Carmania, Region

1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn.

CARMANIA is bounded on the East, with Gedrosia, and some part of Aria; on the West, with part of Persis, and the Gulf of Persia, from hence called also by the name of Sinus Carmanicus; on the North, with Parthia; and on the South, with the main Indian Ocean. So called from the Carmani, a chief People of it: but the reason of that name I sind not. It is now generally called Chyrman; those parts of it which lie next to Parthia, which Ptolomy calleth Carmania Deserta, being now named Mingia, and by some Dulcinde.

The Countrey for the most part barren, and but ill inhabited. That part which Ptolomy calleth Carmania Deserta, being truly such; a wilderness or very Desart, having in it neither Town nor village, but some scattered houses, and those but ill provided of food and necessaries, full of unprofitable sands, destitute of water; and of a very hot and unhealthy air. And though the other part hereof which lieth towards the Ocean, hath a Sea coast of above 200 leagues in length, and many Rivers emptying themselves into it, yet are they not the richer by it: the shores being full of rocks, and the Rivers small; so that they neither have good Port nor safe coming to it. The best commodities here of (besides their Manufactures) are Dates, Myrrhe, Arsenic, some few mines of silver, more of brass and iron, and good store of Alabaster. In which regard, the Inhabitants hereof were antiently called Ichihyophagi, because they lived wholly upon fish, the Countrey yielding little else for the life of man. Carmani sine veste ac frage, sine pecore ac sedibus, piscium cute se velant, carne vescuntur, praeter capita toto corpore hirsuti. The Carmans (saith Pomponius Mela) have neither fruits, nor rayment, nor house, not cattel; but cloth themselves with the skins, and feed themselves with the flesh of fishes; hairie not onely in their heads, but over all their bodies also. Where by the way, Ammianus Marcellinus must be out in his informations, who telleth us of these very Carmans, that their Countrey though far less than that of Arabia Felix, and far more obscure, was as well replenished with Rivers, and for fertility of soil not inferior to it. But we must understand the one of the best parts of Carmania; the other of Deserta onely.

Amongst the Rivers which he reckoneth of greater name than the rest, he mentioneth 1. Saganis, 2. Sagareus, and 3. Hydriacus. Of which Saganis onely is named by Prolomy, the other Rivers or the same under divers names, being 1. Dara, 2. Andanius, 3. Cathrappis, 4. Achindura, 5. Salarus (the Sagareus as I take it of Ammianus) 6. Caudriaces, 7. Zoromba, and 8. Samidace, most of them falling into the Gulf of Persia, few navigable, or of any use in the way of trading.

Mountains of most note 1. that called Semiramis, from some exploit of that great Lady. 2. Strongeius, so named from the roundness of it; and 3. a continued ridge of hills, dividing this Countrey from Gedrosia.

Places of most observation in it, 1. Cantharis, 2. Agris, 3. Tisa, honoured by Ptolomy with the names of Cities. 4. Cyrza, and 5. Gocharta, two Port-Towas. 6. Alexandera, bearing the name of that great Conquerour, who here or hereabouts kept his Bacchanalia, whereof more anon. 7. Portospant, by Ammianus called Ortospana, and by him reckoned amongst the fairest and richest of all the Countrey. 8. Armuzt, (or Armuzium as Pliny calleth it,) on the shore of the Gulf, giving name to a Promoatory neer-adjoining, and to the Noble Isle of Ormus, of which more anon. 9. Guntroone, not longsince a poor village; but since the fall of Ormus (from which not above nine miles distant) grown a populous Town, consisting at the least of a thousand houses. 10. Jasques, at the opening of the Parsian Gulf into which it looketh, whence the Promontory of it called Carpella, is of late named Capodi Jasques. 11. Carmania, the Metropolis or mother City of the Province, in former times of good esteem; and now of passing good repute both for cloth of gold, and the making of the best Scymitars. A weapon of such value amongst the Mahometans, and so esteemed of by the Turks, that at the overthrow of their Navy at the battle of Corsu, Anno 1574. most of them who were taken Prisoners threw their Scymnars into the Sea, for fear the Christians should be masters of such excellent weapons. It is now called Chyrman, by the name of the Province, as in former times; with very little difference from the antient name. 12. Lar, more within the land towards Persis, seated in a barren and inhospitable Countrey, full of huge heaps of sands, both loose and dangerous, moved and removed as the wind sitteth into plains and Mountains; without grass, water, herbs, or any other necessary for the use of Travellers, the City being served with rain-water only, entertained with great joy when it falleth, and kept in cisterns. The City notwithstanding large, and of good capacity, containing not long since to the namber of 5000 houses; of which the greatest part, in the year 1590. were thrown down by an earthquake: now most remarkable for a fair Market-place of about 180 paces square; a goodly Mosque, adorned with Masaick work, and a strong Castle seated on the top of an hill, furnished with great plenty of Ordinance brought hither from Ormus. This once a Kingdome of it self, or the head City of a Kingdome, acknowledging no subjection to the Persian Sophies: till conquered to that Crown by Emangoli Chawn Duke of Shyras, who sent hence as much treasure as was said to load 700 Camels; and put to death the poor King with his whole posterity, Anno 1604. or thereabouts. 13. Tecoa, or Dea-chow, a Town of the jurisdiction of Lar, not far from which is a huge wall cut out of the solid rock by incredible labour, which served formerly both for the boundary and desence of that sandy Kingdome against the Persians.

The antient Inha bitants hereof, were the posterity of Sabta, the sonne of Chus, who wanting room on the coast of Arabta Felix, where they were first planted, passed over into Sophta (from them so named) an Island of the Persian Gulf, and afterwards into the main land of Carmania, where they built and gave name to the City of Sabis, which we find in Ptolomy. Divided in some tract of time into the severall Nations of the Sazota, Ara, Charadra, Chelonophagi, Cabadinae, and Pasagarda.

Neither the People nor the Countrey memorable in the way of story; but by Accident onely: it being here that Alexander being returned out of India, kept his Baechanalia, in imitation of Bacchus, who first conquered that Nation. Night and day he was continually feasting with his friends, on a scaffold drawn with eight horses; his Companions following in their Chariots: some adorned with Purple and Silk; others with Flowers and Green Boughs; themselves wearing Garlands on their heads, and carrying their Carowsing Cups in their hands. In this Army there was neither Helmet, Sword, Arrow, or Buckler seen: all their Armour, was Cups, Barrells, and Flaggons; their Skirmishing Eating, Drinking, Laughing, and Singing. Attended they were by Minstrells, playing on their Fluits; by Women, dancing; Boyes, shouting; all playing the drunken Foolls most naturally. Thus march they through the Countrey of Carmania, in as great dissoluteness, as if BACCHUS himself had indeed been there, and led the Mummery; and for seaven whole daies this sottishness continued. So that Curtius well observeth, Si quid victis saltem adversus comessantes animi fuisset, mille hercule viri, modo & sobrii, septem dierum crapula graves in suo triumpho capere potuerunt: a thousand Persians, sober and well provided, had their hearts been answerable to so good an opportunity, might have destroyed this drunken Army, and redeemed at once the honour of their Countrey, and their own liberty.

1673. Asia. The first part being an accurate description of Persia, and the several provinces thereof by John Ogilby.

Carmania or Kermon, otherwise Kirman.

THis ancient Countrey, by Ptolomy call'd Carmania, is at this day nam'd Kirman, and by Niger, Kerman, from its Metropolis: According to Cluverius, it compris'd anciently these Territories, viz. Modomastice, Parepaphitis, Cabadine, and Chantonice; but at this day onely Kirman, Goadel, and Ormus. It is inhabited by the ancient People Isaticheans, Zuthians, Gadanopidrans, Camelobocians, Sozotes, Agdenites, Rhudians, Arians, Charadreans, Pasargades, and Armozens. The ancient Cities were Carmania, Samydace, Alexandria, and Armuze. It is water'd by one River nam'd Samydace, hath the Mountain Semiramis, and the Wilderness Reobarle. Kermon or Carmania, is divided into two Parts; the one Great Carmania, which conterminates with the Sea, and is by the Persians call'd Erach Ajan; the other, which lies farther into the Country, and was anciently nam'd Wild Carmania, hath now the Denomination of Dulcinde, or (as Corsal saith) Rasigut. Erack Ajan compriseth yet two Kingdoms, viz. Macran and Guadel. Besides these two Carmania's, this Countrey comprehends Mogostan, and the Kingdom of Ormus. Wild Carmania borders (according to Ptolomy) in the North, upon Parthia; the West verges Persia; the South looks upon Great Carmania; and in the East it lies terminated by Aria. The old Wild Carmania compriseth the well known Kingdoms of Lara and Oessa, commonly call'd The Kingdom of Monbareca or Mombareck, from the Name of the Governor, besides the Countreys of Mogosthan. The Countreys which lie to the Northward from the Tigris and Euphrates, at the side of Persia, were formerly possess'd by one Mombareck, Son to a mighty Arabian, which Texeira places hard by Bagdad or Babylon, where there are many good Cities, as Magdon, Oexa, and Ooreca, surrounded with rich Land, yet lying waste for fear of the Turks, who have many Garrisons in this Mombareck's Countrey, to guard those which pay him Tribute. The greater Carmania borders in the North upon Wild Carmania, in the East faces Gedrosia, the West looks upon a part of Persia and a part of the Persian Gulf, and the South is limited by the Indian Sea. The River Bagrada, so call'd by Ptolomy, and plac'd in Wild Carmania, is now nam'd Bintmir, or (as others) Budmir; by Niger, Biserti; and in the Arabick, as Thevet affirms, Biquelmick. This Countrey, Davity tells, was possess'd by Zizaerian Arabians that formerly dwelt in Bassora. Wild Carmania, as Maginus writes, hath not one City; nor indeed doth Ptolomy mention any therein. Great Carmania boasts the River Bassiri, and the Cape Jasquette or Jasques, about twenty five or twenty six Leagues from Ormus, near the Persian Gulf, opposite to Arabia Felix: Ortelius says Ptolomy call'd it The Cape of Ormus. Up into the Countrey lie the Towns Sirgian, Tesirco, Serent, and Kirman or Kirmon, the chief City of the Region. According to Olearius, Kirman is a great Countrey, and lying between Farsi and Sagistan, extending Northerly to the Sea and the Isle of Ormus. Beyond Kirman, Northerly, lies a great Desart; but Southward, towards the Sea, Kirman hath much till'd Land, and many fine Towns, the Names whereof are Bersir, Bermasir, Bem, Chabis, Tzirefft, and Gamron, which lying near the Sea, is often call'd Bender or Bander Gamron, that is, The Haven of Camron, for Bender in the Persian Tongue signifies a Haven. This Town of Gamron, or Bender Gamron, by Della Valle call'd Cambru, lies in 27 Degrees of Northern Latitude, West-South-West about three Leagues from the Isle of Ormus, being formerly a little Village, inhabited by Fishermen, who came thither for its convenient Situation near the Persian Gulf. But since the conquering of the famous Isle of Ormus, and driving the Portuguese from thence, Gamron being frequented by the English, Hollanders, and Moors Vessels, grew to a handsom Town, and is enlarg'd daily by the Merchants and Travellers which come thither in November, (for then the heat of the Weather is over), either description PAGE 35 from the Court at Ispahan, or other adjacent Cities. The Houses are built (having the Foundation three or four Foot deep in the Sand) of Freestone, joyn'd together after this manner: They take Clay, chopt Straw, and Horse-dung, beaten together with salt Water, and making Cakes thereof, dry the same in the Sun; then they lay Brambles or Straw on the Ground to cover them, over which again they lay Cakes, and so a Layer of Btambles and a Layer of Cakes, till it rises to the heighth of a Man, and then set fire on the Heap, which, when extinguish'd, they mingle and beat together with salt Water, and daubing the Materials therewith, make a good Mortar, which grows as hard as Flint; upon this Foundation they raise their Walls of square pieces of Clay dry'd in the Sun, after the manner of our Bricks, and then laid in moist Clay in stead of Mortar: they likewise make square Pillars of the same Clay after the same manner, for Supporters of the inner Roofs; and that the Rain may not soke through the Walls, they daube them all over with the beforemention'd hard Plaister, which makes them seem to be built all of Stone: With this Mortar also they make handsom Arches: Their Rooms of Office are even with the Ground, and for want of Stone, unpav'd: Over these are their Lodgings, open round about for coolness. The Streets are very crooked, narrow and dirty. The chiefest Houses, as those of the Sultans, the English and Hollanders Store-houses, stand on the Shore, against which the Sea oftentimes beats with great violence; yet they are very convenient to lade and unlade Goods. The Ships Ride about a Cannon shot from the Land, in five or six Fathom Water. There are also many little Huts of Boughs and Date-tree Leaves, which are much us'd here; and because there are no hard Stones hereabouts, and the Timber extraordinary scarce; many stately Houses have been pull'd down on the Isle, and the Materials thereof carry'd away to build Houses on the Main. On the East side of the Countrey stands a Fort, built after the ancient manner with Towers. Upon the Shore also, about a Gun-shot from the Water, is another Fort, built of Free-stone, surrounded with a dry Trench, a low Vaumure, and on the West side a Stone Redoubt, of sufficient Strength against any sudden Onset.

The great Village Cambru (according to Della Valle) stands upon the Sea-shore in 27 Degrees of Northern Latitude. The Streets are generally very narrow, and the Bazars on Shops but indifferently furnish'd with Wares. The Walls of the Houses are of Lime or Clay, and may rather be call'd Barns than Houses, being nothing but large and inclosed places, cover'd with a Roof for a shelter in bad Weather, and to keep off the heat of the Sun, which in these Countreys is very powerful. Here is a general Toleration of Religion: for besides the Mahumetans there are abundance of Jews, Banians from India, and many other People of divers Beliefs.

There is a Fortress in a low Tract of Land near the Sea; and not far from it the Fort of Cambru, which being square, is encompass'd with a double Wall; the first hath no Redoubts nor Flankers, but the outmost hath some Sconces and Curteyns, sufficient to bear Musquet-shot: The inner Wall is somewhat higher, and hath several little round Turrets, built at certain distances one from another; between each of which lies a great Stone, which in time of need may be thrown down on the Enemy: Over the Gate appears a square place like a Gallery full of Port-holes, through which the Soldiers with Musquets defend the Passage to the Gate: Outermost is abroad and deep Moat, fortifi'd with Half-moons and Breast-works, but so weak, that they may be batter'd down with a small Field-piece. On the Shore of Cambru lie abundance of Sea-Cockles, by which the Coast may easily be known. The Ferry from Cambru to Ormus is not above a days Sailing, in Vessels as big as Sloops, by the Persians call'd Cuibet. The Portuguese in former times had another Fort near the Shore, which the Persians after their Conquest pull'd down; but they built the foremention'd Fort in stead thereof farther up in the Countrey, and afterwards in the Year 1623. in January, they rais'd another on the Shore, in the same place where that belonging to the Portuguese stood, finding that so far up into the Countrey unable to defend the Ships and Haven, which is much frequented from several Places in Persia, India and Arabia. There is also a Governor of the Town, and another of the Fort, and a Judge call'd Cadhi. Once a year commonly there happens an Earthquake in Cambru, which often overturns several Houses. In the Way from Schiras to the Haven of Cambru, whither the English come yearly with the Caravan to ship their Silks, are the following Places, viz. the Burrough of Passa, the Plain of Gigangli, the Village Haian Havask, the Caravansera of Mamui, the City Passa, Tambustan or Temerista, the barren place between the Mountains Seciah, that is, The three Pits, because of certain Pits there, and beyond that the Village Zirevan; some Leagues from which the Way parts into two, the one runs to the City Darabghierd, and the other to Dechair, a Village, a days Journey beyond this parting of the Road. The many Dates and other Trees which grow in Darebghierd, make it seem a very pleasant Place, which extending a great way, hath abundance of Inhabitants. There is nothing remarkable in the same but a Brook, which running through the Market makes a standing Pool in the middle: However, it is very eminent for its Antiquity and Name, which it hath preserv'd to this day, viz. from the ancient Persian King Darius, who built it, and call'd it Darab, according to the Name which this Place bears, viz. Darabghierd, or Darabkera, that is, Darius's City. Beyond Darabghierd we see the Villages Dechair, and beyond that the Wilderness of Moghokiel. Next you come to a Mosque of an Imamsade's Tomb, who was call'd Meir Abas, Son to Iman Giafer Sadick, a Man highly esteem'd amongst the Persians; yet the Mosque is quite ruin'd, notwithstanding it is near a Village: About it are pleasant Gardens, with all sorts of Fruit-Trees, water'd by a little Brook: At the entrance is a Court, where several People superstitiously desire to be bury'd. In the middle of this Court stands a great Palm-Tree, by whose Foot runs another Brook, replenish'd with all sorts of Fish for the Service of the Court.

On one side of the Mosque is Meir Abas's Tomb, cover'd with sleight Turkish Linnen. Here Della Valle says he found a bound Book, and also some Leaves of an old Book with certain Medals, description PAGE 36 which were brought from Kierrila, and the famous Hossein's Tomb, on which were Imprinted in Arabick Letters the name of GOD, and some other pious words, as Elhemdu lillah, that is, God be praised. Beyond this Tomb you come between narrow Mountains, which formerly serv'd for the Boundaries between the two Provinces of Persia and Lar, when Lar was a peculiar Dukedom, and not subject to the Persians. Somewhat farther you come to the Village Furg; and beyond it to several Heaps of Rubbish, being the Ruines of an ancient Structure, by the Vulgar call'd The Mountain of the King of Behmen, who (as they report) Reign'd a considerable time in Persia, before Darius was conquer'd by Alexander the Great. Next you approach the Village Tascui, and Seid Geuder in the County of Tarom; the salt Water of Absicur, the Village Pelengon, and the Tenghi Cebarrud, or Narrow Gate; beyond which a Brook glides gently into a Moat; near which Travellers commonly resting themselves, cut their Names and Verses on the Rocks, which shadow this Brook from the heat of the Sun all the day. Hence you go to Pise or Pisce, a little Village in the Countrey of Gurhe, not far distant. Next appears the Town Curihazirgon and Serzehirevevon, the Mountain of Ginan and Countrey of Issur, where the Way again parts into two, one running by the Village Abidunghur, to the City Mina, and the other to Cambru. In the Road to Cambru lies the Village call'd Ciah Ciacor, the common Resting-place for Travellers; beyond which is a Row of Houses nam'd Pailulon, or Pailuli Dagheli, that is, At the foot of the Lulen full of Leaves: for by these Houses grow abundance of Trees, by the Inhabitants call'd Kuli Dagheli, as if they would say, Trees full of Boughs: for out of the great Branches grow many lesser down to the Ground, which taking Root, produce new Trees; which being very common in India, are by the Portuguese nam'd Arbores de Raiz, that is, The Rooting Trees. Lastly, you come to the Fort and City Combru, at present by the Persians call'd Abassi.

The Inhabitants of Wild Carmania are most of them Thieves and Robbers; but in Great Carmania the Women work all sorts of Shapes on Cloth of Tissue or Silk of divers colours, as also on Curtains, Hangings, Cushions, and the like. In this Province are made also excellent Saddles, Bridles, Spurs, and all manner of Weapons for War. The Inhabitants drink a kind of Beer in stead of Wine, and make use of the Arabian Abe. The Inhabitants in the Wilderness Reobarle, which lieth in this Province, live by Pilfering, and are great Sorcerers like the Arabians: Their Turbans are long, but narrower than those of the other Persians, with a great Lappet behind.

Amongst many other soveraign Herbs growing here, there is one exceeding good against Worms, call'd Daru Kerman, or Daramnack Kermony, which is to be understood two several ways, viz. for a Medicine for Worms, or for a Medicine from Kermon: for Kermon is a compound word, signifying not onely This Province, but A Worm; and Daru or Daramnack is a Physical Herb. The chiefest Commodities with which the Inhabitants Trade, are Rose-water, Wormwood, or Daru Kermon, and the Stone Surmah.

The Carpets made here are by the Persians call'd Caluchey; by the Portuguese, Alcatifas; and commonly by other Europeans, from their Example, corruptly Alcatifs; which are made in three several Places in Persia, viz. the richest, finest, and dearest, are made in Izad, a City in Hierack, where some are sold for a thousand Ducats; the second sort are those of Kerman, and the third from Carason. There is also a black and glittering Stone found in this Countrey, which looks as if it were strew'd with File-dust or Sand, and is call'd Surmah; of which there are two sorts, one is found in Kerman, as also in Carason, which is of greatest value, and the other Moches, because it comes from Mochi, or Mecha. The Arabians, Indians, and Persians, use this Stone much against the Distemper of the Eyes, for the cure of which it is very prevalent, being prepar'd with other things. It is good to preserve Beauty, insomuch that both Men and Women wiping their Eyes with the Stone wetted, account themselves much younger and fairer.