The Travels of Ludovico di Varthema: In Egypt, Syria, Arabia Deserta and Arabia Felix, in Persia, India, and Ethiopia, A.D. 1503 To 1508. Ludovico di Varthema
to Taesa (Ta'ez), 80; its antiquity and buildings, 81; goes to Zibit (Zebid); goes to Damar (Dhamar), 82.
Chapter concerning the Sultan of all the above-mentioned cities,
and wherefore he is called by the name of Sechamir, 83, 84. The name explained; the Sultan puts no one to death but in war; but had thousands in prison.
Chapter concerning apes, and some animals like lions very hostile
to man, 84, 85.
Returns to Aden, 84; finds a mountain with numerous apes, and destructive animals like lions (supposed hyenas), 85; goes on board ship.
Discourse touching some places of Ethiopia, 85.
An accident sends them to the coast of Ethiopia, where they enter the port of Zeila (Zaila).
Chapter concerning Zeila, a city of Ethiopia, and of the abundance
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of it, and concerning some animals of the said city, such as sheep and cows, 86-88.
Traffic of Zeila, slave trade, &c, 88; products; oil of zerzalino; fat- tailed Berbera sheep, 87; twisted-tailed sheep; stag-horned cows; one-horned cows; the Sultan, his soldiers, &c, 88.
Chapter concerning Barbara, an island of Ethiopia, and of its
people, 88-90.
Arrival at Barbara (Berbera), 88; sails for Persia, 90.
THE BOOK CONCERNING PERSIA.
Chapter concerning Diuobandierrumi, and Goa, and Giulfar, lands
of Meschet, a port of Persia, 91-93.
After twelve days reaches Diuobandierrumi (Diu in Guzerat), 91; goes to Goa (Gogha), 92; to Giulfar (Julfar in the Persian Gulf), 93; and Meschet (Maskat).
Chapter concerning Ormus, a city and island of Persia, and how
they get very large pearls at it by fishing, 94, 95.
Chapter concerning the Sultan of Ormus, and of the cruelty of the
son against the Sultan his father, his mother, and his bro- thers, 96-99.
The Sultan's eleven sons, the eldest a devil, the youngest simple, 96; the former murders his father, mother, and brothers, except the youngest; he tries to get rid of two powerful favourites of his father, and is slain by one of them, 97, 98; who causes the younger brother to be proclaimed Sultan, 99; the many merchants of Ormus.
Chapter concerning Eri in Corozani, of Persia, and of its riches,
and of the abundance of many things, and especially of rhu- barb, 99-101.
Varthema passes 3 to Persia, and travels to Eri (Herat) in Corazani (Kkorassan), 99; abundance of silk and rhubarb; population, 101.
Chapter concerning the river Eufra, which I believe to be the
Euphrates, 101-103.
Arrives at a large river called by the people Eufra (? Pnlwan), 101; reaches the city Schirazo (Shiraz); turquoises and rubies from Balachsam (Badakhsan), 102; musk, and its power when pure; character of the Persians; liberality and kindness of Cozazionor (Khawaja——), a Persian merchant who proposes that Varthema should travel with him; they set out towards Sambragante (Samar- cand), 103.
Chapter concerning Sambragante (as it is called), a very large city
like Cairo, and of the persecution by the Soffi, 103, 104.
The greatness of Sambragante and its king, 103; but they are hindered from going thither by the Soffi's (Shah Isma'il es-Sufi's) violence against believers in Bubachar, Othman, and Aumur (viz. Sunnis); Cozazionor proposes to give Varthema his beautiful niece Samis (Shams) to wife, 104; they return to Eri, and thence to Ormus, and take ship for India, where they arrive at the port of Cheo (Jooa in the Indus delta) .
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THE FIRST BOOK CONCERNING INDIA.
Chapter concerning Combeia, a city of India, abounding in all
things, 105-107.
The Indus, and city of Combeia (Cambay), 105; its spices (or drugs), 106; cotton; and precious stones, 107.
Chapter concerning the estate of the Sultan of the very noble city
of Combeia, 107-110.
Sultan Machamuth (Mahmud Bigarrah), 107; the Guzeratis, their virtues and dress, 108; the Sultan's pomp and elephants, 109; his huge mustachioes; his daily eating of poison, and spurting it on those he desires to kill; his embraces fatal, 110; great trade and riches of
Cambay, 111.
Chapter concerning the manner of living and customs of the King
of the Joghe, 111 113.
The Pagan king of the Joghe, his people, and their pilgrimages, 111 ; their dress, and various acts of devotion, and reputed sanctity, 112 ; their wars with Sultan Machamuth, 113.
Chapter concerning the city of Ceval [Chaul] and its customs, and
the bravery of its people, 113, 114.
Chapter concerning Dabuli, a city of India, 114, 115.
Chapter concerning Goga, an island of India, and the King of the
same, 1 15, 116.
Varthema and his companion go to Goga (Goa), 115; Pardai a gold coin of the country (pagodas; Mameluke garrison and their wars with the King of Narsinga, 116; goes on to the city of Decan.
Chapter concerning Decan, a very beautiful city of India, and its
many and various riches and jewels, 117, 118.
The city of Decan (Bijapur) and its Mohamedan King, 117; beautiful palace and houses; splendour of the court, 118; mountain from which diamonds are dug; veiled ladies.
Chapter concerning the activity of the King in military affairs, 118.
His wars with Narsinga; his navy hostile to Christians; Varthema goes to Bathacala, 118.
Chapter concerning Bathacala, a city of India, and of its fertility in
many things, and especially in rice and sugar, 119, 120.
Bathacala (Bathcal, Beitkul, or Sedashevaghur), 119; its trade and fertility, 120; absence of horses, mules, and asses; Varthema goes to Anzediva island.
Chapter concerning Centacola, Onor, and Mangolor, excellent
districts of India, 120-122.
Arrives at Centacola (Uncola in North Canara), 120; at Onor (Honah- war), 121; its productions, fine air, and longevity of the people, 122; Mangolor.
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Chapter concerning Canonor, a very great city in India, 123-125.
The King of Portugal's castle at Canonor, 123 ; importation of horses, 124 ; spices (properly so called) begin; the King's Naeri (Nairs) and their costume; the travellers take their way to the kingdom of Narsinga, and reach the city of Bisinegar, 125.
Chapter showing Bisinegar, a very fertile city of Narsinga in
India, 125-128.
Great size and defences of Bisinegar (Bijayanagar), 125; a paradise of a place, 126; the power of the Pagan King; his horsemen and elephants; equip inent of the war elephant; his docility, 127; his dread of fireworks; how elephants were employed in Varthema's presence at Canonor to beach a ship; the absence of joints a fable; description of the animal, and power of his trunk, 128 ; height of the elephant; pace, and how they are mounted.
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