Dulsinda, Region

1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn.

DVLSINDA is bounded on the East, with the River Indus; on the West, with Paropamisus, and Arachosia, two Persian Provinces; but for the most part, under the command of the Great Mogul; on the North, with Caucasus, by which parted from Tartary; on the South, with the Kingdom of Cambaia. So that it taketh up all the Northern parts of this Estate, which lie upon the West of the River Indus: from which River called by the Natives Sinda, most probable it is that it took this name: and therefore I have written it with an s, Dulsinda, and not Dulcinda with a c, as I see some do, but on no good reason.

The Countrey by reason of the Northern situation of it more temperat, but less fruitful than the rest of India. The seat, in antient times, of the Mazagae, and Indo-Scythae, when subdued by Alexander. Made up at present, of many lesser Kingdomes, and smaller Provinces, denominated, for the most part, from the principal Tows, and Cities of them, as in other places.

Amongst which those of most esteem, are 1. Caximir, Cascimir, or Chesmur, (for by all these names it is called) the chief of a Kingdome once, unto which it gave name, till subdued by Echebar, the Mogul; who in a pleasant Iland, (in the middest of a great and deep Lake, about three leagues off the City) beset round with Trees, built a Royall Palace: which he honoured sometimes with his Court, removed hither from Lahor, partly the better to assure this new conquered Kingdome; but principally because his Palace at Lahor, and therein an infinite deal to Treasure, had but newly been consumed by fire. The City it self situate in the most healthy Country of all India, encompassed with high Mountains, covered for the most part of the year with snow; the rest a delicate, goodly plain, diversified with Pastures, Woods, Corn-fields, Meadows, Parks, Gardens, and Rivers, even to admiration. The air hereof, and of the Country round about, by reason of the Northern situation of it, and the snowie Mountains, very cool and temperate. The soil abundantly productive of Wheat, Rice, and Vines; which last they plant at the foot of the Mulberry-tree, which seemeth by this means, to bear double fruits. Both Town and Kingdome subdued by Echebar, the Mogul, about the year 1597. their own dissentions more conducing to that subjugation, than any visible force which he brought before it. 2. Roree, a Fort of the M•gul• towards Paropamisus; but bordering upon the Country of Multan, to which People it properly belongeth: garrisoned not so much for fear of the Persian, (for Paropamisus, now called Cabal, is his antient Patrimony,) but to preserve the People from the spoil of Theeves, who alwaies hang about the Mountains. 3. In the most Northern parts hereof, stood the Nagara of Ptolomy; mistook by some for the modern Agra, of which more anon. 4. Sestan, the chief City as I take it, of the Kingdome of Rebat; situate on the East of Caxim•r, betwixt it and the Indus: in the same Latitude with that, but not of so temperate an air; the snowy Mountains much conducing to the Temperature of the Realm of Caximir., 5. Mul•an, a great and antient City, and the chief of a Kindome, on the South of Caximir, or Chesmur, and about three French leagues from the banks of the River Indus. The ordinary thorow-fare of the Caravans, in the way from Lahor to Spahan, (the chief Seat of the Sophy or King of Persia) forced to abide there divers dayes, sometimes ten or twelve, to enrich the Town, which of it self is of no great trading nor otherwise able to subsist but by this device. 6. Duckee, a Fort or Garrison, situate in the Streights of the Mountains to secure the Caravans, and protect other Passengers from the danger of Robbers, hovering in these hill-countr•es, the out-parts of this Empire.