by the English and Hollanders Indostans They shave off all the Hair of their Heads but the Baldness thereof is not seen because they always keep them cover'd with Tulbants which they never take off in saluting one another as we do our Hats The Manufacture of the Countrey The Handicrafts Men of this Countrey though naturally lazy follow their Employments very close being either forc'd thereto by necessity or otherwise and make Carpets Embroideries Cloth of Gold and Silver and all manner of Silk and Cotton Stuffs and Linnen which is worn in the Countrey and transported to other Places The Great Mogol or King is necessitated by reason of his many Inland and Forreign Enemies to keep continually a mighty Army as well in time of Peace as War a considerable Body whereof are always near his Person either of Natives as are the Rajas and Patans which for several Reasons he is necessitated to keep in his Service as is before mention'd more at large or chiefly of Mogollers as he himself is or at least those which are taken for such though indeed Strangers For the King's Court is not now as formerly all of real Mogols deriv'd from Tartary neither are those which officiate in Offices and Places of Honor in the Wars all of the Tribe of the Mogols but are Strangers and People of other Nations most or them Persians some Arabians others Turks of their Children though the Children or the third and fourth Generation of the Mahumetans before-mention'd are not so much honor'd and esteem'd as the new-come Mahumetans and are but seldom preferr'd to any Degree of Honor and therefore seem very well satisfied to be ordinary Troopers or Foot-Soldiers It is sufficient in these later times for any one to be accounted a Mogollean though he be a Stranger if he haue but a white Face and be of the Mahumetan Religion to distinguish him from the Indians who are brown and Heathens as also from the Christians of Europe who are call'd Franks or Franguis The Mogol is necessitated to keep strange Soldiers that go by the name of Mogols as we said before because the chief Power of his State consists therein but it stands him in an incredible Charge The strange Soldiers as well Horse as Foot are divided into two Parties whereof one is continually near him and the other scatter'd up and down into all the Provinces In the Troops which attend the Mogol are first Omrah's which are the highest Officers in the second Place Mansehdars in the third Rouzindars The Omrahs Children inherit not their Fathers Estates The Omrahs or Lords of the Mogol's Court are not as we might suppose the Sons of Omrahs or of the House or Family of Noblemen inheriting their Fathers Estates and Honors as here and in France for since all the Lands in the Kingdom are the Kings it follows that there are neither Noblemen nor any other Families that have Estates in Lands Goods or Offices by Inheritance Insomuch that the Children or at lest the Nephews of the most powerful Omrahs are after their Fathers deaths reduc'd to great Poverty and forc'd to List themselves for Common Troopers under the Command of other Omrahs Indeed the Mogol commonly leaves a small part of the Estate to the Widows and sometimes to the Children But if their Father lives long they are oftentimes promoted by him especially if they are well-shap'd handsom-bodied have white Faces and not having gotten too much of the Indian Customs pass for real Mogols Though of late this kind of preferring their Children hath been less observ'd than formerly by reason it is become a general Custom to rise from small Offices to great ones and accordingly their Pay is more and more advanc'd Therefore these Omrahs are nought but Adventurers and Strangers of all Nations and Degrees nay sometimes Slaves who going to serve at the Court are by the Mogol for some or other piece of good Service promoted to that Degree of Honor of which they are again bereav'd at his pleasure Amongst these Omrahs are some call'd Hazary others Dou-Hazary and others Penge Hecht and Deh-Hazary The King 's Eldest Son was also a Dovazdeh Hazary that is A Lord or Commander over 10 or 12000 Horsemen The number of the Omrahs reckoning as well those which are scatter'd up and down in the several Provinces as those which attend at Court is very great and not justly to be set down At the Court are generally from 25 to 30000. The Office and State of an Omrah These Omrahs attain to the chiefest Places at the Court and Offices in the Army and are accounted the Supporters of the Realm and Splendor of the Court They never come into the Street but in very rich Apparel riding either on Elephants Horses or in a Palanquin and attended by a great number of Horsemen which keep Guard before their Houses besides several Footmen who going before and on each side of them make room and by fanning them keep off the Wasps Flies and Dust with the Wings of Peacocks All those that are at Court are bound on pain of forfeiting some of their Sallary to appear twice a day before the King when he sits on his Throne or else visit him every Morning at eleven a Clock and every Evening at six Moreover they are oblig'd to watch once a Week in the Castle by turns for the space of twenty four Hours and therefore carry their Beds Carpets and other Houshold-stuff with them the King providing nothing for them but meat which they receive with great Ceremony viz. they bow three times with their Faces towards his Chamber first holding their Hands over their Heads and next on the Ground They are also oblig'd to attend on the King to all Places when he goes abroad what Time or Weather soever it be either in Palanquins on Elephants or on Tacravans or Thrones carried each of them on eight Mens Shoulders Yet nevertheless the King favors some by reason of their peculiar Offices their Age or Indisposition or to avoid too great Attendance as he doth commonly when he goes a Hunting or to some Banquetting-house near the City or rather when he goes into his Mosque for then he takes no other with him than those that have the Guard that day The Mansebdars Mensebdars are Officers of those Troops Manseb and have a competent Salary yet not comparable to that of the Omrahs but exceeding those of inferior Degrees and therefore they are accounted little less than Omrahs being in the degree of those which are next to that Preferment and the rather because they acknowledge no Superior but the King and are in general oblig'd to do all things which the Omrahs do nay they would be perfect Omrahs had they but a considerable number of Horses under their Command but they have onely six which wear the King's Badges and their Salary also is generally no more than from five to seven hundred Ropies a Month. The number of them being
of Cloth-of-Gold or embroider'd Sattin with rich Fringe The Dishes wherein the Meat is brought to the Table are of massie Gold as also their Drinking-Cups which hold about a Pint and a half But Schach Abbas had all his serv'd up in Glass for a distinction from others They deliver with every Cup a great woodden Spoon or Ladle with a long Handle which they use more to drink out of than to eat withal neither do they make use of any other Spoons but what are made after that manner and of sweet-smelling Wood which having been once us'd are never brought to the Table again They never use Forks or Knives but the Steward who performs the Office of a Carver cuts the Meat with a great square Golden Slice which he always carries in his Hand How their Meat is serv'd up In the setting the Meat on the Table the Servants bring not the Dishes together but standing in a row from the Kitchin they hand them from one to another to the Table They commonly have but one Mess for they set all their Dishes at once upon the Table Each Person also receives Wine from a Waiter in order according to his Quality out of a golden Tumbler Every one is permitted to rise from Table without shewing Reverence to any and if their Occasions chance to call them out of the Room they go away without taking leave of any though the King himself be present The Water with which they wash their Hands is brought in gold en Basons The King and other great Persons seldom drink any Wine without Ice or Snow The Ice which they use is made of the clearest Water after this manner viz. Not far from the City in a great Plain a Bank is rais'd or cast up directly from East to West which being about a hundred and fifty Foot long and very thick is so high that it shadows the Plain from the Sun-beams when the Sun is at the heighth At the end of this Bank are two Arms which extending from the South to the North are full as high as the main Bank and about twenty four Foot long and keep off the Morning and Evening Sun so that this Plain lies shaded all the day long In this shady place is a Moat of about twenty or thirty Foot deep extending from the one Arm of the Bank to the other In the midst of Winter when it Freezes hardest they Plough this Plain which lies open to the Northern Winds full of small Furrows about three or four Fingers deep and so letting in the Water overflow it which in one Night freezing to the bottom is the next Morning before the rising of the Sun thrown into the Moat and Water pour'd upon it to make it condense the harder and this Practice they continue for a whole Moneth together or longer till the Moat is fill'd to the top with Ice then they cover it with Straw to prevent the melting thereof by the heat of the Sun and to keep it from Rain In the Summer this Ice being broken with Pick-axes is carry'd through the City to be sold on Horses or Mules two or three pieces being a sufficient Burthen The Ice being broken with a Hammer into greater or lesser pieces is either put into the Vessel with the Wine or into the Cups when they drink They also lay pieces of Ice in their Dishes with Fruit and other Cates which is very pleasing to the Eye especially if that which lies under the Ice appears through it The King's Dishes Urns and Drinking-Cups which he uses at his Table are all of massie Gold The Chans and other Nobles have their Pilao or Rice colour'd black and yellow and made savory with Herbs or else dulcifi'd with Sugar brought on their Tables also in Gold and Silver Dishes The Government of the peculiar Provinces How the Provinces are Govern'd ALl the Provinces in Persia which are remote from the King's Court are Govern'd by Chans Sultans Calenters Darago's Visiers and Caucha's The King chuses the Chans who are as much as Princes or Vice-Roys and makes them Governors of what Provinces he pleases but commonly he elects them who by their valiant Exploits Piety or other noble Vertues have gain'd the love of their Countrey wherefore many in hopes to attain to that Honor behave themselves very valiantly in any Engagement and desperately venture their Lives for the Title of Chan. But the Children of those who are thus chosen Inherit not amongst the Persians for though they are held in great Respect and enjoy their Father's Goods yet they are not honor'd with his Title nor succeed him in his Office except they are judg'd worthy thereof by their own Merits But Della Valle tells us that the King gives the Dignity of Chan to one of his Subjects not onely for his Life but also permits his Children to succeed him after his Death and that there are Families found that have enjoy'd this Title above two hundred years As soon as the King hath made any one a Chan he immediately gives him Lands and Men to support his Grandeur which he enjoys as long as he lives but if at any time he chance to be suspected by the King he is immediately turn'd out of his Employment and all his Goods seiz'd Each Province hath a Chan and a Calenter who resides in the Metropolis thereof The Chan being the King's Vice-Roy Executes the Law doth Justice to all and passes Sentence of Death on Criminals without any special Order from the Court. The chiefest Chan is he who Governs Sciras the Metropolis of the Province of Persia properly so call'd who is able to bring an Army of thirty thousand Men into the Field the Countrey which he Commands being said to be bigger than Portugal The Calenter is as a Collector or Treasurer of the Province gathering all the Revenues and giving an Account thereof either to the King or Chans A Darugo or Darago otherwise Hacom is like a Governor or Mayor of a City every City having one A Caucha is as much as an under Sheriff The Equipage of Ambassadors The King usually sends the Chans and Sultans as Agents to foreign Princes and fits them out after this manner viz. The King orders them to give great Presents to those Princes unto whom they are sent of which the one half is given out of the King's Treasury and the other part as also all other Necessaries the Province which the Chan Governs is to provide which often causes great disturbance and confusion In some Provinces the Chans must maintain a certain number of Soldiers for the King which besides their own must be ready for Service on all occasions but then the King receivs no Tribute from them The Chans make great Presents to the King The Chans commonly on New-years-day make great Presents to the King Some Provinces especially where there are no Chans but onely Darago's and therefore no Soldiers kept as in the Towns of Caswin Ispahan
a certain dissembling Peruschian who was fled out of Persia first call'd Hakim Daoud and afterwards when created a great Omrah Tacarmbcan This Villain boldly standing up in the publick Assembly cry'd out That it was expedient for the safety of the State to put him to death immediately and the rather because he was not a Musselman or Mahumetan that long since he was turn'd Caffer Idolater a Man without Religion and by that means had brought upon himself this which was a just punishment for his sins But certain it is this vile Wretch afterwards felt the smart of his unjust Imputation for in a short time he fell into Disgrace being treated like an infamous Fellow and dy'd a miserable Death But Oranchzef carry'd away by these Instances and Motives commanded that he should be put to death and that Sepe Chekou his Nephew should be sent to Govaleor The Charge of this Tragical Execution was given to a certain Slave call'd Nazer who had been bred up by Schach Jehan and was known to have been misus'd by Darasja This Executioner accompany'd by three or four Parricides more went to Darasja who was dressing some Meat for himself and his Nephew fearing to be poyson'd if he should trust any one else to do it As soon as he espy'd Nazer he cry'd to Sepe Chekou his Nephew Behold my Son yonder are those that come to kill us laying hold at the same instant on a small Knife which was all the Weapon that was left him with which he defended himself to little purpose whilst some of the Villains seiz'd on Sepe Chekou and the rest pressing upon him threw him down to the Ground and held him by the Hands and Feet till Nazer cut off his Head Darasja murder'd which was immediately carry'd to the Castle to Oranchzef who commanding the same to be put into a Charger of Water call'd for a Handkerchief and having wash'd off the Blood and seeing that it was the real Head of Darasja he fell a weeping uttering these words Oh unhappy Oh unfortunate Man Take away this Sight from mine Eyes and bury it in the Grave of Homayon In the Evening they put Darasja's Daughter into the Seraglio though afterwards upon her Request she was sent to Schach Jehan and Begum Saheb As for Darasja's Wife she ended her Days before at Lahor poysoning her self when she foresaw the Extremities she was falling into with her Husband Sepe Chekou was sent to Govaleor and after a few days Gioncan was sent for to appear before Oranchzef in the Assembly where several Presents being made to him he was again dismiss'd but in his Way home he was rewarded according to his Deserts being kill'd in a Wood this barbarous Man not knowing nor considering that though Kings do sometimes permit such Actions for their Interest yet they abhor the Actor and sooner or later revenge them Mean while Tatabacar surrrendred the Governor of Tatabacar was forc'd upon an Order press'd and obtain'd from Darasja to surrender the Fort though upon a good Composition if it had been real but the poor Governor coming to Lahor was together with the few of those Men that accompany'd him upon the Command of the Calullacan Governor of that Place cut in pieces The reason why the Articles of Agreement were not perform'd was because it was reported that the Governor made private Preparations to go to Soliman Chekou to which purpose he distributed divers pieces of Gold amongst the Franks that came with him out of the Fort thereby to intice them to follow him under a pretence to accompany him to Deli to Oranchzef as having a great desire to see that brave Man who had defended himself so valiantly There remain'd now none of Darasja's Family but Soliman Chekou who was not easily to be fetch'd from Serenaguer if the Raja had continu'd in his first Resolution but the private Correspondence of Jesseingue the Promises and Threats of Oranchzef the Death of Darasja and the other Rajas his Neighbors who had been gain'd and made Preparations by Order from Oranchzef and at his Charge at last stagger'd the Fidelity of this perfidious Protector Soliman Chekou taken and imprison'd and made him consent to their Demands Soliman Chekou inform'd thereof fled through uninhabited Countreys and desolate Mountains to the greater Tibet but the Raja's Son closely pursuing him caus'd Stones to be thrown at him which wounding the poor Prince so disabled him that he was forc'd to yield to his Enemies Mercy who carry'd him to Deli where he was imprison'd in Serenaguer a little Fortress the same Place wherein they formerly had put Moradbeck Is brought to the Court. Oranchzef to observe the same method as he had done in the Case of Darasja that none might doubt but that it was Soliman Chekou himself he commanded him in the presence of all his Nobles to be brought to the Court At the entrance of the Gate his Fetters were taken off from his Legs leaving onely those on his Hands When this young and noble Person being exceeding beautiful and well proportion'd was seen to enter the Gates many Omrahs could not withhold their Tears In like manner it is said that all the Ladies of the Court which had leave to see him come in fell a weeping Oranchzef himself also seeming to be affected with his Misfortunes began to comfort him saying to him That he need not fear any thing for no harm should come unto him but that he should on the contrary be well treated and therefore said he be of good chear God was powerful and would be merciful That he had taken off his Father for no other reason but because he turn'd Caffer a Man without Religion Whereupon the young Prince return'd him the Salam or Thanks with his Hands down to the Ground and then lifting them as well as he could up to his Head according to the Custom of the Countrey Moreover he requested Oranchzef that he would let him drink the Poust that he might instantly die he being very willing to submit to his Fate But Oranchzef promis'd him publickly that he would not make him drink it therefore he might rest satisfi'd and not entertain any said thoughts about it This said he once more repeated the Salam and after they had ask'd him several Questions in the Name of Oranchzef concerning the Elephant which was laden with Ropias of Gold taken from him when he went to Serenaguer he was sent to Govaleor to the rest The Poust what it is The Poust mentioned before is nothing but Poppy steep'd a Night in Water being that Potion which those Princes that are kept at Govaleor whose Heads they do not think fit to cut off are commonly forc'd to drink in a Morning fasting which enervates and debilitates their Limbs consumes their Inwards and makes them die insensibly With this Potion Sepe Chekou Nephew to Moradbeck and Soliman Chekou were poyson'd At to what concerns Moradbeck he was put to death after a more
cruel manner for Oranchzef observing that so long as he was in Prison the Affections of the generality of the People were towards him he thought it would not be safe for himself to put him to death in private with Poust as he had done the rest for fear the Vulgar should always be doubtful of his Death and still believe him to be in Prison and therefore devis'd the following Crime to accuse him withal The Children of a very rich Sahed Moradbeck's Death whom Moradbeck had put to death in Amadabad onely to get his Goods when he rais'd his Army and forcibly took or borrow'd all the Money from the Merchants made complaint thereof in the publick Assembly and demanded his Head for the Blood of their Father which not one of the Omrahs durst contradict first because he was a Sahed that is one of Mahomet's Relations to whom for that reason they shew'd great respect and secondly because they all observ'd Oranchzef's Design herein and that it was onely a meer pretence to put him to death publickly so that the Head of him who had kill'd their Father was given them without any farther Examination And thereupon an express Order was immediately sent to Govaleor to Behead him And now there remain'd no other Thorn in Oranchzef's Foot but Sultan Chasausa who still defended himself in Bengala yet he was at last forc'd to submit to the Power and Good Fortune of Oranchzef who sent so many Forces to Emir Jemla that he at last encompass'd him on both sides of the Ganges and all the Isles which lye in the Mouth thereof which forc'd Sultan Chasausa to flie to Dake the last City of Bengala lying on the Sea-shore And here comes the Conclusion of this whole Tragedy Chasausa flies for refuge to the King of Racan For this Prince being destitute of Ships to put to Sea and not knowing whether to betake himself sent his eldest Son Sultan Banque to the King of Racan or Moy a Heathen to know whether he would permit him to make his Court his Place of Refuge for some time and do him the favor when the Mousons or Trade-Winds should come to furnish him with a Vessel to Mecha that from thence he might pass into some Parts of Turkey or Persia The King return'd Sultan Chasausa word That he should be very welcom to him and have all possible Assistance With which Answer Sultan Banque return'd to Dake the King having also supply'd with several Galleys Mann'd with Franks viz. Renegade Portuguese and other Christians who had enter'd into the foremention'd King's Service and maintain'd themselves by Plundering of the Lower Bengale In these Gallies Sultan Chasausa Embarquing with his whole Family viz. his Wife his three Sons and Daughters set Sail and arriving at their desir'd Port they were courteously receiv'd and supplied with all things which the Countrey afforded at the King's Charge Some Months being past He requests a Ship to transport him to Mâ—cha but is deny'd the Season for the Trade-Winds came but he could not obtain the Ship that was promis'd him though he desir'd it upon no other account but for his Money for he wanted not as yet either Gold Silver or Precious Stones but had rather too much of them his Riches being the occasion of his Destruction or at least a great Inducement thereunto For these Barbarian Kings are destitute of all true Nobleness neither do they regard Fidelity or Promises minding nothing but their present Interest and never considering the Inconveniences and Mischiefs that may befal them for their Perfidiousnes To get out of their Hands one must either be very Powerful or at least have nothing that may tempt their Avarice And the more Sultan Chasausa implor'd for a Ship the further he was from having it the King on the contrary beginning to grow very cool and complaining that he did not come to see him It is not known whether Sultan Chasausa look'd upon it as a dishonor to himself and a thing below him to go and visit a King or whether he fear'd that he might secure his Person when he should come into his Palace and so make himself Master of all his Treasure and deliver him to Emir Jemla who promis'd him great Sums of Money and many other considerable Advantages to do the same However it was he would not go thither but sent his Son Sultan Banque who being come near the King's House shew'd his Liberality to the People throwing handfuls of Ropias of Gold and Silver amongst them and coming before the King he presented him with several Embroider'd Coats and wrought Pieces of Gold beset with Precious Stones and excus'd his Father Chasausa's not coming by alledging he was indispos'd desiring him also to furnish him with a Ship and perform the Promises which he had made to him But all this avail'd not for five or six days after the King sent to Sultan Chausasa to request one of his Daughters in Marriage which he not granting so highly incens'd this Barbarous Prince that he suffer'd Chasausa to be driven to great Extremities the Season for putting to Sea being now past When behold he took a strange Resolution which may give a great Example of what Despair can do His Plot against the King of Racan discover'd Though this King of Racan was a Heathen yet he had abundance of Mahumetans in his Dominions which either retir'd thither voluntarily or have been brought thither as Slaves by the Franks These Chasausa privately gain'd to be of his Party and with two or three hundred Men which he had yet remaining he resolv'd one day to fall unexpectedly upon the Barbarian's House and putting all to the Sword make himself Master of Racan Which indeed was a very bold Enterprise and had more of the Desperado in it than of a Prudent Man yet the thing was not impossible to be done But the day before the Stroke was to be given the Plot being discover'd quite overthrew Chasausa's Design and in a short time prov'd the occasion of his Ruine For seeing there was no way to recover himself he attempted to flie to Pegu a thing in a manner impossible by reason of the vast Mountains and Forests which he was to pass Besides He is pursu'd and defeated he was immediately pursu'd so close that he was overtaken the same day he fled when defending himself very valiantly he kill'd a great number of Indians but they at last press'd upon him in such Multitudes that he was forc'd to quit the Battel Sultan Banque being not so far advanc'd as his Fathers defended himself also like a Lion but after having receiv'd divers Wounds with Stones which the Indians threw at him he was taken Prisoner and carried away with his two younger Brothers Sisters and Mother Uncertain what became of him Some say That Sultan Chasausa himself fled with his Wife one Eunuch and two other Persons to the top of a Mountain where he receiv'd a
this Province How the King came to be dispossest The Persians Invade Georgia Luarzab Imprison'd and Murther'd Fol. 88 The Persian quits the Country The Georgian Women much desir'd by the Persian Nobility Teimuraz flies to the Turks who assist him with a potent Army Fol. 80 The Province of Guriell with its Situation Fol. 90 The Province of Mengrelia anciently Colchis The Borders of Mengrelia The Air The Inhabitants afflicted with many Diseases The Rivers in this Country ibid. Their Sturgeon of divers kinds Their Venison Birds Beasts c. Fol. 91 Several sorts of Mengrelians Their first Money Trade with the Turks Houses c. Fol. 92 Their Habits Their homely Manner of Entertainment Recreations Nuptial and Funeral Ceremonies Fol. 93 Of their Physicians How they go to War Their Charity to Strangers Their Government The Royal Seat of the Dominion The Occasion of the first Revolt Fol. 94 The present King of Megrelia call'd Dadian Conquers the Abcassians and makes War upon Imereti Dadian an excellent Prince Their Punishment of Malefactors Fol. 95 Their manner of determining Differences The Wealth of their Patriarchs Their Bishopricks Of their Priests Of their Baptism St. Georges Feast Fol. 96 Their Fasts Superstitions and Ceremonies at Funerals Fol. 97 Avogastes or Avogasie Its Borders and several Names with the Chief Towns thereof ibid. The several sorts of People about Mengrelia and Mount Caucasus The Inhabitants of Mount Caucasus their manner of Living Riches Trade Habit Wars Fol. 98 The People call'd Lazi or Curten and what they be ibid. The Black Sea The several Names of this Sea Subject to frequent Storms Why frequented by the Cossack c. Fol. 98 The Province of Circassia Who the Circassians are The Rivers Bounds and Lords of the Country How they are Govern'd The Situation and Description of the City Terki Fol. 99 How Garrison'd The Habits of the Circassians Their Employments Language and how they Govern their Children Fol. 100 Their manner of Living What Arms they use Their Encouragement of Theft Their different Opinions in Religion Ceremonies us'd at the death of the Nobility Their Degrees c. Fol. 101 Albania The Cities and Chief Towns of Albania The Air and Government of this Country Fol. 102 The Province of Curdistan Its Bounds and the Habit of the People ibid. Their Language Living Government and Religion Fol. 103 THE EMPIRE of the GREAT MOGOL AND INDIA Of India in General INDIA why so call'd It s Division Extent and Bounds The largeness of its Circuit Its Rivers Fol. 104 The Course of the River Indus The River Ganges with its Riches The Lake Chiamay Fol. 105 Their floating Bridges Mountains Beasts c. Fol. 106 Their Fruits and Plants as Betel Areka Cate with their several Uses Fol. 107 The general Name of the Inhabitants Their Division into several Tribes The Brahmans highly esteem'd Fol. 110 The Original of the Brahmans Fol. 111 The several Sects of the Brahmans Fol. 112 Their way and manner of Living with their Habitations Study and Government Fol. 114 The Ceremonies at the Birth of their Children c. Fol. 116 A strange Fable of their Immortal Elixir The manner how they Marry their Children Fol. 117 The Punishment of Fornication Their great Observation of Good and Bad Days c. Fol. 118 Their Account of Time Fol. 119 The Fabulous Story of Gasjendre Mootsjam and their several Superstitions with the Sick and at the Funerals of their Deceased Fol. 120 The Liberty of their Women and in what manner they are oblig'd to accompany their Husbands into the other World Fol. 121 Burning not allow'd by the Mahumetans The Funeral Ceremonies of the Brahmans Fol. 122 123 A pleasant Quarrel betwixt a Christian and an Indian Fol. 123 Cages for Birds like Hospitals Their great love for Cows ibid. Strange Marriages of Bulls and Cows Fol. 124 Why the Indians have Cows in great esteem ibid. The Brahmans forbid the eating of Flesh and why ibid. The Soudras and Settreas condemn'd by the Brahmans for eating of Flesh The Brahmans Diet c. ibid. The Fast-days of the Brahmans The Fast Dauli The Diet of the Indians Fol. 125 Their several sorts of Liquor c. Fol. 126 Their Apparel Places of Recreation Furniture of their Houses The Indians go always Arm'd The manner of Living of the Nobility and Persons of Quality Fol. 127 The Women good Dancers Their Games and Pastimes The manner of the Great Mogol's Hunting What Beasts they chiefly Hunt Fol. 128 The manner of Hunting the Lion by the Great Mogol Their Language and manner of Writing Fol. 129 A brief Vocabulary of the Malayan Tongue ibid. The Court Language is wholly Persian Fol. 134 The Creation of the World in Ten Bodily Appearances of Wistnow or Mahadeu Of the Creation of the World ibid. The Mountain Merowa The four Ages of the World The ten Appearances of Wistnow They acknowledge in some measure a Trinity Fol. 135 They believe a general Conflagration of the World ibid. Matsias or Matx Altar the First The Charge of Bramha ibid. Caurams or Courmas Altar the Second The Riches of the Sea ibid. Waras or Warrahas Altar the Third Mahadue's strange Shape in his third Appearance Fol. 136 The Giant Hirnac's Representation ibid. Narsings Altar the Fourth Hirenkessep's Request to Bramma His Edict ibid. Vannams Altar the Fifth begins with the Second Age call'd Tretrsingke The Request of Vannam to Bell Ragia c. Fol. 137 Prasserams or Paresje Ramas Altar the Sixth Braman and Braminin a Married Couple she being barren they both retire into a Wilderness and there pray to Mahadeu to give them Children who grants their Desire Fol. 138 Reneka Murther'd for what Reason and how restor'd to Life again Fol. 139 Rams or Ram Katas otherwise Dajaratha Ramas Altar the Seventh Rawan's Request to Mahadeu Fol. 140 Kistnas or Cristnas or Crexnos Altar the Eighth Narret's Prognostication of Denki c. Fol. 142 The Opinion of the Wonders of Kistna ibid. Bhodes or Boudhas Altar the Ninth The Description of Boudhas c. Fol. 143 Callenkyns Altar the Tenth It s Description and Continuance c. ibid. Of their Religion in general A General Toleration in India Their Vedam or Law-Book what it contains ibid. The Brahmans Opinion of God The Extract of Garrouda and Annemonta Mahumetanism profess'd in some Places Their high esteem of Ramma Idols giving Answers like Oracles Their Belief and Opinion of the Immortality of the Soul Fol. 144 The Commandments imposed by the Brahmans The several Pagodes of Wistnow and Eswara in Carnatica Strange things related by the Brahmans of their Pagodes Fol. 145 The manner of Worshipping Wistnow and Eswara Fol. 147 The Feasts Gawri Dewi and Tsewartre with divers other Festivals peculiar to several Sects Fol. 148 Their Worship of several Deities Fol. 149 The Brahmans Belief concerning the Transmigration of the Soul Fol. 150 Places accounted Holy and visited by the Brahmans Fol. 151 The Religion Customs and Constitutions of the Hassenists or
Their Midwives which they call Dayas use also the dry'd beaten Fruit by mixing Betel amongst the same to force away the Secundine Many Precious Stones found here Between the Island Zeilan and the Cape of Comori near the Island Manar the Natives Fish for Pearl The Kingdoms of Decan and Golconda afford the Inhabitants excellent Diamonds India also produces Topazes Berils Rubies which the Arabians call Yacut Hyacinths Granats Smaragds Chrysolites Amethysts Agats Bezoar-stones and Borax Some Places also yield Gold and Silver and all manner of other Metals The Seasons in India are much differing from ours and one Coast from another Little Rain in India In Suratte and through all India there falls little or no Rain excepting at the Season in the Countrey Language call'd Pausecal which lasting about three Months begins in June and by reason of these constant Rains some name these three Months Winter Notwithstanding at this time as well in India as in other Countreys lying in 23 Degrees from the Equinoctial Line they feel the greatest and powerfullest Heat On all the Coasts of India the Rainy Seasons begin not at one time 's for it begins first in the Southern Countrey from the Cape Comoryn and runs from thence to the Northern Parts wherefore it begins later in Cambaya and other Northerly Places than at Goa where it appears on the eleventh of May. Wherefore the farther the Places lie to the Northward the longer it is before the Rainy Season comes thither And for the same reason the Persians in their Table-books and Almanacks set the down the Rainy Seasons to begin in India on the fifteenth of their third Month which they call Cordad and according to our Account of Time falls out on the twenty third of May For these Almanacks are made suitable to the Latitude of the Northern Countreys as to Cambaya Surat and many other Places where the Portuguese drive the greatest Trade The beginning of their Winter and Summer From the Kingdom of Cambaya which is the first Westward to the Cape of Comoryn along the Coast of Malabar Winter begins about the latter end of April and continues till August and at the same time from this Cape to the Coast of Cormandel it is Summer and the contrary in the following Moneths when it is Summer every where else for from August to April so long as it is Winter in the Eastern parts of India or on the Coast of Cormandel the Inhabitants Westward on the Coast of Malabar enjoy plenty of Summer Weather whenas both these Places lie under one Climate and in one Latitude Benefit of the great Rains Many years since it hath been found by experience that this Rain having continu'd some days in India and ceasing and fair Weather following for many Weeks after it begins to Rain with greater violence than before and therefore without doubt this Rain is the onely work of Divine Providence because India without these great Rains would not be inhabitable in those times by reason of the exceeding Heat and Drought which is made temperate by the Rain which also moistens the Ground being before parch'd and burnt and not onely makes these Countreys habitable but also fruitful causing the Ground to produce all things in a plentiful manner whil'st the Air grows much sweeter and pleasanter and much healthier for all Persons There is also this difference in respect of the several remote Countreys viz. the Rain being sooner and much more in one place than the other as in Bagnola and along the Coast of Cormandel to the Island Ceilon it begins and ends a Moneth sooner than on the Coast of Malabar In Bagnola the rainy Season continues four Moneths and sometimes it Rains eight days and Nights without ceasing whenas in Doly and Agra it is nothing near so vehement nor of that continuance three or four days passing together without a drop of Rain and commonly from Sun-rise till nine or ten a clock it Rains very little or not at all But the most remarkable difference is that the Rain which falls in these several places comes out of divers parts of the World as towards the City of Dely it comes out of the East in which Bengala lies whenas there and on the Coast of Cormandel it comes out of the South and on the Coast of Malabar always out of the West According as the Summer Heats come earlier or later or are hotter or milder so the rainy Season comes also sooner or later falls in more or less abundance and continues longer or shorter It seldom Rains at Dely till after several days abundance of Clouds are driven Westward Lastly this rainy or tempestuous Season is commonly by a corrupt Arabick word call'd Mauzon Mausem Anciently five thousand great Cities in India Ancient Geographers relate that in former Ages five thousand great Cities flourish'd in India the best of which was Nysa in which as the Natives affirm Father Liber or Bacchus was born and to this day all the Towns and Cities in India are very large and populous which is no wonder considering the Indians an ancient People never went out of their native Countrey Bacchus was the first that marching with his Army into India subdu'd them after which the Persians vanquish'd and possess'd the Countrey lying between the Indus and Ganges till Alexander having vanquish'd Darius defeated Porus King of India after this it enjoy'd the happiness of a luxuriant Peace every one under his peculiar King till they were invaded by the Portuguese the first whereof was Vasques de Gama who setting Sail Anno 1497 from Spain discover'd the Sea-Coasts from India after which others of the same Nation and lastly the English and Hollanders about the latter end of the last Age have made farther Inspections into these Countreys Their general Name All the Inhabitants of India are by a general Name call'd Indig or Indians though they have several other Titles given them according to their several Qualities or the divers Countreys wherein they reside All the Indians along the Coast of Cormandel Division and other Countreys thereabouts are divided into four Tribes viz. those of the Brahmanes Settrea's Weinsja's or Benjans and Soutra's others add a fifth but themselves think it not worthy to be reckon'd amongst them Diodorus Siculus and Strabo anciently divided these People into seven Tribes who all follow'd several Employments or Studies and amongst these the first were the Philosophers which without doubt were the Brahmans or Brahmines concerning whom they say that as amongst Beasts The Brahmans highly esteem'd the Cows amongst Birds the Gorouda which is a red Sparrow with a white Circle about the Neck amongst Trees the Rawasistow is the most esteemed so likewise amongst Men the Brahmans are best belov'd of God and therefore are highly reverenc'd and honor'd by their own Natives The Vedam or Law-Book hath not a little added to the Honor of this Tribe for by that Law no Brahman can be put to death
let his Crime be never so hainous but if for some capital Offence he hath deserv'd to die they onely put out his Eyes for they account it one of the five deadly Sins that cannot be pardon'd to put a Brahman to death wherefore whoever kills a Brahman must according to the Order of the Vedam go in Pilgrimage twelve years and beg Alms with the deceased Brahmans Scull out of which he must eat and drink whatsoever is given him and after expiration of that time be bountiful in giving Alms and build a Temple in honor of Eswara The Settrea's The second Tribe in order is that of the Settrea's consisting in the Nobility of the Countrey who are call'd Raies or Ragias and are as we say Comites Regis the King's Companions or Cousins who therefore writes in his Letters Raja of Raja's In ancient times this Tribe had onely two Branches the one call'd Souriwansjam and the other Somowansjam Souri signifies in the Countrey Idiome Samscortam or the Sun and Somo the Moon Besides these two there are at this day many other though of less Dignity because they degraded their Pedigree by mixing with other inferior Tribes wherefore those of the two Branches will not contract any Marriuges or affinity with them The Noblemens duty The Office of these Noblemen is to defend the Countrey oppose their Enemies take care for the maintenance of the Brahmans see that the Laws be not violated and in short to inspect the Government of the whole Realm The Weinsja's The third Tribe is that of the Weinsja's and comprehends some which are call'd Comiteia's and others Setti Weapari They maintain themselves by Merchandizing and Broakage which Office they are bound to perform with great fidelity and be contented with a reasonable Gain Most of them live after the manner of the Brahmans and like them never eat any thing which hath life when as those of the second and fourth Tribe eat Fish and Flesh Beef onely excepted which in the Vedam or Law-Book is generally forbidden to all the Tribes Moreover this Sect is also call'd Vanjans or Banans The Soudra's The fourth Tribe is that of the Soudra's and consists of the vulgar or common sort of People but most especially of Tradesmen and Artificers This Tribe is also divided into many several Branches distinguish'd by peculiar Names Of these the Family of the Wellaca's are chief whereof some Govern the Countrey and others live upon their Estates The Ambria's Next to these follow in order the Ambria's being for the most part Husbandmen the rest either Serve the Nobility or live by their Labor The Palla That Family styl'd Palla is the meanest of all the Soudra's The Cowrea's The Cawrea's are a very great Branch being styl'd The three hundred Warehouses from a Barthwuherri who after his parting from 300 Marry'd Women or Wives became a Samjasy and gave them leave to Marry other Men with promise that it should not redound to the disgrace of them nor their Successors From these Marriages this Family sprang into which are receiv'd all such as have lost their Pedigree and therefore they compare it to the Sea which receives the Waters of all Rivers and yet never becomes full Some of this Family are Governors but the most are such as Paint on Cotton which is partly us'd for Clothing in their own and partly transported to foreign Countreys The Sitties are Chapmen or Pedlars and some of them wanting Estates to Trade perform the Offices of Porters The Paly are either Drovers who sell Cattel Husbandmen Painters or Soldiers and were anciently accounted a valiant People The Cottewaneni Sitties and Illewanies Trade in all manner of Fruit and Jagara or brown Sugar The Caiclle are a despicable People most of the Women being Strumpets which they account no disgrace The Catalja's are Smiths working both in Gold and Iron Masons Carpenters and Bricklayers The Carreans Patnouwa's Maccova's and Callia's are Fishermen the first and third Fish with great Nets the second with small ones and the last after a different manner The Conapule are Scriveners the Gurrea's and Bargurrea's Herdsmen and the Berga's though the last are accounted a noble Family The Kiddi are generally Husbandmen but some of them Soldiers the Camawaers are also Farmers the Inmadi and Montrea's are for the most part Military and the Berga Willala's are Drovers The Family of the Corewa's have no setled Habitations nor City to dwell in but range up and down the Countrey with their Wives and Children sleeping in small Huts which they build in those places where they come and at their removal pull them down and with the rest of their Goods carry them away on Asses which they keep for that purpose They maintain themselves by making of Soupen and Tatous which are little Fans wherewith they winnow their Rice and Potlids to cover it when it boyls they also fetch Salt from the Seaside on their Asses Custom-free because they are poor and their Asses carry but small Loads The Women who generally go with a Basket under their Arms boasting themselves to be Fortune-tellers get great Sums of Money from ignorant People The Perrea's who are the Men for the Women are call'd Perresies are a very despicable People amongst these Heathens not being accounted worthy to be styl'd a Family nor suffer'd to live near others but dwell all together in a corner of the City and in the Countrey have not their Habitations in Villages but in Houses built at a large distance neither are they permitted to fetch Water out of any Wells or Pits belonging to the Villages but forc'd to dig some near their own Houses nor may they go through any Street or Village wherein the Brahmans dwell nay are forbidden to enter the Pagode or Temple of their Gods Wistwow and Eswara they do all manner of Drudgery which none else will undertake and eat Horseflesh and the like Carrion so that 't is no wonder why the other Tribes not onely despise but account them unclean especially the chief Brahmans This Family is divided into two Parries the one call'd Perrea's and the other Siripera's which last are Tanners Potters and the like The Perrea's being the first are of better esteem than the Siripera's and therefore will never eat in any of their Houses but the Siripera's are permitted to eat in the Perrea's where they shew them reverence by lifting up their Hands and rising from their Seats These upon the decease of one of the Comittys Ritties Palies and others are oblig'd for a small Reward to shave off their Beards and follow the Corps when it is carry'd out of the City or Village to be burnt Every one of these Tribes must perform the Office which he hath once undertaken as long as he lives without changing his Condition and neither expect to be promoted or fear to be degraded The Family of the Pulia's also is accounted unclean and are much despis'd for the other Tribes