Casan, Persia

Sources from old books

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

Of CASAN and the Trade thereof. CASAN is a principall faire and famous Citie in this Countrey, but much troubled with excessive heate by reason of its scituation in a pleasant and large plaine; it consisteth altogether of merchandizing, and the greatest trade of all the inland Countrey is found herein, and most especially frequented by Indian Merchants; the Inhabitants are in generall addicted to all curious manufactures, and fabrickes, as in weaving of shashes, turbants, and girdles, in making also of velvets, sattins, damaskes, curious and fine Ormusins, and Carpets; and indeed it is accounted the very Magazin of all the Persian Cities, for these commodities; here is also to be sold all manner of drugs, and spices, pearles, diamonds, Rubies, and turkeses, and all sorts of silkes, both raw and wrought, so that the Authour (who in this relation I follow) is verily perswaded that there is more silke yearely brought into Casan, than there is of broad cloth brought into London. The civill policie of this Citie is also commendable, an idle person not being permitted to live amongst them, and the children after six yeares old, are presently set to worke; here being a Law to the shame of Christendome, that every Inhabitant must yearly give up his name to the Magistrate, therewith declaring how and in what manner he liveth, what art he exerciseth, and if he be found in a falshood, he is beaten on the fe•…te, or els imployed in some publique slavery, to the example of others: and for other notes of trading, see Hispahan in Parthia.