is 50 miles distant from the neerest branch of it. Wealthy, and populous withall; governed heretofore by a King of its own, so wallowing in wealth and sensuall pleasures, that he had in this City and the parts adjoyning twelve Royall Palaces or Seraglios, all stowed with women for his Iust. Now subject with Bengala and Patanaw, betwixt which it lieth, to the Empire of the great Monguls.

There are also some small Ilands in the Gulf of Bengala, which I account unto that Kindom. 1. Ba∣zacata, now called Basse. 2. Barassae, of which name there are five in Prolomy, three of them by Mer∣cator said to be Mind••nao, Cailon, and Subut. 3. Two, called the Ilands of Good fortune, by him placed under the Ae••uator, and said to be inhabited by Anthropophagi, or man eaters; as also were three more which he calls 4. Sabadibae, now named Cainam. 5. I••sulae Satyrorum, or the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Sa∣••••res, three in number, the people whereof were reported to have tails like Satyres▪ And 6. those called Maniolae, in number ten, (now Islas de Pracel) reported by Ptolomy to be so stored with Adamant stones, that they violently drew to them any ships or vessels, which had iron in them: for which cause they which used these Seas fastned the planks of their ships with wooden pins. But our later Navigators find no such matter unless perhaps it be in the exploits of Sir Huon of Bourdeaux, where indeed we meet with such an Iland, in the course of his Errantrie.

But to return again to the Kindome of Bengala, we find it of a different constitution from the rest of the Kingdomes of these parts. Not governed by a family of Successive Princes, descended from the Stemme of a Royall Ancestrie, as the others are. Chance, or necessity, had brought thi∣ther many Abassines, or Aethiopians, who made a conquest of the Country; and

chose a King out of themselves. To keep whan they had gotten, and perpetuate the Regall honor to the Abassine Nation, they procured thence yearly certain thousands of Slaves, whom they trained up unto the warres, advanced unto the higest commands in civill and military service; and out of them elected one for their Lord and Soveraign: as the Mamalucks in the Kingdome of Egypt, whom her••in they followed. By some Arabians trading with them, they came in time to admit Mahometanism amongst them; on 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sea-coasts especially. Dispossessed first of some part of their Kingdome, lying about Satagan, by the Pa∣taneans; when driven to seek new dwellings by Baburxa, the Mongul Tartar: and of their whole Kingdom by the valor and good fortune of Echebar, who added it unto the rest of his estate.

Thus have we drawn together all the Indian Provinces on this side of Ganges (the Kingdoms of M••∣labar and Narsinga being but a Parenthesis in the construction of this sentence) into the hands of the Mo••∣gul. So called for his descent from the Mongul-Tartars, one of the five great Tribes or Nations into which that People were divided. Derived originally from the famous and mighty Tamerlane, who hav∣ing added almost all the greater and lesser Asia, unto his estates: left Persia, with the parts of Ind•••• which lay neerest to it on the North, to Myrza Charrok, his fourth, sonne. But his issue failing in Abdula, the 4th. of that line, those estates fell to Abusaid, descended from Marom••ha, the third sonne of Tamerlane: Whose sonne and Successor called Zeuzes, by some Malaonchres, being disseized of the greatest part of the Kingdome of Persia, by Ussan-Cassanes: the rights of all, with the possession of Arachosia (now called Chabul) and Paropamisus (now Candahor or Sablestan) together with so much of India as was held by those Princes, remained in Hamed, one of the younger sonnes of Abu••••••aid; whose posterity laying hold on such opportunities as were offered to them, have made themselves Masters in few years of this mighty Empire. Whose Successors and their achievements we shall here present.

The Great Monguls.

• 1473. 1. Hamed, the sonne of Abu••••••ul, of the race of Tamerlane, after the conquest of Persia by Vss••••-Cassanes, succeeded in Chabus, Candahor, and the parts of the Realms of India subject to the Tartars.
• 1500. 2. Babor, or Baburxa, in danger to be dispossessed of most of his Estates by the neighbouring V••beques, living upon the borders of Persia, Tartary, and India, whom at last he quieted; enlarged his dominions by the conquest of some part of Patanaw, and other Kingdomes in the North.
• 1532. 3. Hamoyen, the sonne of Babor, or Baburxa, commonly called Emanpaxda, vanquished by the Parthians, or Pataneans, and their confederates, craved aid of Tamas, the 2d. Persian Monarch of this line, on promise to conform to the Sophian Sect: and by that and confirmed and settled his affairs, but held himself to the former Principles of his Irre••••∣gion.
• 4. Merhamed, or Miramudius, sonne of Emanpaxda, called in by Galgee the King of Man∣d••o, against Badurius the Cambaian, vanquished the Cambaian King in two pitched fields, and conquered the Kingdomes of Mandao, and Balassia, with some other Pro∣vinces.
• 5. Adabar, the sonne of Merhamed, added the Realms of Delly and Cambaia, unto his Dominions.
• 1550. 6. Mahomet Selabdin, commonly called Eohebar, brother of Adabar, the most fortunate and victorious Prince of all this family, subdued the Kingdoms of Caxi••••ir, Agra, De∣can, Orissa, Bengala, Patanaw, and divers others of less note.
• 1605. 7. Selim, surnamed Jangheere, the sonne of Echebar, who added nothing that I hear of, to his fathers conquests.
• 1627. 8. Blockie, the grandchild of Selim by his eldest sonne, (wickedly murdered by the practice of Curroon at Agra) proclamed King on the death of his Grand-father; but shortly after made away by Asaph Chawn, so to make room for
• 1627. 9. Curroon, the third sonne of Selim or Jangheere, and sonne-in-law unto Assaph Chawn; ha∣ving by his own Ministers, and the hands of his Father-in-law, murdered the proclamed King his Nephew, and all the other Princes of the Royall blood, succeeded into the E∣states, and was crowned at Agra. A wicked and bloody Prince, still living for ought I hear to the contrary.

To look a little on these Princes, their estate and power; in matters of Religion they have generally been Mahometans, that Religion being long since embraced by the Tartars, from whom they originally de∣scended. But not so scrupulous or precise in that profession, as to endeavour the suppressing of any other opi∣nions: both Echebar, and his sonne Jangheere, being so inclined unto Christianity, that they permit∣ted the Jesuites to build Colleges and Churches in Agra it self the Imperiall City, and many other chief Cities in his dominions. Of Echebar it is reported, that being doubtfull what Religian to adhere unto, he caused 30 Infants to be so brought up that neither their Nurses nor any body else should speak unto them; re∣solving to addict himself to the Religion of that Country, whose language should be spoken by them, as most agreeable to nature: and he did accordingly. For as those Children spoke no language, so was he positive, and resolved in no Religion. Able to see the va••ues of Mahomet, and the horrible impieties of the Gentiles, but not willing to conform unto the strict•••••••• ••t Christianity. And though Selim who

succeeded, to content his Mahometan Subjects, declared himself for that Religion; yet his affairs be∣ing once settled, and his Throne confirmed, he became as Neutral as his Father. Sultan Curr••on now Reigning, of the same Neutrality, and 'tis well he is so, there being no Religion so impure and bloody, which he would not dishonor by his known ungraciousness.

The Language spoken by these Princes, and their natural Subjects the Mogores, or Mongul-Tartars, is said by some to be the Turkuh. But I think rather that it is some Language near it, than the very same: And that the Language which they speak is the ancient Scythian or Tartarian, from which the Turks (a Scythian people) differ but in Dialect, a sprinkling of the Persian intermixt amongst it. A mixture not to be denied, in regard of their long dwelling in that Countrey, the entercouse which their Subjects of those parts have with these of India, and that the greatest part of their Souldiers, Officers and Commanders, are supplied from thence.

Their Government is absolute, if not Tyrannical, the Great Mongul being Lord of all, and heir to every mans estate which is worth the having: the persons and purses of his Subjects at his sole disposing, so that he may amass what treasures, and raise what forces for the Wars his need requireth, or the Avarice or Ambition of his Ministers shall suggest unto him. First, for his Treasures, it is conceived that his Revenue doth amount yearly to Fifty Millions of Crowns, and there are reasons to perswade that it may be more. The Countrey very rich, and notably well traded from all parts of the world, the Impost upon which is of infinite value, besides the vast sums of money brought into his Dominions from all Countreys whatsoever, which hold traffick here; their commodities not being to be parted with but for ready coyn. The whole Land being also his, he estates it out for no term certain, retaining a third part of the profits to him∣self, and leaving two thirds to the Occupants, to be held by them during pleasure. Who if they thrive up∣on their bargains, they thrive not for themselves, but him: it being in his power, if he want patience to ex∣pect the Incumbents death, to enter on the whole estate of the Te••ant by the way of Escheat: but if he tarry till the death of the Occupant, it falls to him of course, the wife and children of the deceased being fairly dealt with, if he content himself with the personal estate, and leave the Land to them to begin anew. For instance, of those huge sums which in so rich a Countrey may be had this way, it is said that when the Vice Roy of Lahor dyed, he left to Echebar three millons of Gold, besides Silver, Jewels, Horses, Ele∣phants, Furniture and Goods, almost invaluable: And of one Raga Gagnar, another of his great Of∣ficers, that at his death the Great Mongul seized of his into his hands 3300 pound weight of Gold, be∣sides Plate and Jewels. Besides these means of heaping treasure, all the Mines of the Countrey are wholly his, and the Presents given by all sorts of Suters, hardly to be numbered; none being admitted to his presence which comes empty handed. Finally, if Badurius, which was King of Cambaia onely, could bring into the field at once 500 Tun of gold and silver to pay his Army; and after the loss of all that treasuee, advanced upon the sudden the sum of 600000 Crowns, which he sent to Solyman the Magnificent to come to succor him; both which it is well known he did: What infinite Treasures must we think this Prince to be master of, who hath more than four times the estate of the King of Cambaia, and far more trading now than in former times?

By the like Parallel we may conjecture somewhat at his Forces also. Badurius the Cambaian brought into the field against Merhamed, and the King of Mand ae, as was partly touched upon before, 150000 Horse, 500000 Foot, 2000 Elephants armed, 2000 pieces of brass Ordnance, of which were four Basilisks, each of them drawn with 100 yoke of Oxen; and 500 Carts loaded with powder and shot. What then may we conceive of this Prince, who is Lord of so much a greater estate than he, but that his Levies may be raised proportionably to so great Dominions? But because possibly Badurius did extend himself to the utmost of his power, and having lost two Battels, was never able to recruit again, which no wise Prince would do but in great extremities: It is conceived that the Mongul, without running any such hazards on the loss of a Battel, can in an instant raise 50000 Elephants, 300000 Horse, and Foot proportionable; and ye•• have stock enough for an After-game, if that he should chance to lose the first. But it is seldom that he hath advanced to so high a Muster. For in his action upon the Kingdoms of Decan, he had but an Hundred thousand men, and a thousand Elephants for fight; though possibly of all sorts of people there might be more than double that number. For in his ordinary removes in time of Progress, it is said that his followers of all sorts amount unto two hundred thousand; and that his Tents do usually take up as much ground as the City of London. Yet notwithstanding this great power, the fortunes of this Empire have not only been at a stand, since the deathof Echebar; But the Rasbooches in Cambaia, the Venazarari in Decan, and other puissant Rebels in other parts of his Dominions, hold out still against him, some of them being said to command as much land as a pretty good Kingdom, and to have always in a readiness 20000 Horse, & 50000 foot, to make good their Mountains. Nature or Divine Providence hath given to Empires, as to men, a determinate growth, beyond which there is no exceeding.

2 INDIA EXTRA GANGEM.

INDIA EXTRA GANGEM is that part of the great Continent of India, which lieth on the further side of the River Ganges, from the spring or fountain of it, wheresoever it be, to the fall thereof into the sea by the first and last mouth thereof, which is called Antholi: The other four being reckoned into the other part of India, on this side of that River. From hence extended Eastward as far as China and the Oriental Ocean, on other parts bounded as before.

The Countrey in those elder times so renowned for wealth, that one Tract of it had the name of The Silver Region, and an other of The Golden Chersonese: this last supposed to be the Ophir of Solomon, of

which more hereafter. The People of the same nature and disposition, in the elder times, as those which did inhabit on the hither side of the Ganges: not so well known to the Greeks or Romans as the others were, by reason of the remoteness of their situation; nor so well discovered at the present. So that the best Ac∣compt we shall be able to give of it, will no: be so exact and punctual as of that before: with reference either to the estate hereof in the times of the Ancients, or the affairs of it in these dates.

Mountains of most note in it, 1. Bepyrrus, 2. Maeandrus, 3. Semanthinus; and 4 these called Da∣masi, touched upon before, in our general discourse of India. Out of which, and from other Springs, flow these following Rive••s, 1. Catabeda, 2. Bocosanna, 3. Sadus, 4. Temala, 5. Besynga, 6. Chry∣saoras, 7. Polanaas, 8. Attabas, these three last in the part hereof called the Golden Chersonese. 9. Daonas, and 10. Dorias, rising out of the Mountains called Damasi. Others there are whose names I meet with in my Author, but of no great note: by what names any of them now distinguished, it is hard to say. Nor find I any who have dared to adventure on it.

Of the chief Towns, 1. Balanga, 2. Cirtatha, 3. Tasile, 4. Tagma, and 5. Malthura, have the name of being the Metropoles of their several Nations. 6. Triglyphon, only honoured with the name of Regia; more memorable perhaps for the white Crows, and bearded Hens, which are said to have been thereabouts, than for being the Seat-Royal of some petit Prince. After these 1. Sada, on the banks of the River Sadus, 2. Samba, 3. Sabara, 4. Col••, 5. Zabae, and 6. Sinda, have the name of Cities. 7. Baracura, 8. Berabonna, 9. Bobynga, 10. Tacola, 11. Sabana, and 12. Thi∣bon b••stus, are marked out for the most noted Emportes, or Towns of trade; the memory of Sabana being still preserved in the Frith of Sabaor, betwixt this Chersonese and Sumatra. Others there are not no∣ted by those special Adjuncts, of which, 1. Cocconagaoa, and 2. Balonoa, in the Golden Chersonese; 3. Rhandamarcotta, in the Midlands, 4. Pentapolis, neer the mouth of Ganges called Antibolum; 5. Agm••gara, neer the Bay called ••inus Magnus; and 6. Corygaza, one of the principal Towns of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, may be some of the chief.

The old Inhabitants hereof, besides the Marandae last spoken of, were the Gangarides, and Gan∣gaent, inhabiting on the banks of Ganges; the Tacorae: bordering on the Mountain Bepyrrus; as the Tilaedae on Maeand••us; and the Ammachae, and Cabo••aeh, neer the hills called Damasi. The Basadae, said to be crooked, short, and thick; but of a cheerful aspect, and cleer complexion: of which compo∣sition also the inhabitants of the Golden Chersonese were observed to be: the Barrae, and Cudutae, on the Bay called Sinus Magnus; the Lestori, a Theevish and Piratical people, who lived in Caves, and were affirm∣ed to be of so hard a skin, that it was not penetrable by an Arrow These, with the rest, too many to be here recited, the issue in most likelyhood of Chavilath and Saba the sonnes of Joktan; of whom we find so many footsteps in Sabara Civitate, Sabaraco Sinu, Sabana Emporio, Sobanus Fluvio; and in the Countreys now called Ava, and the Kingdom of Cavelan. Of any of their actions we find little in antient stories, or of the power of any of their former Kings: but that it was given out in the time of Alexander, that beyond the Ganges lived a Prince called Aggramen••s (the most powerfull King of all those Countreys) able to bring into the field 200000 Foot, 20000 Horse, 3000 Elephants, and 2000 armed Chariots. With which report though Alexander was the more inflamed to trie masteries with him; yet his Soul∣diers were so terrified with it (remembring the hard bout which they had with Porus) that no perswasions could prevail with them to go further Eastward. Nor hear we much of them after this, unless the conver∣sion of the Indians in the time of Constantine, may be applyed to those on that side of the River, as per∣haps it may.

As for the later observations and discoveries of it, we find it (as most barbarous Countreys else till redu∣ced to Order) dismembred and subdivided into many estates, almost as many Realms as Cities, and di∣stinct governments amongst them, as Tribes and Nations. Most of them Gentiles in Religion, with whom the name of Christ and Christianity not so much as heard of, till the comming of the Jesuites thither; who have not onely obtained leave, but some invitations, for the promoting of the Gospel. And for Maho∣metamsm, though it had got some footing on the Sea-coasts of the Golf of Bengala, as lying most convenient for the trade of the Arabian Merchants: yet on the North, and midland parts, and those towards China, and the Oriental Seas, it was as little heard of as Christianity. But for the Kingdoms of this part, I mean the chief of them, to which as many of the rest as are worth the looking after are to be reduced, they are those of, 1. Brama or Barma, 2. Cauchin-China, 3. Camboia, 4. Jangoma, 5. Siam, and 6. Pegu.

BRAMA.

THe Kingdomes of BRAMA or BARMA have on the West, the River Ganges; on the North, part of Cathay in Tartarie; on the East, Cauchin-China; and on the South, the Kingdomes of Pe∣gu. So called from the Brachmanes, Bramanes, or Brames, possessed for many ages past of these North, West Countreys. By the transposing of a Letter, they are now called the Kingdomes of Barma.

The Countrey of these Brames or Bramanes, extendeth Northwards from the neerest of the Peguan Kingdomes for the space of 150 Leagues, but far more from West to East: watered with many great and remarkable Rivers, issuing from the Lake Chiamay, which though 600 miles from the Sea, and emptying it self continually into so many Channels, contains four hundred miles in compass, and is nevertheless full of waters for the one or the other.

By the overflowing of which Rivers, and the commodiousness of the Lake, the Countrey is wonderfully

enriched, as Ae••ypt by the overflowings of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Which notwithstanding, there are in it many huge forrests, in the West especially, and therein many Lions, Tigers, Ounces, Serpents, and other Creatures of a mischievous and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Nature.

The whole Countrey containeth the Kingdomes of 1. Calam, 2. Prom, 3. Melintay, 4. Mirand••, 5. B••cam, 6. Tangu, 7. Av••, and 8. Brama.

Of 1. MELINTAY and 2. MIRANDA, I find little written, but that they were con∣quered with the rest, by the Vice-Roy of Tangu, in the first rising of his fortunes, becoming the founda∣tion of his following greatness. Of 3. BACAM, it is said that it is plentifully enriched with Mines, both of Gold and Silver. In 4. CAVILAN, commonly and contractedly called CALAM, we find apparent foot-steps of the name of Chavilah the sonne of Jocktan. Of the rest more is to be said, not much.

5. PROM, though it be a little Kingdome, is exceeding populous, and stored with a warlike people. Given by the second King of Pegu of the Tanguan Race, to a younger sonne; who being by his Father commanded to the siege of M••rmolan which had then revolted, not only did decline the service, but re∣belled against him; and by the strength of this small Kingdome held it out three years. But seeing his Fathers fortunes in a manner desperate, he repented of his disobedience; and went unto his aid, with an Army of 50000 men of his Natural Subjects. Treacherously poisoned on the way by his chiefest Counseller, for fear the Crime of his Revole would be charged on him.

6. TANGV, is the name of one of these Bramian Kingdoms, so called from the chief Town thereof: formerly subject with the rest to the Kings of Pegu, and governed by their several Vice-Royes. One of which taking his advantage of the warres between the Kings of Pegu and S••am, began to set up for himself, and husbanded his affairs so well, that he became sole Lord of these Bramian Kingdoms; as afterwards of all the rest in this part of India. Not long enjoyed by his successor, when dispossessed and slain by one whom he married to his Sister, and made Governour of this very Province. In which he bore himself so st••ffely, that being sent for by his King to aid him against some of his Rebels, and to bring all the inhabi∣tants of the Country with him; he answered that he would send one half; to send all, unreasonable. In∣ceased with which denial the King armed against him; but he put the Leaders to the sword, and seized their followers. After this being now in Arms, and dispairing of reconcilement, he took upon him∣self the title of King of Tangu; and to secure himself therein, joined with the King of Arrachan against his Soveraign, whom he most barbarously slew (after he had put himself into his hands) with his wife and children. Neither enjoyed he long the fruits of his villany, subdued not long after, with the rest of these Indian Princes, by the King of Barma; of which more hereafter.

7. AV A, another of these Kingdoms, and one of the plantations of Chavilah also, is liberally fur∣nished with all things necessary for the life of man. It affordeth also store of Rubies, which they dig out of the Mountains; a certain creature which breeds Musk, together with great plenty of horse and Ele∣phants. Their chief City is called Ava, which name it giveth to the River upon which it is built, issu∣ing out of the Lake of ••h••amay, and communicates the same to the whole Province. Subject for many ages past to the Kings of Pegu, till conquered by the Vice-Roy of Tangu, as before is said; and by him given, with the Title of King, unto one of his brothers. Who rebelling against the sonne and suc∣cessour of his Benefactor, and by him slain in single Combat, this Kingdome was conferred on a sonne of the Conqueror. A Prince of more vertue than his brother, and one which grew at last unto so great power, that in the bustles or combustions of the Kingdome of Pegu, he surprised or forced the Fort of Si∣ri••••ngh, formerly given unto the Portugals by the King of Arrachan, slew all the Souldiers, and spit∣ted Philip de Britto, who commanded in it. After which, gathering together the dispersed Peguans, and repairing part of the City for them, he was likely to have made himself a good bargain by it, if the sudden coming of the King of Barma, had not spoiled his markets.

8. BRAMA or BARMA, the most Southern of these Bramian kingdomes, the king where of was Feudatarie to the kings of Pegu, or of their appointment. Of no accompt when the Por∣tugals came first acquainted with India, nor in many years after; now of most renown. For sitting still when all the rest of their neighbours w••re embroiled in wars, they gathered so much power and strength, that in the end, one of the later kings hereof observing how the forces of his neighbouring Princes were consum∣ed, and their treasures wasted; levyed an Army of 300000 fighting men, 40000 Elephants, with all things suitable. And with this power subdued the kingdoms of Macin, and Arrachan; conquered the Cities of Pegu and Odia, (the two chief Cities of these parts) invaded the kingdome of Siam, and posses∣sed himself of it; making in little time all the lesser Princes to become his Tributaries, as they still continue.

CAVCHIN-CHINA.

CAVCHIN-CHINA is bounded on the West, with the Kingdomes of Brama; on the East, with the Great Realm of China; on the North, extending towards Tartary; and on the South, bor∣dering on Camboia.

The Countrey aboundeth with Gold, Silver, Aloes, and great store of silks, of which the Inhabi∣tants make 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and other stuffes. It affordeth also plenty of Porcellane Earth, which being made into Cups, Dishes, and other Utensils of houshold, is sold by the name of China-ware: well counterfeit∣ed of late amongst us, by putting a white crust on our Po••••ers earth, as neat for use and shew as the natu∣rall China.

The people very stout and warlike, especially for Foot-service, though they have many horses here, and those fit for warre. Well-practised on their Peeces also, on which they spend great store of powder, but not so much in warre, as in sports and triumphs: yet making much more than they spend, the earth in some parts yielding very fit materials for that commodity. Trained up to Manufactures, especially to the mak∣ing of Powder, S••lks, and Porcell••ne, which they sell to the Chinese. Idolaters, for the most part, as 〈…〉〈…〉 whose Characters and language they also use: but so that there appear some inclinati∣ons unto Christianity, in many of them, who have erected many Crosses, and do admit the pictures of the Blessed Virgin, and the finall judgement. Men not unlikely to have made a further Progress in the Gospel, if they had met with better Teachers than these Laymens books.

The chief City hereof is called Cauchin-China by the name of the Province, situate on a River coming out of China; and passing hence into the bottom of a large and capacious Bay. The whole Country divided into three Provinces, and as many Kings, over which one Paramount: but he and they the Tributaries of the King of China. Belonging hereunto is a little Iland called Ainao, ten miles from the land, where the Inhabitants have a great trade of fishing for Pearls The onely Province of the Indies, which is wholly subject to the power of a forein Prince; the Portugals holding in this Continent many Towns and Cities, but no whole Provinces.

3 CAMBOIA.

CAMBOIA is bounded on the North, with Cauchin-Chin••; on the East and South, with the Ocean; on the West, with parts of the Kingdome of Stam, and the Realms of Jangoma. So called from C••mbo••a the chief City of it. Divided commonly into the Kingdom of Champa, and Cam∣bota specially so called.

1. CHAMPA, the Northern part hereof bordereth Cauchin-China, and is liberally provided of all necessaries: besides which, there is plenty of Gold, and of the wood called Lignum Aloes, prized at the weight thereof in silver, much used in Bathes, and at the funeralls of great persons. This a distinct kingdome of it self, but subject with the rest to the king of Barma. The chief City of it, called by the name of Champa, which it communicates to the Country, is situate neer the Sea-side, and of very good trafick.

2. CAMBOIA specially so called, lieth South of Champa, a very great and populous Country, well stored with Elephants and Rhinocerots, which last the Indians call Abades. It yieldeth also great plenty of a sweet-wood which they call Calumba, as precious and as much esteemed of as the wood of Aloes, (if not the same, or some Species of it as I think it is) together with abundance of Rice, Flesh, and Fish; well-wa∣tred with the River Mecon issuing out of China, & having received many lesser streams falleth first into a great Lake of 200 miles compass, and thence into the Indian Ocean, making betwixt the Lake and that an hundred Ilands. By the overflowings of this River the whole Country is enriched (as Egypt by the like overflow∣ings of Nilus): the inhabitants at those times betaking themselves to their upper Rooms, and passing alto∣gether by boats from one place to another.

The people are conceived to be strong and warlike, though more enclined to merchandise and naviga∣gation than to deeds of Arms. Idolaters of the worst kind, esteeming Men and Beasts of a like condition in regard of any future judgement; of late beginning to set up, and adore the Cross, which is (it seems) the first Principle of Religion, in which the Friers are wont to instruct their Converts. Not weaned as yet, by these new Teachers, from burning the women with their Husbands, common to them with many o∣ther Indian people, not from burning their Nobles with the King, used onely here; but voluntarily to ex∣press their loves, not upon constraint.

The chief Towns of it, 1. Camboia, one of the three prime Cities of this part of India; the other two being Od••••, and Pegu, of which more anon. Situate on the River Mecon before destroyed: where it hath its fall into the Sea; well traded, as the Staple for all this Country, the commodities whereof are brought hither, and here sold to the Merchant. 2. Cudurmuch, twelve league from Camboia, on the same River also. 3. Coul, on the Sea-side in the very South-west Angle of all the Country. The Kings where∣of, once absolute, and at their own disposing, till invaded by a vast Army of the neighbouring Laos; in which their King being slain, and his forces weakned, his sonne and Successor was constrained to become a V••ss•• to the crown of Siam. But fearing the loss of his estate, when that Kingdom was made subject to the Kings of Pegu, in the year 1598. he applied himself unto the Portugals, offered them a Peninsula (part of his dominions) extending three leagues into the Sea; and sent to the Jesuites for some of their So∣ciety to live and preach amongst his people. Not able for all these honest Policies to preserve himself from being made a Feudatary of the King of Barma.

4 JANGOMA.

JANGOMA or the Country of the LAOS, is bounded on the East, with Camboia and Cham∣pa, from which parted by the River Menon; on the West, with the River of Pegu, by which divided from that Kingdome; on the South, with the Realm of Siam; on the North, with Brama.

It took this name from Jangoma the chief province of it, the other two (for here be three of them in all) being those of Livet, and Curror. All of them joyned together called the Country of the Laos, by the name of the people, a mighty Nation and a stout, by Religion Gentile; naked from the middle upwards, and t••••ssing up their hair like a cap. Their Country very rich and levell, but very ill-neighboured by the Gu••o∣••••

(Paulus Venetus giveth them the name of Gang••gu) who possess the mountains: whence falling in great companies to hunt for men whom they kill and eat, they commit cruel butcheries amongst them. Inso∣much as this people, not able to defend themselves against their fury, or rather wanting good leaders to conduct and order them (for it is said that they can make a million of men) were fain to put themselves un∣der the protection of the King of Siam, whom they obeyed no further than the humour took them.

Towns they have none of any note, except those three which give name to the severall Provinces; and those of no note neither but for doing that. The people for the most part live on the banks of their Rivers, where they have Cottages of Timber; or else upon the Rivers in boats and shallops, as the Tartarians of the Desarts in their Carts or wheel-houses. One of their Rivers (commonly called the River of Laos) said to extend 400 Leagues within the land, as far as ••artary, and China; and from July to September to invert its course, and flow back strongly toward its fountain. Not governed by any certain rule or order, till they submitted to the Patronage of the king of Siam; and then no oftner than they listed: though for their sakes, that king engaged himself in a war against the Cannibals, their most deadly enemies, ac∣companyed with 25000 foot, 20000 Horse, and 10000 Elephants. Secured by his protection from the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of those Cannibals (of whom otherwise they had been devoured) in the year 1578 they descended the River in great multitudes, to the number of 200000, and fell into the Realm of Camboia. But they made an unprosperous adventure of it. For though the king of Camboia lost his life in the battel, ye he gave ••hem such a fatal blow, that they were almost all slain, drowned, or captived in the fight. Weakned wherewith they became an easie prey to the Vice-Roy of Tangu, when he first made himself sole Master of this part of India. Who giving to his brother the kingdome of Ava, and leaving to his eldest sonne the kingdome of Pegu, with the Soveraignty over all the rest, conferred this Countrey, with the title of king of Jangoma, on a younger Sonne. But he, begotten on a daughter of the king of Pegu, and born after his Father had attained this whole Indian Empire, was easily perswaded by the ••alapoies, (so they call their Priests) that his Title was better than that of his Elder Brother, who was born before it. Prevented in his claim by the kings of Arrachan and Tangu, by whom that king was slain, and his king∣dome wasted. How he sped afterwards I find not. But probable it is, that he submitted with the rest to the king of Barma.

5. SIAM.

SIAM, is bounded on the North, with Jangoma, and part of Pegu; on all other parts, with the wide Ocean, save that it toucheth on the East, with a part of Camboia, and on the West, with a poin•• of Pegu. So called from Siam the chief of all those kingdomes which pass under this name, as that from Siam the chief City of it.

The Countrey of greater length than breadth, stretcheth it self South-wards into the Sea many hundred miles, in form of a Peninsula or Denty-Iland, called antiently Aurea Chersonesus, or the Golden Chersonese: one of the five famous Chersoneses or Peninsulaes of the elder writers; the other four being Peloponnesus in Greece, the Thracian Chersonese neer Propontis, the Taurican Chersonese in the Euxine, and the Cimbrian Chersonese in the North of Germany, now part of Denmark. It had the name of Aurea, or the Golden, super-added to it, from its plenty of Gold, for which much celebrated by the Antients, both Greeks, and Romans (and therefore not improbably thought by some to be Solomons Ophir) stil famous with the rest of the Countries of the kingdome of Siam, for abundance of Gold, Silver, Tinn, and o∣ther metals; great quantity of Pepper sent yearly thence, with store of Elephants, and horses: the whole Countrey very fat, and fertile, well stored with Rice, Corn, Grass, and all other ne∣cessaries.

The people generally much addicted to pleasures, if not to Luxury; delighted much with Musick and rich apparel; and such as stand much upon their honour. For their instruction in good letters they have publick Schools, where their own Lawes, and the mysteries of their own religion, are taught them in their natural Language; all other Sciences in strange tongues understood by none but by the learned. To til∣lage they can frame themselves, and are painful in it; but by no means will follow any Mechanicall Arts, which they put over to their Slaves. In Religion for the most part Gentiles, worshiping the four E∣lements amongst other Gods; to each of which as they are severally affected, so are their bodies to be dis∣posed of: either burnt, buried, hanged, or drowned, after their decease; as in their lives they were most devoted to the fire, Earth, Air, or Water. Some Christians here also in and about the parts possessed by the Portugals; but more Mahometans: who possessing two hundred Leagues of the Sea-Coasts of this Coun∣trey, have planted that religion in most part of the Countrey now by them possessed.

It containeth in it many kingdomes, some of little note; those of most observation, 1. Malaca, 2. Patane, 3. Jor, 4. Muan••ay, and 5. Siam, properly and specially so called. Of which Malaca is now in the hands of the Portugals, Jor and Patane are possessed by the Arabians or Saracens; the other two have followed the fortunes of the kings of Siam.

1. The kingdome of MALACA taketh up the South part of the Golden Chersonese, extend∣ed towards the North from the Cape or Promontory which Ptolomy calleth Malanco••in, in the extreme South-point hereof neer unto Sabana, then a noted Emporie, for the space of 270 miles. So called from Malaca the chief City of it, of old times called Musicana, or built very neer it, from whence this Tract is called by Strabo, Musicani terra. The City seated on the banks of the River Gaza, which is here said to be 15 miles in breadth; by the frequent overflowings whereof, and the neerness of it to the Line (being but two degrees to the North) the Air hereof, and all the territory belonging to it, is very

unwholsome; and for that cause the Countrey but meanly populous. In compass it is said to be 20 miles, of great wealth, because of almost infinite trading; for Spices, Vnguents, Gold, Silver, Pearls, and previous Stones, the most noted Emporie of the East. Insomuch that is said by Ludovico Barthema, who was there before the Portugals knew it, that it was traded by more ships than any one City in the world, more by far since the comming of the Portugals to it, than it was before. The People (as in all this tract) of an Ash-colour, with long hair hanging over their faces; bloody and murderous, specially when they meet one another in the Night. Few other Towns of any note in a place so unhealthy, except 2. Sinca∣pura, situate East of Malaca, neer the Promontory of old called Magnum; supposed by some to be the Zaba of Ptolomy; and that more probably than that it should be his Palura, as Maginus would have it; Palura being a City of the Hither India, and different at the least 20 degrees of Langitude from any part of this Chersonese. But whatsoever it was called in the former times, it was in these latter ages the mother of Malaca; the greatest part of the Trade and people being removed from thence to this newer foundation: before which time it was the best frequented Emporie in these parts of the East. 3. Palo Zambilan, 120 miles on the West of Malaca, from whence to Sincapura, coasting about the Southern Cape (now called Cape Liampo) we have a Sea-shore of 270 miles, as before was said. No o∣ther habitation of any reckoning, but a few sheds upon the shore for the use of Fisher-men, and some scat∣tered Villages in the land the People dwelling most on Trees for fear of Tigers.

This Tract in former times possessed by the Kings of Siam, about the year 1258 b•• came a kingdome of it self; founded by Paramisera, and some other of the Javan Nobility, who flying the tyranny of their own king, came into this Country, where they were lovingly received by Sangesinga, then reigning under the S••amite, in Sincapura. Him they perfidiously slew, and invested Paramisera in his Dominion. Outed of which by the King of Siam, he was forced to seek a new dwelling, and after two or three Removes, fell upon the place where Malaca now standeth, which City, pleased with the commodiousness of the situation, he is said to have built. The trade of Sincapura in short time removed hither also, which so in∣creased the wealth and power of the Kings hereof, that joyning with the Moores who began to plant themselves on the shores adjoyning, and receiving withall the Law of Mahomet, they began to cast off all subjection to the Kings of Siam, to whom the sonne and Successor of P••ramisera had submitted his new-raised kingdom, and became their Homager. Incensed wherewith, the S••amite about the year 1500 sent out a Navy of 200 Sail to distress it by Sea, and an Army of 30000 men and 400 Elephants to besiege it by land. But before he was able to effect any thing, hindred by Tempests, and the insolencies of some of his Souldiers, the Portugals, in the year 1511, under the conduct of Albuquerque had possessed themselves of it, who built there a Fortress and a Church. And though Alo∣d••nus the sonne of the expelled King (whose name was Mahomet) endeavoured the regaining of his Estate, and that the Saracens, Hollanders, and the kings of For and Achen (two neighbouring Princes) envying the great fortunes of the Portugals, have severally and successively laboured to deprive them of it: yet they still keep it in defiance of all opposition which hath been hitherto made against them.

2. North unto that of Malaca lieth the kingdome of YOR, IOR, or IOHOR; so called of Jor, or Johor, the chief City of it. Inhabited for the most part by Moores, or Saracens, Mahometanism by their means prevailing on the Natives of the Country also. A Kingdom of no great extent, but of so much power, that joining his Land-forces with the Navy of the King of Achen, he besieged Malaca, and built a Royall Fort before it: in which, when taken by Paul de Lima, by the defeat of this king, were found 900 pieces of brass Ordnance. After this, picking a quarrel with the king of Pahan, he burnt his houses, barns, provisions, and the Suburbs of the City it self: but in the course of his affairs, was in∣terrupted by the King of Achen (one of the Kings in the Isle of Sumatra) his old confederate, who after 29 daies siege took the City of Jor. What afterwards became of this king or kingdom, I am not able to re∣solve. In former times it did acknowlege him of Siam for the Lord in chief.

3. More North-ward yet lieth the kingdome of PATANE, denominated from Patane the chief City of it: but different from Patane, in the other India, as Cleveland in York-shire from Cleve∣land in Germany; or Holland in the Low-Countries from Holland in Lincoln hire, as hath been fully shewn before. The City made of wood and Reed, but artificially wrought and composed together: the Mesquit onely (most of the people being Mahometans) is built of brick. The Chinois make a great part of the Inhabitants of it, insomuch that in this small City there are spoke three languages, viz. the Chi∣nese, used by that people, the Malayan (or language of Malaca) which is that of the Natives; and the Siam, to the King whereof this small Crown is Feudatary. Built of such light stuff and combustible mat∣ter, it must needs be in great danger of fire; and was most miserably burnt in the year 1613 by some Ja∣van Slaves in revenge of the death of some of their Fellows: at which time the whole City was consumed with fire the Mesquit, the Queens Court, and some few houses, excepted onely. The Country go∣verned of late years by Queens, who have been very kind to the English, and Hollanders, granting them leave to erect their Factories in Patane. Not memorable for any great exploit by them performed, but that a late Queen a little before that dismall fire, offended with the King of Pan or Pahan, who had maried her Sister, and reigned in a little Iland not farre off, she sent against him a Fleet of 70 Sail, and 4000 men: by which compelled to correspond with her desires, he brought his Queen and her children with him to make up the breach.

4. The Kingdom of SIAM, strictly and specially so called, is situate on the main-land (the rest before described being in the Chersonese,) betwixt Camboia on the East, Pegu on the West, the king∣dome of Muantay on the North, and the main Ocean on the South. The chief Cities of it, 1. Socotai, memorable for a temple made wholly of mettall, 80. spans in height, raised by one of the Kings; it being

the custome of this Country, that every king at his first coming to the Crown, is to build a Temple which he adorneth with high S••eples, and many Idols. 2. Quedoa, renowned for the best Pepper, and for that cause very much frequented by forreign Merchants. 3. Tavay, upon the Sea-coast where it joineth to Pegu. Whence measuring along the shores till we come to Champa before mentioned; being all within the Dominions of the king of Siam (not reckoning the Chersonese into this Accompt) we have a Seacoastof the length of 600 Leagues. 4. Lugor, upon the sea-side also, neer that little Isthmus, which joineth the Cherson se to the land; from whence to Malaca is 600 miles sail all along the coast. 5. Ca∣lantan, the head City of a little kingdome but subject to the Crown of Siam. 6. Siam, the chief City of this part of the kingdome, which it giveth this name to. A goodly City, and very commodiously seated on the River Menam, for trade and merchandise. So populous and frequented by forreign nations, that besides the natives here are said to be thirty thousand housholds of Arabians. The Houses of it high built, by reason of the Annual deluge, during which time they live in the Upper rooms; and unto every house a boat for the use of the familie. Those of the poorer sort dwell in little sheds made of reed and tim∣ber; which they remove from place to place for the best convenience of their markets. And yet so strong that being besiged by the Tanguan Conqueror, then king of Pegu, Anno 1567 with an Army of four∣teen hundred thousand fighting men, for the space of 20 moneths together, it resolutely held good against him: not gained at last by force but treason, one of the Gates being set open to him in the dead time of the right, and by that means the City taken. The people hereof are thought to be inclining to Christiani∣ty, but hitherto so ill instructed in the principles of it, that they maintain amongst many other strange opi∣nions, that after the end of 2000 years (from what time I know not) the world shall be consumed with fire, and that under the ashes of it shall remain two egs, out of which shall come one man and one woman, who shall people the world anew.

5. MVANTAY the last of these Kingdomes, lieth betwixt Jangoma and Siam: memorable for nothing more then the City of Odia, or Vdi••, the principal of all the Kingdomes of Siam, and the usual residence of those Kings. Situate on the banks of the River Ca••pumo, and containing in it 400000 Inhabitants, of which 50000 are trained to the warres, and in continual re••diness for prelent service. For though this King be Lord of nine several Kingdomes, yet he useth none of them in his wars but the natu∣rall Siamites, and those of this City and the rest of his Subjects of Muant••y. It is said that for the use of this City only (being eated like Venice upon many little Ilands not bridged together) there are no few∣er than 200000 skiffes, and shallops; serving to wast the people from one place to another. By means hereof of great strength, and almost impregnable. But being beleagured by the Tanguan or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Conquerour with ten hundred thousand fighting men (an Army bigge enough to have bu∣ry••d a greater City than this; if every man had but cast a shovell full of earth upon it) it was wonne at last.

The Government of these kings of Siam, was absolute heretofore, if not tyrannical, he being sole Lord of all the land in his kingdomes, which he either gave to his Nobles, or Farmed out to Husbandmen, during life or pleasure, but never passed over unto any, the right of Inheritance. And these he grants un∣to his Subjects, besides rents in money, upon condition to mairtain a determinate number of horse, Foot, and Elephants: thereby inabled without further charge unto the Subject to leavy 20000 Horse, and 250000 Foot for present service; besides far greater numbers out of the residue of his people, if occasion be. And for his ordinary Guard he was said to keep 6000 Souldiers, and 200 Elephants, of which beasts he is re∣ported to have 30000, of which every tenth Elephant is trained up to the war. By reason of so great a power he became Master of the Realms of Camboia, and Champa; held those of M••l••ca, J••r, Pahan, and Patane, as his Vassals and Tributaries with that of Jangoma and the Laos, under his protection. But when the fatal time was come; and that his City of Siam was betrayed to the king of Pegu, he poisoned himself upon the newes; his sonne becoming Tributary to the Peguan Victor. This sonne of his, too much a Prince to be a Subject, reuolted from a sonne of the Peguan, a vicious and tyrannical King, (degenerating from the gallantries of so worthy a Father) by whom he was besieged in Siam with 900000 fighting men. Unable to resist this Army, if he had presently declared such a resolution, he entertained the king with Treaties, and promises of delivering the City to him, till the third moneth after, (which was March) when ordinarily the River was to overflow all the Countrey for 120 miles about: by which sud∣den and violent inundation, and the sword together (the Siamites waiting diligently for the opportunity) there perished all of this great Army except 70 thousand. After this blow, the conquering Siamite An∣no 1600 besieged and endangered the City of Pegu, of which more annon: and dying in the year 1605. left his estate unto his Brother. Whose sonne succeeding, settled a Factory in Siam of the English Mer∣chants Anno 1612. and was in a fair way of obtaining the soveraignty of Pegu, then destroyed and wasted; if the violent and unresitable coming of the king of Barms had not crossed him in it; to whom now subject with the rest of the Indian Princes on that side of the River.

6. PEGV.

PEGV is bounded on the East, with Jangoma, and a part of Siam; on the North, with the kingdomes of Brama; on the West and South, with the kingdome and Golf of Bengala. So called from Pegu the chief City, as that is by the name of the River upon which it standeth. Divided commonly into the kingdoms and estates of 1. Verma, 2. Macin, 3. Orrachan, 4. Martavan, and 5. Pegu spe∣cially so called.

1. VERMA is the name of a small kingdome bordering upon Bengala, and so denominated from Verma, the chief Town thereof. A kingdome which hath no Port or Haven at all; and therefore wholly freed of Moores and Mahometans, which can be said of no other of these Indian king∣doms.

The people black, naked above the Waste, and covered beneath it onely with a veil of Cotton: in matter of Religion Gentiles, and in wane right valiant. This last apparent by the long and frequent warres which they had with the Peguans: to whom made Tributary in conclusion, but not fully con∣quered.

2. MACIN, so called from Macin the chief City thereof, is another of these Peguans kingdoms. Of small esteem but for the great quantity of the sweet-wood by the Latines called Lignum vitae, by the natives Calamba, so much in use for Funeralls and Bathes, (as was said before;) held also by the Indians for a Sovereign and unparallell'd Medicine against many dangerous diseases; great quantities whereof are brought hence yearly by the Merchant. One of the first kingdoms which was conquered by the king of Barma, (upon whom it bordereth) in the beginning of his Fortunes.

3. ORRACHAN or Arrachan, lieth on the West of Macin, and the South of Verma, environed round with mountains and impassable woods. Chief Towns thereof, 1. Dia ga, taken and destroyed by the Portugals, in the quarrels betwixt them and the king of Arrachan. Anno 1608. ••. Sundiva, situate in an Iland unto which it gives name, fix leagues off from the continent of Bengala, to which it formerly belonged. Subdued by the Portugals, Anno 1602. and from them taken by this king about two years after, and made a member of his kingdom. The Iland 30 leagues in compass, very strong, fruitfull, and the Town well fortified. 3. Arrachan, the head City, which gives name to all, distant from the Sea 45 miles, but seated on a large and capacious River. The king and kingdom of no note, till the ruins of Pegu, to the Crown whereof it once pertained. In the desolation of which State the king here∣of combining with him of Tangu, besieged the second Tanguan king in the Castle of Macan; and had betwixt them the whole pillage of that wealthy City, together with the possession of the best Towns of it. After this victory, he returned to Arrachan in triumph, leading with him the white Elephant: of the king of Pegu, sumptuously adorned; the brother and two sonnes of the Peguan following in the Pag••ant. A solemn and magnificent entry. The better to assure himself of his new dominions, this king bestowed upon the Portugals the fort of Siriangh, on the River of Pegu. For which favour ill-requited by the Portu∣gals, who had taken his sonne, and put him to a grievous ransom, they brake out into open warres. In the pursuit whereof, after many losses, the king recovered from them the Isle of Sundiva, and manning out a Fleet of 1200 sail (of which 75 were of so great burden as to carry every one, twelve peeces of Ordnance) and in that fleet 30000 Souldiers, 8000 hand-guns, and 3500 greater peeces, besieged the Fortress: as∣sisted in that action also by the king of Tangu. And though he failed in his design, yet like enough he had prevented the king of Av••, who took it in the year 1613 as before is said, had he not been outed in the mean time of his own kingdom, by the king of Barma: of whole great rise, the conquering of the Realms of Macin and Arrachan, were the first foundation.

4. MARTAVAN, the richest of these kingdoms, lieth South to Arrachan, a little turn∣ing towards the West. The soyl so fertile that it yieldeth three Harvests in a year, and sent annually 15 ships to Cochin, and as many to Mala••a, laden with Rice. Rich also in Mines of Iron, lead, steel, brass, silver, gold, and Rubies: and very liberally provided of Springs and Rivers. The Forrests well-stored with Harts, Bores, and Buffoles, store of Pines and Palms: the woods with Sugar-canes, many ex∣cellent fruits; the ordinary herbs and shrubs either Medicinal or odoriferous. The principall City of it called also Martavan, situate on an Haven open at all times of the year, and not choked with sands, as u∣sually other Havens are in the Indian winter: of great trading, much splendour, and a temperate a••••. Faithfull unto the last to the Crown of Pegu, to the Kings whereof their own were subjects and in that constancy they twice repulsed the king of Siam who then had conquered the most part of the Kingdome of Pegu. Angry whereat, the Siamite caused two of his cowardly Captains to be cast into a chaldron of scalding oyl: and at the third assault became master of it. Bannalaius the old King hereof (99 years old) with his heir apparent, and 200000 of his Subjects, being compelled to hide themselves in the woods and Desarts.

5. PEGV, the most predominant Kingdom, lieth like a Crescent or half-moon on the Gulf of Bengala; extending on that coast from Negrais unto Tavan the next Town of Siam, for the space of three hundred miles, and upwards; but little less in breadth, if not quite as much. So called from the River Pegu, which runs thorow the middest of it, and gives this name also unto Pegu the most noted City.

The Soyl hereof exceeding fruitfull, by reason of the annuall overflowings of the River, which do yearly fatten it, fit to bear wheat, and of Rice yielding an incredible quantity. It affordeth also many Rubies, great numbers of Civet-Cats, plenty of ••••cca, (a Gum there made by Ants, as here Bees make wax) store of Elephants, and abundance of Parats which speak plainer, and are much fairer than in any place else.

The people of a mean stature, somewhat corpulent, and naturally beardless. If any stragling hair thrust forth, they alwayes carry Pinsers with them, to pull them out. Nimble and strong, but yet not very fit for warre; spending too much of their strength in the love of women, to which most passionably addicted. They black their teeth, because they say that dogs teeth be white: and wear no cloths but on their heads and about their nakedness. Said by the Jews to be descended from some of the Tribes of Israel confined hither by Solomon: but by the Peguans themselves, to be begotten of a dog and a China woman, which

were saved here upon a Shipwrack. By Religion for the most part Gentiles, imagining innumerable worlds one after another, and a determinate number of Gods for every world: more Orthodox in assigning after this life according to the merits of the party deceased, one place of Torments, and another of Delights and pleasures, if they had not added a third also for satisfaction.

Chief Cities of this Kingdome, 1. Cosin, seated in a Territory full of Woods, as those Woods of Tigers, Wild Bores, Apes, and Parats: the houses made of Canes, which serve here for tim∣ber, (some of them being as bigge as Hogs-Heads) covered over with thatch. 2. Joccabel, a great City, on the River Pegu. 3. Dian, on the same River also, where they make Barks or Vessels as big as Galeasses; which serve both for trade and liabitation. 4. Coilan, a City four-square, and each square four miles. 5. Lanagon, a pleasant Town, and full of Palm-trees. 6. Dala, in which were the Kings Stables for his ordinary Elephants: his four White Elephants (for so many he had) being alwaies kept about the Court, not seen abroad but in great solemnities, when trap∣ped in furnitures of Gold, and no less honoured by the people, than the King himself: called therefore King of the White Elephant by the neighbouring Princes. 7. Silvanpede, where many victualling Barkes are made to serve for dwelling on the Sea. 8. Mevcao, where they use to unload such goods as are to pass by Land to Pegu. Neighboured by the strongest Castle in all this Kingdome, and therefore chosen by the King for his place of Retreat, when distres∣sed by the Kings of Arrachan; and Tangu. To the last of which making choice to yield up his person, with his Wife and Children, because he had maryed him to his Sister, he was by him perfidiously and basely murdered. 9. Siriangh, a strong peece on the mouth of the River, given by the King of Arrachan; to the Portugals, and by them committed to the keeping of Philip de Britto, in the year one thousand six hundred, or thereabouts. Who having made it good against him, and the King of Tangu his Associate, for the space of thirteen years toge∣ther; was at last forced to yield himself prisoner to the King of Av••, by whom cruelly tortured on a spit. 10. Pegu, the glory of these parts, great, strong, and beautifull; Divided into two Towns, the Old and the New; the Old, inhabited by Merchants, the New, by the King and his Nobility. The houses made of wood, but covered with Tiles; a Coco-Tree before every house, yielding a comfortable shade, and a pleasant shew. The Steetes as strait as any line, and so broad that ten or twelve men may ride abrest in the narrowest of them. In figure square, each square having five Gates, besides many Turrets; all of them beautifully gilded. The whole well walled with walls of stone, environed on all sides with great Datches; and in the middest the Royall Palace, walled and ditched about, most sumptuously gilded; but specially the Temple or Idol-chapel, the walls whereof were hid with Gold, the Roof tiled with Silver.

In this magnificent Palace lived the Peguan Kings, in as much pomp and pleasure as the world could yield: his empire not extending only over these kingdoms now described, but over all the Provinces or kingdoms of the Bramane also; which he governed by his severall Vice-Roys, or rather TRIBUTARIE kings. A happiness too great to continue long. For in the year 1567. the Vice-Roy or Tributary king of Tangu, by the aid of his faction, and reputation of his vertues, entered into rebellion, and slaying the Nobles of the Land, usurped that kingdome. After this he subdued the Cities and kingdoms of Calam, Melintay, Prom, Miranda, and Ava, inhabited all of them by the Brames or Bramanes; and ther∣fore taking to himself the title of king of Brama, because his fame and fortunes took their rise from his victories over them. Following the course of his Successes, he first assailed the Cities of Odia, and Siam, but repulsed with loss. To make amends for which misfortune, he beleaguered Pegu, and subdued it; and by the reputation which he got in that action, returning to the siege of Siam, had it yielded to him. Dying he gave the kingdome of Ava unto one of his Brothers; that of Peam to one of his grandsonnes; the kingdome of Jangoma to a younger sonne, but born after the time of his obtaining the Crown of Pegu; and finally that of Pegu, with the Soveraignty over all the rest, to his eldest sonne, a Prince of vicious and tyrannical nature; and not more cruell to his subjects, than they disobedient to him. Whereupon prepa∣rations are made on both sides, the people to defend their liberty, the King to preserve his Royalty. Du∣ring these civill discords, the titulary king of Stam, whose late overthrow was not yet fully digested, came violently into the Countrey of Pegu; burning Corn, Grass, and Fruits; killing man, woman, and child, and having satisfyed his Fury, returned to his home. This spoil of the fruits of the Earth, was but a pr••logue to an unsupportable famine, which consumed all the inhabitants of this flourishing king∣dome, except such whom the Granaries of the City of Pegu preserved, Anno 1598. For here the Fathers devoured their Children, the stronger preyed upon the weaker; not only devouring their more fleshy parts, but their entrails also: nay they broke up the skulls of such as they had slain, and sucked out their brains. This calamity incited another Tributary Prince of Tangu, to make his best advantage out of his neighbours affliction; though made his Brother-in-Law, and advanced to great honours by his Father. For justly fearing the displeasure of his angry Prince, to whose aid he had refused to come, when sent for by him, he joined himself with the king of Arrahan, besieged his Lord and Soveraign in the Fort of Meccao. Brought to extremities, the unfortunate Prince, thought best to put himself into the hands of his brother of Tangu; who assaulted and entred Pegu, where he found as much treasure as 600 Elephants, and as many horses, could conveniently carry away. This havock being made, he villanous∣ly murdered the King, Queen and their Children, and departed; leaving the gleaning of his spoil to the King of Arrachan: who, Anno 1600, was expelled by the King of Siam, who enjoyed it not long. For the King of Barma having with an Army of an hundred thousand fighting men, and four∣ty

thousand Elephants, subdued the Kingdomes of Macin, and Arrachan, followed the cur∣rents of his Victories; conquered Siam, drove the king thereof from PEGV, where he hath built a most Magnificent Palace: and is now the sole Monarch of the twelve kingdomes of this India.

A more particular relation of this King, and his new-settled Estate, we cannot yet understand: what his Revenues are, what his Government, what his Forces. Merchants, whose inquisitive∣ness into the State-Matters of other Princes, is dangerous to their trading, cannot give us any full satisfaction: Scholars and Statists are not permitted to observe; and such of the Natives as could give us the most light, are not suffered to travell. Onely we may conjecture by the great Wealth of those several Princes, and the vast Armies by them raised in their severall Territories, that his Annual Revenues, Casualties, and united Forces must be almost infinite.

And so much for INDIA.