Purchas his pilgrimes. part 1 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

Here followeth of all sorts of Beasts.

OF Horses there are twelue thousand. Whereof there bee of Persian Horses foure thou∣sand,* 1.1 of Turkie Horses six thousand, and of Kismire two thousand, all are twelue thou∣sand.

Of Elephants, there be twelue thousand, whereof fiue thousand bee teeth Elephants, and se∣uen thousand of shee ones, and yong ones, which are twelue thousand. Of Camels there be two thousand. Of Oxen for the Cart, and all other seruices, there bee tenne thousand. Of Moyles there be one thousand. Of Deere like Buckes for game and sport, there be three thousand. Of Ounces for Game, there be foure hundred. Of Dogges for hunting, as Grey-hounds and other, [ 10] there be foure hundred. Of Lions tame there are an hundred. Of Buffalaes, there be fiue hundred. Of all sorts of Hawkes there bee foure thousand. Of Pidgeons for sport of flying, there bee ten thousand. Of all sorts of singing Birds, there be foure thousand.

Of Armour of all sorts at an houres warning, in a readinesse to arme fiue and twentie thou∣sand men.

HIs daily expences for his owne person, that is to say, for feeding of his Cattell of all sorts, and amongst them some few Elephants Royall, and all other expences particular∣ly, as Apparell, Victuals, and other petty expences for his house amounts, to fiftie thousand Rupias a day. [ 20]

The expences da••ly for his Women by the day, is thirtie thousand Rupias.

All this written concerning his Treasure, Expences and monethly pay is in his Court, or Castle of Agra: and euery one of the Castles aboue nominated, haue their seuerall Treasure, especially Lahor, which was not mentioned.

The Custome of this Mogoll Emperour is to take possession of his Noblemens Treasure when they dye, and to bestow on his Children what he pleaseth: but commonly he dealeth well with them,* 1.2 possessing them with their Fathers Land, diuiding it amongst them: and vnto the eldest Sonne, hee hath a very great respect, who in time receiueth the full title of his Father. There was in my time a great Indian Lord or Prince, a Gentile named Raga Gaginat, vpon whose goods the Kings seizing after his death,* 1.3 he was found (besides Iewels and other Treasure) to haue sixtie [ 30] Maunes in Gold, and euery Maune is fiue and fiftie pound waight. Also his custome is, that of all sorts of Treasure, excepting Coine, to say of all sorts of Beasts, and all other things of va∣lue, a small quantitie is daily brought before him. All things are seuerally diuided into three hundred and sixtie parts,* 1.4 so that hee daily feeth a certaine number, to say, of Elephants, Horses, Camels, Dromedaries, Moyles, Oxen, and all other: as also a certaine quantitie of Iewels, and so it continueth all the yeere long: for what is brought him to day is not seene againe, till that day twelue moneth.

He hath three hundred Elephants Royall, which are Elephants whereon himselfe rideth: and when they are brought before him,* 1.5 they come with great iollitie, hauing some twentie or thirty men before them with small Stremers. The Elephants Cloth or Couering is very rich, eyther of [ 40] Cloth of Gold, or rich Veluet: hee hath following him his shee Elephant, his Whelpe or Whelpes, and foure or fiue yong ones, as Pages which will bee in number some sixe, some seuen, and some eight or nine. These Elephants and other Cattell, are dispersed among his Nobles and men of sort to ouer-see them, the King allowing them for their expences, a certaine quantitie: but some of them will eate a great deale more then their allowance commeth vnto. These Elephants Royall eate tenne Rupias euery day in Sugar, Butter, Graine, and Sugar Canes. These Elephants are the goodliest and fairest of all the rest, and tame withall, so managed, that I saw with mine eyes, when the King commanded one of his young Sonnes named Shariar (a Childe of seuen yeeres of age) to goe to the Elephant to bee taken vp by him with his snout: who did so, deliuering him to his Keeper that commanded him with his hooke: and hauing done [ 50] this vnto the Kings Sonne, he afterwards did the like to many other Children. When these E∣lephants are shewed, if they who haue the charge of them bring them leane, then are they chec∣ked and in disgrace, vnlesse their excuse bee the better: and so it is with all things else in that kinde, that euery man striueth to bring his quantitie in good liking, although hee spend of his owne.

When hee rideth on Progresse or Hunting, the compasse of his Tents may bee as much as the compasse of London and more,* 1.6 and I may say, that of all sorts of people that follow the Campe, there are two hundred thousand: for hee is prouided, as for a Citie. This King is thought to be the greatest Emperour of the East, for Wealth, Land, and force of Men: as also [ 60] for Horses, Elephants, Camels and Dromedaries. As for Elephants of his owne, and of his No∣bles,* 1.7 there are fortie thousand, of which the one halfe are trayned Elephants for the Warre: and

these Elephants of all beasts, are the most vnderstanding. I thought good here to set downe this one thing, which was reported to me for a certainty, although it seemed very strange. An Ele∣phant hauing iournyed very hard, being on his trauell, was misused by his Commander, and one day finding the fellow asleepe by him, but out of his reach, hauing greene Canes brought him to eate, split the end of one of them with his teeth, and taking the other end of the Cane with his snowt, reached it toward the head of the fellow, who being fast asleepe, and his turbant fallen from his head (the vse of India being to weare their haire long like Women) he tooke hold with the Cane on his haire, wreathing it therein, and withall, haling him vnto him, vntill he brought him within the compasse of his snowt, he then presently killed him. Many other strange things [ 10] are done by Elephants.

He hath also infinite numbers of Dromedaries, which are very swift, to come with great speed, to giue assault to any Citie, as this Kings Father did:* 1.8 so that the enemies thought he had beene in Agra, when he was at Amadauar: and he came from Agra thither in nine daies, vpon these Dromedaries, with twelue thousand choyce men, Chan-channa being then his Generall. The day being appointed for the battell, on a suddaine newes came of the Kings arriuall, which strucke such a present feare into the Guzerats, that at that time they were ouerthrowne and conquered. This King hath diminished his chiefe Captaines, which were Rasbootes, or Gentiles, and naturall Indians, and hath preferred the Mahumetans (weak spirited men, void of resolution) in such sort, that what this mans Father, called Ecber Padasha, got of the Decans, this King Selim¦sha, [ 20] beginneth to loose. He hath a few good Captaines yet remaining,* 1.9 whom his father highly esteemed, although they be out of fauour with him, because that vpon his rebellion against his father, they would not assist him, considering his intent was naught: for he meant to haue short∣ned his Fathers daies, and before his time to haue come to the Crowne. And to that purpose, being in Attabase, the regall seate of a kingdome called Porub, hee arose with eighty thousand horse, intending to take Agra, and to haue possession of the Treasury, his Father being then at the warres of Decan: who vnderstanding of his Sonnes pretence, left his conquering there, and made hast to come home to saue his owne. Before the Kings departure to the warres, hee gaue order to his Sonne to goe with his Forces vpon Aranna, that great Rebell in Malua,* 1.10 who comming to parle with this Rebell, he told the Prince, that there was nothing to bee gotten by [ 30] him but blowes: and it were better for him, now his Father was at Decan, to goe vpon Agra, and possesse himselfe of his Fathers treasure, and make himselfe King, for there was no man able to resist him. The Prince followed his counsell, and would haue prosecuted it, but his Fathers hast before, vpon notice giuen, preuented his purpose: at whose arriuall at Agra, hee presently sent vnto his Sonne, that he make choyce either to come and fall at his feete, and be at his mer∣cy to doe with him as he pleased, or to fit himselfe for the battell and fight it out. He well con∣sidering the valour of his Father, thought it meetest to submit himselfe, and stand to his Fathers mercy: who after affronts shewed him and imprisonment, was soone released and pardoned, by reason of many friends, his Mother, Sisters, and others.

This Selim Padasha being in his rebellion, his father dispossessed him, and proclaimed heire [ 40] apparant, his eldest Sonne Cossero being eldest Sonne to Selimsha:* 1.11 for his owne Sonnes younger Brothers to Selim, were all dead in Decan and Guzerat: yet shortly after his Father dyed, who in his death-bed had mercy on Selim, possessing him againe. But Cossero, who was proclaimed heire apparant, stomached his father, and rose with great troopes, yet was not able to indure af∣ter the losse of many thousand men on both sides: but was taken, and remaineth still in prison in the Kings Pallace, yet blinde, as all men report: and was so commaunded to be blinded by his father. So since that time, being now eight yeares after,* 1.12 he had commanded to put all his sonnes confederates to death, with sundry kinds of death; some to bee hanged, some spitted, some to haue their heads chopped off, and some to bee torne by Elephants. Since which time hee hath raigned in quiet, but ill beloued of the greater part of his Subiects, who stand greatly in feare of [ 50] him. His custome is euery yeare to be out two moneths on hunting, as is before specified. When he meaneth to begin his iourney, if comming forth of his Pallace, hee get vp on a Horse, it is a signe that he goeth for the warres: but if he get vp vpon an Elephant or Palankine, it will bee but an hunting voyage.

My selfe in the time that I was one of his Courtiers, haue seene many cruell deeds done by him. Fiue times a weeke, he commaundeth his braue Elephants to fight before him:* 1.13 and in the time of their fighting, either comming or going out, many times men are killed, or dangerously hurt by these Elephants. But if any be grieuously hurt (which might very well escape) yet ne∣uerlesse that man is cast into the Riuer, himselfe commaunding it, saying: dispatch him, for as long as he liueth, he will doe nothing else but curse me, and therefore it is better that he dye pre∣sently. [ 60] I haue seene many in this kind. Againe, hee delighteth to see men executed himselfe, and torne in peeces with Elephants. He put to death in my time his Secretary, onely vpon sus∣picion, that Chan-channa should write vnto the Decan King, who being sent for and examined about this matter, denied it: whereupon the King not hauing patience, arose from his seate, and

with his Sword gaue him his deadly wound, and afterwards deliuered him to bee torne by Elephants.

* 1.14Likewise, it happened to one who was a great friend of mine (a chiefe man, hauing vnder his charge the Kings Ward-robe, and all Woollen Cloath, and all sorts of mercery, and his China dishes) that a faire China dish (which cost ninetie Rupias, or fortie fiue Rials of eight) was bro∣ken, in this my friends time, by a mischance (when the King was in his progresse) being packed amongst other things, on a Cammell, which fell and broke all the whole parcell. This Noble∣man knowing how deerely the King loued this dish aboue the rest, presently sent one of his tru∣sty seruants to China-machina,* 1.15 ouer land to seeke for another, hoping that before he should re∣member that dish, he would returne with another like vnto it: but his euill lucke was contrarie. [ 10] For the King two yeares after remembred this dish, and his man was not yet come. Now, when the King heard that the dish was broken, he was in a great rage, commanding him to be brought before him, and to be beaten by two men, with two great whips made of cords: and after that he had receiued one hundred and twenty of these lashes, he commanded his Porters, who be ap∣pointed for that purpose, to beate him with their small Cudgels, till a great many of them were broken: at the least twenty men were beating of him, till the poore man was thought to bee dead, and then he was haled out by the heeles, and commaunded to prison. The next day the King demaunded whether he was liuing, answer was made, that he was: whereupon, he com∣manded him to be carried vnto perpetuall prison. But the Kings Sonne being his friend, freed him of that, and obtained of his Father, that he might bee sent home to his owne house, and [ 20] th••re be cured. So after two moneths, he was reasonably well recouered, and came before the King, who presently commanded him to depart the Court, and neuer come againe before him, vntill he had found such a like dish,* 1.16 and that hee trauell for China-machina to seeke it: the King allowed him fiue thousand Rupias towards his charges; and besides, returning one fourth part of his liuing that he had before, to maintaine him in his trauell. He being departed, and foureteene moneths on his trauell, was not yet come home: but newes came of him, that the King of Per∣sia had the like dish, and for pitties sake hath sent it him, who at my departure was on his way homeward.

Likewise, in my time it happened, that a Pattan, a man of good stature, came to one of the Kings Sonnes, named Sultan Peruis, to intreat him to bestow somewhat on him, by petition de∣liuered to one of the Princes chiefe men,* 1.17 at the deliuery whereof, the Prince caused him to come [ 30] neere: and demanding of him whether hee would serue him; he answered, No, for he thought that the Prince would not grant him so much as he would aske. The Prince seeing him to be a pretty fellow, and meanely apparelled, smiled, demanding what would content him: hee told him plainly, that hee would neither serue his Father nor him, vnder a thousand Rupias a day, which is 100. pound sterling.* 1.18 The Prince asked him what was in him that he demanded so much; he replyed, make tryall of me with all sorts of weapons, either on horsebacke, or on foote, and for my sufficient command in the warres, if I doe not performe as much as I speake, let mee dye for it. The houre being come for the Prince to go to his Father, he gaue ouer his talk, com∣manding the man to be forth comming. At night the Kings custome being to drinke, the Prince [ 40] perceiuing his Father to be merry, told him of this man: so the King commaunded him to be brought before him. Now while he was sent for, a wilde Lyon was brought in, a very great one, strongly chained, and led by a dozen men and keepers: and while the King was viewing this Lyon, the Pattan came in, at whose sight the Prince presently remembred his Father. The King demanding of this Pattan, whence he was, and of what parentage, and what valour was in him, that he should demand so much wages: his answer was, that the King should make tryal of him. That I will, saith the King, goe wrastle and buffet with this Lyon. The Pattans answer was,* 1.19 that this was a wild beast, and to goe barely vpon him without weapon, would be no triall of his man-hood. The King not regarding his speech, commanded him to buckle with the Lion, who did so, wrastling and buffeting with the Lyon a pretty while: and then the Lyon being [ 50] loose from his keepers, but not from his chaines, got the poore man within his clawes, and tore his body in many parts: and with his pawes tore the one halfe of his face, so that this valiant man was killed by this wilde beast. The King not yet contented, but desirous to see more sport, sent for ten men that were of his horse-men in pay, being that night on the watch: for it is the custome of all those that receiue pay, or liuing from the King, to watch once a weeke, none ex∣cepted,* 1.20 if they be well, and in the Citie. These men one after another, were to buffet with the Lyon, who were all grieuously wounded, and it cost three of them their liues. The King con∣tinued three moneths in this vaine, when he was in his humors, for whose pleasure sake, many men lost their liues, and many were grieuously wounded. So that euer after, vntill my comming away, some fifteene young Lyons were made tame, and played one with another before the [ 60] King, frisking betweene mens legs, and no man hurt in a long time.

Likewise, he cannot abide, that any man should haue any precious stone of value, for it is death if he know it not at that present time,* 1.21 and that he hath the refusall thereof. His Ieweller, a Ban∣nian,

named Herranand, had bought a Diamond of three Mettegals, which cost one hundred thou∣sand Rupias: which was not so closely done, but newes came to the King: Herranand likewise was befriended, beeing presently acquainted therewith, who before the King sent for him, came vnto him, and challenged the King that he had often promised him that he would come to his house: the King answered that it was true. Herranand therefore replyed, that now was the time,* 1.22 for that he had a faire Present to bestow vpon his Maiestie: for that he had bought a stone of such a weight. The King smiled, and said. Thy lucke was good to preuent me. So preparation was made, and to the Bannians house he went. By this meanes, the King hath ingrossed all faire stones, that no man can buy from fiue Carats vpwards, without his leaue: for he hath the refusall of all, and giueth not by a third part so much as their value. There was a Diamant cutter of my ac∣quaintance, [ 10] that was sent for to cut a Diamant of three Mettegals and a halfe, who demanded a small foule Diamant to make powder, wherewith to cut the other Diamant.* 1.23 They brought him a Chest, as he said, of three spannes long, and a spanne and halfe broad, and a spanne and halfe deepe, full of Diamants of all sizes and sorts: yet could he find neuer any one for his purpose, but one of fiue Rotties, which was not very foule neither.

He is exceeding rich in Diamants, and all other precious stones, and vsually weareth euery day a faire Diamant of great price, and that which he weareth this day, till his time be come about to weare it againe, he weareth not the same: that is to say, all his faire Iewels are diuided into a cer∣taine quantitie or proportion, to weare euery day. He also weareth a chaine of Pearle, very faire and great, and another chaine of Emeralds, and ballace Rubies. Hee hath another Iewell, that [ 20] commeth round about his Turbant, full of faire Diamants and Rubies. It is not much to bee wondered, that he is so rich in Iewels, and in Gold and Siluer,* 1.24 when he hath heaped together the Treasure and Iewels of so many Kings, as his forefathers haue conquered, who likewise were a long time in gathering them together: and all came to his hands. Againe, all the money and Ie∣wels which his Nobles heape together, when they die come all vnto him, who giueth what hee listeth to the Noblemens wiues and children: and this is done to all them that receiue pay, or li∣uing from the King. India is rich in siluer, for all Nations bring Coyne, and carry away commo∣dities for the same; and this Coyne is buried in India, and goeth not out: so it is thought, that once in twentie yeeres it commeth into the Kings power. All the lands in his Monarchie are at his disposing, who giueth and taketh at his pleasure. If I haue lands at Lahor,* 1.25 being sent vnto the [ 30] warres at Decan, another hath the lands, and I am to receiue mine in Decan, or thereabouts, neere the place where I am, whether it be in the warres, or that I be sent about any other businesse, for any other countrey. And men are to looke well vnto their doings: for if they be found tardie in neuer so little a matter, they are in danger of loosing their lands: and if complaints of Iniustice which they doe, bee made vnto the King, it is well if they escape with losse of their lands.

He is very seuere in such causes, and with all seueritie punisheth those Captaines, who suffer out-lawes to giue assault vnto their Citie, without resisting. In my time there were some eight Captaines, who had their liuing vpon ••he borders of Bengala, in a chiefe Citie called Pattana, which was suffered to be taken by out-lawes, and they all fled: but that Citie was againe resto∣red by a great Captaine, who was Commander of a Countrey neere thereabouts; who tooke all [ 40] those Captaines that fled, and sent them to the King, to vse punishment vpon them at his pleasure. So they were brought before the King in chaines, and were presently commanded to be shauen, both head and beard, and to weare womens apparell, riding vpon asses, with their faces backwards, and so carried about the Citie. This being done, they were brought before the King againe, and there whipped, and sent to perpetuall prison: and this punishment was inflicted vpon them in my sight. He is seuere enough, but all helpeth not, for his poore Riats or Clownes complaine of Iniustice done them, and cry for Iustice at the Kings hands. They come to a certaine place, where a long rope is fastened vnto two pillars, neere vnto the place where the King sitteth in Iustice. This rope is hanged full of Bels, plated with gold, so that the rope beeing shaken, the Bels are heard by the King: who sendeth to know the cause, and doth his Iustice accordingly. At his first [ 50] comming to the Crowne, he was more seuere then now he is, which is the cause that the Coun∣trey is so full of outlawes, and theeues, that almost a man cannot stirre out of doores, throughout all his Dominions, without great forces: for they are all become Rebels.

There is one great Ragane betwixt Agra and Amadanar, who commandeth as much land as a good Kingdome: and all the forces the Mogol hath, cannot bring him in, for his forces are vp∣on the Mountaines. He is twentie thousand strong in Horse, and fiftie thousand strong in Foote, and many of these Rebels are in all his Dominions: but this is one of the greatest. There are ma∣ny risen at Candahar, Cabul, Moldun, and Sinde, and in the Kingdome of Boloch: Bengala like∣wise, Decan, and Guzerat are full, so that a man can trauell no way for out-lawes. Their Go∣uernment is in such a barbarous kind, and cruell exacting vpon the Clownes, which causeth them [ 60] to be so head-strong. The fault is in the Chiefe, for a man cannot continue halfe a yeere in his li∣uing, but it is taken from him and giuen vnto another: or else the King taketh it for himselfe (if it be rich ground, and likely to yeeld much) making exchange for a worse place: or as he is be∣friended of the Vizir. By this meanes he racketh the poore, to get from them what he can, who

still thinketh euery houre to be put out of his place. But there are many, who continue a long time in one place, and if they remaine but sixe yeeres, their wealth which they gaine is infinite, if it be a thing of any sort. The custome is, they are allowed so much liuing to maintaine that Port which the King hath giuen them, that is to say; they are allowed twentie Rupias of euerie horse by the Moneth, and two Rupias by the Moneth for euery horse Fame, for the maintenance of their Table. As thus: A Captaine that hath fiue thousand horse to maintaine in the warres, hath likewise of Fame other fiue thousand, which he is not to maintaine in the warres, but onely for his Table, allowed vpon euery horse by the Moneth two Rupias, and the other fiue thousand, twenty Rupias by the Moneth: and this is the pay which the greater part of them are al∣lowed. [ 10]

Now here I meane to speake a little of his manners, and customes in the Court. First, in the morning about the breake of day,* 1.26 he is at his Beades, with his face turned to the West-ward. The manner of his praying when he is in Agra, is in a priuate faire roome, vpon a goodly Iet stone, ha∣uing onely a Persian Lamb-skinne vnder him: hauing also some eight chaines of Beads, euery one of them containing foure hundred. The Beads are of rich Pearle, ballace Rubyes, Diamonds, Ru∣byes, Emeralds, Lignum Aloes, Eshem, and Corall. At the vpper end of this Iet stone, the Pi∣ctures of our Lady and Christ are placed, grauen in stone: so he turneth ouer his Beads, and saith, three thousand two hundred words, according to the number of his Beads, and then his Prayer is ended. After he hath done, he sheweth himselfe to the people, receiuing their Salames, or good morrowes, vnto whom multitudes resort euery morning for this purpose. This done, hee slee∣peth [ 20] two houres more,* 1.27 and then dineth, and passeth his time with his Women, and at noone hee sheweth himselfe to the people againe, sitting till three of the clocke, viewing and seeing his Pa∣stimes, and sports made by men, and fighting of many sorts of beasts, euery day sundry kinds of Pastimes. Then at three of the clocke, all the Nobles in generall (that be in Agra, and are well) resort vnto the Court, the King comming forth in open audience, sitting in his Seat-Royall, and euery man standing in his degree before him,* 1.28 his chiefest sort of the Nobles standing within a red Rayle, and the rest without. They are all placed by his Lieutenant Generall. This red Rayle, is three steppes higher then the place where the rest stand: and within this red Rayle I was placed, amongst the chiefest of all. The rest are placed by Officers, and they likewise be within an other very spacious place rayled: and without that Rayle, stand all sorts of horsemen and souldiers, that [ 30] belong vnto his Captaines, and all other commers. At these Rayles, there are many doores kept by many Porters, who haue white rods to keepe men in order. In the middest of the place, right before the King, standeth one of his Sheriffes, together with his Master Hangman, who is accom∣panied with forty hangmen, wearing on their heads a certaine quilted cap, different from all o∣thers, with an Hatchet on their shoulders: and others with all sorts of Whips, being there, readie to doe what the King commandeth. The King heareth all causes in this place, and stayeth some two houres euery day (these Kings of India sit daily in Iustice euery day, and on the Tuesdayes doe their executions.) Then he departeth towards his p••••uate place of Prayer: his Prayer beeing ended, foure or fiue sorts of very well dressed and roasted meats are brought him, of which as hee pleaseth, he eateth a bit to stay his stomacke, drinking once of his strong drinke. Then hee com∣meth forth into a priuate roome, where none can come, but such as himselfe nominateth, (for [ 40] two yeeres together I was one of his attendants here.* 1.29) In this place he drinketh other fiue cup∣fuls, which is the portion that the Physicians alot him. This done, he eateth Opium, and then he ariseth, and being in the height of his drinke, he layeth him downe to sleepe, euery man depar∣ting to his owne home. And after he hath slept two houres, they awake him, and bring his Sup∣per to him, at which time he is not able to feed himselfe; but it is thrust into his mouth by others, and this is about one of the clocke: and then he sleepeth the rest of the night.

Now in the space of these sixe cups, he doth many idle things; and whatsoeuer he doth, either without or within, drunken or sober, he hath writers, who by turnes set downe euery thing in writing which he doth: so that there is nothing passeth in his life time, which is not noted; no, [ 50] not so much as his going to the necessary; and how often he lieth with his women, and with whom▪ and all this is done vnto this end, that when he dieth, these writings of al his actions and speeches,* 1.30 which are worthy to be set downe, might be recorded in the Chronicles. At my being with him, he made his brothers children Christians; the doing whereof was not for any zeale he had to Christianitie, as the Fathers, and all Christians thought; but vpon the prophecie of certain learned Gentiles, who told him, that the sonnes of his body should be disinherited, and the chil∣dren of his brother should raigne. And therefore he did it, to make these children hatefull to all Moores, as Christians are odious in their sight: and that they beeing once Christians, when any such matter should happen, they should find no subiects: but God is omnipotent, and can turne the making of these Christians vnto a good ende, if it be his pleasure. [ 60]

This King amongst his children, hath one called Sultan Shariar, of seuen yeeres of age, and his Father on a day, being to goe some whether to solace him selfe, demanded of him whether hee would goe with him: the child answered, That if it pleased his Highnesse, he would either goe or stay, as the pleasure of his Father was. But because his answer was not, that withall his heart he

would waite vpon his Maiestie, he was very well buffeted by the King, and that in such sort, that no child in the world but would haue cryed; which this child did not. Wherefore his Father de∣manded why he cryed not; he answered, That his Nurses told him, that it was the greatest shame in the world, for Princes to cry when they were beaten: and euer since they nurtured me in this kind, saith he, I neuer cryed, and nothing shall make me cry to the death. Vpon which speech, his Father being more vexed, stroke him againe, and caused a bodkin to bee brought him, which he thrust through his cheeke; but all this would not make him cry, although he bled very much, which was admired of all, that the Father should doe this vnto his child, and that he was so stou••, that hee would not crie. There is great hope of this child to exceed all the rest.

[ 10] This Emperour keepeth many feasts in the year••, but two feasts especially may be nominated▪* 1.31 the one called the No••••ous, which is in honour of the New-yeares day. This feast continueth eighteene daies, and the wealth and riches are wonderfull, that are to be seene in the decking and setting forth of euery mans roome, or place where he lodgeth, when it is his turne to watch: for euery Nobleman hath his place appointed him in the Palace. In the middest of that spaci∣ous place I speake of, there is a rich Yent pitched, but so rich,* 1.32 that I thinke the like cannot bee found in the world. This Tent is curiously wrought, and hath many Seminans ioyning round about it, of most curious wrought Veluet, embroidered with Gold, and many of them are of Cloath of Gold and Siluer. These Seminans be shaddowes to keepe the Sunne from the compasse of this Tent. I may say, it is at the least two Acres of ground, but so richly spread with Silke [ 20] and Gold Carpets, and Hangings in the principall places, rich, as rich Veluet imbroydered with Gold, Pearle, and precious stones can make it. Within it fiue Chaires of Estate are placed, most rich to behold, where at his pleasure the King sitteth. There are likewise priuate roomes made for his Queenes, most rich where they sit, and see all, but are not seene. So round about this Tent, the compasse of all may bee some fiue Acres of ground. Euery principall Noble-man maketh his roome, and decketh it, likewise euery man according to his ability, striueth who may adorne his roome richest. The King where he doth affect, commeth to his Noble-mens roomes, and is most sumptuously feasted there: and at his departure, is presented with the rarest Iewels and toyes that they can find. But because he will not receiue any thing at that time as a present, he commandeth his Treasurer to pay what his praysers valew them to bee worth, which are va∣lewed [ 30] at halfe the price. Euery one, and all of his Nobles prouide toyes, and rare things to giue him at this feast: so commonly at this feast euery man his estate is augmented. Two daies of this feast, the better sort of the Women come to take the pleasure thereof: and this feast beginneth at the beginning of the Moone of March. The other feast is some foure moneths after, which is called the feast of his Birth-day:* 1.33 This day euery man striueth who may be the richest in ap∣parell and Iewels. After many sports and pastimes performed in his Palace, he goeth to his mo∣thers house, with all the better sort of his Nobles, where euery man presenteth a Iewell vnto his Mother, according to his estate. After the bancket is ended, the King goeth into a very faire roome, where a ballance of beaten Gold is hanged, with one scale emptie for him to sit in; the other scale being filled with diuers things, that is to say, Siluer, Gold, diuers sorts of Grain a lit∣tle, [ 40] and so of euery kind of Mettall a little, and with all sorts of precious stones some: In fine, he weigheth himselfe with these things, which the next day are giuen to the poore, and all may be valued to be worth * 1.34 ten thousand pounds. This day, before he goeth vnto his mothers house, eue∣ry man bringeth him his Present, which is thought to be ten times more worth, then that which he giueth to the poore. This done, euery man departeth vnto his home.

His custome is, that when you petition him for any thing, you must not come empty handed, but giue him some toy or other, whether you write or no: by the gift you giue him, he knoweth that you would demand some thing of him: so after enquiry is made, if he seeth it conuenient, he granteth it.

The custome of the Indians, is to burne their dead, as you haue read in other Authors, and at [ 50] their burning, many of their Wiues will burne with them:* 1.35 because they will bee registred in their bookes, for famous and most modest and louing Wiues, who leauing all worldly affaires, content themselues to liue no longer then their Husbands. I haue seene many proper Women brought before the King, whom (by his commandement) none may burne without his leaue and sight of them, I meane those of Agra. When any of these commeth, hee doth perswade them with many promises of gifts and liuing if they will liue: but in my time no perswasion could preuaile, but burne they would. The King seeing that all would not serue, giueth his leaue for her to be carried to the fire, where she burneth her selfe aliue with her dead husband.

Likewise his custome is, when any great Noble-man hath beene absent from him two or three yeares, if they come in fauour, and haue performed well, hee receiueth them in manner [ 60] and forme following.

First, the Noble-man stayeth at the gate of the Pallace, till the Vizir and Lieutenant Gene∣rall, and Knight Martiall come to accompany him vnto the King:* 1.36 then he is brought to the gate of the outermost rayles, whereof I haue spoken before, where hee standeth in the view of the King, in the middest betweene these two Nobles; then he toucheth the ground with his hand,

and also with his head, very grauely, and doth thus three times. This done, he kneeleth downe touching the ground with his fore-head, which being once done, he is carried forward towards the King, and in the midway he is made to doe this reuerence againe: then he commeth to the doore of the red rayles, doing the like reuerence the third time: and hauing thus done, he com∣meth within the red rayles, and doth it once more vpon the Carpets. Then the King comman∣deth him to come vp the staires or ladder of seauen steppes, that he may embrace him; where the King most louingly embraceth him before all the people, whereby they shall take notice, that he is in the Kings fauour. The King hauing done this, he then commeth downe, and is pla∣ced by the Lieutenant Generall according to his degree. Now if he come in disgrace, through exclamations made against him, he hath none of these honours from the King, but is placed in his place till he come to his tryall. This King is very much adored of the Heathen Comminal∣ty, insomuch, that they will spread their bodies all vpon the ground, rubbing the earth with their [ 10] faces on both sides. They vse many other fopperies and superstitions, which I omit, leauing them for other Trauellers, which shall come from thence hereafter.

After I had written this, there came into my memory another Feast, solemnized at his Fa∣thers Funerall,* 1.37 which is kept at his Sepulchre, where likewise himselfe, with all his posterity, meane to be buried. Vpon this day there is great store of victuals dressed, and much money gi∣uen to the poore, This Sepulchre may be counted one of the rarest Monuments of the world. It hath beene this foureteene yeares a building, and it is thought it will not be finished these sea∣uen yeares more, in ending gates and walls, and other needfull things, for the beautifying and setting of it forth. The least that worke there daily, are three thousand people: but thus much I will say,* 1.38 that one of our Worke-men will dispatch more then three of them. The Sepulchre [ 20] is some ¾. of a mile about made square: it hath seauen heights built, euery height narrower then the other, till you come to the top where his Herse is. At the outermost gate, before you come to the Sepulchre, there is a most stately Palace building: the compasse of the wall ioyning to this gate of the Sepulchre and garding, being within, may be at the least three miles. This Se∣pulchre is some foure miles distant from the Citie of Agra.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Or Kasimir.
• * 1.2

  The Mogoll heire to euery man.
• * 1.3

  Raga Gaginat his wealth.
• * 1.4

  Daily suruey of the Kings wealth.
• * 1.5

  Elephants Royall.
• * 1.6

  The Kings Tents as large in compasse as London.
• * 1.7

  Forty thou∣sand Elephants
• * 1.8

  Dromedaries swiftness••. From Agra to Amadauar in nine daies.
• * 1.9

  Selims rebelli∣on.
• * 1.10

  Or Rabanne.
• * 1.11

  Sultan Cossero proclaimed.
• * 1.12

  Hee was not blinded, and is since (as you shall see in Sir Tho. Roes relati∣ons) deliuered out of prison.
• * 1.13

  Cruell Execu∣tions.
• * 1.14

  Seuerity.
• * 1.15

  China-machina.
• * 1.16

  China-machina.
• * 1.17

  Sultan Peruis.
• * 1.18

  Proud demand
• * 1.19

  Cruell com∣mand.
• * 1.20

  Bloody expe∣riments.
• * 1.21

  Iewels and Gemmes.
• * 1.22

  Costly e••••er∣tainmen••▪
• * 1.23

  An inestima∣ble rich coffer of Diamonds.
• * 1.24

  Cause of so great wealth.
• * 1.25

  Those lands which are let pay to the king two thirds of the profit: and of those which he giueth in fee, one third remaineth to the King. In all the world is not more fer∣tile land, then in some great parts of his Dominions. Punishment of Cowards. A chiefe Citie called Pattana. He calleth re∣bels (as the M••∣gols did) those that refused subiection, though per∣haps some of them were free Kings as this Ra••ane, or Ran∣na, supposed the true succes∣sor of P••••us whom Alexan∣der▪ conquered. He is now brought, or bought rather (as they say) peaceably to acknowledge tribute to the Mogol.
• * 1.26

  The great Mo∣gol his deuoti∣ons.

  Some suppose him author of a new sect.
• * 1.27

  The great Mo∣gols spending his time.
• * 1.28

  The red rayle.
• * 1.29

  Captain Haw∣kins, two yeeres together neere about the great Mogol.
• * 1.30

  The Mogol makes his bro∣thers children Christians. This Christia∣nitie is since disclaymed, & was then but a tricke, rather of sensualitie, thē of deuotion or state.
• * 1.31

  Two feasts.
• * 1.32

  An exceeding rich Tent.
• * 1.33

  The feast of his Birth-day.
• * 1.34

  See hereof Sir Thom. Roe.
• * 1.35

  Voluntary burning of women with their dead husbands.
• * 1.36

  Fauourable entertainment of the Grandes
• * 1.37

  Funerall feast or Obit for his Father?
• * 1.38

  Sumptuous Sepulchre.