whom the Great Mogol is displeas'd The Skins of the foremention'd Chans being stuff'd were hung on a high Pole erected near the Maidan and their Flesh thrown to the Dogs Soon after which the King caus'd their Wives and Children to be Beheaded and sent out Soldiers to kill their Relations which dwelt up and down in the Countrey which was accordingly perform'd and their Heads brought before the King The Court Splendor Magnificence and Riches of the Great Mogol THe Ancient Seat of the Mogol Kings was at Deli but King Ecbar remov'd his Court to Agra and by reason of the loss of his two Sons there built another Magnificent Palace and call'd the same Pateful or Fatefur Since the Conquering of the Kingdom of Lahor the Metropolis thereof being of the same denomination with the Kingdom was chose to be the Royal Seat of the Kings Texeira tells us That the King spends one part of the Year in the City Lahor and the other in Agra the two eminentest Cities of the Kingdom and in the Heart of Indostan Others affirm That the City Agra is the Chief Residence of the King in the Winter besides which he hath several other Towns and Fortresses wherein he resides in the Summer Season viz. from the latter end of March till the beginning of August sometimes at Gasmir sometimes at Cabul and sometimes in Mandoa The King's Houses are generally built of Marble or white Alabaster and the Wall 's inlaid with Gold The Description of the Mogols Court at Lahor The Court at Lahor is seated in a very delightful place near the River Zunnenena being inclos'd within a fair Freestone Wall on which are mounted several Guns On that side which is towards the City it hath a Gate or Entrance before which is a spacious Quadrangular Plain on which the most eminent Traders keep their Shops On each side of the Gate is a huge Elephant cut in Stone where stand several Centinels About half a Mile inwards from the Gate you come to the Namchas or the Court where the King appears daily to his Subjects which being a large Place is built round with Lodgings for the Amurouwen or Nobles who stay in them till the King comes to his Throne when every one of them must appear before him standing in their several Places The King's Throne is first encompass'd with a large Wooden Rail within which stand all the Servants with Wooden Clubs and within this Rail is another of Silver about which stand the Kings Guards clad in red Cloth embroyder'd with Gold and Arm'd with Swords Shields and Silver Truncheons Within this Rail lie many rich Golden Quilts In the midst of the Square stands the Throne rais'd about a Mans height from the Ground and is of massy Gold emboss'd with Precious Stones and richly enamell'd As to what concerns the Kings Attendance at Court it is very Magnificent and exceeds all the other Eastern Princes The Persons which wait upon him daily are 12000 in number besides 1200 Concubines and 600 Eunuchs which he buying as Slaves trains them up in all manner of Warlike Exercises so to enable them to serve him on any occasion t' Hof vanden grooten Mogol Assafchan Lord of twelve thousand Horse on an Elephant Matemetchan Lord of five thousand Horse Assaletchan Lord of four thousand Horse Chalilchan Lord of three thousand Horse Serrendas Bhadux Lord of two thousand Horse Mocker Metchan and Jufferchan each of them Lord of five thousand Horse The Contelwael of the Army Lord of a thousand Horse Zabberdeischan Lord of a thousand Horse Chaine Waschan and Terbiatchan each of them Lord of three thousand Horse The King 's second Son Sultan Siousa Lord of twenty five thousand Horse accompany'd by the following Noblemen ziz Zatschan Lord of five thousand Horse Ragia Siessing Commander of seven thousand Horse Nosebetchan Lord of three thousand Horse Ragia Ammersing Lord of five thousand Horse All which were to meet with these Lords following about Candahar viz. Noosserichan Commander of seven thousand Horse Chanchan and Chamia Statchan each Commanders of seven thousand Horse Vasuerchan and Zeldchan each Commanding five thousand Horse A Ragia Governor of Candahar Commander of ten thousand Horse besides many other Grandees as well Ragias as Eunuchs of great Command The King's Train Behind the King came about a hundred and fifty Elephants with Blunderbusses and Field-Pieces fastned in little Towers on their Backs then came a great number of Soldiers carrying several Fire-works as also a mighty Train of Horse and Foot and the Eunuchs of Zackebbegem the King's Daughter famous for her Beauty sitting in a Chair which being cover'd with Cloth of Gold and rich Embroidery was carry'd on the Backs of two Elephants accompany'd by four hundred Ladies on Horseback and in Sedans besides sixty of seventy Elephants which in Houses cover'd with Sarsanet carry'd also many Ladies of Honor Before the King's Children came several hundreds of Horses richly caparison'd with golden Saddles and Bridles beset with Diamonds Rubies and Saphires the rest with silver Saddles and Bridles next follow'd sixty or seventy Elephants with the King's Standards and golden Caparisons then came twenty Wayns with four Wheels and a hundred with two as also fifty Palakins and Sedans all richly cover'd The King's Baggage was laden on several hundreds of Wayns Camels and Mules besides three hundred Elephants which carry'd the Tents and Ammunition Upon the King's coming to Lahor the Chancellor Asselchan dying Issalamchan Lord of five thousand Horse and Governor of Bengala being chosen in his stead went on the tenth of September through Agra to Lahor There also dy'd Matemetchan General of the King's Horse which Office he gave to the Duke of Asselletchan The King not long after sent for his second Son Sultan Siousa from Candahar to Lahor whe he was no sooner come but he had the Government of the great and little Kingdoms of Bengala given him whither he went with Hastchan a Commander of five thousand Horse After his departure the King went with his whole Army to Cabul but without effecting any thing At the same time the Mogol sent an Ambassador to the Tartar with an exceeding rich Present valu'd at thirty six thousand pound in return for which he sent an Agent with forty or fifty lame Horses seventy starv'd Camels and a hundred Sheep whereby it appear'd how little he regarded the Mogol The splendor King Choram's Court King Choram kept an incomparable splendid Court his Dishes Basons Urns Kitchin Utensils Candlesticks which ten Men were scarce able to carry the Poles which supported his Tents the Palakins the Houses on the Elephants Bridles and Stirrups for the Horses Sedans and Chariots of his Concubines Bedsteads and many other things being all of Gold and beset with Diamonds Rubies Emeraulds Pearls and other Precious Stones This King also wore an Armlet of Diamonds valu'd at ten Tuns of Gold the biggest thereof weighing above a hundred and twenty Carracks was ground oval and
about the World on Duldul Aaly's Horse to convert all People to the Alcoran wherefore it is call'd Metzid Mehedi Saheseman which words are inscrib'd over the biggest Gate in Persian Characters At the end of the great Hejat or Court before the Metzit is a Gallery or rais'd place Pav'd with square Stones in the midst of which is a large Cistern of Water where those that go to Pray wash themselves Behind this Cistern you ascend by Steps to a Porch through a Row of Marble Pillars and one Step higher to the Temple it self that being very large and high and supported with large Marble Pillars where the Meherab or Altar and the Cahib or Vestry is The Gate is of fine Marble and as high as that at Sulthanie at the Meschaich of Chodabende the entrance through which is under an Arch of an exceeding heighth of blue Stone Gilded beyond which is a broad Walk the Floor whereof is spread with Mats on which the Persians kneel when they Pray Over the lower Walks are lesser ones like Galleries supported by Marble Columns gilded On the right-side of the Mosque is a large Garden The greatest splendor and magnificence of this Mosque is that all the Walls Galleries Gardens and the chief Temple are from the bottom four Yards high upwards cover'd with polish'd Marble each piece which is for the most part white and excellently well polish'd being five or six Foot square The Marble is all cut out of one Stone except the two Pillars on each side of the Pulpit Schach Abbas caus'd the like Metzid though smaller to be built at Tabris in honor of the same Mehedi all of pure white Marble and as slick as Glass being fetch'd from the Mountain Erwan Places of Games and Exercises In the middle of the City not far from the King's Palace stands a Pole not unlike our Posts in which we put the â—ings that are to be run at on which they often put a Melon Arupus or Apple and sometimes a Silver Plate with Money upon it at which the King and his Chans run full speed for great Wagers and whoever hits off the same comes off with great honor and applause but the Money which falls from the Plate is taken up by the Pages and Footmen Great Lords also have another Exercise call'd Kuit Schaucan which they perform in the same place viz. Riding full speed they strike a Ball with a crooked Stick to a set Mark and also toss the Tziud or Bar. Near the Maidan stands a little woodden Hut nam'd Chaneschin which is set upon four Wheels for the conveniency of its moving from place to place in which the King often sits a Spectator of the foremention'd Games Hereabouts especially on the West side not far from the Dewletchane sit divers Soothsayers Houses of Entertainment Opposite to the Northern part of the Maidan stand several Houses of Entertainment the first whereof is the Schire Chane to which resort the most loose und debauch'd sort of People who hire the Surkers or Dancing-Boys as also common Strumpets to Dance before them naked with all kind of leud and obscene Postures The second is the Tzai or the Chattai Chane that is The Catayan or Chinese Tee-house in which they generally play at Chess The third is the Caweh Chane or Coffee and Tobacco-house These three Houses are also frequented by their Pot-Poets and Comedians who commonly sitting in the midst of the House on high Stools tell all manner of pleasant Tales and talk continually with a little Stick in their Hands like our Juglers Barbers Shops Not far from these Houses two sorts of Barbers keep their Shops some whereof practising Chirurgery and call'd Tezerrah never shave or Trim Men the other call'd Dellack shave and cut Hair and are made use of to Circumcise Children To this last sort of Barbers there is continual resort of People because they always keep their Heads shav'd and every one brings his own Rasor with him because the Persians fearing the Venereal Distemper will not suffer a strange Rasor to touch their Heads From the North part of the Maidan you go directly to the Bazar or Street full of Shops where there is a square large Portico under which are all manner of rich Merchandise to be sold over the Entrance of which is a stately Dial which is said to have been made in Schach Abbas's time by an English-man call'd Festy which at first there being then no Clocks nor Dials in all Persia was look'd upon as a great Wonder The Bazar or Market-house it self is divided into many Divisions with Passages between them like little Lanes which are most of them cover'd on the top where all manner of Goods that the Countrey affords are to be sold every thing in a peculiar place The famous coffee-Coffee-house in Ispahan In the Caravansera near the Bazar where the King receives foreign Ambassadors is a House which is one of the fairest in the whole City Ispahan and call'd The Coffee-house from the Liquor which is sold in it In this House also are brought up Youths of several Nations but most Mahumetans though some are of Christian Parentage as Circassians Georgians and Armenians who are taught all manner of Dances At the Entrance of this House is a Court with a Fountain in the midst of it The King oftentimes Dines here with foreign Ambassadors but is satisfi'd with few Dishes having sometimes but two whereof one is Mutton the other roasted Poultrey which whil'st he is eating the Youths Dance before him in a very strange and ridiculous manner In Ispahan dwell also Merchants and Shop-keepers of several Nations of which some sell their Goods by Wholesale others by Retail for besides the Persians Indians Tartars from Chuaressam Chineses and those from Buchare there are English Dutch French Italians Spaniards Portuguese Turks Jews Armenians and Georgians The Indians who generally have their Shops next to the Persians Trade in Silk Cotton and other such like Stuffs By reason of the great Trade in Ispahan there are many Caravansera's where the several Commodities are dispos'd of by Wholesale Amongst other places the Kings Parks for wild Beasts are none of the meanest having towerd Lodges call'd Kelemenar inclos'd with Walls made of several sorts of Deers and other Beasts Horns mix'd with Earth The Garden Izarbag Without the City Walls not far from the great Bridge on the South side is a Garden call'd Tzarbag which hath not its equal for curiosity and delight in all Persia Tzarbag signifies a Garden or whatsoever else divided into four parts this being so branch'd into four Squares by cross Ways and a Brook nam'd Vendemith about a Mile in compass and having four Gates and four stately Banquetting-houses one on each side On the South side stands a Hill plain on the top in the middle whereof and on each side are three Aqueducts of Stone whose Channels are a Yard broad which lying very steep cause the Water to
be limited because between this Suburb and the City are spacious Gardens and Fields without any Buildings The Castle within which is the Mahalle or Seraglio besides other Royal Apartments is built round orather in a Semi-circle and looks upon the River between which and the Walls is a large sandy Plain where they generally let the Elephants fight and often Muster the Rajas or principal Omrahs Soldiers in the King's Presence who beholds the same out of his Hall Windows The Walls of the Castle in respect of the round Towers built after the old fashion are almost like those of the City but rais'd with Bricks and red Stones which appearing like Marble makes them much more beautiful than those of the City than which they are also much higher stronger thicker and more substantial against small Field-pieces Besides it is surrounded except on the Water side with a Moat of good Water abounding with Fish rais'd on both sides with Free-stone yet nevertheless a Battery planted with great Guns may easily beat it down Round about the Moat lies a large Garden which in all Seasons is full of green Trees and Flowers which with the red Walls make a pleasant Prospect Round about this Garden runs the great Street or rather a great Royal Court or Plain on which open two of the greatest and chiefest Gates of the Castle leading into the most eminent Streets of the City On the foremention'd Plain also stand the Tents of the Rajas who being in the King's Service watch every week by turns whilst the Omrahs do the same Duty in the Castle the Rajas delighting more to be in the Field than lock'd up in the Fortress On the said Plain they also breathe the King's Horses every Morning it serves also for a Bazar or Market-place where all sorts of Merchandise are sold and is the Meeting-place of several Philosophers and Astronomers as well Mahumetans as Indians Here also the great Cobatcan or Commissary of the Horse takes a special Account of all the Troopers Horses that enter into the King's Service viz. if he finds the Horses to be Turkish that is from Turkestan or from Tartary and big and able to do Service then he marks them with a hot Iron on the Buttock with the King's Mark and also the Omrahs under whom they Serve and this is no ill Invention to prevent the Troopers from lending their Horses one to another The foremention'd eminent Streets which end over against the two Gates of the Castle and on the Plain are about twenty five or thirty Paces broad and extend in a direct Line as far as the Eye can discern though that which comes out against the Gate of Lahor is much longer than the other but all the Buildings are like one another There are Arches on both sides of the Streets flat on the top without any Rooms over the same neither are the Walks underneath intire but the Arches are separated by Walls the space between which serves several Handicrafts and Artists for Shops to work in in the day-time and for Exchangers of Money to do their Business in and Merchants to dispose their Commodities to Sale which at Night they lock up in Warehouses The Arches over these Warehouses are built under the Merchants Houses which appear very fair at a distance and are very convenient for standing very high they are not onely out of the Dust but stand very cool and being in a manner even with the flat Roof of the Arches they walking on them may look into the Street and sleep on the same for coolness in the Night But besides these two eminent Streets there are five others which are not so direct nor streight but very like them in all things else Many other Streets indeed there are which run from all parts of the City and have most of them Arches but because they are built for Dwelling-houses for private People who are not curious in the uniformity of their Buildings they are neither so streight nor so broad nor so firmly built as the rest In all the Streets stand the Houses of the Mansebdans or petty Omrahs Persons of Judicature Merchants and others which are not meanly built It is certain there are many which are built of Brick or other Stones and divers of Clay and cover'd with Straw yet they are nevertheless very convenient having Gardens and Orchards belonging to them they are also very handsom within for besides the good Furniture the Straw Roofs are supported by long hard and strong Canes and the Walls Plaister'd and Whitened Amongst these indifferent fair Houses there are abundance of lesser which being built of Lome serve for Habitations for the Troopers and other meaner People belonging to the Bazar and the King 's Court. By reason of these slight Houses Dely is very subject to Fire Anno 1663. there were above sixty thousand Thatch'd Roofs consum'd by the Flame which was the greater as being augmented by the strong Winds that blow in the Summer which made it so fierce that it destroy'd many Camels and Horses there being no time to save them and also many of the King's Concubines which having never been out of the Seraglio were so bashful that they chose rather to be burnt than be sav'd by strange Men. By reason of these slight Houses of Lome Dely cannot be said to be any thing else than a company of Villages joyn'd together or rather a Camp with Tents onely erected in a better order and more convenient than usuall in the Fields As to what concerns the Houses of the Omrahs they stand also in most parts of the City especially along the Rivers and in the Suburbs If a House in these warm Countreys bears the Name of Handsom and Large it is infallibly very convenient viz. it is seated in a place where the Wind can come to it from all Corners especially the Northern it hath Gardens Orchards Fish-ponds and Springs large Vaults or Cellars with great light Holes to let the Wind in at The Inhabitants retiring into them in the heat of the day stay in them till about four or five a clock or else they have Cascanays which are little Houses of Straw or sweet-smelling Roots being very curiously made and commonly plac'd in the middle of a Park near a Pond or Spring that the Servants may with their Leather Jacks wet them on the out side The eminent Houses stand in the midst of a large Square and have not sloaping but flat Roofs on which they may sleep in the Night The Furniture of the Houses As to what concerns the inside of the principal Houses the Floors are cover'd with Cotton Quilts of four Fingers thick with a white Linnen Cloth laid over them in the Summer and with Carpets in the Winter In the chief Chambers near the Wall must also lie two or three Quilts cover'd with Silk and embroider'd with Gold and Silver for the Master of the House to sit on or for Persons of Quality that come to
each side of this Structure is forty Foot of Ground in which are ten eight-square Ponds which are each half a Fathom deep to serve the House with Water This Edifice is not cover'd with Tyles but with Lome and chopt Straw or Chaff which being temper'd together and bak'd becomes so hard that no Water will soke through but runs off into Gutters join'd to the Wells On this Roof as also on those of all other Houses stands a Marble Pillar of about three or four Foot long and one thick On the top of the Seraglio you have a Prospect of the whole Garden as also a cool walking-place in the hot Summer Nights This Garden affords all sorts of European Fruits but especially Pears and Grapes of divers sorts beautiful to the Eye and very large also Pistacho's Almonds and Filberds Sixty or seventy Paces from the Haram appears a square Fountain with a handsom Ascent each Square is about a hundred Foot long and Wall'd with Marble also fill'd with Water in which are kept two Pleasure-boats for the Women to recreate themselves with All the Walks are on both sides Hedg'd in with Province-Roses out of which they Distill abundance of Rose-water and send it in great quantities to Ormus and India and other remote Countries In this large Garden are abundance of great Pheasants Woodcocks and other Fowls which are there as in a Cage breeding and hatching up their Young Ten Leagues from Schiras is a Village call'd Maragaskan otherwise Mardash it lies in 28 Degrees and 48 Minutes Northern Latitude four League North-West from the Village Mahin between which the Way is very straight pleasant and delightful being overgrown with Grass This Village contains about two hundred Houses so inclos'd with Trees that at a distance it appears to be a Wood divided into several small Parks The Air thereabouts is very temperate and the Water good and fresh besides which all sorts of Provisions very cheap Near Mardash at the end of a neighboring Plain nigh the Foot of a high Mountain not far from the Brook Sirt may be seen the Ruins of an old Castle in the Persian Tongue call'd Tzehilminar that is Forty Towers though at this Day only thirty of them remain viz. nineteen high ones and eleven broken ones but as Della Valle affirms there are not above twenty which may be true and the Place not misnam'd for though now so few remain without doubt there were more at first the Persian word Thehil signifying Fort and Minar A Tower Joseph Barbaro affirms that the Towers before mention'd are as big as three Men can Fathom and as Mandeslo relates consists of black and white Marble The Persians relate that this Edifice was erected by a King call'd Tzemshied Schach famous for Wisdom but Olearius questions that Others say That King Solomon built it and some believe that Darius was the Founder thereof and that Iskander which is Alexander the Great ruin'd it But Aelian ascribes the erecting thereof to King Cyrus The Foundation or Platform of this Structure is about eighty Yards being cut out of an intire Rock of Marble They ascend the same on four pair of Stairs consisting of ninety five Steps cut out of white Marble On the top not far from the Stairs appear four Pieces of a broken Wall that seem to have been two large Gates on the first two are cut two great Horses with strange Furniture and on the other two are other kind of Beasts with Bodies like Horses but Heads like Lyons with Crowns upon them and Wings at their Shoulders Not far from hence on the right side stand the thirty foremention'd Pillars A little distant from these Towers and somewhat higher were two indifferent large Chambers of which are remaining some of the Doors and Windows which are of Marble as also the Walls which are so polish'd that one may see their Face therein as in a Looking-Glass Farther in on the side near the Doors are all manner of ancient Shapes and Figures hewn in Stone and bigger than the Life some sitting others standing with long Hair broad Beards and long Coats down to their Feet with wide Sleeves a Sash about their Middle and strange round Caps on their Heads Not far from these Chambers stands a square Pillar with a great polish'd Stone in the top which some judge to be a Jasper on this also as on several other Columns are strange Characters Engraven which none can Read All that remains of the Relicks or Ruins of ancient Persepolis we find very well describ'd in Mr. Herbert wherefore we shall give you the Description in his following words The Ribs or Ruins of Persepolis saith he are at this Day call'd Chill-Manor or Chehel-Manor that is Forty Towers in the Idiom of Persia and might more properly have said Hashtot-Manor or Eighty Towers for so many are easily told two Yards out of the Ground and if from so many Pillars as are perfect and lofty then may they say Nouzda-Manor or Nineteen Towers at this Day no more standing one excepted at the East below above a Bowe-shot thence The whole Basis is cut by incredible toil out of the solid Marble Rock twice the compass of Windsor Castle ascended by fourscore and fifteen easie Steps dissected from the durable black Marble so broad that a dozen Horses may go abreast the Perpendicular is two and twenty Geometrick Feet and where the Stairs are not the Rock is precipitious near the highest Step is the Entrance into the Palate the Breadth is visible in despight of Flame and Weather on one side of the Gate stands a monstrous great Elephant on the other a Rhinoceros the distance is about twenty Foot the Portraicts are cut out of the shining Marble ten Yards high either of them fixt and perpetual A few Paces thence are of like Work Bulk and Matter two gallant Towers and to finish the Porter's Lodge near them is another Ruine a Pegasus an Invention of the Sculptor to illustrate his Art And being past this Portal the Apollo opens a fair even Ground deplorable in many Ruins a hundred white Marble Pillars whole and broken dignifying this once most excellent Structure Upon many of these white Marble Pillars the Storks have builded their Nests where the rage of Wind and Weather is more offensive to them than any dread they have of the People who inhabit near them In all unseasonable stormy or cold Weather they forsake the Region and fly where the Sun can comfort them The Persians have many superstitious Stories concerning them and suppose them as else-where I have noted the Emblems of Piety and Gratitude The Pillars which are at this day standing but seem to groan under the Tyranny of Time are betwixt fifteen and twenty Cubits and rise beautifully in forty Squares or concave Parallels every Square having full three Inches whereby the Circuit may be gather'd Most excellent is the Matter most elegant the Work and no less commendable the Order and Shape how they are
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
and Sleeping Rooms in Summer by reason of their coolness and are in the Countrey Language call'd Balachane that is A high House And this is so common and the Inhabitants so us'd to repose in open Rooms that they would incur great inconvenience by a more close retiredness The Streets are broad extending far in a straight Line before the Houses are Channels to receive and carry away the Water which else by reason of their even lying would make them very dirty In one of which stands a Royal Building the chiefest Gate whereof opens into a long and spacious Street Upon one side of this Palace may be seen a square Court crossing which you come to a Garden Door into which none but Grandees are permitted to enter This Garden lies behind the Palace at the foot of a Hill beset with Trees and adorn'd with Banquetting-houses built on the same by King Abbas The Garden being one large Square hath in the middle a Dewanchane or Terrace-Walk twice as long as broad open towards the North with an Ascent of two or three Steps but behind and on the other side clos'd up with a Wall wherein are divers large Windows Through this runs a crystal Stream brought from an adjacent Spring opposite to the Diwanchane The Floor of this Diwanchane is commonly cover'd with Tapistry at the time of Audience when any Persons of Quality kneel on the same before the King Peopling of Mazanderan The Province of Mazanderan is inhabited by several sorts of People which are of divers Tribes and Beliefs sent thither by King Abbas after the building of Ferhabad and Eskerf particularly Georgians who in some sort Profess'd Christianity Mahumetans Armenians and Medes together with some of his own Subjects where the King gave every one Land to Till and maintain his Family and encourag'd them to follow such Employments as they had been accustom'd to in their own Countrey and to that purpose accommodated them to their several Qualifications The Mahumetans are the smallest number and the Christians being for the most part Georgians and Armenians the biggest who had all leave to build as many Houses or Churches as they pleas'd and are tolerated to enjoy their own Religion quietly Their Apparel All these new Inhabitants of this Countrey wear long Breeches and short Coats not reaching down to their Knees with an upper Garment made fast about their Middle with a Girdle they wear no Turbants onely a little Cap in the Persian Tongue call'd Cork made of Leather and Lin'd with Cloth sharp on the top and broad at the bottom which were invented by King Abbas These kind of Caps are very common and worn within Doors in stead of Turbants by Persons of Quality but when they go abroad they put on their Turbants yet their Servants carry these after their Masters Their Language and Government The Language which is spoken in this Province is the vulgar Persian The supream Command of the whole Province belongs to a Vice-Roy or Lieutenant who bears the Title of Chan and keeps his Court in Ferhabad But in former times this Province was Govern'd by a peculiar King which paid Tribute to the Sophy but he rebelling Xa Abas sent his General thither to reduce him This Province is surrounded with great Woods cut through by several Brooks and inclos'd with Mountains overgrown with Trees insomuch that Della Valla affirms that this Countrey bore so great a resemblance with those of Europe that he saw not the like in all those Parts through which he travell'd Nature of the Soil The Soil is very fruitful and us'd to lie Fallow through the neglect and idleness of the Inhabitants The Earth being fat and Morassy is encompass'd by the Caspian Sea and River Teggine Rude Temperature of the Air. The temperature of the Air is much like that at Rome viz. in the Winter moist and subject to tempestuous Weather moreover they feel the same Heat or Cold there which is no great wonder because both the foremention'd Places lie almost in one and the same Northern Latitude having great and almost continual Winter Rains At the entrance on the South out of the Territory of Arack into that of Mazanderan lies a very narrow Valley at the foot of several Mountains which after three Leagues Journey grows somewhat wider and is wash'd by a little Brook This Plain though well cultivated produces nothing but Rice and the like do most places in this whole Province being indeed most fit for that Grain by reason of the abundance of Water and moistness of the Soil for Rice requires moisture or else that it is the chiefest if not onely Grain of the Inhabitants for they use no other Bread not setting any esteem upon Wheat or Rye neither use much Milk Whit-meat or Butter because they think them unwholsom but of Rice which they boyl sometimes one way and sometimes another mingled with Flesh or Fruit they make several savory Dishes which they call Pilao's according to their several Palats This Pilao is convenient for Travellers because it may be made ready in a short time and keeps good a great while and withal is a wholsom and palatable Food Nature of the Inhabitants The Inhabitants are of a sallow Complexion occasion'd by the Heats of the Climate and constant eating of Rice and their Hair and Eye-brows very black The Women are very handsom Body'd and have good Features which they grace with a courteous Behavior and affability in Discourse and this is the more pleasing because according to their Custom in which they differ very much from other Mahumetans they never cover their Faces nor shun the Company of Men. Both Men and Women are hospitable treating Strangers in their Houses with the highest Civility imaginable not expecting any Return yet refuse not any thing Presented to them for there are no Inns or Caravansera's to give public Entertainment but every House as we said is free to receive Strangers wherefore we may justly say that there is no Countrey where the Inhabitants are more hospitable and civil so that Hircania which the Ancients reported to be full of Tygers and other wild Beasts if Mazanderan be compris'd in the same is one of the most civiliz'd Territories that can be found in all Asia and the Inhabitants thereof have a suitable commendation Of the Soil The Land between the City Ferhabad and Eskerf is even and plain on which grow wild Artichokes Parsnips and the like Towns and Villages You may see here also many Towns and Villages as you travel from Arack Southward to Ferhabad particularly a Village call'd Mynikelle Four Leagues from thence lies another call d Giru the Road between both which in the Winter is very bad arid deep by reason of the continual wetness of the Ground A days Journey farther you come to Tellara Pescet a large Hamlet having on one fide many dispersed Villages and on the other a Hilly Countrey Beyond these appears
dry'd They cover them also with a Hair Cloth Lin'd with Wool The Persians have been Masters of these excellent Horses since the Death of the Sultan Borisir whom the King of Persia caus'd to be put to death after his coming from Carmania into Persia with many beautiful Horses to the number of ten thousand of all which he made himself Master and from them the Persians have had such excellent Breeds that the Turks are inferior to them They bring up and diet their Horses for the Race and those that are swift-footed they style Badpay that is Wind-footed they also colour the Tails Mayns and Bellies of their white and dapple Horses red or yellow They are very curious in their Furniture and therefore Persons of Quality Embroider their Sadles Bridles and Cloths with Gold and Silver which is an ancient Pride of the Persians ever since the Reign of Xerxes These Horses though employ'd night and day in a Battel can endure thirty hours without Meat There are also a sort of Stags by the Turks call'd Tzeirra and by the Persians Ahu of a sad colour have great Horns and being very swift-footed are to be seen in no place but the Province of Mocan and by Schamachie Carabach and Mearaga The Inhabitants likewise keep many Mules especially to Ride on being us'd by great Lords nay by the Kings themselves to travel on they are valu'd at as dear a Rate as the Horses and those that are any thing handsom are sold for a hundred Crowns Moreover some have reported that there are wild Mules found in several places in Persia but being very rare they are onely sent as Presents to the King and Chans and as Asia breeds more Asses than any other Place in the World so Persia exceeds any of the Eastern Countreys The several sorts of People IN Persia are divers sorts of Inhabitants viz. First Strangers of several Nations which come thither to Traffick amongst which the Indians are the most as also Banians who come thither out of the Province of Guzaratte There are likewise several sorts of Christians Assyrians Nestorians and Maronites but the greatest number are Georgians and Armenians who drive a very great Trade and by reason of their Wealth monopolize as it were most of the Commodities into their own hands especially the Silk in the Countreys near the Turks and dwell in great numbers in the Suburb Zulfa in Ispahan where several People out of Europe have their Residences as English Hollanders Portuguese and others to Trade The Natives of Persia are of two sorts viz. Persian Mahumetans and Gauren that is Unbelievers notwithstanding they name themselves Behdun Description of the Gaures that is People of a true Faith Olearius calls them Kebbers and others the true Offspring of those ancient Persians that liv'd in the time of Alexander the Great they are by their Wars with several Princes reduc'd to a small handful of People which live onely in three or four Towns in Persia and among others in Ispahan where they reside as Olearius saith in one of the four Suburbs call'd Kebrahath or as Della Valle hath it in Gauroston for Gauroston signifies The Countrey or Residence of the Gaures which Place according to Della Valle is very well built the Streets straight and broad and much better than those in the Suburb Ciolfa but the Houses are not above one Story high without Ornaments according to the State of the Persians that dwell in them for the Gaures are a poor People iâ— outward appearance driving no Trade and Till onely so much Land as will maintain their Families They are strong Limb'd like the modern Persians but shave not their Cheeks and Chins after their manner but suffer their Beards to grow like the Turks moreover they wear long Hair on their Heads like the ancient Persians as Herodotus describes them in former times The Men go all after one fashion in their Habits their Caps are round like those of the present Persians commonly quite white without any other colours The Women are also Cloth'd after one manner but their Apparel hath greater resemblance with the Arabian or Chaldean than the Persian On their Heads they wear a handsom long Veyl of a green colour which hangs down to their Wastes before and touches the Ground behind they always walk unvey'ld in the Streets for a distinction from the Mahumetan Persian Women They are very simple and speak a peculiar Language differing from the modern Persian and use different Characters which they Carve on the Doors of their Houses They worship and keep to this day the Orimasda or ever-burning Fire after the same manner as the ancient Priests did in the time of Cyrus and Darius They never go to Wars without the consecrated Wagons adorn'd with Gold wherein the Fire was kept burning on Silver Altars They also Pray three times a day viz. Morning Noon and Evening and Believe in one onely God Creator of all things who is invisible and omnipotent wherefore the Mahumetans have unjustly given them the Name of Gauren or Idolaters It hath been written by several that they worship the Sun Moon and Stars for lesser Angels or rather as they say them-themselves by the Names of Angels They curse Mahomet and take him and all his Followers for Unbelievers They abhor and are afraid of Frogs Tortoises Lobsters Crabs and the like They neither bury nor burn their Dead but keep them above Ground in a certain Wall'd place where setting them upright with their Eyes open as if living they prop them up with Forks and so leave them till dropping down they dissolve by putrefaction The Agemi Della Valle makes the Mahumetans in Persia of two sorts the one are those properly cay'd Agemi or Agiami Extracted from Agem or Agiam which hath the same signification with the word Pars or Fars though the Learned use the Name Agiami to express in general and without distinction all Inhabitants of this Kingdom of what Province soever for the Name Persi belongs properly to those in the Province of Persia The Quizilbasci The second sort of Mahumetans are the Quizilbasci or Nobility and Gentry in high esteem in Persia who being Extracted from the Turks made themselves Masters of the Countrey and assum'd the absolute Government thereof till Ismael Sefi's time the first Raiser of the present Royal Family They are call'd Kisilbasch that is Red-Heads which Name was first given them by the Turks in derision but of late they delight therein and are proud to be so call'd pretending that a great Mystery of their Religion is express'd thereby The word Kisilbasch is by Eurorean Writers spell'd several ways but the right Name according to Olearius is Kisilbasch being a Turkish word compounded from Kisil that is Red and also signifies Gold and Basch that is A Head and apply'd to them by reason of the several sorts of red Caps they wear According to Jovius and Bizarro the first Inventer of these Caps amongst
piece of Marble unpolish'd and of an unhandsom shape for all the Asian People take but little care to beautifie their Houses on the outside The Rooms of Entertainment are generally open before like Galleries and look either into Gardens or other spacious Walks At the farther end of the Hall opposite to the Entrance is an Apartment cover'd on the top with glaz'd Tyles so also is the Floor and Walls but the last not above four Foot high that those that sit on the Ground may lean against them with their Backs After the same manner the Kitchin Walls and Floor are also Pav'd in the Floor are several round Holes into which putting Fire they either stew or bake Meat or keep it hot The Fire being under the Floor like a Stove you can neither perceive Smoak nor Flame because the Smoak hath a peculiar place to go out at Under these round Holes are little Springs which spouting up the Water is receiv'd in Troughs and serves to wash their Meat with as also for other occasions after which it runs away through private Drayns The Houses are but indifferently Furnish'd having neither Chests of Drawers Their Furniture Cabinets Tables Chairs Stools or other Lumber as is usual amongst us but onely Carpets Cushions Mats Quilts and the like to sleep and sit upon The Floors of the Lodging Rooms are cover'd with very fine Carpets on which they sit and walk without their Shoes eitheir when they talk one with another or eat together and also sleep on them In these Chambers no Dogs are suffer'd to enter and to keep them clean they have always a Tuftan or empty Platter standing by them into which they throw all their Bones Shells and the like These Tuftans are much us'd at Meals being set betwixt every two Persons Caravansera's what they are There are likewise two kind of Buildings in Persia call'd Caravansera's which are erected at the King's Charge the first up and down in the High-ways for the accommodation of Travellers and the others in the Towns for Merchants Goods Those which are in the Countrey are common Inns and built like Cloysters viz. with a spacious Court in the middle and many Chambers round about As to what concerns the Place it self any one may dwell therein a whole year and not pay any thing for his Lodging Those which are in the Towns and serve for Store-houses have many large Rooms on the Doors whereof hang great Padlocks In these the Merchants keep their several Goods for very small Rent which is bestow'd upon Locks In these Rooms are nothing but the bare Walls He that comes first thither makes choice of as many empty Chambers as he hath occasion for and for as long time as he intends to stay Their Summer-houses In the Villages especially between Eskerf and Ferhabad in the Province of Mazanderan are divers Summer-houses built against the heat of the Sun which are call'd Balachane consisting of high Poles cover'd both on the tops and sides onely with Mats made of thin Reeds which they use like Curtains rolling them up or letting them down according as they find it for their convenience They go not up to these Balachanes by Steps but on a piece of Timber which lies sloaping and at easie distances hath several Notches to set their Feet on in stead of Stairs Houses like Beehives The Roofs of the Houses in the Villages Aranzague and Polesofium are round on the top like a Bee-hive after the manner of the Arabian Huts and Tents Their manner of making Fires In Ispahan and other places where there is but little Wood and likewise through all Curdistan necessity hath taught the Inhabitants a means to keep themselves warm in Winter in their Houses viz. they make a Hole in the Earth which they call Tenur or Tennor whereinto they put burning Coals over it they set a kind of Table with a broad Carpet upon it about which setting themselves they cover half their Bodies with the Carpet and also sleep about it in the Night It warms a Room very considerably with a few Coals and for conveying away the Smoak Pipes are laid under Ground from the Tenur to the Garden or base Court The Fewel which they burn is according to the nature of what the Countrey affords either Wood and Shrubs or else Cows and Camels Dung Amongst the Nobility in the Diwanchane or places of Audience are us'd long Wax-Candles which weigh about three pound apiece and serve three or four Evenings the remaining Ends being us'd in other places that are not so much frequented Their Candles and other Lights They also burn Tallow in Candlesticks made of Silver or other Metal like Lamps under which is plac'd a Bason or Platter to receive that which drops down that it may not fall on the Carpets They also use round Iron Fire-pans in which they burn old Rags dipt in Grease which kindling instantly give a greater light than our Links or Torches These Pans they commonly carry about on Sticks which serve them in stead of Flambeaux they sometimes set them on Poles in the open Air before the Diwanchane nor may they be carry'd in the Night before any other than Persons of the greatest Quality Lastly it is a sure sign that the King or at least his Haram is near the place where three such Fire-pots are set out Of their Travelling How the Persians travel THe Persians travel after this following manner viz. By reason of the time that is spent in lading the Camels they cannot not go far the first Night but when they are once laden and upon their Journey they unlade no where till they come to the place where they design to Lodge They journey for the most part in the night and in the day rest in cool and shady places for they certainly believe that if any one should begin a Journey in the day especially in the midst of Summer he would undoubtedly lose his Life or at least fall into a great Fit of Sickness The King and Noblemen travel after this manner viz. The Haram and Women go before with all the Camels and Carriages The Attendance of the Haram attended by a great Train of Servants who are well Arm'd the Overseer of the Women or Captain of the Haram also accompanies them on Horseback well Arm'd and is most commonly an Eunuch so also do the rest of the Officers They onely use Oxen and Cows for Carriage in some places The Rusticks in Adirbeitzan and about Ardebil neither use Mules nor Horses for the carrying of their Goods but onely Oxen and Cows which are for the most part black or spotted and less than ours neither do they put Saddles upon them but cover their whole Bodies with a course Linnen Cloth quilted with Wooll or the like and that is all their Furniture Their Religion The divers Sects THe King of Persia's Subjects are either Mahumetans Xiahies otherwise call'd Scheichs or Schiati or
Cashan Theheran Hamadan Meschet and Kirman pay great Tributes to the King Della Valle affirms that in Ispahan and several other eminent Cities there are no Chans because they are Royal Cities and the King many times keeps his Court there On the Feast of Neuruz all annual Officers are chosen especially the Darago's the chiefest whereof enter upon their Employments in great State with the sound of many Instruments How they reverence the Kings The King 's Vice-Roys whither Sultans or Chans of what Degree soever when coming out of any remote Province to make their appearance before the King or when they take leave or are to return to their own Countreys they kneel on both Knees before the King and kiss his Feet and in testimony of Honor squeeze the same against their Foreheads which they do three several times This Ceremony they perform divers times as they walk about the King which they commonly do three times one after another thereby to manifest that those who perform this Ceremony make themselves Sureties against all Misfortunes whatsoever that may befall the King It is also a Custom amongst them to make a Circle with their Hands about the Heads of those whom they would shew Honor to and wish that all future Misfortunes and such as have already hapned unto them may fall on themselves This Action is accounted by them a sign of a perfect and faithful Friendship Thus much of the modern State and manner of Government in Persia now it will be necessary to give you a short Account after what manner it was Govern'd in former times THe King of Persia anciently styl'd himself The Great King especially at that time when they had conquer'd the Greeks But Suidas tells us that these Monarchs were not satisfi'd with this Title but assum'd to themselves the Title of The King of Kings as appears by the Inscription on Cyrus's Tomb. Their order of Succession The Sons of these Kings succeeded them which was also observ'd amongst the Parthians when they had made themselves Masters of this Realm and when the Persians were afterwards restor'd they still maintain'd the same Custom The eldest Son according to the Laws of Nature Inherited before the younger but if he was born before his Father came to the Crown then he that was first born after his being King succeeded him in the Throne They never gave the Crown to a one-ey'd squint-ey'd or deformed Person as appears by the squinting Son of Cahade or Robad who notwithstanding he was a valiant Man yet for the Blemish in his Sight was disinherited But when the Persian Monarchy began to decay this Custom was laid aside and the Crown became elective but the Nobility who had Voices therein still reserv'd it for those who were of Royal Extract Natural Sons succeeded not their Fathers in the Throne so long as there remain'd any that were legitimate yet notwithstanding the illegitimate Darius was chosen before Isogee lawful Son to Artaxerxes When the King at any time went out of his Dominions he was oblig'd to nominate a Deputy to Govern during his absence Ceremonies at Installing the King The Kings were by the Priests of their Countrey with great Ceremony Inaugurated after this manner viz. They were led into a Temple of a warlike Goddess where they pull'd off their Clothes and put on those which Cyrus us'd to wear when he was but a private Person which done they are a few Figs chew'd a little Turpentine and drank a draught of sower Milk They incircled the Heads of these new Kings with a Crown or Mitre and a Cydaris which was made of Purple and ty'd with a blue Ribbon mix'd with white King Sapor instead of a Crown wore a Cap made like a Rams Head beset with Precious Stones They also wore a Tiara or Turbant like those which the Magistrates of the several Provinces wore but with this distinction that those of the Kings stood upright and the other bended behind The Honor of putting the Crown on the Kings Head belong'd to a peculiar Person call'd Surene who was the second Nobleman in the Kingdom The Habit or Robes of the King The Kings of Persia also wore a long Vest hanging below their Ancles which was embroider'd with several Representations of Birds Beasts and the like and beset with Gold and Precious Jems They likewise wore a Coat with Sleeves call'd Candis differing from those of the other Persians both in colour being Purple and value moreover the Subjects durst not approach any Man without hiding their Hands in their Sleeves but the Kings held them out The Kings Habit as Xenophon says was also half purple and half white which none else might wear They likewise wore long Hair Pendants a Girdle and long Stockings like the other Persians They were honor'd like Gods for those that approach'd them bow'd not onely their Heads and Bodies but fell flat on their Faces with their Hands upon their Backs in which posture they lay as long as they suppos'd him to be in sight which was also perform'd by Strangers who were not permitted to see the King unless they promis'd to worship him after the Persian manner for otherwise they were forc'd to let him know their Business by Proxy or else in Writing which when he perus'd he return'd his Answer without being seen Those that Saluted the King wish'd him Everlasting Life and perpetual Government but he seldom appear'd to his People who were not permitted to set a Foot into the Royal Palace without his Majesty's leave but his Noblemen waited without at the Door to receive his Commands His Throne was of massie Gold which none durst touch and if at any time the King went abroad they strew'd the Streets and Ways which he was to pass with Flowers and every where burnt Perfumes They likewise kept the Kings Birth-day every year with making of Offerings and other great testimonies of joy and whence dy'd the whole Kingdom Mourn'd for five days together during which time all Courts of Judicature were shut up Their Câ—urts very unâ—â—â—taiâ— but magnificent These great Princes had no setled place of Residence but spent the Winter in Babylon the Lent at Susa and the Summer at Ecbataue besides which they had several other Royal Palaces as at Pasargades and Persepolis but when the Parthians were Masters of Persia Chusistan was the chief Seat of the Realm Their Royal Palaces were very stately and magnificent having many great Officers attendant insomuch that Apuleius call'd them The Houses of Gold They would never eat of any other Bread but what was brought out of the Province of Aeolia Their Diâ—â— and of all things the Kingdom afforded the First-fruits were sent to the King also their Salt Armoniack was brought to them out of Egypt They drank of the Wine Chaliboonien brought from Assyria and no other Water but what was taken out of the Stream Choaspes which glides by Susa The Inhabitants of those Places through
as big as a Hens Egg about his Neck hung four Strings of Pearl each Pearl being as big as a Musquet Bullet When he sat on his Throne he us'd commonly to order his Elephants Horses Dromedaries Camels and Mules to be drawn by him to see if they were all fed and kept as they ought excepting onely the Tsam-days on which he gave audience to all Persons of what Degree soever Rising from the Throne he retires to a place call'd Gosselchanne where none but his chief Nobles may appear except those which are call'd by his Majesty The Walls of this Edifice are of white Alabaster inlay'd with golden Flowers and the Floors cover'd with Carpets Near this place stands a Pond of clear Water which runs into the same through golden Pipes very curiously made Near this Tank or Pond stands also an invaluable Throne though low made after the manner of a Footstool with four Feet This place also is the King's Treasury for his Jewels which he often looks upon there and also sits here in Council about State Affairs after which he repairs to his Haram or Seraglio where he spends his time commonly till Evening in seeing his Concubines Dance and hearing them Sing with other such like Pastimes then the King to delight himself the more causes two Elephants to fight after which he goes to the Gosselchane where the Nobles must again appear before him and wish him a good Night the King having first commanded one of them with ten or twelve of his trustiest Servants to watch at his Chamber His Entertainment of Ambassadors The King also to Entertain foreign Ambassadors causes Lyons Tygers and Bulls to fight one against another or with noble and valiant Men who would be accounted the Heroes of the Countrey or else fight to gain the Mogol's Favor Next a Tygar being let in a strong Person entred the Lists to encounter him but the Tygar being too subtil and nimble leap'd suddenly upon him first tearing out his Throat and afterwards his whole Body In the third place a little Man of mean aspect entring the Lists ran undauntedly like a Mad-man to the Tygar and at the first Encounter cut off both his fore Feet which forcing him to fall he gave him his mortal Wound Whereupon the King calling to him ask'd him his Name he answer'd Geiby then the King immediately order'd one of his Servants to carry him a Cloth of Gold Cambay or Coat who when he deliver'd it to him said Geiby receive this Coat which the Mogol of his Bounty hath sent you He receiving the Coat with great humility kiss'd it seven times pressing it each time upon his Eyes and Breast and soon after holding it up Pray'd to himself for the Mogol's prosperity which done he cry'd aloud God grant the Mogol to grow as great as Tamerlane from whom he is deriv'd may he live 700 years and his Generation continue for ever No sooner had he utter'd his Wishes but he was conducted by an Eunuch to the King and coming near the place where his Majestry sat he was receiv'd by two Chans and brought before him to kiss his Feet and at his going away the King said to him Be prais'd Geiby Chan for your heroick Exploit this Name you shall keep for ever I am your favorable Lord and you my Vassal The Mogol also keeps several tame Lions which walk up and down peaceably like Dogs at the Court amongst the People never hurting any yet they have Keepers that always have an Eye over them The Mogol possesses an incredible and unvaluable Mass of Treasure having according to report in ready Money in his Treasury seventeen Caroor or Caroras each Carora being a thousand Tun of Gold besides Jewels and other Rearities Purchas affirms the Revenue of his whole Realm to amount to fifty Crous Ropias or five thousand Lecks that is seven Millions and a half yearly of English Money The King's Revenuâ—s According to the testimony of the King's Books of Accompts the Countreys and Realms of Candahar Habove Cassamier Chasane Bannazad Guzeratte Sinde Hatta Ganday Barampour Bengala Orixa Odillo Maloveagra witht he adjacent Places and Delly afford him yearly six Areb and ninety eight Carroras or according to the Accompt of the Countrey a hundred and seventy Caroor and forty five Lack or Leck or a hundred seventy four Millions and five thousand Ropias or nineteen Millions a hundred ninety five thousand pound Sterling In the Treasury at Agra as it is suppos'd is in Gold six hundred Lecks of Eckbars Seraphins which are ten Copias and ten thousand more which are not above half that value besides all which there are thirty thousand Tols each worth a silver Ropie twenty five thousand pieces of another Coin each worth ten Tols and fifty thousand of another sort each worth five Tols In this Treasury likewise is thirteen Crous Eckbars Ropias fifty thousand pieces of another Coin each worth a hundred Tols forty thousand pieces each of thirty Tols thirty thousand each of twenty Tols twenty thousand more each of ten and a hundred thousand each of five besidâ—s two Lecks Savoys and one Leck Jagrys This Treasury incloses also a Batman and a half in Diamonds of which some are rough but the least two Carats and a half in weight two thousand Rubies Balais two Batmans in Pearls two Batmans of Rubies of all sorts and five Batmans of Smaragdes of all sorts besides a great quantity of Topazes Coral and the like almost invaluable There are also two thousand two hundred golden Swords beset with Precious Stones two thousand Ponyards full of Gold and Precious Stones besides an incredible number of Gold and Silver Arms and two thousand Batmans worth of Golden Dishes and other Vessels and a thousand Batmans more in other wrought Gold In Lahor is another very rich Treasury The Mogol keeps a great part of his Riches in six strong Castles viz. in that of Agra Guallier Ratomboe Hassier and Boughtaz His Throne in the Royal Metropolis Lahor is of massie Gold Inlay'd with Precious Stones and richly Enammell'd Likewise the Throne at his Court in Agra which Schach Selim made is beset with Precious Stones and Pearls worth many Millions The Architect of this last was one Augustine Hiriart a Frenchman All the Ground and Land of the whole Countrey is the Kings own so that no Man possesses a Foot of Land but through his favor The King gives to each of his Commanders and Grandees that are in his Countrey certain Lands Lordships and Revenues for which they are oblig'd excepting onely one Third which is the Kings to maintain a certain number of Soldiers as well in time of Peace as War as also some Elephants Horses Camels and Leopards When a Nobleman dies all his Goods not onely what was given him by the King but also what he purchas'd himself falls again to the Mogol who commonly leaves their Widows the Horses and Housholdstuff and gives to the Children some Place of note
colour'd Silks which they use for Carpets Boxes Cabinets and other curious Wood-work Inlay'd with Mother-of-Pearl which by the Portuguese and others are carried from thence to India Tatta is one of the most eminent Provinces for Traffick of all India Many great Barques by the Inhabitants call'd Risles and Capuses come fraighted with all sorts of weav'd Stuffs Sugar Anniseeds and other Commodities down the River Sind from Lahor Multan Agra Dely Nandou Citer Utrad and other Places and putting into the Haven Lowribandel lay the said Commodies aboard of bigger Ships for Ormuz where they are unladen by Netherlanders Portuguese and Mahumetans The Inhabitants are all Mahumetans yet by reason of the great Trade which is driven in this Countrey there are commonly People of all Religions found in the same The Great Mogol Ecbar first conquer'd this Territory The Provinces of Sorit Jesselmeer and Attack SOret The Borders a small but rich Province borders Eastward at Zurratte in the West at Tatta in the North at Jesselmeer and in the South at the Sea The Metropolis is call'd Janagor or Ganagor The Territory of Jesselmer The Limits or Jesselmure verges Southward at Soret Eastward at Bando Northwards at Attack and Westward at Buckor and Tatta The chief City bears the same Denomination with the Countrey The County of Attack conterminates in the West The Bounds with Haiacan the River Indus onely parting them in the North it is bounded with Penjab and in the East with Jenba and Mando The Metropolitan Town bears the Name of Attack The Province of Penjab or Pangab The Name THe next is the Province of Penjab or Pangab which in the Persian Tongue signifies Five Waters for its Situation between five Streams viz. the Ravy Behat Obcan Wiby and Sinde or Sindar all which discharge their Waters into the Indus and make a great Lake somewhat Southward from Lahor The City of Lahor The chief City of this Territory according to Terry is Lahor but others affirm Lahor to be the Metropolis of Multan The City being very large and ancient is one of the most eminent Towns in all India and is no way inferior either in bigness or beauty to Agra It lies in 35 Degrees and 50 Minutes Northern Elevation and hath large and well pav'd Streets The Air in and about Lahor is very healthful The Air. There are also many remarkable Structures in the same as the Palace Mosques Hamans or Baths Tanks or Springs Gardens and many other delightful Places It is a spacious and fruitful Territory and the most pleasant Spot of Ground in all India and is that part of it which according to Della Valle was in the time of Alexander the Great Govern'd by King Porus. There is a Castle which being very large strong and artificially built in a delightful place of white hard polish'd Stones hath twelve Gates three whereof respect the City and the other nine lead into several parts of the Countrey Within this Castle is a stately Palace into which you enter through two Gates and two base Courts and after you have pass'd through the last you come to two parting Ways the one leading to the Durbar or Joreo where the King appears daily before the People and the other to the Diwanchane which is a great Hall wherein he spends part of the Night viz. from eight of the Clock till eleven with his Omrahs On the Walls of this Castle are Engraven the Images of Kings Princes and other Great Men as Schach Selim the great Mogol Ecbar's Son sitting on a rich Carpet under a costly Throne with his Son and his Brothers d' Han Schach or Daniel and Schach Morat on his right Hand and opposite to him Emorza Sherif eldest Brother to Chan Asorn With many other Persons of note The River Rawy which springs out of Mount Caximir and runs through the same with several Rivulets having finish'd a Course of three hundred Miles along a deep Navigable Channel discharges its Water into the Indus near the City Tatta not far from Diul It lies in 23 Degrees and 15 Minutes Northern Latitude The Kingdom or Territory of Caximir THe Kingdom of Caximir or according to some Cascimir and Cachmire by Mercator taken to be the ancient Arachosia or Archotis of Ptolomy and by Herbert for the ancient Sogdiana The Borders borders in the North at Mount Caucasus in the North-West at the Province of Banchish the Indus onely separating them in the South-East at Penjab in the West at Cabul and Northerly at the Kingdom of Maurenahar Jarrick conterminates this Kingdom with that of Rebat It is but a small Countrey and lies as Texeira tells us fifteen days Journey from Lahor and according to Herbert in 41 Degrees and 9 Minutes Northern Latitude about three hundred Miles from Agra Jarrich gives the Name of Syranacar both to the chief City of this Kingdom and to the Countrey it self lying in 30 Degrees Northern Latitude About three Leagues from the City is a Lake or Pool of sweet Water about fifteen Miles in circumference Navigable for great Ships yet not above half a League broad In the middle of it lies a pleasant artificial Island with a Royal Banquetting-house therein whither as Jarrick affirms the King resorts when he intends to recreate himself in catching of wild Geese and Swans Through the midst of this Lake as also through the Countrey glides the Stream Behat or Bhad which by its trending or meeandring Bays makes many Islands and at last unites it self not far from Jahor with the River Indus or as others say with the Ganges which last is somewhat improbable because of its distance towards the East Another River call'd Chanab by Jarrick Chenao and by Terry Nilab having also its original in this Countrey unites it self likewise with the Indus The Countrey abounds in Rice Wheat and other Provisions and also hath plenty of Grass Woods Gardens and Springs Of the Roots of their Mulberry-trees they plant Vines This Countrey formerly lay under Water The ancient Histories of the Kings of Caximir make mention that this Countrey was formerly a great Lake and that a certain ancient Man call'd Cacheb open'd a Passage for the Water through the Mountain of Baramoule But this seems to be incredible yet not but that this Countrey was formerly overflow'd with Water but to open a Passage for it through the foremention'd Mountain is a thing altogether impossible the Mountain being so very high and broad rather an Earthquake to which this Place is very subject opening the Earth swallow'd up a part of the Mountain and so open'd a Passage for the Water But however it was dreyn'd It s Extent and Situation Caximir is no more a Lake but at present a most fertile Soil about eighteen Leagues long and three or four broad interlac'd with many little Hills It is the farthest part of Indostan to the Northward from Lahor and inclos'd by Mount Caucasus the Mountains of the
the Mogol continually employ'd who after he had us'd all possible means in vain having no great Guns at hand wherewith to batter down the Walls at last resolv'd to try if he could purchase the Inhabitants to a Surrender by great Sums of Money which to accomplish he sent to the Governors very considerable Presents of Gold and Silver whereby he did so cool and abate their Courage that none of the seven Successors of the Realm durst assume the Government for they perceiving the Generals to be fearful and their Courage no longer to exert it self could foresee and expect nothing but the sudden loss of the Place and accordingly it so fell out for after a few Days the Fort was surrendred and with it the whole Kingdom was subjected to the Mogol who got peaceable possession thereof with an invaluable Treasure He received all the Inhabitants favourably except the imprison'd King and the seven successive Princes whom he dispersed into several Provinces allowing King Miram three thousand and each of the other two thousand Ducats per Annum for their Maintenance The Province of Berar and Narvar THis Country of Berar lies on the South side of the Kingdom of Chandâ—â— and Borders on Surratte and the Mountains of Rana The Metropolis bears the Name of Shapore The Province of Narvar is moistned by a great River which discharges its Water into the Ganges The Chief City is call'd Gehud The Province of Gwaliar or Gualier THe Province of Gwaliar or Gualior otherwise Gualier hath a City which bears the same Name The Mogol hath a vast heap of Treasure which he keeps in this Country in a very strong Castle Garrison'd by a Company of well Disciplin'd Soldiers who also Guard such of the King's Prisoners as are Persons of Quality The Kingdom of Agra or Indostan THe Kingdom or Province of Agra is so call'd from Agra the Royal Metropolis of the Great Mogol's whole Kingdom besides Dely and Lahor Others call it Indostan or Indoustan which signifies The Country of Indus for Stan in the Country Language is A Country or Province and Indus is the Name of the River Indus which moistens the Country It borders on one side upon the Stream Paddor which separates it from the Henderons and conterminates on the other side with the River Tamliko or Tamlou which is a Boundary between this and the Country Inhabited by the Bulloits The Metropolis bears the same Name with the Province of Agra and lies in 28 Degrees and 7 Minutes North Latitude on the Banks of the River Jemini which glides by its Walls and disembogues near the City Andakoda into the River Ganges two days Journey from Agra According to Herbert this City was formerly call'd Nagra and anciently Dionysia and was built by Bacchus but this seems incredulous because within this hundred years the City Ratipor was far more beautiful and bigger than that of Agra which is believ'd to have had its Denomination from the River Arrany which as Arrian affirms falls into the Ganges It was built by King Ekbar after his Conquest of Surratte and for its pleasant Situation made choice of for the Mogol's Court and chief Place of Residence It lies almost Triangular or as Herbert saith Semi-Circular surrounded with a strong Walk of Free-Stone and a Moat of a hundred Paces broad The Circumference of the City is reckon'd to be twelve German Miles The Streets which are very straight are dirty and three Leagues and a half long In the Northern part of the City not far from the River lies the great and famous Royal Castle or Residence of the Kings which is the most beautiful and glorious Piece of Work in all Asia It appears outwardly like a City containing five hundred and twenty Paces in circumference The Structure is for the most part built of Free-stone with many Galleries and Piazzaes very stately after the manner of the Country At the Entrance of this Castle stands the Royal Court of Judicature in the Persian Tongue call'd Diwanchane before which is a large square Maidan or Plain planted about with Trees under which Persons of Quality in hot Weather walk to cool themselves In the middle of the Plain stands a Pole having a Bird on the top of it at which they shoot with Bows and Arrows Opposite to this Court stands a large square Building call'd Karchanay Schah that is The King's Treasure-house with eight Arch'd Vaults in which are kept the greatest part of the Mogol's Treasure Two of these Cellers are reported to be full of Gold and two of Silver in the seventh are kept Pearls Gems and other such like Rarities and in the eighth are contain'd all such Presents as are sent from forein Princes by Ambassadors Behind this Treasury stands another large square Palace with a very delightful Garden and is call'd Hara Michan that is The King 's Womens Lodgings for in it are kept twelve hundred of the King's Concubines which are guarded and waited upon by six hundred Eunuchs Others describe this Court thus It is three or four Leagues in circumference surrounded with strong Walls of red Stone and broad Moats with Draw-Bridges it hath four Gates one on the North which is very strong the second on the West side is call'd Citsery near the Bezar or Market Within this Gate is the King's Court of Judicature where he decides all Differences and behind that is the King's Hall the Seat of the Vice-Roys Within this Gate is also a Street built full of Houses and about a Mile long The third Gate call'd Achabaerbederiwage that is The Gate of King Achbaer lies on the South side and and leads to the King 's Derbaer the Royal Throne or inner Court before which is a small Court surrounded with Golden Rails and cover'd on the top with Carpets to keep off the heat of the Sun beyond it is a Gallery in which stands the King's Throne adorn'd with Gold Diamonds and Pearls and all sorts of Precious Stones No Person is permitted to approach this Place without being call'd except the King's Sons which standing near him cool him by continual fanning of him with Fans in the Country Language call'd Pankhamh and the Chief Secretary Within the foremention'd Court none are suffer'd to enter but Ommirades or Omrahs which are Dukes and great Lords Opposite to this Place hang golden Bells which are rung by those that have sustain'd any prejudice and are thereupon admitted to speak to the King to make their Complaints to him but not without great danger if their Cause be not just In this Place the King appears every Afternoon between three and four a Clock besides thousands of other People which take their Places according to their Qualities and with the King stay there till the Evening hearing all forein Letters which are read by the Setretary and determining all other Businesses Hither are also brought his Horses and Elephants which are try'd by some of his Servants appointed for that purpose Within this third
Gate is likewise a Seraglio cover'd with a golden Roof The fourth Gate call'd Eersame leads to a River along whose Banks stands a beautiful Palace where the King Salutes the Rising-Sun every Morning whilst the most eminent Persons of his Court standing on a rising Ground shew him Reverence and the Hadys or Commanders of Horse with other People remain in the outward Court not daring to come any farther unless they are call'd From hence also he beholds the Fighting with Elephants Lions Buffalo's and other wild Beasts which is perform'd every Day at Noon except on Sundays In the inner Hall of the Royal Court come no People but the King's Eunuchs or Bed-chamber-men which are call'd Godia In the inner part of the Castle are two Towers one on the Seraglio and the other is built on the Treasury Within the Suburbs are many Courts belonging to the Chans and other great Lords very artificially built and adorn'd with many beautiful Works the Cielings are richly Painted with Gold and Silver and other Colours the Walls are hung with Tapistry and the Floor cover'd with rich Carpets In the midst of these Courts are for the most part square or six-angled Springs about which they Dine and in hot Weather Bathe themselves In the Western part of the City near the Metzid Nassar stands a high Tower rais'd of Camels Heads and Mortar The ordinary Citizens Houses are but mean yet built in good order There are eight great Streets with Shops besides many lesser and also four large Arch'd Streets each about half a Mile long where all manner of Trades and Handicraftsmen keep their Shops especially those that Deal in Silks and Cotton Gold and Silver-Smiths Shoemakers Taylors Coopers Blacksmiths and all other Trades live each in a peculiar Corner For travelling Merchants and others there are eighty Serrais or Karavanseraes which are large square Courts inclosed with high Stone Walls at each end whereof stands a Watch-Tower out of which they go into the several Galleries wherein are Lodging-Rooms each of them having Doors to lock and also Chimneys there are commonly two or three Rooms one over another Under these Chambers are great Arch'd Stables for Horses Asses Oxen and Camels and in the midst of the Yard stands a Spring with running Water or a Vault with standing Water they were built by the great Mogol Ekbar after he had conquer'd the Kingdom of Surratte and is said to have cost him two Millions and a half of Ropias a Ropia being valu'd at 2 s. Sterl There are likewise four hundred Hamans or Baths which are daily visited by several Persons who pay each a Sektzai for their Entrance Severity large besides many lesser Metzids or Temples are also no small Ornament to this City especially six which are the chief in one of which lies Interr'd the Body of a Saint call'd Scandar the Successor of Hussein Alys Son This Temple possesses great Riches and Privileges it being an Allakapi or Privileg'd Place for whosoever flies thither though he hath committed the greatest Crime imaginable nay though he had attempted to kill the King himself he is free from all Punishments as long as he can stay there if he hath Money there is Meat brought him by the Derwish who is a person which at Set-times cries the Illa lailah illa allah c. from the Temple Steeple to gather Alms. Not far from the Netherland East-India Companies Factory which they have in this City stands a Meâ—zid call'd Jakod near which lies buried a Giant call'd Baxi Schah of whom the Moors tell many incredible stories the Grave is 36 soot long and eight broad on each Corner stands a great Column hung full of little Flags on which in Indostan Characters stands written the Life of this mighty Heroe and in each Pillar is a Hole in which Lamps burn Night and Day to the Honor of Baxi Schah. This Baxi Schah is by the Mahumetans honor'd almost as high as God for they go thither to pay their Devotions and believe that by Praying to him they shall immediately receive Absolution for all their Sins they also swear by his Name With the Mogol's permission the Benjans have also many Pagods in this City There are four Custom-houses built in four several places of this City where Merchants Enter and pay Custom for their Goods and the tenth Peny of all things they carry out of the City with them This City is inhabited by divers Nations but the chiefest and most eminent are the Hassanists Tarâ—ars Benjans Armenians Turks Jews and Persians besides several Europeans There are also Portuguese and Augustine Monks Agra is a very populous City and can on occasion bring two hundred and fifty thousand Men into the Field In it is great store of Salt-petre and Indigo to be had which the English and Hollanders carry from thence in great quantities Not only within but also round about the City are very delightful Gardens some whereof belong to the Mogol who oftentimes goes to walk and Dine in them whilst a considerable number of Women Dance naked before him The Jurisdiction of Agra from all Parts extends twelve Days Journey through a Plain and fertile Country which contains forty great and small Towns and three thousand five hundred Villages Without the City is a House wherein are kept all sorts of wild Beasts as Elephants Tygers Lions Buffalo's and wild Bulls which the Mogol keeps to sport withal either by letting them fight one against another or encounter with such Men as will be accounted the most valiant of the Country or with such as are constrain'd upon forfeiture of the Mogol's Favor to engage with them About the Year 1620. the City of Agra was by the Sultan Chorrom Selim's Son ruin'd and plunder'd a second time with far greater cruelty of the Soldiers than formerly perhaps in revenge for the Loss which they sustain'd before the Castle which they Storming in vain lost many Men who were slain by the Besieged Between Agra and Lahor is a Walk planted with Trees four hundred English Miles in length and is by Travellers who refresh themselves under the cool shading Trees accounted one of the most delightful Places in the whole World there being several brave Houses for Entertainment built along the High-way A League and a half from Agra on the Way from Lahor is a Place call'd Tzekander where the Great Mogol Ekbar erected a great Burying-place for himself and his Successors to which his Son Jangheer contributed very largely and though there had been above twenty four Millions of Ropias bestow'd on the same yet it was not near finish'd in the Year 1626. The whole Structure is of hewn Stone divided into four large Squares each three hundred Paces at the Corners of each stands a little Tower of colour'd Marble It lies in the midst of a very fine Garden surrounded with a Wall of red Stone within which is a Turret from which you see into a little but exceeding delightful Garden The City Fettipore