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. LXXXIX. Of DIU, and the Trade thereof.

* 1.1THE Town and Island of Diu lieth about 20 Leagues from the Famous River Indus, and not far distant from the firm Land: It is now subject to the Portugals. who have con∣quered both the Island and Town from the King of Cambaia, and so fortified it, as it is con∣ceived to be now invincible. This Town hath a very good and great Haven, and therein is found a great concourse of Merchants of all Nations, as Turks, Persians, Arabians, Arme∣nians, and others of sundry Countreys; and because of the continual Traffick thereof, it is ac∣counted the best and most profitable Revenue the King of Spain hath in all India, for that the Banians; Gusurates, Rumo's, and Persians, which Traffick in Cambaia, and from thence to the Red-Sea and Mecca, do both discharge their Wares and take in their Lading here at Diu, by reason of the commodious situation thereof, as lying at the entrance of Cambaia, and from Diu it is shipt and sent to Cambaia, and so brought back again to Diu.

* 1.2The Commodities of this place and this Coast, are first, fine Cotton-Linnen of sundry sorts, which they call Jorims, Sluyers, and Lamparads, and which we call by the general name of Callicoes, also Cocos, Oyl, India Nuts, Butter, Pitch, Tar, Sugar candied, Iron good store, and most excellent and fair Leather, which is artificially wrought with Silks of all colours both flowers and personages; and which is in India much esteemed to lay upon Beds and Tables, instead of Carpets and Coverlets: they make also here all sorts of curious Dseks, Cupboards, Chests, Boxes, Standishes, and a thousand such like devices in Wood, guilded with variety of colours, wrought with Imagery and Mother of Pearl, which are carried hence throughout all India; but especially to Goa and Cochin, against the time that the Portugal Ships come thither to take in their Lading to go homeward.

Other observations of the further Trade of this place I refer to Goa, the Metropolis of India in possession of the Portugals, to which all the other Forts possessed by the Portugals, in some sort have a reference in the matter and manner of their Trade.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Diu and the Trade there of.
• * 1.2

  Commodi∣ties of Diu, and that Coast.