Purchas his pilgrimes. part 2 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.

§. II.

Description of the Mogols Empire, and the most remarkable things * 1.1 of Naiure and Art therein. [ 30]

THe large Empire of the great Mogol is bounded on the East with the Kingdome of Maug: West with Persia, and the mayne Ocean Southerly: North with the Moun∣taynes of Caucasus, and Tartaria. South with Decan and the Gulfe of Bengala. De∣can lying in the skirts of Asia, is diuided between three Mahometan Kings, and some other Indian Rhaiaes. This spacious Monarchie, called by the Inhabitants Indostan, diuiding it selfe into thirtie and seuen seuerall and large Prouinces, which anciently were particular King∣domes; whose names with their principall Cities, and Riuers, their Situation, and Borders, their extent in length and breadth. I first set downe beginning at the North-west.

First, Candahor, the chiefe Citie so called, it lyes from the heart of all his Territorie North-west; [ 40] it confines with the King of Persia, and was a Prouince belonging to him. 2. Ca∣bul, the chiefe Citie so called, the extreamest North-west part of this Emperours Dominions: it confineth with Tartaria; the Riuer Nilab hath its beginning in it, whose Current is Souther∣ly, till it discharge it selfe in Indus. 3. Multan, the chiefe Citie so called, it lyes South from Cabul, and Candahor, and to the West ioynes with Persia. 4. Haiacan, the King∣dome of the Baloches (a stout warlike people) it hath no renowned Citie. The famous Riuer In∣dus (called by the Inhabitants Skind) borders it on the East; and Lar (a Prouince belonging to Sha-Abas, the present King of Persia) meetes it on the West. 5. Buckor, the chiefe Citie called Buckor succor. The Riuer Indus makes a way through it, greatly enriching it. 6. Tat∣ta, the chiefe Citie so called. The Riuer Indus makes many Ilands in it, exceeding fruitfull [ 50] and pleasant. The chiefe Arme meetes with the Sea at Synde, a place very famous for curious handi-crafts. 7. Soret, the chiefe Citie is called Ianagar. It is a little Prouince but rich, lyes West from Guzarat, and hath the Ocean to the South. 8. Iese••meere, the chiefe Citie so called, it ioyneth with Soret, Buckor, and Tatta, lying to the West of it. 9. Attack, the chiefe Citie so called: it lyeth on the East side of Indus, which parts it from Haiacan. 10. Fe∣niab, which signifieth fiue Waters, for that it is seated among fiue Riuers, all tributaries to Indus, which somewhat South of Lahor make but one Current: it is a great Kingdome, and most fruitfull, &c. Lahor the chiefe Citie is well built, very large, populous, and rich; the chiefe Citie of Trade in all India. 11. Chishmeere, the chiefe Citie is called Siranakar, the Riuer [ 60] Phat passeth through it, and so creeping about many Ilands slides to Indus. 12. Banchish, the chiefe Citie is called Bishur: it lyeth East, Southerly from Chishmeere, from which it is diuided by the Riuer Indus. 13. Iengapor, the chiefe Citie so called, it lyeth vpon the Riuer Kaul, one of the fiue Riuers that water Pentab. 14. Ienba, the chiefe Citie so called, it lyeth East of Feniab.

15. Delli, the chiefe Citie so called, it lyeth twixt Ienba and Agra, the Riuer Iemni (which runneth through Agra, and falleth into Ganges) begins in it. Delli is an ancient great Citie, the seate of the Mogols Ancestors, where most of them lye interred. 16. Bando, the chiefe Citie so called, it confineth Agra on the West. 17. Malway, a very fruitfull Prouince, Rantipore is the chiefe Citie. 18. Chitor, an ancient and great Kingdome, the chiefe Citie so called. 19 Gu∣zarat, a goodly Kingdome, and exceeding rich, inclosing the Bay of Cambaya. The Riuer Tapte watereth Surat, it trades to the Red Sea, to Achin, and to diuers other places. 20. Chandis, the chiefe Citie called Brampoch, which is large and populous. Adioyning to this Prouince, is a pe∣tie * 1.2 Prince, called Partapsha, tributarie to the Mogol, and this is the Southermost part of all his Territories. 21. Berar, the chiefe Citie is called Shapore, the Southermost part whereof doth likewise bound this Empire. 22. Naruar, the chiefe Citie called Gehud, it is watered by a faire [ 10] Riuer, which emptieth it selfe in Ganges. 23. Gwaliar, the chiefe Citie so called, where the King hath a great treasury of Bullion. In this Citie likewise there is an exceeding strong Castle wherein the Kings prisoners are kept. 24. Agra, a principall and great Prouince, the chiefe Citie so called. From Agra to Lahor (the two choise Cities of this Empire) is about foure hun∣dred English miles, the Countrey in all that distance euen without a Hill, and the high way plan∣ted on both sides with Trees, like to a delicate walke. 25. Sanbal, the chiefe Citie so called, the Riuer Iemni parts it from Naruar, and after at the Citie Helabass falls into Ganges, called by the Inhabitants Ganga. 26. Bakar, the chiefe Citie called Bikaneer, it lyeth on the West side of Ganges. 27. Nagracutt, the chiefe Citie so called, in which there is a Chappel most richly set forth, both seeled and paued with plate of pure gold. In this place they keepe an Idoll, which [ 20] they call Matta, visited yeerly by many thousands of the Indians, who out of deuotion cut off * 1.3 part of their tongues, to make a sacrifice for it. In this Prouince there is likewise another famous Pilgrimage, to a place called Iallamakae, where out of cold Springs and hard Rocks, there are day∣ly to be seene incessant eruptions of fire, before which the Idolatrous people fall downe and wor∣ship. 28. Syba, the chiefe Citie is called Hardwair, where the famous Riuer Ganges seemed to * 1.4 begin, issuing out of a Rocke, which the superstitious Gentiles imagine to bee like a Cowes head, which of all sensible Creatures they loue best. Thither they likewise goe in troopes daily for to wash their bodies. 29. Kakares, the principall Cities are called Dankalee and Purhola, it is very large and exceeding mountaynous, diuided from Tartaria by the Mountaynes of Caucases: it is [ 30] the farthest part North, vnder the Mogols subiection. 30. Gor, the chiefe Citie so called, it is full of Mountaynes. The Riuer Persilis which dischargeth it selfe in Ganges, beginnes in it. 31. Pitan, the chiefe Citie so called; the Riuer Kanda waters it, and falls into Ganges in the Confines thereof. 32. Kanduana, the chiefe Citie is called Karbakatenka, the Riuer Sersilij parts it from Pitan; that and Gor are the North-east bounds of this great Monarchie. 33. Patua, the chiefe Citie so called; the Riuer Ganges bounds it on the West, Sersilij on the East; it is a very fertile Prouince. 34. Iesual, the chiefe Citie called Raiapore, it lyeth East of Patna. 35. Meuat, the chiefe Citie called Narnol; it is very mountaynous. 36. V••essa, the chiefe Citie called Iokanat; it is the most remote part East of all this Kingdome. 37. Bengala, a most spacious and fruitfull Kingdome, limited by the Gulfe of the same name, wherein the Riuer Gan∣ges [ 40] diuided in foure great Currents, loseth it selfe.

And here a great errour in our Geographers must not escape mee, who in their Globes and Maps, make India and China Neighbours, when many large Countries are interposed betwixt * 1.5 them, which great distance will appeare by the long trauell of the Indian Merchants, who are vsually in their iourney and returne, more then two yeeres from Agra to the walls of C〈…〉〈…〉. The length of those forenamed Prouinces is North-west to South-east, at the least one thou∣sand Courses, euery Indian Course being two English miles. North and South, the Extent there∣of, is about fourteene hundred miles, the Southermost part lying in twentie degrees; the Nor∣thermost in fortie three of North latitude. The breadth of this Empire is North-east to South∣west, about fifteene hundred miles. [ 50]

Now, to giue an exact account of all those forenamed Prouinces, were more then I am able to vnder-take, yet out of that I haue obserued in some few, I will aduenture to ghesse at all, and thinke for my particular, that the great Mogol, considering his Territories, his Wealth, and his rich Commodities, is the greatest knowne King of the East, if not of the World. To make my owne coniecture more apparent to others. This wide Monarchie is very rich and fertile, so much abounding in all necessaries for the vse of man, as that it is able to subsist and flourish of it selfe, without the least helpe from any Neighbour.

To speake first of that which Nature requires most, Foode; this Land abounds in singular good * 1.6 Wheate, Rice, Barley, and diuers other kindes of Graine to make bread (the staffe of life) their Wheate growes like ours, but the Graine of it is somewhat bigger and more white, of which [ 60] the Inhabitants make such pure well-relished bread, that I may speake that of it, which one said * 1.7 of the bread in the Bishoprick of Leige; it is, Panis, pane melior. The common people make their bread vp in Cakes, and bake it on small Iron hearths, which they carry with them * 1.8 when as they iourney, making vse of them in their Tents, it should seeme an ancient custome,

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

as may appeare by that president of Sarah, when shee entertayned the Angels, Genes. 18. To their Bread they haue great abundance of other good prouision, as Butter, and Cheese, by * 1.9 reason of their great number of Kine, Sheepe, and Goats. Besides, they haue a beast very large, hauing a smooth thicke skinne without haire, called a Buffelo, which giues good Milke: the flesh of them is like Beefe, but not so wholsome. They haue no want of Venison of diuers kinds, as red Deare, fallow Deare, Elkes, and Antelops; but no where imparked: the whole Kingdome is as it were a Forrest, for a man can trauell no way but he shall see them, and (except it bee within a small distance off the King) they are euery mans Game. To these they haue great store of Hares, and further to furnish out their feasts, varietie of Fish and Fowle; it were as infinite as needlesse to relate particulars. To write of their Geese, Duckes, Pigeons, Par∣tridges, [ 10] Quailes, Peacockes, and many other singular good Fowle, all which are bought at such easie rates, as that I haue seene a good Mutton sold for the value of one shilling, foure couple of Hennes at the same price, one Hare for the value of a penie, three Partridges for as little, and so in proportion all the rest. There are no Capons amongst them but men.

The Beeues of that Countrey differ from ours, in that they haue each of them a great Bunch of griffelly flesh, which growes vpon the meeting of their shoulders. Their Sheepe exceed ours * 1.10 in great bob-tayles, which cut off are very ponderous, their wooll is generally very course, but the flesh of them both is altogether as good as ours.

Now, to season this good prouision, there is great store of Salt: and to sweeten all, abun∣dance of Sugar growing in the Countrey, which after it is well refined, may be bought for two * 1.11 [ 20] pence the pound, or vnder.

Their Fruits are very answerable to the rest, the Countrey full of Musk-melons, Water-me∣lons, Pomegranats, Pome-citrons, Limons, Oranges, Dates, Figs, Grapes, Plantans (a long * 1.12 round yellow fruit, in taste like to a Norwich Peare) Mangoes, in shape and colour like to our Apricocks, but more luscious, and (to conclude with the best of all) the Ananas or Pine which seemes to the taster to be a pleasing compound, made of Strawberries, Claret-wine, Rose∣water, and Sugar, well tempered together. In the Northermost parts of this Empire they haue varietie of Apples and Peares. Euery where good roots, as Carrets, Potatoes, and others like them as pleasant. They haue Onions and Garlicke, and choyce herbs for Salads. And in the Southermost parts, Giuger growing almost in euery place. And here I cannot choose but take * 1.13 [ 30] notice of a pleasant cleere liquor called Taddy, iss••••ng from a spongie tree that growes straight and tall, without boughts to the top, and there spreads out in branches (somewhat like to an English Colewort) where they make incisions: vnder which they hang small earthen Pots to preserue the influence. That which distills forth in the night, is as pleasing to the taste as any white Wine, if drunke betimes in the morning. But in the heat of the day the Sunne alters it so, as that it becomes heady, ill relished, and vnwholsome. It is a piercing medicinable drinke, if taken early, and moderately, as some haue found by happie experience, thereby eased from their torture inflicted by that shame of Physicians, and Tyrant of all maladies, the Stone.

At Surat, and to Agra and beyond, it neuer raines but one season of the yeere, which begins neere the time that the Sunne comes to the Northerne Tropicke, and so continues till his re∣turne [ 40] * 1.14 backe to the Line. These violent Raines are vshered in, and take their leaue with most fearefull tempests of Thunder and Lightning, more terrible then I can expresse, yet seldome doe harme. The reason in Nature may be the subtiltie of the Aire, wherein there are fewer Thun∣der-stones made, then in such Climates where the Aire is grosse, and cloudy. In those three mo∣neths it raines euery day more or lesse, sometimes one whole quarter of the Moone scarce with any intermission, which aboundance of Raine with the heat of the Sunne doth so enrich the ground; (which they neuer force) as that like Egypt by the in••ndation of Nilus, it makes it fruitfull all the yeere after. But when this time of Raine is passed ouer, the Skie is so cleere, as that scarcely one Cloud is seene in their Hemisphere, the nine moneths after.

And here the goodnesse of the soyle must not escape my Pen, most apparent in this, for when [ 50] the ground hath beene destitute of Raine nine moneths, and lookes like to barren Sands, with in * 1.15 seuen dayes after the Raine begins to fall, it puts on a greene Coate. And further to confirme this, amongst many hundred acres of Corne I haue beheld in those Parts, I neuer saw any but came vp as thicke as the Land could well beare it. They till their ground with Oxen, and foot-Ploughs. Their Seed-time is in May, and the beginning of Iune: their Haruest in Nouember, and December, the most temperate moneths in all their yeere. Their ground is not enclosed vn∣lesse it be neere Townes and Villages, which (though not expressed in the Map for want of their true names) stand very thicke. They mowe not their Grasse (as we) to make Hay, but cut it ei∣ther * 1.16 greene or withered on the ground as they haue occasion to vse it. They sowe Tobacco in abundance, but know not how to cure and make it strong, as those in the Westerne India. [ 60]

The Countrey is beautified with many Woods and great varietie of faire goodly trees, but I * 1.17 neuer saw any there of those kinds which England affoords. Their Trees in generall are sappie, which I ascribe to the fatnesse of the soyle: some of them haue Leaues as broad as Bucklers, o∣thers are parted small as Ferne, as the Tamarine trees which beare a sowre fruit that growes

somewhat like our Beanes, most wholesome for to coole and cleanse the bloud. There is one Tree amongst them of speciall obseruation, out of whose branches grow little sprigs downe∣ward till they take root, and so at length proue strong supporters vnto the Armes that yeeld * 1.18 them, whence it comes to passe that these Trees in time grow vnto a great height, and extend themselues to an incredible bredth. All the Trees in those Southerne parts of India still keepe on their greene Mantles. For their Flowres they rather delight the Eye then affect the Sense, * 1.19 in colour admirable, but few of them, vnlesse Roses, and one or two kinds more, that are any whit fragrant.

This Region is watered with many goodly Riuers, the two principall are Indus and Ganges, where this thing remarkable must not passe, that one pinte of the Water of Ganges weigheth [ 10] * 1.20 lesse by an once, then any in the whole Kingdome, and therefore the Mogol wheresoeuer hee is, hath it brought to him that he may drinke it. Besides their Riuers, they haue store of Wells fed * 1.21 with Springs, vpon which in many places they bestow great cost in stone-worke: to these they haue many Ponds, which they call Tankes, some of them more then a mile or two in compasse, made round or square, girt about with faire stone-walls, within which are steps of well-squared stone which encompasse the water, for men euery way to goe downe and take it. These Tankes are filled when that abundance of Raine falls, and keepe water to relieue the Inhabitants that dwell farre from Springs or Riuers, till that wet season come againe.

This ancient drinke of the World is the common drinke of India, it is more sweet and plea∣sant then ours, and in those hot Countries, agreeth better with mens bodies, then any other Li∣quor. [ 20] Some small quantitie of Wine, but not common is made among them, they call it Raack, distilled from Sugar and a Spicie rinde of a Tree called Iagra. It is very wholsome if taken mo∣derately. * 1.22 Many of the people who are strict in their Religion drinke no Wine at all. They vse a Liquor more healthfull then pleasant, they call Cohha; a blacke seed boyled in water, which doth little alter the taste of the water. Notwithstanding, it is very good to helpe digestion, to quicken the spirits, and to clense the bloud. There is yet another helpe to comfort the stomacke * 1.23 for such as forbeare Wine, an herbe called Beetle or Paune; it is in shape somewhat like an Iuie leafe but more tender; they chew it with an hard Nut some-what like a Nut-megge, and a lit∣tle pure white Lime among the leaues, and when they haue sucked out the Iuyce, put forth the rest. It hath many rare qualities, for it preserues the teeth, comforts the braine, strengthens the [ 30] stomacke, and cures or preuents a tainted breath.

Their buildings are generally base, except it be in their Cities, wherein I haue obserued ma∣ny faire Piles. Many of their houses are built high and flat on the toppe, from whence in the * 1.24 coole, seasons of the day they take in fresh ayre. They haue no Chimnies to their houses, for they neuer vse fire but to dresse their meate. In their vpper roomes they haue many lights and doores to let in the Ayre, but vse no Glasse. The materials of their best buildings are bricke or stone, * 1.25 well squared and composed, which I haue obserued in Amadauar (that one instance may stand for all) which is a most spacious and rich Citie, entred by twelue faire Gates, and compassed a∣bout with a firme stone wall. Both in their Villages and Cities, are vsually many faire Trees a∣mong their houses, which are a great defence against the violence of the Sunne. They common∣ly [ 40] stand so thicke that if a man behold a Citie or Towne from some conspicuous place, it will seeme a Wood rather then a Citie.

The Staple Commodities of this Kingdome are Indico and Cotton-wooll. For Cotton-wooll * 1.26 they plant seedes which grow vp into shrubs like vnto our Rose-bushes. It blowes first into a yellow blossome, which falling off, there remaynes a cod about the bignesse of a mans thumbe, in which the substance is moyst and yellow, but as it ripens, it swels bigger till it breake the co∣uering, and so in short time becomes white as Snow, and then they gather it. These shrubs beare three or foure yeares ere they supplant them. Of this Wooll they make diuers sorts of pure white cloth, some of which I haue seene as fine, if not purer then our best Lawne. Some of the courser sort of it they dye into Colours, or else stayne in it varietie of curious Figures. [ 50]

The ship that vsually goeth from Surat to Moha, is of an exceeding great burthen. Some of them I beleeue at the least fourteene or sixteene hundred tunnes, but ill built, and though they haue good Ordnance cannot well defend themselues. In these ships are yeerely abundance of Passengers: for instance in one ship returning thence, that yeere we left India, came seuenteene hundred, the most of which number goe not for profit, but out of Deuotion to visite the Sepul∣chre of Mahomet at Medina, neere Meche, about one hundred and fiftie leagues from Moha. Those which haue beene there, are euer after called Hoggeis, or holy Men. The ship bound from Surat to the Red Sea, beginnes her Voyage about the twentieth of March, and finisheth it to∣wards the end of September following, the Voyage is but short, and might easily bee made in two moneths, but in the long season of raine, and a little before, and after it, the winds are [ 60] commonly so violent, that there is no comming, but with great hazard into the Indian Sea. The ship returning, is vsually worth two hundred thousand pounds sterling, most of it in Gold and * 1.27 Siluer. Besides, for what quantitie of Monies comes out of Europe, by other meanes into In∣dia I cannot answere, this I am sure of, that many Siluer str••ames runne thither as all Riuers to

the Sea, and there stay, it being lawfull for any Nation to bring inSiluer and fetch commodities, but a Crime not lesse then Capitall, to carry any great summe thence. The Coyne or Bullion brought thither is presently melted, and refined, and then the Mogols stampe (which is his Name and Title in Persian Letters) put vpon it. This Coyne is more pure then any I know made of perfect Siluer without any allay, so that in the Spanish Riall (the purest money of Europe) there is some losse.

They call their Pieces of Money Roopees, of which there are some of diuers values; the * 1.28 meanest worth two shillings, and the best about two shillings and nine pence sterling. By these they account their Estates and Payments. There is a Coyne of inferiour value in Guzarat, cal∣led Mamoodies, about twelue pence sterling, both the former and these are made likewise in * 1.29 halfes and quarters, so that three pence is the least piece of siluer currant in the Countrey. That [ 10] which passeth vp and downe, for exchange vnder this rate is brasse money, which they call Pi∣ces, * 1.30 whereof three or thereabouts counteruaile a Peny. They are made so massie, as that the Brasse in them put to other vses, is well worth the Siluer they are rated at. Their Siluer Coyne is made either round or square, but so thicke, that it neuer breakes nor weares out.

Now farther for commodities, the Countrey yeelds good store of Silke, which they weaue * 1.31 curiously, sometimes mingled with Siluer or Gold. They make Veluets, Sattins, and Taffataes, but not so rich as those of Italy. Many Drugs and Gummes are found amongst them, especially Gum-lac, with which they make their hard Wax. The earth yeelds good Minerals of Lead, I∣ron, * 1.32 Copper, and Brasse, and they say of Siluer, which, if true, they neede not open, being so enriched by other Nations. The Spices they haue come from other place, from the Ilands of Su∣matra, [ 20] Iaua, and the Moluccoes. For places of pleasure they haue curious Gardens, planted with fruitfull Trees and delightfull Flowers, to which Nature daily lends such a supply as that they * 1.33 seeme neuer to fade. In these places they haue pleasant Fountaynes to bathe in, and other de∣lights by sundrie conueyances of water, whose silent murmure helps to lay their senses with the bonds of sleepe in the hot seasons of the day.

But lest this remote Countrey should seeme like an earthly Paradise without any discommo∣dities: * 1.34 I must needes take notice there of many Lions, Tygres, Wolues, Iackals (which seeme to be wild Dogs) and many other harmefull beasts. In their Riuers are many Crocodiles, and on the Land ouer-growne Snakes, with other venimous and pernicious Creatures. In our houses there we often meete with Scorpions, whose stinging is most sensible and deadly, if the patient [ 30] haue not presently some Oyle that is made of them, to apoint the part affected, which is a pre∣sent * 1.35 cure. The aboundance of Flyes in those parts doe likewise much annoy vs, for in the heate * 1.36 of the day their numberlesse number is such as that we can be quiet in no place for them, they are ready to couer our meate assoone as it is placed on the Table, and therefore wee haue men that stand on purpose with Napkins to fright them away when as wee are eating: in the night likewise we are much disquieted with Mosquatoes, like our Gnats, but somewhat lesse: and in their great Cities, there are such aboundance of bigge hungrie Rats, that they often bite a man as he lyeth on his bed.

The Windes in those parts, which they call the Monson, blow constantly; altering but few * 1.37 Points, sixe moneths Southerly, the other sixe Northerly. The moneths of Aprill and May, [ 40] and the beginning of Iune till the Rayne fall, are so extreme hot, as that the Winde blowing but gently receiues such heate from the parched ground, that it much offends those that receiue the breath of it. But God doth so prouide for those parts that most commonly he sends such a strong gale as well tempers the hot ayre. Sometimes the winde blowes very high in those hot and drie seasons, raysing vp thick clouds of dust and sand, which appeare like darke clouds full of Rayne, they greatly annoy the people when they fall amongst them. But there is no Countrey without some discommodities, for therefore the wise Disposer of all things hath tempered bitter things with sweet, to teach man that there is no true and perfect content to be found in any Kingdom, but that of God.

But I will returne againe (whence I digressed) and looke farther into the qualitie of the [ 50] Countrey, that affords very good Horses, which the Inhabitants know well to manage. Be∣sides * 1.38 their owne, they haue many of the Persian, Tartarian, and Arabian breede, which haue the name to be the choise ones of the world: they are about the bignesse of ours, and valued among them as deare, if not at a higher rate then we vsually esteeme ours. They are kept daintily, euery good Horse being allowed a man to dresse and feede him. Their Prouender a kind of graine, cal∣led Donna, somewhat like our Pease, which they boyle, and when it is cold giue them mingled with course Sugar; and twise or thrise in the weeke Butter to scoure their bodies. Here are like∣wise a great number of Camels, Dromedaries, Mules, Asses, and some Rhynocerots, which are large beasts as bigge as the fayrest Oxen England affords, their skins lye platted, or as it were in wrinkles vpon their backs. They haue many Elephants, the King for his owne particular being [ 60] Master of fourteene thousand, and his Nobles and all men of Qualitie in the Countrey, haue more or lesse of them, some to the number of one hundred. The Elephants, though they bee the largest of all Creatures the Earth brings forth, yet are so tractable (vnlesse at times when they

are mad) that a little Boy is able to rule the biggest of them. Some of them I haue seene thir∣teene foot high, but there are amongst them (as I haue beene often told) fifteene at the least. The colour of them all is black, their skins thick and smooth without haire, they take much de∣light to bathe themselues in water, and swim better then any beast I know; they lye downe and arise againe at pleasure, as other beasts doe. Their pace is not swift, about three mile an houre, but of all Beasts in the world are most sure of foot, for they neuer fall nor stumble to endanger their Rider. They are most docile Creatures, and of all those we account meerely sensible, come nee∣rest vnto Reason. Lipsius in his Epistles, 1. Cent. Epist. 50. out of his obseruations from others writes more of them then I can confirme, or any (I perswade my selfe) beleeue; yet many things remarkable, which seeme indeed acts of reason, rather then sence, I haue obserued in them. [ 10] For instance, an Elephant will doe any thing almost, that his Keeper commands him: as if he would haue him affright a man, he will make towards him as if hee would tread him in pieces, and when he is come at him, doe him no hurt: if he would haue him to abuse or disgrace a man, he will take dirt, or kennell water in his trunke, and dash it in his face. Their Trunks are long grisselly snouts hanging downe twixt their teeth, by some called, their Hand, which they make vse of vpon all occasions.

An English Merchant of good credit, vpon his owne knowledge reported this of a great E∣lephant in Adsmeere (the place then of the Mogols residence) who being brought often through the Bazar or Market place; a woman who safe there to sell herbs, was wont vsually to giue him a handfull, as he passed by. This Elephant afterward being mad, brake his fetters, and tooke his [ 20] way through the Market place; the people all affrighted made haste to secure themselues, a∣mongst whom was this herbe-woman, who for feare and haste, forgat her little child. The Ele∣phant come to the place where shee vsually sate, stopt, and seeing a child lie about her herbs, tooke it vp gently with his trunke, not doing it the least harme, and layed it vpon a stall vnder a house not farre off, and then proceeded in his furious course. Acosta (a trauelling Iesnite) re∣lates the like of an Elephant in Goa, from his owne experience. Some Elephants the King keeps for execution of Malefactors, who being brought to suffer death by that mightie beast, * 1.39 if his Keeper bid him dispatch the Offender speedily, will presently with his foot pash him in∣to pieces, if otherwise he would haue him tortured, this vast creature will breake his ioynts by degrees one after the other, as men are broken vpon the wheele. [ 30]

The Mogol takes much delight in those stately creatures, and therefore oft when hee sits forth in his Maiestie calls for them, especially the fairest, who are taught to bend to him as it were in reuerence, when they first come into his presence. They often fight before him, begin∣ning their combat like Rams, by running fiercely one at the other; after, as Boares with their tusks, they fight with their teeth and trunks: in this violent opposition they are each so carefull to preserue his Rider, as that very few of them at those times receiue hurt. They are gouerned with an hook of Steele, made like the Iron end of a Boat-hook with which their keepers sitting on their neckes put them backe, or pricke them forward at their pleasure.

The King traines vp many of his Elephants for the warre, who carrie each of them one Iron Gunne about sixe foot long, lying vpon a square strong frame of wood, fastned with gifts or [ 40] ropes vpon him, which like an Harquebuse is let into the timber with a loop of Iron; at the foure corners of this frame are Banners of Silke put vpon short Poles, within sits a Gunner to make his shot according to his occasion. The Peece carrieth a Bullet about the bignesse of a little Ten∣nis-ball. When the King trauels he hath many Elephants thus appointed for guard. Hee keeps many of them for State to goe before him, who are adorned with bosses of Brasse, and some of them are made of massie Siluer or Gold, hauing likewise diuers Bells about them in which they delight. They haue faire couerings either of Cloth, or Veluet, or Cloth of siluer or gold, and for greater state, Banners of Silke carried before them in which is the Ensigne of their great King (a Lion in the Sunne) imprinted. These are allowed each three or foure men at the least, to waite vpon them. Hee makes vse of others to carrie himselfe or his women, who sit in pretie [ 50] conuenient receptacles fastned on their backes, which our Painters describe like to Castles, made of slight turn'd Pillars richly couered, that will hold foure sitters. Others he employes for car∣riage of his necessaries. Onely he hath one faire Elephant which is content to be fettered, but would neuer indure man or other burthen on his backe.

These vast beasts though the Countrey be very tr••••••tfull and all prouision cheape, yet by rea∣son of their huge bulke are very chargeable in keeping, for such as are well fed, stand their Ma∣sters in foure or fiue shillings, each of them the day. They are kept without doores, whereby a sollid Chaine vpon one of their hind legges, they fasten them to a Tree or some strong post. As they stand in the Sunne the Flyes often vex them, wherefore with their feete they make dust, the ground being very dry, and with their Truncks cast it about their bodies to driue away the [ 60] Flyes. Whenas they are mad (as vsually the Males are once a yeare for their Females, when they are Iustie, but in few dayes after, come againe in temper) they are so mischieuous, that they will strike any thing but their Keeper that comes in their way, and their strength is such, as that they will beate an Horse or Camell dead with their Truncke at one blow. At these times to pre∣uent

mischiefe, they are kept apart from company, fettered with Chaines. But if by chance in their phrensie they get loose, they will make after euery thing they see stirre, in which case there is no meanes to stop them in their violent course, but by lighting of wild-fire, prepared for that purpose, whose sparkling and cracking makes them stand still and tremble. The King allowes euery one of his great Elephants foure Females, which in their Language they call Wiues, the Males Testicles lye about his fore-head, the Females Teates are betwixt her fore-legges. Shee carrieth her young one whole yeare ere she bring it forth. Thirtie yeares expire ere they come to their full growth, and they fulfill the accustomed age of man ere they dye. Notwithstanding, the great plentie of them, they are valued there at exceeding great rates, some of them prized at one thousand pounds sterling and more. [ 10]

Notes

• * 1.1

  Although yee haue this de∣scription be∣fore, pag. 578. with the Map also; yet for the differing method, and cleering of some things there more doubtfull, I haue here ad∣ded this also, abbreuiating it in some such things as are the same with the former, to which it may be in diuers things a kind of Glosse, as Sir T. Roes Map to both. The former seemed imperfectly written in the number of the corses or miles which here seeme more exactly. The differing names may al∣so helpe to fur∣ther know∣ledge; of which I had sought better instruction be∣fore the presse if I might, as I there signifie.
• * 1.2

  Surat.
• * 1.3

  Idoll Matta. Tongue sa∣crifice. Pilgrimage.
• * 1.4

  Ganges.
• * 1.5

  Goez his iour∣ny from hence to China, fol∣loweth in the next booke. Mogols great∣nesse.
• * 1.6

  Plentie of vi∣ctuals.
• * 1.7

  Fine bread.
• * 1.8

  Cakes & por∣table hearths.
• * 1.9

  Butter and Cheese. Buffelo. V••nison and free Gam••.
• * 1.10

  Beeues. Sheepe.
• * 1.11

  Salt and Suga••
• * 1.12

  Fruits,
• * 1.13

  Ginger▪ Taddy.
• * 1.14

  Raines and Thunders.
• * 1.15

  Soyle and tillage.
• * 1.16

  Townes and Villages thick, Tobacco.
• * 1.17

  Woods and Trees.
• * 1.18

  Indian fig-tree, See of it my P••g. l. 1 c. 3.
• * 1.19

  Flowers.
• * 1.20

  Riuers.
• * 1.21

  Ganges water lighter then others, Wels and Tankes.
• * 1.22

  Racke and Cohha.
• * 1.23

  Beetle or Be∣tele.
• * 1.24

  Houses and streets.
• * 1.25

  No Glasse.
• * 1.26

  Indico and cotton. Of In∣dico, see in Finches Iournal
• * 1.27

  India the cen∣tre of the Worlds coyne.
• * 1.28

  Their coynes, Roopees or Rupias.
• * 1.29

  Mamoodies.
• * 1.30

  Pices.
• * 1.31

  Silke.
• * 1.32

  Gum-lac.
• * 1.33

  Gardens.
• * 1.34

  Discommodi∣ties of that Countrey.
• * 1.35

  Scorpions dangerous.
• * 1.36

  Flyes trouble∣some.
• * 1.37

  Monsons or Windes.
• * 1.38

  Horses and Prouender.
• * 1.39

  Linschoten hath the like. See of Elephants more in this Worke and in my Pilg. lib. 5. cap. 12.