Journal ten thousand Curdes Subjects to the Turk deserting their Countrey went and desir'd other Lands of Schach Abbas King of Persia who giving them a sufficient Maintenance occasion'd a War between the Turks and Persians They have absolute Command in some parts of their Territory as in Gozire a City of Mesopotamia built on an Isle in the River Tigris and in the Mountains by the Inhabitants call'd Tor. The Inhabitants are very valiant and are look'd upon to be able to do great prejudice to the Turk against whom they commonly maintain War Their Arms are Bowes Arrows Shields and Simiters Their Religion Their Religion is that of the Mahumetans either according to the Turkish or Persian way as they see convenient Moreover they are strongly inclin'd to divers Superstitions which are peculiar to them and savor much of Idolatry Some affirm that they worship the Devil because he should not do them or their Cattel any hurt Many Chaldean Christians of the Sect of the Nestorians or Jacobites live in the Dominion of the Curdes and Serve them in the Wars THE EMPIRE OF THE Great Mogol AND INDIA Of India in general India why so call'd INDIA is so call'd from the River Indus and the Word East generally added to India because it is the most Easterly part of Asia and hence America or the New-found World has borrow'd the Name of West-India in opposition to it It s Division Extent and Bounds Ptolomy affirms that anciently and to this day India is divided into two great parts whereof one which extends from the River Indus to Ganges is by the Persians call'd Indostan that is The Countrey of Indus and by the Greek and Latine Writers India intra Gangem or India within Ganges The other part is call'd Mangi or India extra Gangem or Without Ganges The first comprehends all the Countreys under the Great Mogol's Jurisdiction as also the Kingdom of Narsinga or Bisnagar Kannara Orixa the Coast of Cormandel and Malabar the Kingdom of Golconda and many others The second part without Ganges contains the Kingdom of Bengala Arracan Pegu Siam Malacca Cambaya Champa or Tzampa Lao Cochinchina besides many lesser and lastly the vast Empire of China Both these parts also comprehend divers Islands amongst which Japan if so it be is the most Eastern as also the most eminent This whole vast Countrey according to the ancient and modern Writers conterminates on the West with the River Indus the Countrey of Arachosia and Gedrosia on the South with the Indian Sea on the East with the Eastern Shore and on the North with some Branches of Mount Taurus or Imaus a part of Taurus Texeira tells us that India begins at the end of the Kingdom of Macran The largeness of its Circuit lying in 106 Degrees of Longitude and extends to 159 from East to West a Degree being reckon'd to be fifteen Leagues a Tract of eight hundred Leagues in a direct Line India also extends from North to South from the Equinox to the Cape of Malacca almost to the 40. Degree the utmost part of China a Tract of about six hundred Leagues not reckoning the Indian Isles some of which lie a great way to the Southward of the Equinoctial The most eminent Rivers of India are the Indus and Ganges Rivers which come from the Northward out of the Mountains Imaus and Caucasus by the Inhabitants according to Castaldus call'd Dalanguer and Nangracot and both as the Inhabitants affirm spring from one Head though some Geographers make the distance between them to be a hundred and eighty Leagues and others but a hundred and thirty though the first seems most probable because the Ganges takes its course Easterly and the Indus Westerly Philostratus places the Head of the River Indus in Mount Caucasus and makes the same in some places to be a League and a half broad and transplanting abundance of Soil along with it which like the Nile in Egypt makes the adjacent Grounds exceeding fertile MAGNI MOGOLIS IMPERIVM The Course of the River Indus The Indus or Send thus enrich'd with the Waters of other Rivers takes its course Southward through the Provinces of Attack Backor and Tatta and near the City Dul which gives its Denomination to the same it discharges its Water through two Mouths into the Ocean and not through seven as Texeira affirms These Openings are in 23 Degrees and 35 Minutes Northern Latitude Most Maps and many Geographers are greatly mistaken in placing this River as if it fell into the Sea near the utmost Point of the Gulf of Cambaya but this is a great error and as wide from the truth as the whole Countrey of Zuratte is broad for the Indus runs not from the East to Zuratte as it should do if it disembogu'd at Cambaya but the River which discharges its Water into the Bay of Cambaya is another call'd Mehi The River Indus hath divers Isles especially near its Mouth which are very pleasant and fruitful and one City nam'd Varaxes Pliny affirms that nineteen Rivers contribute their Waters to the Indus the chiefest whereof are the Hydaspes now call'd Moltan which receives four other lesser Streams the Catabra the Hypasis and Acesina The Course of the River Ganges The River Ganges now call'd Gangia arises from Mount Caucasus and bends its course to the South through or between the Rocks of the Province of Siba and soon after becomes very broad then proceeding on its course Southward it receives by the way the Waters of thirty Rivers as Ananias saith or according to Pliny ninety so that it swells exceedingly and spreads above four Miles in breadth yet not above eight Fathom deep and at last after a long course falls through many Mouths into the Sea the chiefest whereof and most Westerly is Satigan or Satiguam so call'd from a City of that Name built on its Banks a Sea-port Town where the Portuguese us'd to drive a great Trade the other being the most Easterly is also near a famous Sea-Harbor and is call'd Chatigan both which are under the Jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Bengala The Ganges at last discharges its Water through two noted Mouths into the Bay of Bengala These Mouths Ptolomy places in the eighteenth and nineteenth Degree of Northern Latitude but Barros and Linschot set them in twenty two or twenty two Degrees and a half Accounted holy and why Those of Bengala as the same Linschot writes affirm the Head of Ganges to be in the terrestrial Paradise and therefore account the Water thereof holy and for that cause the Benjans and other Indian Heathens go thither in Pilgrimage to bathe themselves and to drink of it and the Inhabitants of Bengala lying on their Death-beds cause themselves to be thrown into the said River or at least to have their Feet dipt in A Pint of Water a thing very remarkable of the Ganges Lighter than other Water is not above half so heavy as that of
of which so many breed here that the Fishermen dare not go into above four Fathom Water which Pomponius Mela seems to have observ'd when he saith in his Geography This Sea is more dangerous than any other by reason of the many Monsters that breed therein It hath been reported that in Kilan over against the Mountain Sahebelan where they breed most they are taken with Hooks fastned to thick Lines and Baited with Flesh Divers other sorts of Fish Nor doth it onely breed Monsters for contrary to the Opinion of Contareno and Bizarro it produces several sorts of excellent Fish as Salmon Sturgeon Carps an Ell long a sort of Herrings great Breams call'd Chascham Scwit or Schivit and a sort of Barbels a Yard and a half long but others less which are tough and not fit to be eaten The Inhabitants there catch another sort of Salmon-Trouts which they dry in the Smoak and Dress after this manner viz. They lay the smoak'd Fish wrapt in a Linnen or Cotton Cloth upon a hot Hearth and then cover it with Ashes till it be enough whereby it gaineth a most delicate taste This abundance of Fish breeding in the Sea causes the King of Persia to Farm out the Fishing thereof towards the Mouth of the fresh Rivers which brings him yearly considerable Sums of Money This Fishing Farm begins in September and lasts to the end of March during which time the Rivers are shut up to prevent Intruders that have no right to Fish there but all the rest of the year not onely the Rivers but the Sea it self lies free and open to all Persons This Sea in the Summer the Persians Tartars and Russians Navigate in sleight and miserable Vessels with which they dare not Sail but onely before the Wind nor venture from the sight of the Shore There are but few Harbors and those neither good nor safe the place between the Island Tzenzeni and the main Land is counted one of the securest and therefore the Persians always Anchor there in the Night they also us'd to Ride with their Vessels near Bacu Lenkeran and Ferabath according as the Wind favors them But the best in all that Sea is towards the East on the Tartars side and is call'd Chuaresm and Minkischlack but by some nam'd Manguslave This Sea according to Herodotus Ptolomy and Aristotle is distinct from all other being wholly inclos'd within the Land so that it may justly be call'd a Mediterranean from whence appear the Errors of Dionysius the Alexandrian Pomponius Mela Strabo Pliny Solinus Basilius Magnus and others who would make it to mix with the Scythian or Tartarick Sea or else a Bay of the Northern Ocean and not totally surrounded by the Land The Province of Mazanderan Borders of the Province of Mazanderan THe Province of Mazanderan or Mazanderon conterminates in the West with Gilan or Kilan the East Borders upon Estarabat the South touches Erack Media and a part of Gilan and the North verges with the Bacu or Caspian Sea Its length is accounted to be thirty Leagues and Compriseth twenty five Cities the Metropolis of which bears the same Denomination with the Province but Della Valla and Olearius name it Ferhabad and aver that formerly it was call'd Tahona Description of Ferhabad The City Ferhabad which lies about two thousand Paces from the Caspian Sea is in a great Plain and as Della Valla witnesseth in a few years after the first Building grew to the bigness of Rome or Constantinople but was not inclos'd with Walls Nor have the chief Cities in this Countrey any such Inclosures The Teggine Rude that is The Swist-River runs through the middle of the City over which there is but one Bridge but that neatly built in that place where commonly the greatest concourse or People is in other parts a good distance from the Bridge they Ferry over in slat-bottom'd Boats made of one great Tree This Place by reason of its nearness to the Caspian Sea and convenience of the beforemention'd River is accounted a Sea-port Town because the Ships Sail up to the aforenam'd Bridge where they drop their Anchors and though the Vessels are not very big yet all that drive this Trade viz. to the City Gilan Esterabad Bacu Demircapt and to Astracan in Muscovia lade and unlade here King Abbas not long since call'd it Ferhabad that is The City of perfect Joy which is an Arabick word compounded of Fer which signifies Joy and Habad that is Finished Two Reasons induc'd the King to build this City the one was a desire he had to beautifie his Kingdom and extend the Limits thereof for he built divers Cities in several other places the other was his kindness to this particular Region partly because it was the Birth-place of his Mother and partly because it was the strongest part of his Dominions for it lies on one side surrounded with the unnavigable part of the Caspian Sea and on the other with inaccessible Mountains through which none can come but by narrow and craggy Paths besides all which this Countrey lay remotest from the Enemy especially from the Turks The Houses in the beginning were not above a Story high and cover'd onely with Canes to keep out the Weather The Walls consist of a certain Stuff very common in this Countrey which being mix'd with Straw is call'd Calghil that is Straw and Earth to which a quantity of Sand being added and beaten like Mortar makes a most strong and durable Cement But the King's Palace is built of Sun-dry'd Brick which in the time of a great Fire proving a safeguard to it self and all within caus'd the King to command all the Houses to be built of the like Materials The City Eskerf Eastward from thence lies a City call'd Eskerf about two Leagues from the same Sea at the end of a large Plain near the foot of a Mountain which environs the same on the South side This City was also built by Abbas at the same time with Ferhabad It hath many Gardens and a great Bazar or Street full of Shops besides divers other meaner Houses standing without order among shady Groves in a delightful Plain which is full of Inhabitants sent thither by the King and is much frequented especially when the Court Resides there which is the greatest part of the Summer for in Winter Ferhabad was the Royal Chamber and this the King did to draw Inhabitants thither and cause a Trade and likewise because it was well seated for Hunting and other Recreations The Houses are built under high Trees and so shaded with the Boughs that they are scarce to be seen insomuch that one may doubt whether Eskerf be a City erected in a Wood or a Grove inhabited like a City In the middle of the Gardens behind the Houses stand Chambers or rather Galleries because they are onely cover'd on the top which being about a Man's heighth above the Ground are ascended to by Steps and serve both for Eating
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
Moreover when they had all things granted them wanting nothing but to put in execution those Commandments which God had laid upon them Bremaw began seriously to consider with himself after what manner he might behave himself most honourably in the Employment that God had put him upon when on a sudden he felt a strange alteration in his Body accompanied with a general Pain through all his Parts such as that with a Woman in her Travel foretelling some strange and wonderful Event his Body was in an instant swell'd after a strange manner and his Intrails grew sensibly bigger than before At last his Body open'd in two Places viz. on his Right and Left Side out of which came two Twins the one a Male the other a Female both of their full growth Bremaw having receiv'd Strength again instructed them in things concerning Religion and call'd the Man Manow and the Woman Ceteroupa who after they had worshipp'd God thank'd Bremaw that brought them into the VVorld and having receiv'd his Blessing they travell'd towards the East setling on a Mountain call'd Munderpurvool to the end that those which they should beget might spread themselves East West North and South No sooner were they come to the foremention'd Mountain but Ceteroupa was deliver'd of three Sons and three Daughters whereof the eldest Son was call'd Priauretta the second Outanapautha the third Scomeraut the eldest Daughter was nam'd Kammah the second Sooneretaw and the third Sumboo As soon as they came to Age they were sent to several Places Priauretta and Kammah to the West to a Mountain call'd Segund Otanapautha and Soonurettaw to the North to the Mountain Ripola Someraut and Sumboo to the South to the Mountain Supars all which Countries they made very populous By this means Bremaw was the first Father of all the Inhabitants of the Earth whilst Wistney took care for all necessary things for the preservation of humane Creatures which Bremaw had made by affording them all the Blessings that make Men happy in this Life till at last Ruddery sent Sickness Death and a Curse among the Children of Men who by their wicked Lives had justly merited God's Vengeance This was the manner of Government which God us'd for the restoring of the World and all humane Creatures which were to inhabit in the second Age. Furthermore God according to the Relation of the Benjans taught Men to serve him after this manner When God saw that there could be no Order nor lawful Government in those Places where his Worship and Service was not Establish'd he resolv'd to make Laws for the preventing of Man's committing those Crimes which were the destruction of the first Age In order whereunto he descended upon the Mountain Meropurbatee to which Place he call'd Bremaw to whom he appear'd in his Glory through a dark and thick Cloud telling him That he was necessitated to destroy the first Age by reason Men would not obey his Commands which were contain'd in the Book he had given to Brammon At the same time God gave Bremaw another Book and commanded him to teach all things that were contain'd therein Bremaw to Execute his Office publish'd God's Commandments to all People on the Earth The Benjans call this Book Shaster that is The Book of Written Words which contains three Treatises or Parts the first whereof contains their Fundamental Laws with an Explanation of each Commandment The second treats of the Ceremonial Law and teaches them the Ceremonies which are to be observ'd in their Religion The third Treatise distinguishes all Men into certain Families or Tribes and comprehends the Commandments of each Tribe in particular which is all that is contain'd in the Book Shaster out of which we will here set down the chief Heads thereof The first Treatise in which is describ'd the Fundamental Laws which Bremaw taught contain'd the following eight 1. Thou shalt not kill any Creature that hath Life in it for thou art one of the Creatures and so is that thou art endu'd with a Soul as that is therefore thou shalt not take away the Life of any thing whatsoever it be which belongs to me 2. Thou shalt make a Contract with the five Senses First with thy Eyes that they may not see any thing that is ill Secondly with your Ears that they may not hearken to any bad thing Thirdly with your Tongue not to express any ill words Fourthly with your Pallat that you taste nothing unclean as Wine or the Flesh of living Creatures Lastly with your Hands that they may not touch any thing to defile them 3. Thou shalt exactly observe and keep all the Days and Times appointed for Devotion as likewise Cleansing with Worshipping and Praying which thou must perform with an upright and zealous Heart 4. Thou shalt not give any false Testimonies or speak Lies by means of which thou mightest defraud thy Brother and enrich thy self by fraudulent means when thou Tradest with him 5. Thou shalt be merciful to the Poor according to thy Power and assist them in their Necessities with Meat Wood and other things they may stand in need of for their support 6. Thou shalt not oppress the Poor and serve thy self with that Power which is given thee to destroy thy Brother unjustly 7. Thou shalt keep certain Feasts and Holidays without pampering thy Body and feeding thy self with Laciviousness but on the contrary spend certain Days in Fasting and in stead of Sleeping over much Watch often to be the better prepar'd for Praying and for the performance of all other Holy Offices 8. Thou shalt not take any thing from thy Brother whatever it be wherewith thou art entrusted but content thy self with what he shall give thee for thy Reward remembring thou hast no Right to that which belongs to another These eight Commandments are prescrib'd to all the four Tribes in general but besides them they have two more which are particular to each Tribe First Bramines and Schuddery that is the Priests and Merchants are strictly oblig'd to observe their Religious Commandments and have near Relation one to another in Matters of Religion as there is between those of Kuttery and Wyse that is the Magistrates and Handicrafts They ascribe to the Bramines which are the Priests the first and second Commandments because they place the chief of their Religion in these two things first to prevent the killing of living Creatures and next to abstain from all forbidden things as eating of Flesh drinking of Wine and the like which the Kutteries and Benjans are also strictly to observe They attribute particularly the third and fourth Commandments to Schuddery as being very suitable to his Office because it may possess the People with Devotion and prevent those fraudulent Practises which are common among Traders To Kuttery they prescribe being the Governors or Magistrates the fifth and sixth Commandments because they admonish the People of Love and Compassion to the Poor well knowing that Oppression is a common Sin among those that
great Copper Spout made fast in the Wall is convey'd thither in Pipes from the Mountains lying a League from thence and serves those for Drink that are Dieted there At the end of the Garden on the same side is a fair spacious and round Arch of green and blue Stone in the middle whereof are two great Copper Candle-sticks Round about the Walls are Seats wherein the Priests Cloth'd in white Apparel us'd to Sing It is a Tradition that Schach Sefi us'd to sit every year forty days together here Fasting and Praying his daily Sustenance being onely one Almond and a little Water from whence it is call'd Tschillachane Out of this Court you pass through another Gate where there also hangs a Silver Chain given by Allican Chan of Gappan The Entrance into the Tomb is under a pretty large Room over which is a round Tower through a Door Plated with Silver and adorn'd with thick Silver Rings The Floor at the Entrance is spread with Carpets on which those that will pass to the Tomb must walk bare-footed When Schach Abbas came to visit this Tomb he pull'd off his Shoes half a League before he came to the City and walk'd thither bare-footed in testimony of the great zeal he bore to this Saint This Entry hath a little Wicket on one side cover'd with Plates of Gold which leads to a stately Room It is said that Schach Abbas made this Door as also another at the Meschet in Chorazan before Imam Risa's Tomb upon the making of a certain Vow at the time of his marching against the Usbechies in Chorazan viz. That if these Saints would help him to drive the Enemy out of Chorazan he would give each of them a Golden Door which he accordingly perform'd after his Victory The Vault is forty eight Foot long and thirty broad and set round with many Silver and Gold Branches for Lamps of an extraordinary large size near which commonly sit twelve Singing Priests call'd Hafisan with little Stools before them on which lie great Parchment Books in which as they look they move their Bodies after the same manner as those in the Tschillachane Passing through this Vault you come into a kind of Sacristy ascended unto by three Silver Steps with Rails and Balasters likewise of Silver The Persians commonly kiss these Stairs before they go up the same This Room is exceeding costly and rises with another Step upon which a Rail of massy Gold runs cross the Room and behind it the Tomb of Schach Sefi made of polish'd Marble not of Gold as some say three Foot high from the Ground about nine long and four broad The Door of the Golden Rail is always lock'd and may not be open'd to any mortal Man not to the King himself On the left hand of this Room is another Vault in which Schach Abbas the First with several other Kings lie bury'd On the right side of the foremention'd Entrance is a great Vaulted Room curiously Gilded and resembling a Church the Cieling adorn'd with several pieces of Carv'd Work but not supported by any Pillars This Room being call'd Tzenetsera is the Library where the Books lie in seveveral Chests not set side by side but heap'd one upon the other and lock'd up they are most of them in Arabick but some in the Persian and Turkish Language written neatly either on Paper or Parchment and the Histories adorn'd with various Sculptures In divers corners of this Room are Shelves and Cupboards full of Porcelane Dishes and other Vessels of which some contain the quantity of three Gallons wherein the King and other Lords are serv'd when they come hither for this being a sacred Place and a holy Gift no Silver or Golden Vessels are to be us'd in it and it is said that Schach Sefi was wont out of zeal and humility to eat here out of woodden Platters Opposite to the Library or Tzenetsera is the Kitchin the Door whereof Schach Abbas causâ—d also to be Plated with Silver Every thing in the same is kept very neat divers large Cauldrons or Boyling-places are made in the Wall with great Covers to them The Water convey'd in Pipes round about the Kitchin and let into great Vessels by Copper Cocks Out of this Kitchin above a thousand Servants belonging to the Temple besides a great number of Alms-People receive their Allowance three times a day namely Morning Noon and Night The two first times of Serving are from Schach Sefi's Donation in which are daily spent about a hundred and fifty Aba's or three Tomams which is fifty Crowns but the third Service is on the King's Account These Meal-times are proclaim'd by two Officers who go about beating on Kettle-Drums which as 't is said were us'd by Mahumed and brought thither by Schach Sedredin together with Medine's Flag upon which Signal every one repairs thither and receives from the Butlers and Manciples in a Dish Broth Flesh and Rice in such plenty that many not able to cat all themselves sell it to those that are asham'd to fetch it Out of the Kitchin you go into the Garden where are the Graves of Sultan Aider Schach Thomas and other Kings that lie bury'd under the open Skie without either Tomb-stone or any thing else The chiefest Persons that lie bury'd in several places of this Meschaich are Schach Sefi Son of Seid Tzeibrail Schach Sedredin Son of Sefi Schach Tzinid Son of Sedredin in the European Histories by a mistake call'd Guined Sultan Aider Son of Tzinid who was flay'd alive by the Turks Schach Aider Son of Sultan Aider Schach Ismael Son of Aider Schach Thomas Son of Schach Ismael Schach Ismael the second Son of Schach Thomas Schach Mahumed Chodabende Son of Ismael Ismael Myrsa and Chodabende Hemsa Myrsa Brothers and Sons to Schach Abbas By whom this Tomb was built The Persians relate that a Platform of this above described Tomb was dictated by Schach Sedredin to the chief Architect whom he employ'd in building it after a wonderful manner that is to say he caus'd him to shut his Eyes and shew'd him as in a Dream a stately Edifice according to which he built the foremention'd Structure which Schach Tzinid hath enlarg'd adding a base Court and several Houses to it so that now it is like a great Castle with a continual concourse of People walking up and down there as in a little City It hath great allowance from the King The great Revenues belonging to it besides other Revenues and daily Presents which makes it worth many Millions nay 't is said that this Metzid is able in time of War with ready Money to raise more Men than the King for besides the great Sums in yearly Money it hath many Houses and Lands belonging to it which either pay Rent or Taxes to the same which amounts in all to to a considerable Treasury viz. in Ardebil are two hundred Houses nine Hamans or Baths eight Caravansera's the great Vaulted Exchange with all the Shops and Walks
Oranchzef with whom he was not able to Encounter Darasja's management off Affairs cavill'd at by Statesmen The Statesmen of this Countrey have had great Disputes about this Action of Darasja for it is said that if Darasja at his going from Lahor had gone to the Kingdom of Cabul as he was advis'd he would have found there above ten thousand Soldiers which were kept to guard the Countrey against the Augans Persians and Usbeques and Commanded by Mohabetcan one of the most powerful and ancientest Omrahs in Indostan and one that had never any kindness for Oranchzef moreover he would there have been on the Borders of Persia and Usbeck and it is certain that wanting no Money the whole Militia and also Mohabetcan would have embrac'd his Party and assisted him besides he might not onely have had Aid from Usbeck but also out of Persia as in times past Homayon Myrza whom the Persians setled in his Dominions and help'd him against Zahercan King of the Pattans who had driven him from thence But Darasja was too unfortunate to take any good Advice but in stead of following it he went to Scindy where he setled in his Fortress of Tatabacar a famous and strong Place lying in the midst of the River Indus Oranchzef seeing him take that Way did not think it convenient to follow him any farther but sent eight or ten thousand Men after him under the Command of Mirbaba his foster Brother and return'd directly with the same speed with which he came fearing that one thing or other might fall out near Agra and least some of the potent Rajas should attempt to release Schach Jehan out of Prison or least Soliman Chekon with the Raja of Serenaguer should descend from the Hills or Sultan Sujas approach too near to Agra In this his Return from Multan to Lahor he saw Jesseingue coming to meet him with four or five thousand of his chief Ragipous in a very good Equipage which sufficiently surprs'd Oranchzef who having left his Army behind very well knew that this Raja was much inclin'd to Schach Jehan and therefore fear'd that he might have taken hold of this opportunity and secur'd him till he had releas'd Schach Jehan which then he might easily have done and indeed no Man knows but that this Raja had some such Design he having march'd with extraordinary speed insomuch that Oranchzef had no manner of information thereof but believ'd him yet to be at Deli but what cannot Resolution and the help of a noble Spirit do for Oranchzef without seeming daunted in the least and without changing his Countenance rode directly to him and beckned to him with his Hand as far as he could well see him crying aloud Salamet Bached Rajagi Salamet Bached Babagi that is Joy Lord Raja Joy Lord Father and when the Raja was come near him he said I have expected you with great impatiencn the Work is done Darasja is lost he is left alone I have sent after him Mirbaba from whom I am certain he cannot escape and out of extraordinary kindness towards him took off his Necklace of Pearl and put the same about the Raja's Neck and the sooner to rid himself handsomly of him for he wish'd him a thousand Miles off he said thus to him Go with all speed to Lahor and make Preparations for me and my Army there which is somewhat tir'd for I apprehend that something or other may else happen there I make you Governor of that Place and put all things into your Hands Moreover I am exceedingly oblig'd to you for what you have done with Soliman Chekon Where have you left Delilcan I shall find a time to revenge my self upon him Be careful of your Charge and hasten away Farewel Salamet Bachet Darasja betaking himself to Amadabad is Entertain'd by Schach Navazecan Mean while Darasja being arriv'd at Tatabacar made a politick and generous Eunuch Governor thereof with a considerable Garrison of Pattans and Sayeds besides a great number of Musquetiers all Franks as English Portuguese French and Dutch who had follow'd him upon the great hopes he had given them for had his Business fall'n out successfully and he attain'd the Crown he would have made the Franks all of them Omrahs He also left a great part of his Treasure there yet carrying a sufficient Stock of Gold and Silver along with him he march'd after having staid two days there with two or three thousand Men along the River Indus to Scindy and cross'd with incredible celerity all the Countreys of the Raja Catche and Zurratte and arriv'd at the Gates of Amedabad of which Schach Navazecan Father-in-law to Oranchzef being Governor had a considerable Garrison sufficient to resist him Yet nevertheless whether it was because he wanted courage for although he was of those ancient Princes of Machate yet he was no great Soldier though a Man of a very courteous and obliging Temper he did not oppose Darasja but on the contrary receiv'd him very honourably insomuch that Darasja was wrought noâ— onely to confide and at length to communicate to him his Designs shewing him the Letters he receiv'd from Jesseingue and many other of his Friends who prepar'd themselves to come to him but it prov'd too true what every one told him and his Friends confirm'd by Letters that this Schach Navazekan would most certainly betray him Never was any Man more surpris'd than Oranchzef when he heard that Darasja was in Amadabat well knowing that he wanted not Money and that all his Friends and also the discontented Party which was numerous would not fail to betake themselves by little and little to him and on the other side he found it not safe to go and find him out himself in a Place lying so far distant from Agra and Schach Jehan and to intangle himself with a tedious March through the Countreys of Jesseingue and others in those Parts besides he knew that Sultan Chasausa was approaching with a strong Army and was already at Elabas and for fear that the Raja or Serenaguer should descend from the Hills with Soliman so that he was sufficiently perplex'd and troubled not knowing which way to turn At last he concluded it best to leave Darasja quiet for a time where he was and go thither where his Presence and Army was most necessary which was towards Sultan Sujas who had already possess'd the River Ganges at Elabs This Sultan Sujas having Encamp'd in a little Village secur'd a great Taleb or Pond of Water which is near the High-way whilst Oranchzef came and plac'd his Army on the Banks of a small Rivulet about a League from Agra between which and the Village is a spacious Plain convenient for a Battel Oranchzef Engageth with Sultan Sujas Oranchzef being impatient till this War had an end march'd the next day very early to Engage Sujas leaving his Baggage on the other side of the River and fell upon the Enemy with great fury and courage Emir Jembla who had been kept
or Fatipor by Jarrick call'd Fateful or Pateful by Cowert Fetterbat and by Herbert Fettipour was anciently call'd Tzikkerim or Sykary and lies twelve Kours or four Leagues from Agra This City was upon the following occasion built by the Great Mogol Ekbar viz. At his Return from Asmer whether he went to visit the Tomb of Mandy he visited St. Derwis or a poor Monk call'd Seid Selim that is Seid Selim who accounted himself highly honor'd that God had employ'd him to tell Ekbar that in a short time he should be the Father of three beautiful Children and indeed Ekbar to acknowledge the Kindness would have his eldest Son call'd Selim the second Chan Morad or Amurath and the third The Haen Schach or Daniel nay this Prophecy was so acceptable to Ekbar that he caus'd a fair Mosque to be built there and inclos'd both that and the ancient City Tzikerim or Sykary with a high Wall and from that time caus'd it to be call'd Fettipore that is A Place of Delight nay his Affections were so strongly inclin'd to this City that he built a Palace there and also a Bazar or Exchange the fairest in all the Eastern Parts resolving farther to make it the Metropolis of the whole Kingdom for which it stood very convenient being seated on the Bank of a River yet the unwholsomness of the Air forc'd him to leave the same since which time it is become a ruin'd and desolate Place Robert Cower affirms that this City is much bigger than London and is adorn'd with a Temple very artificially built though much decay'd The whole Tract of Land between this City and Agra is always throng'd with People like a Market The City Bian is four Leagues from Fatipor beyond which are the Towns Ladana Mosabadan and Bandason next lie Asmeer or Esmeer where the Great Mogol Ekbar had a large House or Stable in which he commonly kept six hundred Elephants and a thousand Horses The City Asmeer lies in 35 Degrees and 15 Minutes Northern Latitude on a high and inaccessible Mountain twenty five Leagues from Agra The greatest part of the City lies at the foot of the Mountain well built but ill fortifi'd notwithstanding the Wall is of good Stone A Prophet one of Mahomet's Disciples lies buried there in a stately Tomb to which belong three pleasant Yards pav'd with Free-stone polish'd after the Persian manner Not far from hence is Godach formerly the Residence of an eminent and very valiant Rasbout Some place the City Fatipor in the Province of Bando At every half Leagues distance between Agra and Asmeer stands a Pillar or Column resembling those which the Romans us'd to erect at the distance of a thousand Paces At the end of every twenty five Mile there is an Inn or Place of Entertainment for Men and Horse where certain Women constantly give their attendance and get ready such Victuals for every one as they desire for which and their Horse-meat they pay Three pence There are also fair Houses at every ten Miles distance which were built by the Great Mogol Ekbar for the convenience of his Women when he took a Journey to Asmeer to visit the Tomb of Mandy Mahomet's Disciple The whole Country being water'd by the Stream of Jemna aboundeth with Corn Lemmons Oranges Cherries Pears Apples Plums and other Fruit amongst which are Grapes which being preserv'd are as big as Damas Pruins There also grows abundance of Anil or Indico and store of Cotton Saltpetre is likewise very plentiful here and all sorts of Poultry Falcons Pheasants Partridges Hearns and Wild-ducks Here are also great store of Goats Cows and Hogs and Fish in such abundance that Eighteen pence will purchase enough to feed three hundred Men. In Agra are generally kept four Markets where besides Provisions divers other Goods are sold From Persia and China are Transported hither considerable Quantities of Gold and Silver Cloths which though slighter are yet dearer than those of Europe In this City as also in Lahor the Inhabitants drive a great Trade in Anil or Indico and at Bandason there is vast quantities of Course Wooll Cotton Lances Bowes Javelins Swords and other Arms. In Lahor are commonly kept two Markets The Inhabitants drive also a great Trade to Forein Parts When the King resides at Agra no Stranger is permitted to stay there above twenty four Hours unless they give him an account of their Business and of what Quality and Country they are but none are permitted to see him without a Present In this City the Netherlanders keep a Factory for their East-India Company who maintain four or five Persons which formerly made a great advantage on Scarlet Cloth great and small Looking-glasses and other Merchandises and also by buying of Indico which grows about Agra but especially at Bianes two days Journey from thence whither travelling twice a Year they have built a Lodge or Store-house there where they buy in all those Stuffs or Cloths which come from Jelapour and Laknau about six or eight days Journey from Agra But at this time it is said the Gain is nothing so considerable whether it be because the Armenians drive that Trade themselves or because Agra lies so far from Suratte that one Accident or other doth generally befal their Caravans which are constrain'd to travel by the City Amadabad through the Raja's Country to avoid the bad Ways and Mountains which lye on the side of Govaleor and Brampour which is the shortest way The Country of Bulloits THE Bulloits which by Robert Covert are call'd Pythagoreans border on one side at the River Andere which seperates them from the Country of Kanawe or Brampour otherwise Chandisch and Surratte and on the other side at the River Tamlao or Tamliko which is the Boundary between them and the Kingdom of Agra The Towns of this Country are Gorra Sandaye Erasmie Zingrene Barrandon Tranado Zajoberdee and Haud Gorra lieth a days Journey from the River Andere and is about two Leagues in Circumference Two of the King's Sons formerly maintain'd a long War about this City till Thei le King of Ostlohm obtain'd the Victory and after a seven year peaceable possession thereof he was also conquer'd by the Great Mogol the sixth of Tamerlain's Successors who made himself absolute Master of all this Country Two days Journey from Gorra is the City Sandaye beyond which about twenty two Leagues further lies Erasmie and seven Leagues further Zingrene eight Leagues from which is the City of Barrandon After six days Journey from hence through a thick Wood you come to the City Tranado eight Leagues beyond which is Zajoberdee and nine Leagues further Haudee which hath a Castle built on a Rock and fortified with many Guns A days Journey from thence flows the River Tamliko which falls into the Indus at the Place where it separates the Indostans from the Bulloits In this Country near the City Zajoberdee is great plenty of Corn and about Zingrene great abundance of Oats and Beasts But