Casbin

Sources from old books

1638. The merchants mappe of commerce wherein by Lewes Roberts.

Of CASBIN and the trade thereof. CASBIN is now accounted the Metropolis of Persia, and sometimes the residence of the Sophies, hither removed from Tauris, as I said before, it is accounted a dayes journey about on horsebacke, well walled and fortified with a strong Fort, and beautified with two faire Straglios; the walles whereof are made of red marble, and paved with Mosacque worke; the chiefe street hereof is called the attimidan, in figure four-square, each angle being ¼ mile in length, incompassed with scaffolds for the people to sit and behold the King and his Nobles at their exercises of shooting, riding, running, and the like; this Citie is seated in a goodly fertile plaine of three or foure daies journeys in length, which is furnished with neere two thousand Villages to supply the necessary uses thereof, which did much in rich this place before the removall of the Persians Court to Hispahan, which is fourteene dayes journey further into the East; three places herein doe much adorne and beautifie this place; first, the Attimidan aforesaid; secondly, the Kings palace, which is so brave a fabrique, and so richly furnished, that Europe can hardly match it; and lastly, the Bassars which are many in number, which are in the manner of our Pawnes in London, where are to be sold all manner of Persia, India, Turkie, Moscovian, and Arabia commodities, as all rich Iems, Iewells, drugges, spices, silke wrought in Damaskes, Velvets, and raw, transported into other Countries; the attimidan serving the Merchants for an Exchange or place of meeting, where every day is seene a continuall faire, where all manner of commodities is sold both for backe and belly; also Gold-smiths, Exchangers of moneys, and all other professions, who come hither and display their commodities, as to some publique Mart. And the moneys and currant coynes here passable amongst Merchants, I referre to the chiefe Citie of Persia, Hispahan, the present residence of the Persian Monarch; and I am informed that the weights and measures thereof doe also agree therewith, so shall not need to inlarge my selfe further in that particular.