Diu, Island

Sources from old books

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

Of DIU and the trade thereof.

THE Towne and Iland of DIU lyeth about 20 Leagues from the famous River Indus, and not farre distant from the firme land; it is now subject to the Portugals, who have conquered both the Iland and Town from the King of Cambaia, and so fortified it, as it is conceived to be now invincible. This Towne hath a very good and great Haven, and therein is found a great concourse of Merchants of all Nations, as Turks, Persians, Arabians, Armenians, and others of sundry Countries; and because of the continuall traffique thereof, it is accounted the best and most profitable revenue the King of Spaine hath in all India, for that the Banians, Guserats, Rumos and Persians, which traffique in Cambaie, and from thence to the red Sea and Mecca, doe both discharge their wares and take in their lading here at DIU, by reason of the commodious situation thereof, as lying at the entrance of Cambaia, and from DIU it is shipt and sent to Cmabaia, and so brought backe againe to DIU.

The commodities of this place and this coast are first, fine cotton linen of sundry sorts, which they call Ioryms, Sluyers, and Lamparads, and which we call by the generall name of callicoes, also Cocos oyle, India nuts, butter, pitch, tarre, sugar candie, iron good store, and most excellent and faire leather, which is artificially wrought with silkes of all colours, both flowers and personages; and which is in India much esteemed to lay upon beds and tables, instead of carpets and coverlets: they make also here all sorts of curious desks, cupboords, chests, boxes, standishes, and a thousand such like devises in wood, guilded with variety of colours, wrought with imagery and mother of pearl, which are carried hence throughout all India; but especially to Goa and Cochin, against the time that the Portugall Ships come thither to take in their lading to goe homewards.

Other observations of the further trade of this place I referre to Goa, the Metropolis of India in possession of the Portugals, to which all the other forts possessed by the Portugals, in some sort have a reference in the matter and manner of their trade.