The merchants map of commerce wherein the universal manner and matter relating to trade and merchandize are fully treated of, the standard and current coins of most princes and republicks observ'd, the real and imaginary coins of accounts and exchanges express'd, the natural products and artificial commodities and manufactures for transportation declar'd, the weights and measures of all eminent cities and towns of traffick in the universe, collected one into another, and all reduc'd to the meridian of commerce practis'd in the famous city of London / by Lewis Roberts, merchant.

CHAP. LXXXVIII. Of INDIA, and the Provinces thereof.

The East-India is commonly divided into two Parts, viz.

• The one is India within Ganges, or that part thereof which lieth on the West∣side of the River of Ganges, which con∣taineth 15 Provinces.
  • 1. Dulsinda.
  • 2. Pendab.
  • 3. Mandao.
  • 4. Delly.
  • 5. Agra.
  • 6. Sanga.
  • 7. Cambaia.
  • 8. Decon.
  • 9. Canara.
  • 10. Malabar
  • 11. Narsinga
  • 12. Oristan
  • 13 Botanter
  • 14. Patanaw
  • 15. Bengala
  In which is Places of Note,
  • 1. Caximir, Cascimir, or Chusmur, 2. Roree, 3. Nigara, 4. Seftan, 5. Multan, 6. Duckee.
  • 1. Labor, 2. Saltan-paure. 3. Athee.
  • 1. Mandac, 2. Molton, 3. Scernus, Polymbothy.
  • 1. Delly, 2. Tremel, 3. Doceti.
  • 1. Fatapore, 2. Agra, 3. Hendee, 4. Biani.
  • 1. Azmere, 2. Citor.
  The Pro∣vince of
  • 1. Sinda, in which is found 1. Tata, 2. Lawribander, 3. Calwalla, 4. R. Redempore, 5. Nuraquemire.
  • 2. Guzarat, in which is found 1. Diu, 2. Sauran, 3. Boldra, 4. Ardovat, 5. Madabat, 6. Saringa, 7. Periano, 8. Sarkeff.
  • 3. Cambaia, in which is, 1. Cambaio, 2. Barocho. 3. Swal∣ley, 4. Surat, 5. Neriand, 6. Doman, 7. Campanel, 8. Dacaiotote, 9. Netherby, 10. Bandore, 11. Tanai.
  In which is Places of Note,
  • 1. Bidoe, 2. Visapore, 3. Danagar. 4. Decan, 5. Syntacora, 6. Goa, 7. Chaul, 8. Balagnate, 9. Brampore, 10. Sara.
  • 1. Melinda, 2. Onor, 3. Baticalia, 4. Mangalor, 5. May∣endre, 6. Lispor, 7. Solsettee.
  Is divided into seven Provinces, viz.
  • 1. Cononor.
  • 2. Callicut.
  • 3. Cranganor.
  • 4. Cochin.
  • 5. Cai-Colam
  • 6. Conlax.
  • 7. Travancor
  where is
  • 1. The City of Cononor, 2. Ca∣ta, 3. Peripatan, 4. Marabia, 5. Tramopatan, 6. Main.
  • 1. Pandarane, 2. Tanor, 3 Par∣tangale, 4. Chatua, 5. Chale, 6. Capacote, 7. Calicut.
  • 1. Cranganor, a City of that Name.
  • 1. Augmale, 2. Cochin.
  • 1 Caia-Colam, the chief town
  • 1 The City of Coulan.
  • 1 Travancer, the chief City, 2. Qualicare.
  In which is of Note,
  • 1. Cael, 2. Golconda, 3. Chamdagrin, 4. Prepeti, 5. Cha∣hambaram, 6. Madura, 7. Gingi, 8. Tanaor, 9. Moli∣apur, 10. Choromandel, 11. Casta, 12. Negapatan, 13. Tarnassari, 14. Bisnagar, 15. Penegardo, 16. Nar∣singa, the chief City.
  • 1. Oristan, 2. Cateoba, 3. Angeli, 4. Bacalli, 5. Sinnergan, 6. Senerpate.
  • 1. Bottia, 2. Clamur, 3. Kucares, 4. Couche, 5. Gouren, 6. Rame, 7. Recan, 8. Tripura.
  • 1. Patane, 2. Banaras, 3. Siripur, 4. Ciandecan.
  • 1. Bengala the City, 2. Gouro, 3. Catigan, 4. Taxd••, 5. Porow Crande, 6. Poror Pequeno.
  • 2. The Islands in the Gulf of Bengala, are,
• The other is India without Ganges, or that part thereof which lieth on the East-side the River of Ganges, which containeth six Provinces.
  • 1. Brama.
  • 2. Couchin-China
  • 3. Cambaia
  • 4. Jangoma
  • 5. Siam
  • 6. Pegu.
  Where is Places of Note,
  • 1. Melintay, 2. Miranda, 3. Bacan 4. Cavilan, 5. Pro•…•…, 6. Tangu, 7. Ana, 8. Brema.
  • 1. The City of Couchin-China.
  • 1. Campa, 2. Cambaia, 3. Gudurmuch, 4. Coul.
  In which is the Provinces,
  • 1. Jangoma, 2, Lonea, 3. Curroy,
  In which is
  • 1. The Kingdom of Malaca, where is the City of 1. Ma∣laca, Sincapura, 3. Polazimbilam, 2. Jor, alias Johor, a City so called in that Kingdom, 3. Kingdom is Pa∣tana, where is the City of Patane, 4. The Kingdom of Siam, where is 1. Socotai, 2 Quedoa. 3. Tana, 4. Lugar, 5. Calantam, 6. Siam, 5. The Kingdom of Mountay, where is the City of Odia, alias Udie.
  Is divided into five Kingdoms, viz.
  • 1. Verma, the chief City thereof is Verma.
  • 2. Machin. the chief City thereof so called.
  • 3 Orachan, the chief Towns therein are. 1. Dianga, 2. Sun∣dina, 3. Arachan.
  • 4. Martuan, the principal City therein so called.
  • 5. Pegu, in which is 1. Cosmi, 2. Jocabel, 3. Diun, 4. Coilan, 5. Lanagon, 6. Dala, 7. Siluamped, 8. Mecao, 9. Siri∣angh, 10. Pegu, the principal City.

* 1.1INdia is bounded on the East with China, on the West with the River Indus, on the North with Tartaria abovementioned, on the South with the Ocean, taking his name of Indus, a famous River here running 1000 miles ere it meet the Ocean; it lay after the conquest there∣of by Alexander the Great for many years undiscovered, the Merchants only thereof were found to bring their native Commodities to Sarmacand, and Cambalu aforementioned, to exchange against such Commodities as those Countries afforded, as to the common Empories, and likewise to Ormus, where they provided themselves of all Aegyptian and Arabian Com∣modities, by which means knowledge was got of their Countries; but the great worth and wealth thereof was not fully known and discovered to us till of late years, by the Navigati∣on first of the Portugals; then of the Dutch and English, this Country became better surveyed, * 1.2finding that the same afforded and abounded in all manner of Minerals, (Lead and Copper on∣ly excepted) with all manner of Cattel (Horse excepted;) with all manner of precious Stones, with all manner of Spices, some Drugs, and other Commodities, as in their particular Provinces shall be more particularly remembred.

* 1.3The famous River Ganges runneth through this Country, to which the Indians go in Pil∣grimage, as if the water washed in or drunk could bring Salvation to them: this divideth In∣dia into two parts, called India intra Gangem, and India extra Gangem, both which include many large Provinces and Kingdoms; and first India intra Gangem hath nine principal Kingdoms, which I will briefly, following some Authors opinions, pass cursorily through.

* 1.4First Narsinga, the chief City Maleaper; or St. Thomas where they hold the Body of this Apostle was burnt, though the Spaniards hold his Body was found under I know not how many fathom of ground in Calamana, by devout Fryers, that after the religious receipt of the Sacrament of their Wafer-God, digged for him and found it; vide Mafe Jesuit. * 1.5The second is Malavar, * 1.6and the third Ballasia, in which are found three famous Mart-Towns, Cochin and Calicute, and Conanor: the last having a large and safe Haven, commodious for the Trade of these Countries, distant from Calicute 30 miles, and Calicute distant from Cochin 80 miles: Calicute, by reason of its great concourse of Merchants is here a famous Mart, and extendeth it self for three miles all along the shore, principally affording to Christendom that sort of Pep∣per, taking its name hence of Calicute Pepper, also Callicoes Cloth, and the other sort of Pepper of the name of this Country of Malavar.

* 1.7The fourth is Cambaia, a Famous Kingdom, very rich and populous, the chief City is also of the same name, and one of the richest of these Countries, containing 800000 persons.

* 1.8The fifth is Mandao, wherein is the City of Mandao, being 30 miles in compass, which held out a Siege of 12 years against the Mogul, who is King hereof, as likewise of those former Pro∣vinces named.

* 1.9The sixth and seventh is Bengala and Aristan, where is found the Cities of Cattigan and Sa∣tigan, and principally for Trade that of Bengala, on the Banks of a Gulph known by that name; and Orissa inhabited by Christians of St. Thomas so called, because he converted them.

* 1.10The eighth is Canora, under the command of the Mogul; the most Famous Cities are Ul∣tabat, Lispor, Melinda, &c.

* 1.11The ninth is Dellia, the chief City being Dellie, the sometimes residence of the great Mogul, the other famous Cities are Tremel, Fatabar, and Chesmer, famous for the study here of Magick: all these mighty Provinces have been conquered by the Great Mogul's Forces within these 90 years, to the astonishment of all India.

* 1.12India extra Gangem contains 12 potent Kingdoms, and all under the command of the potent Kings of Barma, which cursorily I will also run over.

* 1.13The first is Macin, * 1.14famous for that Sweet-wood which this Country doth produce, called Aloes or Lignum vitoe, valued at its weight in pure Silver, serviceable only here for the pom∣pous Funerals of great Princes; the chief City is the said Macin.

* 1.15The second is Aracan, * 1.16wherein is the City of Ava, which through the World is so famous for the abundance of Gems.

* 1.17The third is Cambaia, famous for this City of Cambaia, a place of great Traffick, which affords plenty of Gold, Silver, Aloes, and many other Commodities of great worth.

* 1.18The fourth is Couchin China, aboundeth with the like Commodities brought to Couchin-China, the chief City of this Kingdom; and much frequented by Merchants of all Countreys for Porcelane and China-dishes here made, and much in esteem and use in these Countries.

* 1.19The fifth is Barma, made famous only within 60 years, for the Princes hereof have van∣quished all the former Kingdoms, and made them Tributaries to this Kingdom and this Scepter.

* 1.20The sixth is Siam, once the Lady of all India, now subject to Barma: the principal Cities are Mollacia, in compass 20 Miles, a Town of great resort for Merchants for the Traffick of Spices, and now in subjection to the Portugals. The next is Siam, situate on the River Me∣an, which every year overfloweth the Country for 120 miles: and lastly, Odin, on the River Cuipomo, on which 200000 Boats are found daily to be set on work, and contains 400000 Families; and is now known the residence of that Famous and Fortunate King of Barma, be∣fore-mentioned.

* 1.21The seventh is Pegu, which gives name to a principal City, having a rich soil and har∣borous Sea-shore; the principal known Haven is Martaban; and here is also Lasmin a City of great Commerce. This Country hath suffered much by Sword, Pestilence, and Famine within these late years, and is now, as the rest, a Province of this aforesaid powerful King of Barma.

Now having thus surveyed India in the general and in gross, as it is divided into Kingdoms and Provinces, it will be requisite it should next be surveyed in the particular, so far as it may concern our present purpose, which is the Commerce and Trade thereof; so far forth as it is at this day known to our Nation, wherein I could wish my Experience better to shew the particulars thereof, in consideration of the large extent of ground that is comprised under this name of India, stretching it self from Taurus to the Ocean one way, and from China to Persia, which is near 4000 miles another way, at which place it will be fittest for me to be∣gin my Trade, and see what may be observed therein. Yet before I enter into this disco∣very, and give a particular relation of such materials, wherewith Trade is in it self practised through this large tract of Lands, Islands, and Seas; and before I shew the matter where∣with this Trade is in all this Country driven, it will not be improper I should also see who they principally are that manage this Trade, and to whom this great Traffick appertaineth, either as they are Natives and here born, or as they are Strangers and here are induced to reside, at∣tracted thereto by the sole motive of the great Commerce and rich Commodities found either na∣turally here growing, or artificially here made and produced.

* 1.22This Country then, as I said before, aboundeth in the general with all manner of Minerals, Copper and Lead excepted; with all sorts of Cattel, Horses excepted; with all manner of Spices, with many sorts of Drugs, Cotton, Cloth, precious Stones, &c. to which may be added the want of Wine and Wheat that here they have, that so this Country may be beholding in some sort to others, as others are for her commodities to this. These being then the prime Commo∣dities wherewith Trade is here maintained, I will note the Traders and native Merchants that are here resident, which properly I may account to be of five several sorts, all acknowledging several Rites, Religions, and Customs; and therefore partake of so many several forms and manners in the managing of their Affairs of Merchandizing. * 1.23The Gentile Merchants are the first, and are found of great Eminency in some parts of this Tract. The native Christians converted by the discipline of St. Thomas, are the second, who in many places are found to manage a great and ample Trade through this Country; the third are the Mahometans, Persians, and Tartarians, especially since the great Victories of the Mogul, found here also of great quality and estate. The fourth are the Jews, who live straglingly dispersed over and through all parts of this Country, and in every Prince's Dominions exercise the same. The fifth are Moors and Arabians, who some 200 years past seized on some Haven-Towns here along this Coast, driving the Natives into the Inland parts, and at this day are seen to be very great Merchants. The sixth are the Portugals, who possessing some few Sea-Towns commo∣dious for Traffick, brag of the conquest of the whole Country, which they are in no more pos∣sibility entirely to conquer and possess, than the French were to subdue Spain when they were possessed of the Fort of Perpignan; or the English to be Masters of France, when they were on∣ly Sovereigns of Callis. And now to the Cities of this Tract, where at this day is found a Trade to be practised, and first of Diu.

Notes

• * 1.1

  India and the Provinces thereof.
• * 1.2

  Commodi∣ties of India.
• * 1.3

  Ganges.
• * 1.4

  1. Narsinga.
• * 1.5

  2. Malavar.
• * 1.6

  3. Ballasia. Conanor.
• * 1.7

  4. Cambaia
• * 1.8

  5. Mandao.
• * 1.9

  6. Bengala. 7. Aristan.
• * 1.10

  8. Canora.
• * 1.11

  9. Dellia.
• * 1.12

  India extra Gangem.
• * 1.13

  1. Macin.
• * 1.14

  Lignum vitae.
• * 1.15

  2. Aracan
• * 1.16

  Ava.
• * 1.17

  3. Cambaia.
• * 1.18

  4. Couchin-China.
• * 1.19

  5. Barma.
• * 1.20

  6. Siam.
• * 1.21

  7. Pegu.
• * 1.22

  Commodi∣ties of India in general.
• * 1.23

  The Mer∣chants in general tra∣ding in In∣dia.