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.

§. V. The broiles about Abdala Chan, and Chan Channa; Sultan Caroones ambi∣tion, his policies to subuert his elder Brother: fight with a Portugall Car∣ricke: distast about the Prince: Persian Embassage, Presents [ 50] and entertainement.

THe tenth of October, Abdala Chan the great Gouernour of Amadauas, beeing sent for to Court in disgrace for many insolencies and neglects of the Kings authority,* 1.1 and thought he would stand on his guard, and refuse; yet the Prince Sultan Coronne (whose ambition wrought on euery aduantage) desirous to oblige so great a man (beeing one of the chiefe Captaines in these Kingdomes) preuailed with him on his word to submit; so that comming in Pilgrims Clothes with fortie seruants on foote, about sixtie mile in counterfeit hu∣miliation,* 1.2 finished the rest in his Palankee, vntill he arriued neere the Court, but one dayes iour∣ney behind he had two thousand horse attending. This day he was brought to the Iarruco (the [ 60] publike sitting of the King to see Games, and to heare complaints) chained by the feete, bare∣foot between two Noble men, he puld his Turbant in his eyes, before hee had the happinesse to behold the Kings face. After reuerence made, and some fewe questions, the King forgaue him, caused his yrons to be loosed, and clothed in a new Vest of Cloth of Gold. Turbant and Girdle

according to the custome. The Prince who intended to build his honour on the warres of Decan, which his elder brother had left with disgrace, and the great Commander Chan Channa did not prosper in (which doubtlesse was a practiser with the Decans, from whom he receiued pension) caused his Father to recall Chan Channa, who refusing to come, desired the King not to send Sul∣tan Caronne to that warre, but one of his yongest sonnes about fifteene yeares of age.* 1.3 This Co∣ronne tooke to heart, but prosecuting his purpose of the warre, promised to Abdela Chan the Command of the armie vnder him, by displacing Chan Channa.

The King fearing troubles, and knowing all the ambitions and factions of this sonne, the dis∣content of his two elder, the power of Chan Channa, was desirous to accommodate all by accep∣ting a peace, and confirming Chan Channa in the Gouernment hee held, and closely to that end [ 10] wrote a letter of fauour, and purposed to send a Vest, according to the Ceremony of reconcilia∣tion, to Chan Channa; but before he dispatched it, he acquainted a kinswoman of his liuing in the Zereglia, of his purpose. Shee, whether false to her friend (wrought by Sultan Caronne) or ou•• of greatnesse of heart, to see the top of her family so dealt with, after so many meri••s;* 1.4 answered plainly, that shee did not beleeue Chan Channa would weare any thing sent from the King, know∣ing his Maiesty hated him, and had once or twice offered him poyson, which hee putting in his bosome (in stead of his mouth) had made triall of. Therefore shee was confident hee would not dare to put on his body any thing that came from his Maiesty. The King offered to weare it him∣selfe before her an houre▪ and that shee should write to testifie it: shee replyed, hee would trust neither of them both with his life, but if he might liue quietly in his command, would doe his [ 20] Maiesty true seruice. Whereupon the King altered his purpose, and resolued to proceed in the sending of Sultan Caronne, and to countenance his reception, would follow after with another armie.

Chan Channa that discouered the storme, practised with the Decans, who were at his seruice, to offer termes of peace for a season, finding no other way to dissolue this cloud that hung ouer them both, vntill the King and Prince were departed and setled further off. To this end came two Ambassadors this day from the Princes of Decan. They brought horses bar'd,* 1.5 richly furnished for Presents. At first the King refused to heare them and their gift, but turned them ouer to his sonne with this answere; If he would haue peace or warre, it was in his brest. The Prince ad∣uanced by this fauour, and swelling with pride, resolued (though I was informed the conditions [ 30] were very honorable, and such as the King would haue accepted) to goe on the iourney, answe∣ring he would treat of no peace, vntill he were in the field with his Armie; Chan Channa should not so beguile him of the honor of finishing that warre.

The ambitions of this yong Prince are open, the common talke of the people, yet his Father suffers all, but intends him not the Kingdome. For Sultan Corsoronne, the eldest brother, is both extreamely beloued▪ and honored of all men (almost adored) and very iustly for his Noble parts, and this the King knowes and loues, but thinkes his liberty would diminish his owne glory, and sees not that this she youth doth more darken him by ambitious practises, then the other could by vertuous actions.

[ 40] Thus he nourisheth diuision and emulation betweene the brethren,* 1.6 and putteth such power in the hand of the yonger (supposing hee can vndoe it at his pleasure) that the wisest foresee a rending and tearing of these Kingdomes by diuision, when the King shall pay the debt to Nature, and that all parts will be torne and destroyed by a ciuill warre.

The history of this Countrey, for the variety of subiect, and the many practises in the time of Echarsha, Father of this King, by him then Prince; and these later troubles, were not vn∣worthy committing to writing; but because they are of so remote parts, many will despise them: and because the people are esteemed barbarous, few will beleeue them. Therefore I con∣tent my selfe with the contemplation, but I could deliuer as many rare and cunning passages of State, subtill euasions, policies, answeres, and adages, as I beleeue, for one age would not be easi∣ly equalled.

[ 50] Only one that passed lately I cannot omit, to shew wisdome and patience in a father, faith in a seruant, falshood in a brother, impudent boldnesse in a faction that dare attempt any thing, when the highest Maiesty giues them liberty, either beyond the law of their owne condition, or the limits of policie and reason.

The Prince Sultan Carronne, Narmahel the deare Queene, Aunt to his wife, Asaph Chan his father in law, brother to the Queene, and Etiman Dowlet,* 1.7 father to them both (being they that now gouerne all, and dare attempt any thing) resolued it was not possible for them to stand, if the Prince Sultan Corseronne liued, whom the Nobility loued, and whose deliuery or life would punish their ambitions in time; therefore practised how to bring him into their power, that poy∣son might end him.* 1.8 Narmahel attempts the King with the false teares of womens bewitching [ 60] flattery, that Sultan Corseronne was not safe, nor his aspiring thoughts deposed: the King heares her say it, but would not vnderstand more then shee deliuered plainly.

This failing, they tooke opportunity of the Kings being drunke, the Prince, Etiman Dowlet and Asaph Chan, moued the King, that for the safety of Sultan Corseronne, and for his honour, it

were fitter he were in the company of his brother, whose companies would be pleasing one to the other, and his safetie more regarded, then in the hands of a Rashboote Gentile, to whom the King had committed him. Therefore they humbly desired his Maiesty, that he might be deliuered in∣to the hands of his deare brother, which the King granted, and so fell asleepe.

They thought their owne greatnesse such, as bringing the Kings authority no man durst refuse, and being once in their possession, they would dispute the redeliuery: so the same night Asaph Chan in the name of the King, sent by the Prince, came with a guard to demand and receiue Sul∣tan Corseronne, at the hand of Anna Rah, a * 1.9 Ra••ah Rashboote, to whom the King had intru∣sted him. He refused to deliuer his charge, with this answere, That he was Sultan Caronnes hum∣ble seruant, but that he had receiued the Prince his brother from the hands of the King, and to no other would deliuer him, but he should haue patience till the morning, when he would discharge [ 10] himselfe to his Maiesty, and leaue it to his pleasure to dispose. This answere cooled all. In the morning Anna Rah came to the King, and acquainted him with the demand of the Prince, his refusall and answere,* 1.10 and added his Maiesty had giuen him the charge of his sonne, and made him the Commander of foure thousand horse, with all which hee would dye at the gate, rather then deliuer his Prince into the hands of his enemes: If his Maiesty required him, hee was ready to obey his will,* 1.11 but he would prouide for his owne innocency. The King replyed, You haue done honestly, faithfully, you haue answered discreetly: continue your purpose, and take no know∣ledge of any commands: I will not seeme to know this, neither do you stirre further; hold your faith, and let vs see how farre they will prosecute it.

The Prince and the Faction, the next day finding the King silent, hoping hee might forget [ 20] what passed in wine, tooke no notice of the grant, nor of the refusall, but it fell (not without sus∣pition) on both parts. This I insert to this end, that you may beware scattering your goods in diuers parts, and engaging your stocke and seruants farre into the Countrey: for the time will come, when all in these Kingdomes will be in combustion, and a few yeares warre will not de∣cide the inueterate malice laid vp on all parts against a day of vengeance, wherein if Sultan Corseronne preuaile in his right,* 1.12 this Kingdome will be a Sanctuary for Christians, whom he loues and honours, fauouring learning, valour, the discipline of warre, and abhorring all couetousnesse, and discerning the base customes of taking, vsed by his Ancestors and the Nobility. If the other winne, we shall be losers: for he is most earnest in his Superstition, a hater of all Christians, proud, subtill, false, and barbarously tyrannous. There is daily expected an Ambassadour from the Sha∣bas [ 30] King of Persia.

* 1.13The thirteenth of October at night, the King returned and sent me a wilde Pigge. I recei∣ued aduice of the arriuall of foure shippes safe at the Port of Swally, with Letters from Eng∣land, that they departed the Coast the ninth of March 1615. with sixe ships, losing company of the Rose about the North Cape by foule weather.

The twelfth of Iune 1616. the other fiue came safely to the Bay of Soldania, where the Lyon homeward bound, was ready for a wind; her Commanders and people in health, staying dayes at the Road, without newes of the small ship. They dispeeded the Swan to Bantam, for effecting the businesse, and set saile for Surat the nine and twentieth with foure shippes, and came to anchor to their Port, the foure and twentieth of September 1616. In their passage the [ 40] sixt of August, neare the Ilands of Comora, about twelue degrees, fiftie minutes, they had sight of a Carrick burthen fifteene hundred tunne, manned with sixe hundred, being Admirall of the Fleet sent for Goa,* 1.14 bearing the Flagge: the Globe fetcht her vp to wind-ward, and after salutati∣ons of the Sea, the Carricke commanded her to Lee-ward, and seconded it with fiue shot tho∣row her Hull, which shee requited with eighteene, and so fell off. The Admirall and English Fleet comming vp, demanded satisfaction for the iniury; which was replied to with scorne: so began a fresh fight in few shot, the Commander Beniamin Ioseph was slaine, and the new establi∣shed continued it: at the euening shee ranne her selfe ashoare among the rockes of Angazesia. The Fleet anchored short of her, to attend the issue, and sent a Boat to offer faire warres: but a∣bout midnight shee fired her selfe,* 1.15 and burned all the next morning. The English sending their [ 50] Boats could not approach, but beleeue that not one man was saued, by circumstances very pro∣bable: the new Vice-Roy for Goa was in this shippe, whose resolution was the death of all the others.

The next day, I imparted the King, with his Maiesties remembred salutations, which were with much courtesie receiued: but he began with the Presents. I first mentioned our late fight and victory, which he seemed to reioyce in, and to applaud the valour of our Nation: but fell off to What hath the King sent me?* 1.16 I answered, Many tokens of his loue and affection: That my Master knew he was Lord of the best part of Asia, the richest Prince of the East. That to send his Maiest••e rich Presents, were to cast Pearles into the Sea, the mother and store-house of them, [ 60] that therefore his Maiesty thought it vnnecessary; but had presented him with his loue, with many curious toyes, which I hoped would giue him content. He vrged mee to some particulars, which I named: he asked me for French Muffe or Veluet. I answered, my letters were not arri∣ued: some other was come, which he desired. He enquired for Dogges: I told him, some had

their fortune in the fight, some dyed, two were preserued for him, at which hee reioyced, and continued if I could procure him a Horse of our great size, such as I described, being a Rone or Dutch Horse, he would accept it better then a Crowne. I replyed,* 1.17 I would doe my endeauour for his Maiesties satisfaction, but I feared it could not be effected: he answered, if I would pro∣cure one, he would giue me a Leck of Rupias. I desired his Maiesties Letter for the comming of these Presents without search, and for the good vsage of our people: he replyed,* 1.18 the Port was his Sonnes, but sent for him and publikely gaue expresse order for what I would require, and take on me, that it should not be searched, nor pay custome, but be dispeeded with expedition safe to my hands, that I might distribute it at my discretion, that he should command the good recep∣tion of our people, and finally, that he should giue me content in all my desires. This generally [ 10] extended not to the grant of a Fort, for that clause Asaph Chan refused to deliuer. This charge was very round and hearty in the King, and a grace to me. The Prince called Asaph Chan to me, and there professed and promised before his Father and all the Court, to giue mee all reasonable con∣tent. This is the strength of new Presents.

The fifteenth, I receiued from Masulipatan, that Captaine Keeling had taken two Portugall Barkes and a ship, one on the Coast of Cochin, laden with Tinne, the other fraighted from Ben∣gala, which he carried to Bantam: that Sir Robert Sherley was dismist with disgrace from Goa, and that he was on his way ouer land to Masulipatan to seeke passage; vnprobable, and I beleeue vntrue.

[ 20] The seuenteenth, the Prince pursuing his purpose of finishing the Decan Warres by his owne person, and vndertaking to giue answere to the Ambassadors, giues none; but detaines them vntill his approach. But being to depart, he and his partie thought not themselues secure if Sultan Corseronne remained in the hands of Annarah, that in his absence the King might bee reconciled, and by his libertie all the glory and hopes of their faction would vanish, and the in∣iurie and ambition hardly be pardoned. They newly assaile the Kings constancie to deliuer vp his sonne into the hands of Asaph Chan, as his Guard vnder Sultan Coronne. They pretend that it will fright Chan Channa, and the Decans, when they shal heare that this Prince is so fauoured, who now comes to make warre vpon them, that the King hath deliuered vp his eldest sonne; in that as it were his whole Kingdome, and hope of succession, and the present power thereof.

[ 30] This day he was deliuered vp, the Souldiers of Anna Rah discharged, and the Souldiers of A∣saph Chan planted about him with assistance of two hundred of the Princes Horse.* 1.19 His Sister and diuers women in the Seraglia mourne, refuse their meate, cry out of the Kings dotage and crueltie, and professe, that if he dye, there will an hundred of his Kindred burne for him in me∣morie of the Kings bloudinesse to his worthiest sonne. The King giues faire words, protesteth no intent of ill towards the Prince, and promiseth his deliuery, and sends Normahell to appease these enraged Ladies: but they curse, threaten, and refuse to see her. The common people all murmure, they say the King hath not deliuered his sonnes, but his owne life into the hands of an ambitious Prince, and a treacherous faction, that Corsoronne cannot perish without scandall to the Father, or reuenge from him; therefore he must goe first, and after him his Sonne, and so [ 40] through their blouds this youth must mount the Royall seat. New hopes are spread of his rede∣liuerie, and soone allaid, euery man tels newes according to his feares or desires. But the poore Prince remaynes in the Tygres power, refuseth meate, and requires his Father to take his life, and not to let it be the triumph and delight of his Enemies. The whole Court is in a whisper, the Nobility sad, the multitude like it selfe, full of tumour and noyse, without head or foot; one∣ly it rages, but bends it selfe vpon no direct ends. The issue is very dangerous, principally for vs: for among them it matters not who winnes. Though one haue right and much more honour, yet he is still a Moore, and cannot be a better Prince then his Father, who is of so good disposition that he suffers all men to gouerne, which is worse then to be ill:* 1.20 for wee were better beare iniu∣ries of Princes, then of their Ministers.

[ 50] The nineteenth, the Persian Ambassadour Mahomet Rosa Beag about noone came into the Towne with a great troupe, which were partly sent out by the King to meete him with one hundred Elephants and Musique, but no man of greater qualitie then the ordinary receiuers of all strangers: his owne traine were about fiftie Horse well fitted in Coats of cloth of Gold,* 1.21 their Bowes, Quiuers and Targets richly garnished, fortie shot, and some two hundred ordinary Peons, and attenders on baggage; he was carried to rest in a roome within the Kings outward Court till euening. When he came to the Durbar before the King (to which Ceremony I sent my Secre∣tary to obserue the fashion) when hee approched,* 1.22 hee made at the first raile three Tessilims and one Sizeda, which is prostrating himselfe and knocking his head against the ground: at the en∣trance in the like, and so presented the Shabas his Letter: which the King tooke with a little motion of his bodie, asking onely, How doth my Brother? without any title of Maiesty. And [ 60] after some few words, he was placed in the seuenth ranke, against the raie by the doore, below so many of the Kings Seruants, on both sides; which in my iudgement was amost inferiour place for his Masters Ambassador, but that he well deserued it for doing that reuerence which his Pre∣decessors refused to the dishonour of his Prince, and the murmure of many of his Nation. It is

said he had order from the Sophie to giue content, and thereby it is gathered, his Message is for some aide in money against the Turke,* 1.23 in which kind he often finds liberall succour, though it bee pretended he comes onely to treat a peace for the Decans, whose protection the Shabas taketh to heart, enuying the increase of this Empire. The King according to custome gaue him a hand∣some Turbant, a Vest of Gold and a Girdle, for which againe hee made three Tessilims, and one Sizeda or ground courtesie: he brought for Presents, three times, nine Horses of Persia and A∣rabia, this being a ceremonious number among them. Nine Mules very faire and large, seuen Ca∣mels laden with Veluet, two Sutes of Europe Arras, which I suppose was Venetian, Hangings of Veluet with Gold, and not Arras, two Chests of Persian Hangings, one Cabinet rich, foure Muskets, fiue Clockes, one Camell laden with Persian cloth of Gold, eight Carpets of Silke, two Rubies balast, one and twentie Camels of Wine of the Grape, fourteene Camels of distil∣led [ 10] Sweet Waters, seuen of Rose Waters, seuen Daggers set with stones, fiue Swords set with stones, seuen Venetian Looking Glasses, but those so faire, so rich, that I was ashamed of the relation. These Presents were not deliuered now; onely a Bill of them. His owne Furniture was rich, leading nine spare Horses, trapped in Gold and Siluer; about his Turbant was wreathed a chaine of Pearles, Rubies, and Turquesses, and three Pipes of Gold, answerable for three spridges of Feathers. Yet I caused diligent obseruance to be made of his reception, and compa∣red it with mine owne, and find he had in nothing more grace, in many things not so much, in ranke farre inferiour to that allowed me, except onely his meeting without the Towne; which by reason of my sicknesse was omitted to be demanded; neither did the King receiue the Shabas his Letter with such respect as my Masters, whom he called the King of England his Brother, [ 20] the Persian barely Brother without any addition, which was an obseruation of the Iesuite, that vnderstood the Language.

Notes

• * 1.1

  October 10. Abdala Chan in disgrace.
• * 1.2

  Manner of hu∣miliation.
• * 1.3

  Sultan Coroone his purpo••e.
• * 1.4

  Zereglia o•• Sa∣ralia▪ the p••ace w••••re the Kings women are kept. Th•• K••n••s dea∣ling with Chan Channa.
• * 1.5

  Decans offer peace.
• * 1.6

  Feare of future broiles.
• * 1.7

  The parties of the faction.
• * 1.8

  Drifts to take away Sultan Cors••r••one.
• * 1.9

  A prince.
• * 1.10

  Anna Rah his fidelity.
• * 1.11

  The Kings an∣swere.
• * 1.12

  Sultan Corso∣roone, a louer of Christians.
• * 1.13

  October 13. Fo••re English sh••ps arriue at Swally.
• * 1.14

  Of this fight, see more in Master Childs Iournall fol∣lowing.
• * 1.15

  After it was knowne that so••e few esca∣ped with life and pouerty.
• * 1.16

  Complements with the King.
• * 1.17

  His desire of Dogges and a Horse.
• * 1.18

  A Horse pri∣zed aboue 10000. pounds.
• * 1.19

  Anna Rah dis∣charged and S. Cors. deli∣uered to the faction to the griefe of the Court and Comminalty.
• * 1.20

  I••l through goodnesse▪
• * 1.21

  Persian Em∣bass••dour.
• * 1.22

  His submiss••∣nesse.
• * 1.23

  Mogols assi∣stance of the Persian against the Turke. Persian Pre∣sents.