his Successors have us'd that Title and though there are a great number of Sophies through all Persia yet we must know they are all Ecclesiasticks The right Name which the Persians give to their King is Schach or Sa after the Italian pronunciation which signifies King or Patxa which others write Padischa that is The supream Schach or King of Kings They also call him Sahib that is Lord or Governor Some also affirm that the Kings are likewise nam'd Choda or Chodohon which in the Persian Tongue signifies God but that is onely a mistake for Choda or Chodabende as the Sir-name of Schach-Abbas's Father the natural signification of the word is one that is oblig'd to God At the Persian Court are many which bear the Title of King as Chan and Sultan have the significations of King the one in the Turkish and the other in the Persian Tongue which proceeds from hence because the chief Princes of Persia to make themselves the more eminent will have Subjects that are styl'd Kings though in truth they are but Vice-Roys Mirza its signification Mizza or Mirza is in the Arabick properly a Title of Honor and signifies Prince or more peculiarly A Prince of the Blood according to which signification the eldest Son who is Heir apparent to the Crown bears no other Name being generally call'd Sultan Mirza i.e. Prince of the Realm Persons of Quality generally bear two Names besides a third which is a Title of Honor which last is commonly put behind as Assa Chan Beid that is Isa or Jesus Chan Lord which is quite contrary to the Christians who always place their Title before their Name How the Turks style the Persian Kings The Turkish Emperor in his Letters to the King of Persia doth not style him Schach but Schach Ogli that is A holy Mans or Prophets Son The King to be distinguish'd from other Persons wears a red Turbant differing in fashion from others with twelve Ribbons instituted by Schach Ismael in commemoration of the twelve Sons of Aaly from whom he boasted his Extract This Turbant which some call Tage or Tache is as much with them as a Crown with us Minadoi tells us that the first Calif or Mustaed Dini puts the said Turbant on the King's Head at his Coronation or taking upon him the Government The King also wears his Turbant after another manner than other People for that which they wear before he wears behind which none in all Persia dares do but himself upon pain of Death The Kingdom descends by Inheritance This Kingdom is Hereditary and the King 's eldest Son always succeeds him in the Throne So long as there be any Heirs of the lawful Wife they Inherit but for want of such those that are begotten on the Chassees or Concubines and for defect of such it devolves upon the deceased King's nearest Relations These as also those that boast themselves to be deriv'd from the old Sefi are call'd Schach Elwend or Schachavends that is Successor of Schach and have great Priviledges in the Countrey yet for the most part live very sparingly The Houses in which the King's Children are born they make priviledg'd places and if it be from the Court and in any remote place the House is immediately inclos'd with a Wall The Kings Arms. In ancient times the Kings of Persia bore a Crescent proper for their Coat of Arms as the Greeks the Sun but now it is quite contrary for the Persians bear a Sun and the Turks which possess Greece a Half-Moon But Schach Sefi bore in his Great Seal which was about the bigness of a Half-Crown nothing but this Inscription I Schach Sefi am a zealous Servant of the onely God and about the edges was Engraven Aaly they may say of you what they please I am always your Friend who before this Seal doth not account himself Dust and Earth though he be an Angel may he be turn'd to Dust and Ashes His Coronation The Coronation is celebrated in Ispahan though formerly at Cafa or Cufa near Bagdad but remov'd from thence by reason of the too near neighborhood of the Turks the manner of it is as followeth On a Table an Ell high they lay as many rich Carpets as there have been Kings of that Dignity since the beginning of Schach Ismael Sefi upon these they set their new King to whom the chief Chans carry the Crown which he kisses three times in the Name of GOD Mahomet and Aaly and then rubbing his Forehead with the same his Chamberlain whom they call Lele sets it upon his Head at which they all cry God save the King God grant him to Reign from one to a thousand years then kissing his Feet they bring him great Presents and spend the day in Mirth and Jollity Minadoy tells us that the chief Calif sets the Turbant or Tage on the King's Head at his entring into the Throne but they take no Oaths nor have any Restrictions laid upon them Their Burying-place The Kings and those of the Royal Family are generally bury'd at Ardebil and lie interr'd round about Schach Sefi's Tomb. When the King appears at any publick Meeting he is generally accompany'd besides twelve Courtiers with the Seder Minatzim and Hakim The Hakim is his Physician and tells him what Meat is wholsom and what unwholsom The Minatzim is his Astrologer who acquaints him with all the good and bad Hours wherein he is to undertake any great Design and is herein credited like an Oracle the King undertaking nothing without his Advice The Seder is the chief of the Clergy and is as the Muffi amongst the Turks elected by the King and Casi being generally a Learned Man well skill'd in the Alcoran and must be ready to give his Opinion on all such things as are demanded of him because according to his Judgment they pass Sentence Some Decrees are also Pass'd by the Seder himself who Sealing them with his own Signet sends the same to die King who writes under him This is the Opinion of the Seder which We confirm under which he puts his Great Seal The Causes of Citizens are Judg'd by other Lawyers who are call'd Orf and are under the chief Judge Diwanbeki who is no less experienc'd in the Mahumetan Tenents than the Seder Their Juridical Courts The Days on which they keep their Courts of Judicature are Mondays and Thursdays on which they meet at Ispahan near the King's Palace in a publick arch'd place where they hear and determine Causes and if any thing chance to come before them which they judge to be of too great consequence for them to decide then they order it to be heard before the King The Punishments of Offenders All Offenders or Criminals are punish'd with extream severity the manner whereof is several and many times invented by the Judges according to the nature of the Crimes but the most asual are to cut off their Noses Hands and Feet ripping
to use Elephants travel on them in little Towers which are like Bedsteads hung round with Cloth of Gold and Silk they stand longways cross the Beast and are so long that a Man may easily lie at his full length in them but the breadth is such that two can but just lie together side by side They also use these kind of Towers on Elephants in the Wars placing nine or ten Musquetteers or Bowemen in them according to the manner of the Countrey He that guides the Elehant sits stradling upon his Neck and governs him not with a Bridle but with a sharp Iron Hook with which he pricks his Ears Mouth or any other part The Palakins being like little Beds cover'd with Cloth are carry'd by four or six Men with a great Cane which reaching from one end to the other lies on their Shoulders These Bearers go not on the sides but two before and two behind This way of being carry'd is very easie and common in India insomuch that all Europeans when they travel are carry'd after this manner Their Musick The common Musick of the Indians is very unpleasing consisting onely in making of a strange noise But they have amongst them an Instrument not altogether unharmonious which is made of two black varnish'd Globes of Wood with Holes through for the sound to pass through These two Globles are fastned to both ends of a little Board about three spans long on which are strung several Brass or Copper Wyres which are supported in as many places as there are Notes in the Tune which they intend to play The Musician playing with his right Hand takes away the Supporters of the Strings with his left when he pleases to alter the Notes though not with his Fingers but with certain Iron Wyres made fast to little Rings which he moves on the ends of his Fingers with which striking gently on the Strings he makes a pleasant noise For the more ease in playing the Musician hangs this Instrument about his Neck and holds it before him like a Lute The Indians also have Flutes so big that an Elephant carrying one on each side and an Indian in the middle hath a sufficient Load They have also Trumpets of a vast bigness Many of the Sea-bordering Places of India are at present under the Subjection of the English Hollanders Spaniards and Portuguese who there possess several Towns Forts and Factories for the accommodation of Trade The greatest Monarch which is at present in India is call'd The Great Mogol and not Mogor as Boterus and other Geographers have wrongly pronounced because he possesses the greatest part of India which is the most considerable part of Asia The chief Officers of the Mogol's Court. The chief Offices and Employments at the Mogol's Court are officiated by Eunuchs His first and prime Councellor is the Visier or chief Chancellor of the Realm who Commands like a Vice-Roy hearing and determining all grand Causes that are brought before the Mogol But though this Chancellor's Honor be very great yet he is in continual danger of his Life as may appear by several Examples of which this is one A certain Chancellor perswading his King not to War against Schach Abbas King of Persia was flea'd alive Next to the first Visier is the Wasanbasi or Treasurer who keeps one and twenty sworn Secretaries who attend every forenoon with their Books before the Corchana or Treasury keeping an exact Account of all things that come in or go out of the same The Accompts being adjusted are Sign'd by the Mogol himself the first Visier Treasurer and Diwanbeck or Judge This Officer being one of the powerfullest of all those that belong to the King is commonly clad in a long Coat of Cloth of Tissue He is often carry'd in a Palakin with four silver Scepters and ten Standards before him all Men shewing as much honor to him as to the King himfelf The Execution of Criminals The third Person of Quality in order is the prime Judge who Condemns and Examines all Criminals who are not Executed by a common Executioner but by one of the People that are present when they receive their Sentence who willingly perform the Office If any Person have committed Murder he is deliver'd into the hands of his Relations who Execute him according to the Sentence pass'd upon him The King's Guard The next Person in order is a Rassy or Ragia who Commands twelve thousand Slaves who always are at or about the Court at Lahor or Agra and are as the King's Guard travelling with him wheresoe're he goes The Nassire or King's Steward is also in high esteem and provides all Necessaries and Provisions for the Court. The Nobles that attend upon the King are styl'd Omrahs and receive a Sallary from him more or less according to the number of Horse they Command Besides these Omrahs there are several eminent Lords call'd Chans or Ragias who are always near the Mogol and wait upon him with great humility though not without fear for he that is in favor one hour often chances the next to be in high displeasure and danger of losing his Life Three Orders of Chans Della Valle tells us that there are three prime Persons in the Realm who are next to the King the first whereof is call'd Chan Chanon that is Chief of Nobles or Lord of Lords for Chan properly signifies Lord. The second bears the Name and Quality of Mir Miron or Emir Emirs which signifies also Lord of Lords though in a meaner sence than the former The third is the Chani Alem that is Chan or Prince of the People Many of the Mogol's Commanders are Quizilbascies from Persia who constrain'd by poverty forsaking the King of Persia's Service offer themselves to the Great Mogol where they generally come to great Preferment Besides these there are several other Officers and Magistrates who hear and determine Causes and pronounce Sentence verbatim and not in writing for they having no written Laws not onely the King's word is absolute but also his Governors being authoriz'd by him The King sits in Person in Court Once a week the King sits in Person in open Court and passes Sentence on Criminals and also gives Judgment in Civil Causes It is not the practice of the Great Mogol to strangle his Brothers or put out their Eyes when he comes to the Crown as is usual with several of the Eastern Princes Variety of punishment for Crimiâ—â—â—â— Criminals are punish'd several ways some they sew up in an Ox or Asses Hide while it is moist that when drying it comes to shrink it may crush them to death Some they condemn to go through every Street in the City with Oxes Horns on their Heads Some they deoculate Poyson some and Hang others But when Noblemen are condemn'd to die they have the priviledge to fight for their Lives with a Lyon which the King never refuses them except they are convicted of High-Treason Those that
they go to sleep How Persons of Quality live Persons of Quality live after a noble manner and when they are either in a Coach or on Horseback cause a Taffaty Flag to be carry'd before them The priviledge of the Inhabitants here is very great in this point for not onely great Persons but also every private Man of what Countrey or Religion soever may live at as high a rate as he pleases and imitate the King in his Fashions if he fancy them and his Estate be able to maintain it Every one that is able keeps a great number of Servants wherefore most of them live like Lords which they may easily maintain partly because the King notwithstanding he sees his Subjects richly Cloth'd and that they live with a great Retinue like Princes which have great Revenues yet he lets them live in quiet and undisturb'd never taking any thing from them though it justly belongs to him because the Indians are naturally inclin'd thereto for by reason of the abundance of mean People and cheapness of Provisions they may live nobly for a small matter allowing a Servant not above three Ropia's a Moneth each Ropias being 2 s. 6 d. Sterl to buy him Provisions and Clothes with There are likewise an innumerable company of Slaves which cost little or nothing the keeping for they wear nothing but a white Cotton Coat which is very cheap and eat little else but Rice and Fish a very common Food in this Countrey so that with small charge they can keep a great Family and the rather because the Commodities and Goods which are made by the Inhabitants are many and the increase of their Land by reason of its extraordinary fruitfulness almost incredible The Women good Dancers The Women are very expert in Dancing to the sound of divers Bells and other such like Instruments on which the Men play In Zuratte and divers other places in India are several Women-Dancers who are hir'd to Dance for Money having Rings about their Legs Strings of Pearl about their Necks and many other rich Ornaments Some also wear Breast-plates of Leather almost round like a Shield beset with Precious Stones and the like which glitter exceedingly in the Sun The Chans and other Nobles cause the foremention'd Dancers to Dance before them after Meals either to their own Voices or to the sound of a Cymbal and Tumbeck which is a kind of Tabor and two small Drums These People go stark naked from one City to another nay through the whole Countrey and sometimes to the Borders of other Countreys and maintain themselves onely by Dancing and Singing They wear gilded Rings on their Fingers Toes and in their Noses and each of them five gilded Copper Rings and two red Silk Armlets with Gold Buttons below their Elbows on their Arms. After the same manner they adorn their Legs also These Women besides their Dancing prostitute themselves to all those who desire them Their Games and Pastimes The Indians especially the Mogolleans spend much of their time in Hawking and for that purpose keep several sorts of great and small Hawks Their Dogs with which they Hunt are as Terry tells us like our Greyhounds though much smaller but Peruschi affirms that they have no Hunting Dogs but make Leopards and Tygers tame and teach them to Hunt and at one Leap to seize and kill the Game They also carry Guns with them when they go a Hunting and kill their Game with a single Bullet for smaller Shot they have none They are very expert in Shooting with a Bowe and Arrow their Bowes are made of Buffalo's Horns and their Arrows of Canes with which they shoot Birds flying and Beasts as they run at full speed The wild Fowl which keep in the Water they catch after a subtil manner viz. a Man going into he Water with an artificial Bird of the same kind which he designs to take imitates its Voice whil'st he swims under Water in such a manner that the artificial Bird being on the Crown of his Head appears just above the Water by which means coming near the Birds he pulls them down by the Legs and takes as many of them as he pleases As to what concerns their Pastime within their Houses they have Cards though differing from ours in the Pictures and in the number they also are expert in playing at Draughts They delight very much in the company of Quacks Juglers and the like the Quacks carrying poysonous Serpents in Baskets and suffering themselves to be bitten or stung by them at their pleasures the stung part swelling they immediately cure the same with Oyl and certain Powders which they lay thereupon afterwards proffering to sell the same Medicaments to the Spectators Juglers Their Juglers also are very dexterous in their Art and do strange things by the sleight of Hand viz. they set Dishes or wide open Baskets on the Ground three or four one above another which seem to be all empty as they set them down but in the taking them up one after another there seems to be living Birds in them either Turtle-doves or others which they seemingly cover again with the same Dishes turning them backwards and forwards as if they took them away the Birds being afterwards no more to be seen the Spectators not being able to discern either how they are brought thither or taken away The manner of the Great Mogol's Hunting The Great Mogol often goes a Hunting with a thousand sometimes two thousand Men. About Agra and Dely along the Stream Gemna as far as the Mountains as also on each side of the High-way which runs to Lahor is a large quantity of untill'd Land some parts are wooddy others overgrown with Grass of a Man's heighth In all these places are many Game-keepers who go from place to place to prevent Hunting or Hawking there except for Partridges Quails and Hares which the Indians catch in Gins or Snares so that there are abundance of wild Beasts in all places When these Keepers of the Game know that the King or Mogol is in the Field a Hunting and near their Station they acquaint the chief Master Huntsman with the quality of the Beast which is Hunted and where there are most of them whereupon all the Avenues to that place are guarded that Travellers may not go through that place but pass by on one side or other They Hunt several Beasts as Gazelles What Beasts they chiefly Hunt Nilgaux or grey Oxen Lyons Cranes and others They Hunt Gazelles with tame Leopards after this manner When they discover a Herd of Gazelles for they commonly graze five or six in a company they unchain the Leopard that lay Chain'd in a little Wagon where they are kept he being let loose doth not immediately run at them but goes creeping along to hide himself till the Gazelles passing by he leaps with incredible swiftness upon them and seizing one of them strangles the same satisfying himself by onely sucking the Blood
design had not the Hollanders assisted teaching them to spring a Mine which overthrowing a piece of a Wall drove the Besieg'd to the utmost extremity But this Conquest did not a little advantage his Design the fame thereof being spread all over the Countrey That Moradbech had won Surat by springing a Mine Which sounded strange in the Indians Ears who till that time knew not the Invention Yet notwithstanding all this Fame and good success in the beginning added to the continual Letters and great Promises from Oranchzef the Eunuch Chan Abas a Man of great Understanding Courage and really inclin'd to his Master's Interest did not at all approve of Moradbech's joyning with Oranchzef thinking it much better to keep him in suspence with Words and let him march to Agra whilst they might receive certain News of Schach Jehan's death advising him also to Fortifie Surat which was a good Place and would make him Master of a great Tract of Land and large Revenues and by degrees he might secure Brampour which is a great Through-fare and as it were the Key to Decan But the continual flattering Letters from Oranchzef added to the small Forces Goods and Moneys which he had besides his Ambition to Govern absolutely made him slighting all advice march from Amadabad and desert Surat and go through Woods and over Mountains to be the sooner at the Place of Randezvouze where Oranchzef had staid expecting him two or three days Oranchzef and Moradbech joyn Great demonstrations of Joy were exprest in high Feasting at the meeting of the two Armies The Princes visiting one another Oranchzef made thousands of Promises to Moradbech alledging anew That he had no pretence at all to the Crown nor any other Design but to assist him against Darasja their common Enemy and settle him on the Throne After this meeting and confirming of Friendship the two Armies March'd together Oranchzef still continuing his Promises and Protestations of Kindness to his Brother and treating him both in Private and Publick like a King which perswaded Moradbech into a certain belief that Oranchzef was real in his intentions and that his exceeding love towards him made him so submissive and therefore willingly and without returning the like Ceremonies he receiv'd the Services shew'd him by his Brother in stead of thinking on what had hapned in Golconda and considering that he who had with such great danger adventur'd to conquer a Kingdom was not inclin'd to live and die like a Fakier They march forward These two Armies thus united made a considerable Body which made a great noise at the Court and gave cause of fear not onely to Darasja but to Schach Jehan himself who knew the Policy and Subtilness of Oranchzef and the Valor of Moradbech and also foresaw that a Fire once kindled was not so easily quench'd Wherefore Schach Jean wrote divers Letters in a courteous Style to this effect That he was now better in health That they should return each to his Government and that he pardon'd and forgot all which had been hitherto acted But these Letters kept them not from coming forward And as Schach Jehan's Distemper was reported to be mortal and they wanted no Intelligence so they always said and perhaps believ'd the same that the Letters were writ by Darasja that Schach Jehan was either dead or lay a dying and that they were resolv'd if he liv'd to kiss his Feet and deliver him out of the Hands of Darasja The Mogol raises Forces though unwillingly The unfortunate Mogol observing that his Sons regarded not his Commands and hearing that they hastned in the Head of their Army towards Agra whilst he lay sick in the custody of Darasja a Man who design'd nothing but War and the destruction of his Brothers was necessitated in this extremity to leave his Treasures at his disposal and sending for his eldest and trustiest Officers whom he knew had no very great kindness for Darasja commanded them to fight for Darasja against the rest of his Blood against his Children and against those whom they most respected In order whereunto he immediately sent an Army to meet Sultan Chasausa who was come nearest to Agra and made ready another to send against Oranchzef and Moradbech who also approach'd the Metropolis Soliman Chekouh Darasjas Son made General against Chasausa Soliman Chekouh eldest Son to Darasja a Prince about twenty five Years old of a well-shap'd Body good Conduct Courteous and belov'd by most Persons especially Schach Jehan who had already enrich'd him and design'd to make him his Successor rather than Darasja was made General of this Army against Chasausa Schach Jehan nevertheless who rather desir'd to see Chasausa return to Bengala than to engage in a bloody Fight which must undoubtedly prove very hurtful besides the danger of losing one of his Sons sent an ancient Raja call'd Jesseingue one of the richest and most powerful of all Indostan and the ablest in his whole Realm to accompany this young General with private Orders not to engage in a Battel unless forc'd thereto but endeavor by all means possible to perswade Chasausa to return and save his Forces till there was more need to use them viz. when Schach Jehan should be dead and he see Oranchzef and Moradbech approach the Court But as this young Prince Soliman Chekouh full of Courage thought on nothing but how by some Heroick Exploit he might make himself Famous and Sultan Chasausa fear'd that Oranchzef by the winning of a Field-Battel would first make himself Master of the Treasures and Cities of Agra and Deli So it was impossible for Raja Jesseingue to prevent their engaging one with another For the two Armies were no sooner in sight but they prepar'd to fight He fights Chasausa's Army and gets the Victory and staid not long before they saluted each other with a Volley of small Shot The first On-set was very fierce on both parts but at last Soliman Chekouh with great force and eagerness broke the Ranks of Chasausa and forcing him to retreat soon after put his whole Army to flight insomuch that if Jesseingue and Patan Delickan one of the Chiefest Commanders and valiantest Men but a private Friend to Raja without whose advice he did nothing had faithfully assisted him Chasausa's whole Army had been destroy'd and he himself in danger of being made a Prisoner But Raja besides that he was commanded to the contrary was too subtile to lay Hands on a Prince of the Blood and Son to the King so that he gave Chasausa time to retreat without losing of many People But because Soliman Chekouh was Master of the Feld and had gotten some Guns the Report immediately went at Court that Chasausa was utterly destroy'd This Victory made Soliman Chekouh very famous and lessening the esteem which the People formerly had of Chasausa made all the Hearts of the Persians which were formerly inclining to him grow very cold The young Prince having spent
sustain by it You will not want much Ammunition in these Countries therefore do not refuse sending Assistance to us In the same year in the beginning of December a Peace was concluded between King Adel Schiah and the Portuguese whereby both Parties were allow'd free access one to the other The King of Visiapour maintains also Wars against some of his Rais or Rajas which are Heathen Princes or petty Kings which with the Rabutes their Subjects reside in the Mountains of Ballagate in Places naturally inaccessible where they neither fear being surpriz'd nor besieg'd They have no Written Laws in the whole Realm but the King's Will is a Law to all his Subjects All Civil Debates that happen to arise in the City Visiapour are determin'd by the Coutewael or High-Sheriff but Criminal Causes are try'd by the King himself The Criminals are often executed in the King's Presence with great cruelty throwing them oftentimes before Elephants and other Wild Beasts to be devour'd and sometimes cutting off their Arms Legs and other Members besides other ways not usual in Europe In other Towns or Provinces the Vice-Roy or Governor passes Sentence after the same manner For by vertue of their Patents which they call Firman they are particularly impower'd to give Judgment against Criminals They commonly judge of these Causes according to the first Complaint which they hear so that he which complains first for the most part fares best Differences of Debt are soon decided among them for if the Debtor do not pay his Creditor according to the time limited by the Judge he is severely whipp'd and his Wife and Children sold for Slaves by the Creditor Such Persons as are forc'd to swear are plac'd in a round Circle made upon the Ground laying one Hand upon some Ashes brought thither for that purpose and the other on their Breast and uttering several Expressions to their Gods after which they think themselves oblig'd on pain of Damnation to make a true Answer to all such Interrogatories as are put to them Linschot makes the Idalcans or Kings of Cuncan to be Subjects and Tributaries to the King of Narsinga but Jarrick affirms them to be mortal Enemies The Kings of Cuncan were formerly absolute Lords of vast Territories and subject to none but about sixty Years ago in the time of King Mamedh Idelxa Son to King Ibrahimxa who Anno 1635. possest the Crown in the twenty fourth Year of his Age they were reduc'd under the Mogol's Jurisdiction viz. when in King Mamedh Idelxa's Minority who Govern'd his Realm under the Guardianship of Chavas Chan the Great Mogol assaulting those of Visiapour with two hundred thousand Foot and eighty thousand Horse for their refusing to pay him Tribute After a long and bloody War and the death of Chavas Chan a Peace was concluded Duke Mustaff Chan and the Kings of Visiapour brought under subjection to the Great Mogol with Conditions to pay nine thousand Pagods yearly for Tribute But at present as F. Bernier affirms the King of Visiapour pays no Tribute to the Great Mogol but defends himself against all Attempts which he makes upon him for though he be not so powerful as those of Golconda oppose the Mogol's Forces yet he hath this advantage by reason of the remoteness of his Country from Dely and Agra that the Mogol makes not such frequent Attempts on these Parts besides which that part of the Country of Visiapour which lies next the Mogol's is very difficult for an Army to approach because of the scarcity of Water and Provisions and the badness of the Ways The Metropolis Visiapour is also very strong situate in a dry barren Soil and guarded by many Fortresses built on the circumjacent Mountains which are most of them inaccessible Many Rajas also joyn with him for their own security Moreover he oftentimes receives private assistance from the King of Golconda who always keeps an Army ready on the Borders to assist the King of Visiapour whenever he perceives him to be too much oppress'd by the Mogol Yet nevertheless this State as also that of Golconda is much declin'd for the Mogol hath taken Paranda from them which is the Key of their Country with the Magnificent City Bider and some other eminent Places But especially because of a difference between these two Kings for the last King of Visiapour dying without Issue-Male the present King who is a young Man being brought up by the King of Golcondas Sister who took him for her Son doth not acknowledge her Favours Ibrahim Adil Sciah who Reign'd Anno 1620. notwithstanding the Countries of Cutb Sciah or the King of Golconda and Nizam Sciah King of Decan lay as Bulwarks between his Dominions and the Mogol's and upon occasion was able to raise an Army of a hundred thousand Men stood nevertheless in great fear of the Mogol to whom though he paid considerable Tributes yearly yet he was so slighted by the Mogol that he sent his Letters to him by a Common Soldier or Slave whom he was forc'd to meet with his whole Army and conduct him in great Pomp to his Court where he plac'd himself in a Chair of State prepar'd purposely for him whilst Adil Sciah was forc'd to stand in his Presence like a Slave And when the Messenger had laid the Letter on a Carpet he bow'd down to the Ground three times according to the manner of the Country before he durst take it up This Ibrahim Adil Sciah is said to have caus'd his own Son to be put to death for persuading him from paying the usual Tribute to the Great Mogol and counselling him by force to free himself from that Slavery The King now Reigning sends oftentimes great Presents to the Mogol Anno 1656. in June the King Sciah Sahep sent a Present of seven Lak Penas or Two hundred and eighty thousand Pounds to the Mogol Prince Oranchzef at present King Residing at Dautabake who then accompanied with Mirsimula lay with his Fathers Army on the Borders of Visiapour in a Province call'd Pretapapour The Venassars and Collers or Coulys as also the Rasboutes of Cambaye pay Tribute to this King The thirteenth of November Anno 1656. the King of Visiapour call ' d Adil Sciah deceas'd at which time Fettechan guarded the King's Palace and Chan Channa coming with his whole Army near the Walls desir'd to know of Fettechan whether it would not be convenient for him to bring the Army into the City to prevent Insurrections Whereupon Fettechan reply'd That he had taken upon him in Chan Channa's absence to Guard the Fort and therefore he judg'd it best for the safety of the Realm to let Chan Channa come into the City Whereupon he repair'd to Fettechan in the Palace where consulting together they concluded to Crown the King 's adopted Son call'd Cha Chade which was perform'd the same day he being then in the twenty fourth Year of his Age. This new King receiv'd the Name of Aly Adel Sciah and was permitted to use
commonly married their own Mothers Sisters or Daughters but at this day none may marry so near in Blood Moreover it is accounted a horrid Sin for any man to defile his Sister which was not customary in Persia before Cambyses time but grew very common after his marrying of his own Sister which he lov'd exceedingly Their manner of Courtship When a young man intends to marry and hath an Affection for any Maid then he informs himself by a second and third Person of her Condition and Quality for neither he nor his Parents may see her It she be to his minde he sends two of his nearest Kindred which were at his Circumcision to the Maids Father to acquaint him with his Love To which shewing some feigned unwillingness to part with his Daughter after short Enquiry if liking the Match he begins to treat about the Portion which is not to be paid by the Brides Friends but by the Bridegroom or his Friends for in Persia as in all other Eastern-Countreys they buy their Wives not making either Dowry or Joynture neither receiving Portions but purchasing them at a Price which is paid two several ways for either the Bridegroom sends it to the Brides Fathers House a little before the Wedding consisting in Pendants Jewels Armlets or the like which is a Reward to the Parents who may either keep or give it again to their Daughter for their careful breeding up of the Bride or else he makes over a certain Sum of Money or a quantity of Silk-Stuffs which she is oblig'd to return if at any time they should part to which purpose Writings are Drawn and Sign'd by a Cadi or Molla After this Conclusion the Bride and Bridegroom chuse each of them a Trustee who if in a City go to the Casi or Spiritual Judge but if in a Village to the Molla or Priest impower'd by the Casi and in the Bride and Bridegrooms Name who appear not in Person nor go to the Church to be Marry'd desire that they may be united which the Casi after being well assur'd of the Consent of the Parties performs in the Name of God Mahomet and Aaly and this is generally done by the foremention'd three Persons in a private place either in a Chamber or in the Fields Every one is free to Marry at any time in the year except in the Moneth of Ramesan or their Lent and the ten days Mourning and Abstinence call'd Ashur Their Celebrating of Matrimony When the Wedding is to be celebrated the Bridegroom sends the Bride the day before a pair of Pendants Armlets and other Ornaments according to his Capacity and some Provisions After Dinner which generally is pretty late in the Evening the Bride set on a Horse Camel or Mule with a red Silk Hood hanging down into her Lap and accompany'd with all her Friends Relations and several sorts of Musick is conducted to the Bridegrooms House where with some Women she is put into a peculiar Apartment and the Men into another and Meat set before them which when they have eaten the Bride is soon after carry'd into the Bed-Chamber and the Bridegroom being brought to her there first at once enjoys both her Sight and Company having never seen her before and if he find her to have been vitiated he may frely cut off her Nose and Ears and turn her out of his Chamber but if he find her a Virgin he signifies his Joy to her old Nurse and to his Friends Then they Feast three days one after another They also use Dancing which is in Couples but the Men by themselves in one Room and the Women in another the Musick never go into the Womens Chamber but stand and Play at their Door In the Evening the Leaves of Alcanna with which they color their Hands are laid on a Cotton Handkerchief with two Spoonfuls of Alcanna both which they take home with them After which the Guests make Presents to the new Marry'd Couple every one according to their Capacities After the Wedding is over and that the New-marry'd Couple dwell in the Brides Fathers house the new Wife may not be seen with her Face uncover'd before her Father-in-Law nor speak with him but if occasion require she is to express her mind by Signs Another way to get women Besides their Marrying they have another way to acquire a Companion to their Bed viz. To hire them with a Sum of Money for a certain time and is practised chiefly by those that travel from Place to Place and by such as are not willing to be seen in the publick Stews A third way is by buying in the Market slaves with whom they may do what they please These are commonly taken by the Tagestan Tartars from the Christians in Georgia and sold to the Persians Nor is this Priviledge all allow'd onely to Men for Women especially of Quality may as often change their Husbands as they please One relates that two Ladies meeting upon a Visit The one ask'd the other How long she had liv'd with her Husband The other replied two Moneths how two Moneths so long can any Woman content her self with one Man almost threescore nights To help a woman in Labor When the Women are in labour and cannot be suddenly deliver'd then the Relations and Neighbors run to the Schools and give the Molla money to spare and forgive all those Schollars that have offended and are condemned to be whipt which they believe to be a great means to further her speedy Delivery And for the same purpose they think it very effectual to creep three or four times under a Camels belly If at any time though without Cause a Man suspect his Wife they pass it not by but take speedy and sharp Revenge as appears by the following Relation Some years since in the Province of Lenkeran dwelt a Person nam'd Jakut Tirkenam who was the Kings Bow-bearer his Wife being reported to be of a loose behavior at last Schach Abbas himself heard thereof who order'd Notice to be given to the foremention'd Tirkenam either to reform his House or else to keep out of the King's Presence Whereupon he fearing to lose his Place being of great Profit and Honor made a real and thorow Reformation by killing not onely his Wife but four Children and all that related to hâ—r to the number of twelve Persons which though it seem barbarous to us yet it preserv'd his Reputation and Employment with the King his Master The Men likewise have the Power which they often execute that if they catch any committing Adultery with their Wives they may either immediately kill both or else bedivorc'd and this last is very common Children very obedient The Children are very obedient to their Parents when a Father of Quality gives Audience in his own House his Sons stay without to conduct those that go out or in These are not at the present brought up as in antient times viz. Lock'd up with the Women
up of the Belly flaying alive and hanging up by the Heels which last is perform'd after this manner They make two Holes in the Malefactors Legs behind the Ancle between the Bone and the great Tendon through which they put a Rope whereby they hang them on a Tree so high that their Heads do just touch the Ground in which manner if the Malefactor be condemn'd to die they let him hang two or three days till after an intolerable number of Pains he gives up the Ghost or if he die not in that manner then they shorten his time by ripping open his Belly Others for smaller Offences are hang'd up an hour or two with their Head downwards He that Ravisheth a Woman and is convicted by her Swearing three times or commits Sodomy hath his Genitals cut off Usury forbidden Their Laws forbid the putting of Money out to Use which nevertheless they do privately but if any one be accus'd and found guilty thereof he is accounted worse than a Jew and not permitted to come in company with any Persons of note In Ardebil dwelt one who lending Money by the Moneth at a Dollar and a half per Cent. had his Teeth knock'd out with a Hammer Such Persons as practise this are call'd Suchur which signifies Usurer But at they permit the Mortgaging of Lands for a Sum of Money which the Lender repays himself by the Rent without receiving any other Interest Schach Abbas and Schach Sefi us'd strange and horrid ways to punish Criminals some they caus'd to be made fast betwixt two Boards and then Saw'd in two in the middle A Persian Ambassador being on a time sent to the King of Spain and treating his Servants ill in his Journey thither and they complaining of it the King at his Return into Persia with his own Hands cut off his Nose and Ears and a piece of Flesh out of his Arms which he forc'd him in his Presence to eat It is also a very common Punishment at Ispahan to throw down Malefactors from the Steeple built on the Mosque Haron Viliaier and afterwards to burn them To this Death Women which have committed any hainous Crimes are condemn'd When any Person of Quality that is in the King's Service hath committed a Crime which he supposes may hazard the loss of his Life he goes with a naked Sword hung about his Neck before his Majesty's Privy-Chamber to beg pardon for his Offence Robbers and Highway-men are set in the Ground up to the Middle and the upper part of their Bodies inclos'd with great Posts six Foot high and so starv'd to death Good travelling in Persia But because Persia is inhabited in most places it is very secure travelling insomuch that the whole Countrey is free from Thieves If any be robb'd in his Journey though it be by his own Servants the Villages near which the Fact is committed or the Magistrates thereof upon the Complaint of the Person robb'd either pay the value or restore to him the like Goods taken from him There is also Guards for the security of the Roads which are call'd Rabdari to whom Travellers give small Sums of Money Strangers enjoy their own Lawes As all the strange people in Persia enjoy the Liberty of Conscience so they also judge and determine Causes amongst themselves according to the Laws of their native Countreys as well in Matters of Life and Death as Debts and the like insomuch that the King's Courts of Judicature have nothing to do with them which Custom is at this day so common that not onely the People but also every person of Quality that is a Stranger in Persia as Agents and Ambassadors from Forreign Princes c. enjoy the same Priviledge unquestion'd as if they were at Home The several Officers of the Court. At the Court are divers Officers which have each a Title according to their employments and follow one another in their several Degrees Eahtemad-Dowlet is the Chancellor whose business it is to look after the Revenue of the Realm and to increase the same from whence he bears his Title and is like a Vice-Roy and not onely publick but also all manner of private Business doth pass through his Hands A Curtzibaschi is a Commander over ten or twelve thousand Bowe-men which being first rais'd by Schach Ismael dwell in several Parts of the Countrey as a Free-people and upon any occasion march to a known Rendezvouz where the said General meets and commands them Meheter is a Gentleman-usher who is constantly with the King in his Chamber or at any publick Meeting and in the Seraglio and therefore is often permitted to speak with more freedom than the Chancellor Wakeunis is a Privy Councellor and Secretary who writes the King's Letters and Edicts and also keeps an Account of the Revenues of the Crown to which purpose he hath eleven Clarks or Under-Secretaries allow'd him Every Precinct or Ward of a City hath a peculiar Governor or Magistrate whom they call Aksacal that is Grey-beard though never so young which amongst other Affairs take care of the King's Guests that are lodg'd in any Caravansera standing within their Liberty that they want nothing they are desirous to have Assas is a Constable of the Watch but hath greater Power for he is not onely authoriz'd to take or apprehend any suspitious Persons but also to punish them nay take away their Lives according to Martial Law provided the Offender be taken in the Fact The Diwanbeki though a Supream Judge and often sitting on the Bench with the Seder and Casi is forc'd when the King punishes any person of Quality with Death to perform the Office of Executioner himself The Culargasi bears Command over the Culams that is Slaves or Servants who have sold themselves to be the King's Servants who performing the Office of Soldiers are eight thousand in Number and like the Curtzi are Quarter'd in the Countrey at the King's charge Eischicagasi-Baschi is the chief Marshal or Commander of forty Eischicagasi who though they dwell in several Parts of the Countrey wait by turns five at a time and generally stand at those Doors through which you must go into the presence of the King from whence they are call'd Door-keepers When any strange Ambassadors have Audience before the King then the Eischicaga-Baschi having a Dekemek or Staff leads them up by the Arm. The Jesaul Sohebet or Master of the Ceremonies places all Strangers that are invited to eat at the King's Table in their proper Places wherefore he always attends with a Staff in his Hand before the Pallace Gate to receive and complement such strange Guests The Nasir is the Steward whom they also call Kereckjerack who provides all manner of Necessaries for the Court The Tuschmal or Purveyor takes care for all sorts of Provisions and commands the Kitchin Mohurdar is the Lord-Keeper of the Great Seal The Dawattar is the Secretary who always carries a little Ball like our Printing Balls with which when
or Chalk of burnt Oyster-shells for the Betel being chew'd alone is bitter therefore to take away that bitterness they mix the same with Areka and a little Chalk and esteem the same thus prepar'd of a pleasant taste Some also put a Juyce call'd Cate amongst it which with them is an excellent Remedy against sore Gums The Juyce of Cate how made The Juyce Cate is extracted out of a Tree about the bigness of an Ash with Leaves like those of the Tamarisk having many Thorns and said to blossom but bearing no Fruit. The Wood is very strong hard close and heavy and not subject to rot whether it stands in the Air or Water wherefore the Inhabitants call it Hacchie that is Semper vivens of which by reason of its hardness they make great Pestles to stamp their Rice in Wooden Mortars six Foot in circumference This Tree grows for the most part in Cambaya especially in and about the Towns Bacaim Manora and Daman as also on the Main Land of Goa and in many other Places though not in such abundance as in those foremention'd from whence the Juyce Cate is carried in great quantities to China and Malacka Carri'd much to China because it is much used there with Betel but to Arabia and Persia in lesser quantities as a Drug The manner of extracting this Juyce is thus The Boughs of the Tree being cut small are decocted in Water then stamped and made up into Cakes with the Meal of Nachoani which is a small black Seed of taste like Rye and good to make Bread and the Saw-dust of a kind of black Wood which are dried in the Shade that the Sun may not attract their Vertue Very Physical It is an excellent Remedy not onely to preserve the Gums and fasten the Teeth but also to stop a Flux and to cure sore Eyes Thought to be the Lucium of the ancient Greeks and Romans Garcias will have this to be the Lucium of the ancient Greeks and Romans for the manner of extracting it is by all described to be the same with theirs and judg'd to have one and the same operation with the Cate. This Juyce hath received the Name Cate from the Arabians Persians and other People of Asia because the greatest quantity thereof is used in Malacka where it bears the same denomination except that the last Letter E changed into O makes it Cato Noble-men mix their Betel with Burnean Camphir Calamback or Aloe-wood Musk and Ambergreece The general use of Betel The Betel being thus prepared is of an extraordinary pleasant taste and by its being perfum'd causes a sweet Breath and for that reason is constantly chew'd by the Inhabitants as also others according to their Estates and Quality though some chew their Areka with Cloves and Cardamom The Kings and Princes use also Pills of beaten Areka Cate Camphir and Aloe-wood which they chew with Betel in stead of Areka When they use their Betel they first nip out the Veins in the Leaves then they roul up the Ashes of burnt Oyster-shells and the bruis'd Areka in a Betel Leaf which they put into their Mouthes and chew The first Moisture being red like Blood they spit out that its acrimony may not prejudice their Mouthes the rest they swallow and some which account it an excellent Medicine for the clensing of the Brain swallow the first also The redness of the Moisture is occasion'd by the Ashes the Juyce of the Betel being of it self green It also makes the Lips and Teeth red and black if too much used which the Indians extol as much as we white Teeth The Kings themselves present these Leaves by their Servants to their Nobles and others Those who go to travel have Silk Bags full of Betel given them Neither doth any Friend go from the other without a Present of Betel that being a Farewel-Gift Brindones a Fruit. In several Parts of India grows a certain Fruit call'd Brindones and by Linschot Brindoins which is a little reddish on the outside but blood-red within and of a very sowre taste yet many People are much pleased with it and the Dyers make great use of it The Ambare Tree The Ambare is a large thick Tree with Leaves like those of the Walnut of a pale green and interlac'd with many Veins The Flowers are small and white the Fruit about the bigness of a Walnut with a smoother Shell of a strong scent and a firm and well-rellish'd Pulp The Canarians call this Tree Ambare the Portuguese the Fruit Ambares the Persians Ambereth the Turks Aarab And all use the Juyce thereof among their Meat instead of Verjuyce The ripe Fruit being also eaten with Salt and Vinegar causeth an appetite The Indians look upon the same as an excellent Medicine against the Rising of the Gall. The Fruit being pickled up in Salt and Vinegar keeps good a long time Texeira tells us that this Tree loses its Leaves so soon as any Water falls on the same and that the like of it is not in all India The Amba Tree Another Fruit-tree by the Persians and Turks call'd Amba in Canaria Ambo and by others Mangas grows also in several parts of India It is a large spreading Tree like our Oaks having many great and crooked Boughs The Blossoms or Flowers are yellow growing in clusters and the Fruit is for the most part bigger than a Goose Egg. It s Fruit Medicinal The Mangas or Amba is the best Fruit that grows in India the same Tree producing Fruit different in Colours for some are of a pale green others yellow and a third reddish which are of a very pleasing smell but of a bitter taste and is accounted a good Medicine against the Worms The green Fruit is very sowre and if eaten raw hurts the Teeth wherefore many make a Pap thereof which mix'd with Sugar tastes like scalded Goosberries And thus prepar'd it fortifies the Stomach cools the Inflammation of the Blood Liver and Reins The immoderate use of it breeds the Flux The ripe Fruit not onely changes its green colour into yellow but also loses its cooling quality becoming sweeter and more moist wherefore if any eat thereof immoderately he is certain to have the Bloody Flux Acosta tells us That this Fruit is sometimes cut into Slices steep'd in Wines and so eaten It is also preserv'd with Sugar that so it may keep the longer and sometimes opened in the middle with a Knife and stuff'd full of Ginger Garlick Mustard-seed Salt Oyl and Vinegar Before this Fruit is fully ripe it hangs from April till November upon the Tree according to the nature of the Soil and situation of the Place The Carandas The Carandas is a Tree about the bigness of a Crab-tree hath the same sort of Leaves and abundance of Blossoms The Fruit also resembles a Crab which ripe some eat with Salt but generally they pickle them green in Salt and Vinegar and eat
the Mogol continually employ'd who after he had us'd all possible means in vain having no great Guns at hand wherewith to batter down the Walls at last resolv'd to try if he could purchase the Inhabitants to a Surrender by great Sums of Money which to accomplish he sent to the Governors very considerable Presents of Gold and Silver whereby he did so cool and abate their Courage that none of the seven Successors of the Realm durst assume the Government for they perceiving the Generals to be fearful and their Courage no longer to exert it self could foresee and expect nothing but the sudden loss of the Place and accordingly it so fell out for after a few Days the Fort was surrendred and with it the whole Kingdom was subjected to the Mogol who got peaceable possession thereof with an invaluable Treasure He received all the Inhabitants favourably except the imprison'd King and the seven successive Princes whom he dispersed into several Provinces allowing King Miram three thousand and each of the other two thousand Ducats per Annum for their Maintenance The Province of Berar and Narvar THis Country of Berar lies on the South side of the Kingdom of Chandâ—â— and Borders on Surratte and the Mountains of Rana The Metropolis bears the Name of Shapore The Province of Narvar is moistned by a great River which discharges its Water into the Ganges The Chief City is call'd Gehud The Province of Gwaliar or Gualier THe Province of Gwaliar or Gualior otherwise Gualier hath a City which bears the same Name The Mogol hath a vast heap of Treasure which he keeps in this Country in a very strong Castle Garrison'd by a Company of well Disciplin'd Soldiers who also Guard such of the King's Prisoners as are Persons of Quality The Kingdom of Agra or Indostan THe Kingdom or Province of Agra is so call'd from Agra the Royal Metropolis of the Great Mogol's whole Kingdom besides Dely and Lahor Others call it Indostan or Indoustan which signifies The Country of Indus for Stan in the Country Language is A Country or Province and Indus is the Name of the River Indus which moistens the Country It borders on one side upon the Stream Paddor which separates it from the Henderons and conterminates on the other side with the River Tamliko or Tamlou which is a Boundary between this and the Country Inhabited by the Bulloits The Metropolis bears the same Name with the Province of Agra and lies in 28 Degrees and 7 Minutes North Latitude on the Banks of the River Jemini which glides by its Walls and disembogues near the City Andakoda into the River Ganges two days Journey from Agra According to Herbert this City was formerly call'd Nagra and anciently Dionysia and was built by Bacchus but this seems incredulous because within this hundred years the City Ratipor was far more beautiful and bigger than that of Agra which is believ'd to have had its Denomination from the River Arrany which as Arrian affirms falls into the Ganges It was built by King Ekbar after his Conquest of Surratte and for its pleasant Situation made choice of for the Mogol's Court and chief Place of Residence It lies almost Triangular or as Herbert saith Semi-Circular surrounded with a strong Walk of Free-Stone and a Moat of a hundred Paces broad The Circumference of the City is reckon'd to be twelve German Miles The Streets which are very straight are dirty and three Leagues and a half long In the Northern part of the City not far from the River lies the great and famous Royal Castle or Residence of the Kings which is the most beautiful and glorious Piece of Work in all Asia It appears outwardly like a City containing five hundred and twenty Paces in circumference The Structure is for the most part built of Free-stone with many Galleries and Piazzaes very stately after the manner of the Country At the Entrance of this Castle stands the Royal Court of Judicature in the Persian Tongue call'd Diwanchane before which is a large square Maidan or Plain planted about with Trees under which Persons of Quality in hot Weather walk to cool themselves In the middle of the Plain stands a Pole having a Bird on the top of it at which they shoot with Bows and Arrows Opposite to this Court stands a large square Building call'd Karchanay Schah that is The King's Treasure-house with eight Arch'd Vaults in which are kept the greatest part of the Mogol's Treasure Two of these Cellers are reported to be full of Gold and two of Silver in the seventh are kept Pearls Gems and other such like Rarities and in the eighth are contain'd all such Presents as are sent from forein Princes by Ambassadors Behind this Treasury stands another large square Palace with a very delightful Garden and is call'd Hara Michan that is The King 's Womens Lodgings for in it are kept twelve hundred of the King's Concubines which are guarded and waited upon by six hundred Eunuchs Others describe this Court thus It is three or four Leagues in circumference surrounded with strong Walls of red Stone and broad Moats with Draw-Bridges it hath four Gates one on the North which is very strong the second on the West side is call'd Citsery near the Bezar or Market Within this Gate is the King's Court of Judicature where he decides all Differences and behind that is the King's Hall the Seat of the Vice-Roys Within this Gate is also a Street built full of Houses and about a Mile long The third Gate call'd Achabaerbederiwage that is The Gate of King Achbaer lies on the South side and and leads to the King 's Derbaer the Royal Throne or inner Court before which is a small Court surrounded with Golden Rails and cover'd on the top with Carpets to keep off the heat of the Sun beyond it is a Gallery in which stands the King's Throne adorn'd with Gold Diamonds and Pearls and all sorts of Precious Stones No Person is permitted to approach this Place without being call'd except the King's Sons which standing near him cool him by continual fanning of him with Fans in the Country Language call'd Pankhamh and the Chief Secretary Within the foremention'd Court none are suffer'd to enter but Ommirades or Omrahs which are Dukes and great Lords Opposite to this Place hang golden Bells which are rung by those that have sustain'd any prejudice and are thereupon admitted to speak to the King to make their Complaints to him but not without great danger if their Cause be not just In this Place the King appears every Afternoon between three and four a Clock besides thousands of other People which take their Places according to their Qualities and with the King stay there till the Evening hearing all forein Letters which are read by the Setretary and determining all other Businesses Hither are also brought his Horses and Elephants which are try'd by some of his Servants appointed for that purpose Within this third