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.

§. III. Occurrents happening in Iune, Iuly, August 1616. and diuers passages of speech and action, whence the Nature, Arts, and disposition of the King and his Subiects may bee obserued.

* 1.1THe twelfth of Iune, there is a resolution taken that Sultan Coroone shall goe to the De∣can warres, and the day prefixed hauing consulted all the Bramans. Prince Paruis is [ 20] called home, whom (it is reported) wrote to his father, that if hee would send his el∣der brother, he would obey, but to dishonour him by imploying this, hee would first fall on him, and after finish the warre. All the Captaines, as Channa Chana, Mahobet Chan, Chan Iohn, refuse to stay if this Tyrant come to command, so well is he beloued: it is true, all men awe him more then the King, now that hee is to receiue the Armie; the King cannot bee remooued from his resolution, so that his sudden departure two and twentie dayes from this present, must hasten me to finish this businesse, and to know a resolution: for after his departure with his Mi∣nion Zulpheckcarcon, there is no hope to recouer a penny, nor any Iustice against him.

The eighteenth, the King commanded one of his brothers sonnes (who was made a Christian in policie,* 1.2 to bring him into hatred with the people) to go strike a Lyon on the head, which was [ 30] brought before the King; but he being afraid, refused it: so the King bade his yongest sonne to go touch the Lyon, who did so without any harme, whereat the King tooke occasion to send his Nephew away to a prison, where hee is neuer like to see day-light.

The foure and twentieth, the Prince had a sonne borne, and now being preparing for this warre, all mens eyes were on him, either for flattery, gaine, or enuy, none for loue. He receiued twenty Lecks of Rupies towards his charges, (two hundred thousand pound sterling) and be∣gan to deale money liberally: but notwithstanding his show of his Fathers affection and great∣nesse, a Chan perswaded the King that the Voyage would bee dangerous, in respect of the Prince Paruis, whose honour was so wounded, that he would not returne without reuenge. The King replyed, let them fight, I am well contented, and he that proues himselfe the better Cap∣taine [ 40] shall pursue the warre.

Abdala Hassan is Captaine of all the souldiers, entertained at Court, and Treasurer to all the Armies:* 1.3 he entertained me courteously, with few complements, but much ciuility, wee sate to see his souldiers shoote in bowes and peeces, most of them with single bullet did hit the marke, being a hand-breath in a butt,* 1.4 wee had some discourse of our vse of weapons, and so I de∣parted.

The thirteenth of Iuly in the morning, I sent Sultan Carronne three bottles of Alligant, and a Letter concerning the Portugalls,* 1.5 the differences betweene our Trade and theirs, and to pro∣cure all the customs in and out to farme for the Companies vse (the copy is registred.) The Prince caused (as is his barbarous custome in all businesse passing in publike) the Letter to be twice read [ 50] by his Secretary, and often interrupted it with speech to him: in the end sent word, that at night when he came downe, he would reade it himselfe, and consider it, and that I should receiue an∣swere from Merze Sorocalla.

At night I went to the Durbar to visite the King: So soone as I came in, he sent Asaph Chan to me,* 1.6 that he heard I had in my house an excellent Painter, and desired me he might see some of his worke: I replyed, according to truth, that there was none, but a yong man, a Merchant, that for his exercise did with a pen draw some figures, but very meanely, farre from the arte of Painting. The King replyed, that I should not feare that hee would take any man from mee by force, that he would neither doe mee iniury, nor suffer any other; and prayed that he might see [ 60] that man and his worke, howsoeuer it was. I replyed, I had no such doubt of his Maiesty, and for his satisfaction I would bring him to the Guzell Chan with such toyes as he had, which per∣haps was an Elephant, or a Deare, or such like in paper. At this answere the King bowed him∣selfe, and returned, that if I desired an Elephant, or the figure, or any other thing in his Coun∣trey,

I should not buy it, nor seeke any other way but to him, that whatsoeuer I had a mind to, he would giue me, and that I should freely speake to him, for he was my friend. I made a Reue∣rence, and answered that I humbly thanked his Maiesty, Elephants were of no such vse to mee, neither was it the custome of my Nation, especially of my place, to aske any thing, if his Maie∣stie gaue me but the worth of a Rupie, I would receiue it, and esteeme it as a marke of his fauour. He replyed, he knew not what I desired, that there were some things in his Countrey, rare in mine, and that I should not make dainty to speake to him, for he would giue mee such things as should be most welcome, and that I should bee cheerefull, for that he was a friend to our Nation [ 10] and to mee, and would protect vs from any iniury, but desired that I would that night come to the Guzell Chan, with the youth that painted, with his Pictures. So Asaph Chan wished me to send home to fetch him to his house; whither if I would go and stay with him vntill the King came abroad, I should be very welcome; which I promised. I neuer receiued so much grace and fauour from the King, as at this time, which all men tooke notice of, and accordingly altered their fashions towards mee; specially it happened well that the Iesuit was made Interpreter of all this by the Kings appointment.

This day a Gentle-woman of Normalls was taken in the Kings house in some action with an Eunuch; another Capon that loued her, killed him:* 1.7 the poore woman was set vp to the arme-pits in the earth, hard rammed, her feet tied to a stake, to abide three dayes and two nights with∣out any sustenance, her head and armes exposed to the Sunnes violence: if shee dyed not in that [ 20] time, shee should be pardoned: the Eunuch was condemned to the Elephants. This Damsell yeelded in Pearle, Iewels, and ready money, sixteene hundred thousand Rupies.

The two and twentieth, I receiued Letters from Bramport: in answere of those to Mahobet Chan, who at first granted my desire, making his Firman to Barooch most effectuall,* 1.8 to receiue our Nation, and to giue them a house neare the Gouernour, strictly commanding no man to molest them by sea or land, or to take any custome of them, or any way trouble them vnder colour ther∣of. Finally, that they might buy, sell, and transport any commoditie at their pleasures, without any molestation, concluding, that they should expect to heare no other from him, and therefore they should be carefull in execution. I receiued with it a Letter from himselfe (which was more ciuility then all the Indies yeelded me) full of courtesie and humanity, and great respect,* 1.9 prote∣sting [ 30] his desire to giue me content, and that what I had demanded, I should make no doubt of per∣formance: and if I had any other occasion to vse him, hee desired mee to write, and it should be performed. The Copies are worthy the seeing for the rarenesse of the phrase. The Firman I cau∣sed to be sent to Surat: so that Borooch is prouided for a good retrait from the Princes iniuries, and the custome giuen, whereby fifteene hundred pound, per annum, will bee saued, besides all manner of searches and extortions. For the performance of this no man maketh any doubt, for that all men confesse, that he neither careth for the Prince, and so feareth not, nor needeth any man, being the only beloued man of the King, and second person in his Dominions; and in all his life so liberall of his purse, and honorable of his word, that he hath ingrossed good reports from all others: and concerning Custome, the King takes none, the Gouernours make it their [ 40] profit, which he professeth to scorne that he should abuse the liberty of the Kings Ports.

The sixt of August, I was sent for to the Durbar;* 1.10 the businesse was about a Picture I had late∣ly giuen to the King, and was confident that no man in India could equall it. So soone as I came, he asked mee what I would giue the Painter that had made a copy so like it, that I should not know my owne: I answered, a Painters reward, fifty Rupies. The King replyed, his Painter was a Caueleer, and that too small a gift; to which I answered, I gaue my Picture with a good heart, esteeming it rare, and meant not to make comparison or wagers: if his seruant had done as well, and would not accept of my gift, his Maiesty was most fit to reward him. So with many passages of iests, mirth, and bragges concerning the Arts of his Countrey, hee fell to aske mee questions, how often I dranke a day, and how much, and what? what in England? what Beere was? how [ 50] made? and whether I could make it heere? In all which I satisfied his great demands of State. He concluded that I should come to the Guzel Chan, and then I should see my Pictures. At night he sent for me, being hasty to triumph in his work-man, and shewed me sixe Pictures, fiue made by his man, all pasted in one table so like, that I was by candle-light troubled to discerne which was which, I confesse, beyond all expectation: yet I shewed mine owne, and the differences, which were in arte apparant, but not to be iudged by a common eye. But for that at first sight I knew it not, he was very merry and ioyfull, and craked like a Northerne man: I gaue him way and content, praising his mans art. Now, saith he, what say you? I replyed, I saw his Maiestie needed no Picture from our Countrey; but saith he, what will you giue the Painter? I answered, seeing he had so farre excelled in my opinion of him, I would double my liberality, and that if [ 60] he came to my house, I would giue him one hundred Rupies to buy a Nagge, which the King tooke kindly, but answered, he should accept no money, but some other gift: which I promised: the King asked what? I said it was referrable to my discretion: so he answered it was true, yet desired I would name it. I replyed, a good Sword, a Pistall, a Picture; whereat the King answe∣red. You confesse hee is a good work-man: send for him home, and shew him such toyes as you

haue, and let him choose one, in requitall whereof you shall choose any of these Copies to shew in England. We are not so vnskilfull, as you esteeme vs: so hee pressed me to choose one, which I did; the King wrapping it vp in a paper, and putting it vp in a little booke of mine, de∣liuered it, with much ioy and exultation of his mans supposed victory, whereat I shewed him a Picture I had of his Maiesties, farre inferiour to the worke I now saw, which caused me to iudge of all other by that which he deliuered me as the best. He asked me where I had it; I told him. Why, said he, doe you buy any such things? haue not I the best? and haue not I told you, I would giue you whatsoeuer you desired? I thanked his Maiesty, but that I held it not ciuility to trouble him in such trifles, especially as a begger: he replyed, it was no shame to aske of him, and bad me speake at all times freely, pressing me to aske somewhat: I answered, I would not choose my [ 10] gift,* 1.11 whatsoeuer came from his Maiesties hands I would receiue as a marke of honour: hee re∣plyed, if you desire my Picture, I will giue you one for your selfe, or for your King. I answered, if his Maiestie would send the King one, I would gladly cary it, and knew his Maiestie would take it friendly, and esteeme it much. But that since his Maiestie had emboldened mee, I would desire one for my selfe, which I would keepe and leaue to my Posteritie, as an ensigne of his Ma∣iesties fauour. He replyed, your King doth not desire one, but you doe, therefore you shall haue it, and so he gaue present order for the making: then he turned to rest, and wee were blind-fold dismissed.

* 1.12The twelfth of August, Gemal-din-vssin, a man of seuentie yeares, Vice-roy of Patan, and Lord of foure Cities in Bengala, one that hath beene often Embassadour, and of more vnderstanding [ 20] and courtesie then all his Countrimen, and to be esteemed hospitable, and a receiuer of strangers, not secretly ambitious, he often made meanes that I would come to his house, which at last I did, and was receiued with extraordinary familiaritie and kindnesse, offering me a Lecke of Ru∣pias, and such other curtesies so great, that they bespake their owne refusall. His fauour with the King, his credit, his counsell, all was offered that could fulfill complements. And this I must confesse, that from a person reuerent in yeares it seemed more cordiall, and for in some Discourse speaking so plainly of his fellowes in Court, truthes in mine owne experience, I resolued hee was a good natured and right hearted old man. He told me much of the Customes of this Coun∣trey, of their seruitude, of their want of Lawes, of the increase of this Empire, wherein hee had serued three Princes in grace and fauour, of which times hee shewed me a Booke or Annall of all [ 30] memorable Actions which he had daily commited to record,* 1.13 and had composed them into a Hi∣storie, the Copie whereof he offered me if I could procure it translated. Concerning the Kings reuenue and the manner of raising it, besides confiscations, gifts, and cuttings vpon great men; that the Gouernment of euery Prouince did yearely pay a Rent: as for his Gouernment of Pa∣tan onely, he gaue the King eleuen Leckes of Rupias, (the Rupias sterling is two shillings two pence) all other profits were his, wherein he had Regall authoritie to take what he list, which was esteemed at fiue thousand horse, the pay of euery one at two hundred Rupias by the yeare, whereof he kept fifteene hundred, and was allowed the Surplusse as dead pay: besides the King gaue him a Pention of one thousand Rupias a day, and some smaller gouernments. Yet he assured me there were diuers had double his entertainment, and aboue twentie equall.

* 1.14He praysed the good Prophet Iesus and his Lawes, and was full of very delightfull and fruit∣full [ 40] Discourse. This Visit was past some few dayes, and I thought that his courtesie had beene at an end: but this day he had borrowed of the King his house and Garden of pleasure: Hauar Ge∣m••ll, a mile out of Towne to feast me in; and ouernight earnestly inuiting me, I promised to come. At midnight he went himselfe and carryed his Tents and all furniture,* 1.15 and fitted vp a place by the Tanke side very handsomely. In the morning I went. At my comming he came to meet mee and with extraordinary ciuilitie carryed me into his roome prepared where hee had some compa∣ny and one hundred seruants attending, two of his sonnes, being a father to thirtie. He entertay∣ned me with shewing me the Kings little closets and retyring roomes which were painted with Antiques, and in some panes Copies of the French Kings and other Christian Princes; wanting [ 50] no Court-ship. That he was a poore man, slaue to the King, that he desired I should receiue some content, and that therefore he had drawne me to a slight Banquet to eate bread and salt together, to seale a friendship which he desired me to accept:* 1.16 that there were many great men able to shew me more courtesie, but they were proud & false wishing me to trust to none, for that if I had busines to the King of any weight, either cōcerning the Portugals or any other, they would neuer deliuer truth who were my Interpreters, but only what either please themselues or would con∣tent in the relation. That therefore I should neuer be rightly vnderstood, nor effect my businesse without abuse, nor neuer cleerely know my estate vntill I had an Englishman that could speake Persian, and that might deliuer my minde without passing the tongue of another, which the King would grant me if I could find any: for that hee had conceiued a good opinion of me, and [ 60] the last night at the Gussel Chan,* 1.17 hauing brought before him the Iewels of Sheck Ferid, Gouer∣nour of Lahor lately dead, he remmbred me of himselfe, and seeing a Picture of his owne that pleased him, he deliuered it to Asaph Chan, commanding him to send it me to weare for his sake, with many words of fauour towards me, which would make all the great men respect me.

In this time came in Dinner. So fitting on Carpetting, a cloth was layd and diuers banquetting set before vs, and the like a little a part for the Gentlemen that companied him,* 1.18 to whom hee went to eat, they holding it a kind of vncleanenesse to mingle with vs. Whereat I told him, hee promised we should eate bread and salt together, that without his company I had little appetite so he rose and sate by me, and we fell roundly to our victuals.* 1.19 The substance was made dishes of diuers sorts, Raisons, Almonds, Pistachees and Fruit. Dinner ended, he played at Chesse, and I walked, returning after some discourse I offered to take my leaue, he answered he had intreated me to come to eate, that what was passed was but a collation, that I must not depart till I had sup∣ped, which I easily granted to.

About an houre after came to visit him the Ambassadour of one of the Decan Kings whom [ 10] he presented to me, vsing him with ciuilitie, but in a much inferiour manner, in respect of his fashion toward me:* 1.20 he asked me if his Maiestie my Master would not take in scorne the offer of seruice from from so poore a man, and if hee would vouchsafe, to accept of a Present from a stranger, for that he would send a Gentleman with me to kisse his Maiesties hands, and to see our Countrey. I answered him as became ciuilitie and good manners; so hee sent for one presently, and questioned him if he would venture the iourney, who seeming willing hee presented to mee, and said he would prouide some Toyes of the Countrey for his Maiestie, and send 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in my companie. By the manner, this seemed to me to be earnest.

While we thus spent time, our Supper came, two clothes being spread,* 1.21 as in the morning and [ 20] before me and my Chaplaine, and one Merchant were set diuers dishes of Sallets and meate rost, fryed, boyled, and diuers Rices: he desired to be excused, that it was their manner to eate among themselues, his Countrimen would take it ill, if he eate not with them; so hee and his guests, I and my Company solaced our selues with a good refreshing. Thmeate was not amisse, but the attendance and order much better, his seruants being very diligent and respectfull.* 1.22 He gaue mee for a present, as is the manner, when one is inuited, fiue cases of Sugar Candie dressed with Muske, and one Loafe of most fine Sugar white as Snow, about fiftie pound weight, desiring me to accept of one hundred such against my going, which said he, you refuse of me thinking I am poore, but it costs me nothing, it is made in my Gouernment, and comes gratis to me. I answered, hee had too farre alreadie obliged me, that I would not refuse his courtesie when I was readie to depart. [ 30] He replyed, he might bee then vnfurnished, and therefore desired I would now speake, that hee might not lose his offer and labour too. Thus professing himselfe my father and I his sonne, with complements I tooke my leaue.

The sixteenth, I went to visit the King, who assoone as I came in,* 1.23 call••d to his women and reached out a Picture of himselfe set in Gold, hanging at a Wire Gold Chaine with one pendant foule Pearle, which he deliuered to Asaph Chan, warning him not to demand any reuerence of me, other then such as I would willingly giue; it being the custome whensoeuer hee bestowes any thing, the receiuer kneeles downe and puts his head to the ground, which hath beene exacted of the Ambassadors of Persia. So Asaph Chan came to mee, and I offered to take it in my hand, but he made signe to put off my hat, and then put it about my necke, leading me right before the [ 40] King. I vnderstood not his purpose, but doubted he would require the custome of the Countrey, called Sizeda. But I was resolued rather to deliuer vp my Present: Hee made signe to giue the King thankes, which I did after my owne custome, whereat some Officers called mee to Sizeda: but the King answered no, no, in Persian; so with many gracious words sent me, I returned to my place, you may now iudge the Kings liberalitie; this gift was not worth in all thirtie pound, yet it was fiue times as good as any he giues in that kind, and held for an especiall fauour, for that all the great men that weare the Kings Image, which none may doe but to whom it is giuen, re∣ceiue no other then a meddall of Gold as bigge as sixe pence, with a little Chaine of foure inches to fasten it on their heads, which at their owne proper charge, some set with stones, or garnish with pendant Pearles.

[ 50] The nineteenth, Gemal-din-vssin, who inuited me to Hauaz Gemall, being newly made Go∣uernour of Sindu, came to me to dinner with two sonnes and two other Gentlemen, and about one hundred seruants: hee ate some Banqueting stuffe made in my house by a Moore Cooke, but would not touch such meate as I had prouided of my owne fashion,* 1.24 though his appetite was very good, a kind of superstition forbidding him. But hee desired me that foure or fiue dishes might be sent to his house, such as he would choose, being all baked meates which hee had neuer seene, and that he would dine on them in priuate, which was accordingly done, and so offering vs the Towne of Sindu, and all other courtesies in his power, he made haste to fill his belly. I gaue him a small Present according to custome. This day suddenly dyed to my great griefe, and discom∣fort my Minister Master Hall, a man of most gentle and milde nature, religious, and of vn∣spotted [ 60] life.

The twentieth day, and the night past f••ll a storme of raine called the Oliphant,* 1.25 vsuall at go∣ing out of the raines, but for the greatnesse very extraordinary, whereby there ran such streames into the Tanke whose head is made of stone, in shew extremely strong, but the water was so growne that it brake ouer in one place, and there came an alarme and sudden feare, that it would

giue way and drowne all that part of the Towne where I dwelt, insomuch that the Prince and all his women forsooke their house; my next Neighbour carryed away his goods and his wife on his Elephants and Camels to flye to the hils side. All men had their Horses ready at their doores to saue their liues, so that we were much frighted and sat vp till mid-night for that we had no help, but to flye our selues and loose all our goods, for it was reported that it would run higher then the top of my house by three foot, and carry all away being poore muddy buildings, foure∣teene yeeres past, a terrible experience hauing shewed the violence, the foot of the Tanke being leuell with our dwelling, and the water extreame great and deepe, so that the top was much higher then my house which stood in the bottome in the course of the water, euery ordinary rain making such a Current at my doore, that it runne not swifter in the Arches of London Bridge, and is for some houres impassible by Horse or man. But God otherwise disposed it in his mercy, [ 10] the King caused a sluce to be cut in the night to ease the water another way, yet the very raine had washed downe a great part of the wals of my house, and so weakened it by diuers breaches, in that I feared the fall more then the floud: and was so moyled with dirt and water, that I could scarce lye dry or safe, for that I must be enforced to bee at new charge in reparation. Thus were we euery way afflicted; fires, smokes, flouds, stormes, heats, dust, flyes, and no temperate or quiet season.

The nine and twentieth, the King went to Hauaz Iemal and so to hunting, there was taken a resolution to remooue to Mandoe,* 1.26 a Castle neere Bramport where is no Towne, for that Sultan Paruis being come from the warre in disgrace, and being with his traine neere Asmere, the King commanded him to Bengala, excusing himselfe to be seene, and so hauing dispatched him without [ 20] such incommoditie as was feared would arise if the two brothers met, hee intended himselfe to settle Sultan Caronne in the warres of Decan, to which all the chiefest were so contrary, that the King feared to send him downe as was the resolution some monethes past, and therefore dissem∣bled it, vntil the other Prince were withdrawne & he established by his owne countenance, com∣ming so neere as Mandoa, which remoue if it proceed will put vs to extreame trouble and cost, for that we must build a new house both for our selues and goods, the Castle standing on a hill without any other buildings neere it.

The thirtieth, the King returned in the night, and about eleuen a clocke sent mee a very fat wild Boare,* 1.27 and so great, that he desired the Tusks backe, with this message, that he kild it with his owne hand, and that therefore I should eat it merrily, and make good cheare. This occasion [ 30] Iaddowe that was sent for to the King to bring it, tooke to tell Asaph Chan, that I desired to visit him on the morrow, and hoped to receiue from his hands the Priuiledges granted by the King. He answered, hee could not dispatch them so soone, but that they should on Sunday bee sealed, and that he was loth to see me, vntill he had giuen me content.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Iune 12. Sultan Coroone. to be emploied in the Decan warres.
• * 1.2

  Seuere com∣mand.
• * 1.3

  Abdala Hassan.
• * 1.4

  Exquisit mark∣men.
• * 1.5

  Iuly 13.
• * 1.6

  The Kings de∣light in Pain∣ting.
• * 1.7

  Story of an Eunuch and one of the Kings women.
• * 1.8

  Mahobet Chan his grant to the English for Borooch.
• * 1.9

  His Ciuility and good parts
• * 1.10

  August 6. The Kings cu∣riosity in pain∣ting, and the Indian work∣manship▪ for which cause, and for notice of the Kings disposition, it is heere added.
• * 1.11

  The courtesie of the King.
• * 1.12

  The courtesie of Gemal-din-vssin.
• * 1.13

  A History writ∣ten by him. Manner of Mogoll Go∣uernment. Eleuen Leckes for Patan to the King.
• * 1.14

  Their opinion of Christ.
• * 1.15

  Entertainment at a house of pleasure.
• * 1.16

  Censure of his fellow Nobles.
• * 1.17

  The Kings re∣spect to Sir T. Roe.
• * 1.18

  Rites of enter∣tainment.
• * 1.19

  The prouision. Chesse-play.
• * 1.20

  Purpose to send one into England.
• * 1.21

  Supper serued in.
• * 1.22

  They giue Presents to their Ghests.
• * 1.23

  The Kings fauour.
• * 1.24

  Superstitious Cautcle.
• * 1.25

  Huge raine called the Oli∣phant.
• * 1.26

  Mandoe.
• * 1.27

  A wild Bore sent by the King.