An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies. Robert Knox
href="#ulink_1b4fdba2-130e-5cc3-86a7-ee796e1f26d8">Of their Sickness, Death and Burial.
Of the reason of our going to Ceilon , and Detaimnent there.
Concerning some other English men detained in that Countrey.
A Continuation of the Author’s particular Condition after the Rebellion. Purchaseth a piece of Land.
How the Author began his Escape; and got onward of his Way about an Hundred miles.
Books printed for, and sold by Richard Chiswel .
PART I
CHAP. I.
A general Description of the Island.
How this Island lyes with respect unto me Neighbouring Countries, I shall not speak at all, that being to be seen in our ordinary Sea-Cards, which describe those Parts; and but little concerning the Maritime parts of it, now under the Jurisdiction of the Dutch: my design being to relate such things onely that are new and unknown unto these Europæan Nations. It is the Inland Countrey therefore I chiefly intend to write of which is yet an hidden Land even to the Dutch themselves that inhabit upon the Island. For I have seen among them a fair large Map of this Place, the best I believe extant, yet very faulty: the ordinary Maps in use among us are much more so; I have procured a new one to be drawn, with as much truth and exactness as I could, and his Judgment will not be deemed altogether inconsiderable, who had for Twenty Years Travelled about the Iland, and knew almost every step of those Parts, especially, that most want describing.
I begin with the Sea-Coasts. Of all which the Hollander is Master: On the North end the chief places are Jafnipatan, and the Iland of Manaur. On the East side Trenkimalay, and Batticalow. To the South is the City of Point de Galle. On the West the City of Columbo, so called from a Tree the Natives call Ambo, (which bears the Mango-fruit) growing in that place; but this never bare fruit, but onely