Malabar, Region
1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn.
MALABAR is bounded on the North, with Canara, from which parted by the River Gangeraco; on the East, with the great Mountain Gates, by which divided from the Realm of Narsinga; on the West and South, with the main Ocean. On the Coast whereof it doth extend for the space of 300 miles, that is to say, from the River Gangeraco, to the Cape Comori, which I conceive to be the Commaria Extrema of Ptolomy, though others take it for the Promontory by him called Cory. But the breadth hereof is nothing answerable to the length, not above 50. miles where broadest, and ending towards the Cape in a point or Conus,
The Country more populous, for the bigness, than any in India; enjoying a very temperate Air, and a fruitfull Soyl, well watered, and indented with many Creeks: unfit for Corn, but plentifull in Rice, and all manner of Spices, as Ginger, Cinnamon, Cassia, Pepper, and most excellent fruits. Amongst their Trees, there is one whose name my Author speaks not, which bears Dates like unto the Palm; out of which they have not onely wood for Fewell, but they draw from it, wine, sugar, oyl, fine cloth and cordage: another tree, which beareth Cotton, and Cypress, or Cobweb-lawn, of the leaves whereof they make a fine stuff like to Sattin or Taffata. They have also great store of Apes, and Monkeyes, Parats, Paraquitoes, and other Creatures not known in these parts but from thence: not to say any thing of their Lions, Elephants, Bears, Bugles, common to them with others of their Indian neighbours. The flowers there alwayes in their Verdure, and the Trees perpetually green, by reason that the Air is so sweet and temperate.
The people are of coal-black colour (differing therein from the rest of the Indians, swarth and complexioned like the Olive) well limbed, and wearing their hair long and curled: about their heads an hankerchief wrought with gold and silver, and about their middle a cloth, which hangeth down to conceal their nakedness. Of manners treacherous and bloody, more properly to be termed desperate than stout and valiant; and for more surety in their wars, they use poisoned Arrows, as they do also in their theeving both by Sea and Land, to which more addicted. In Religion for the most part Gentiles, and more besotted generally on their Idolatries, than the rest of these Nations. The Pagode, or Idol which they worship, seated upon a brazen throne, and crowned with a rich Diadem. From his head issue out four horns, from his mouth four Tusks; his eyes fiery like a Glow-worm, his nose flat and ugly, his visage terrible, his hands like claws, his legs and thighs like those of a Lion. In a word, we cannot paint the Devill in a more ugly figure, than they do their God. Unto this Pagode, or his Priest, they offer the virginity of all their daughters: the Pagode having in the place of his privy parts a Bodkin of gold and silver, upon which the Bride (maried most commonly at ten or twelve years of Age) is forcibly set; the sharpness of it being such, that it forceth out the blood in great abundance: and if she prove with child that year, it is said to be of his begetting, and the more esteemed. Others with more humanity, instead of torturing their daughters to this wretched Idol (parallell almost to the offering of their sonnes to Moloch amongst the Syrians) present them to the Bramini, or Idol-Priest, to be deflowred the first night of the wedding: and without one of these two handsels, no man is suffered to enjoy the use of his wife, not their Kings themselves. More privileged yet than many women neighbouring on them, in that they are not compelled to burn themselves with their husbands bodies: but may have many Husbands either successively or at once, as they list themselves: and if at once, she sends her children to that husband (as we know who did) who she thinks to have the best right to them.
The Country very well watered, as we said before, and parted by large Rivers into many Provinces; as if intended naturally to be cantonned into many Kingdomes. Divided at present, and long since, into those of 1. Cononor. 2. Calecut. 3. Granganor, 4. Chochin. 5. Cai-Colam. 6. Coulan, and 7. Travancor.
1. CONONOR, joineth to Canara, extending Southward on the shore about 20 miles, where is bordereth on the Kingdome of Calicut. The chief Cities of which, 1. Cononor, giving name to the whole Kingdom, well built, and beautified with a very fair Haven, not more safe than spacious, capacious of the greatest vessels, and for that cause much frequented by forein Merchants; but specially by the Portugals, who for the assuring of their trade have here a Citadel, erected and well garrisoned with the Kings consent.
2. Cota, not far from Cangeraco, the border betwixt this and Canara. 3. Peripatan, on the confines of Calicute. 4. Marabia. 5. Tramopatan. 6. Main, intermediate Towns, but not much observable.
2. CALICVTE, South from Cononor, extending on the Sea-shore 25 Leagues, and situate in the most pleasant and fruitfull part of all Malabar. Chief Towns whereof, 1. Pandaram, on the skirts of Cononor. 2. Tanor, a retiring place of the Kings. 3. Patangale. 4 Chatua, on the borders of Cranganor. 5. Chale, a strong peece, once in the hands of the Portugueze, but in the year 1601 recovered by the King of Calicute, who had besieged it with an Army of 90000 men. 6. Capacote, the Haven to Calicute. 7. Calicute, the chief City of the Kingdom, to which it gives name, in length upon the Sea three miles, and a mile in breadth; containing about 6000 houses, but standing some of them far asunder, mean and low-built, few of them exceeding the height of a man on horse-back; the soil being so hollow and full of water, that it is not capable of the foundation of an heavier building; for that cause unwalled. Insomuch that Merchants houses are here valued but at 20. Crowns, those of the common sort at no more than ten. Which notwithstanding, of great trading, and much frequented by Arabians, Persians, Syrians, Indians, yea the very Tartars, these last from the furthest parts of Catha• 6000 miles distant. The common Staple in those times of all Indian Merchandise, till distracted into severall Ports by the power of the Portuga•s: who being more industrious, and better Architects, have forced a foundation on the shore for a very strong Castle, by which they do command the Haven, and receive custome of all Merchandise going in and out. The inconvenience whereof being found by the King of Calicute, he besieged it with 100000 men: and though the Portugals held it out a whole winter together, yet in the end they were fain to quit it, but first den olished it to the ground, that it might not be made usefull to those of Calicute. A City of exceeding wealth, and of no less wantonness; the men here using to change wives with one another, to confirm their Amities: & the women spending their whole time in adorning themselves with Rings and Jewels, about their ears, necks, legs, arms, and upon their brests; though going naked for the most part, one would think that a little dressing might suffice them. If covered, it is onely with a smock of Calicut, a kind of linnen cloth here made, and from hence so called: and that not used but by those of the better sort.
3. CRANGANOR, lieth on the South of Calicute, a small Kingdom, and affording little worth the speaking of: but that a great part of the Inha•itants of it are of those old Christians, whom they call Christians of Saint Thomas. Cranganor, the chief City, which gives name to the whole, assumed to be so full of them, that they amount unto the number of 70000; vexed and exposed to publique scorn both by the Id•laters and Mahometans, amongst whom they live. The City rich, commodiously built for trade, at the mouth of a River, which watering with his crooked streams the most part of the Country, makes it fat and flourishing.
4. COCHIN, more South than Cranganor, extended on the shore for the space of 40. Leagues: and therein many Christians of the first plantation, besides some converts made of later times by the Jesu•tes. Towns of most note herein. 1. Augamale, the Arch-Bishops Sce of those antient Christians, fifteen miles from Cochin. 2. Cochin, a Bishops See, but of later erection, and the chief City of this Kingdome, which takes name from hence. Situate on the mouth or out-let of the River Mangat, by which almost encompassed like a Demy-Iland; Of great trade in regard of its Haven, very safe and spacious; as also by the friendship of the Portugal Nation. By whose power and favor they have not onely freed themselves from the King of Calicute, to whom before they did acknowledge some subjection; but drawn from thence a great part of the trafick also: this King permitting them to erect a Castle on the Haven, to secure their trade; which the other on good reasons of State forced them to destroy. The King hereof in some respect superiour unto him of Calicute, when a Vassal to him: this King being the Pipe or Cheif Bishop, as it were, of all the Bramines: for which cause reverenced by all the Kings of Malabar, (as the Pope by many Princes of these Western parts) who look upon him as the head of their superstit•or, no pay him many Annuall duties.
5. CAI-COLAM, is on the South of Cochin, with which agreeing both in the temper of the Air, and the fertility of the Earth: which notwithstanding, the King hereof is not so rich as his other neighbours. Here live also mary of the old Christians, taking name from Saint Thomas; but those so destitute of Priests and Ministers to instruct them in the Principles of Christianity, that once in three years there came some formerly from the Patriarch of Muzall, in Assyria, to baptize their children. Better I hope provided for in these later daies: since their embosoming and reconcilement to the Church of Rome. Their chief Town of the same name with the Country, hath a very fair Haven, in the fashion of a Semi-Circle; well traded till destroyed by the Portugals; but since that re-edified. Of less note there are many both Towns and Villages, but such as do deserve here no particular mention.
6. COVLAN, upon the South of Cai-Colam, extended 20. Leagues more Southwards upon the Shores, is said to be destitute of corn, but plentifull of pepper, and most sorts of spices. So stored with Horses, and sit Riders to serve upon them, that the King hereof keeps 20000 Horse in continuall readiness either for invasion or Defence. This Kingdome, as the rest before, takes name from the chief City of it, which is called Coulan, 24. miles from Cochin, and once a member of this Kingdome; of great resort by forein Merchants, by reason of the fair and commodious Haven. In former times the ordinary Seat of the Cobritin, or chief Priest of the Bramines, till removed to Cochin: and held to be the Metropolis or mother City of all Malabar; the rest being thought to be but Colontes of this. Both in the City and the Country there are many Christians, as well of the originall foundation of Christianity, as of the late improvements which are made by the Jesuites.
7. TRAVANCOR, called also TRANCANOR, reacheth from the Kingdome of Coulan, to the Cape of Comarim, and turning towards the East, bendeth again unto the North, as far as Cael, in the Kingdome of Bisnagar or Narsinga. By which accompt it hath the benefit of the Sea on all sides except towards the North: reaching in breadth from the West Seas unto the East about 90 miles. The Country, as the rest before, inhabited by many with the name of Christians, if they may be called so which want Sacraments: the condition of these Thomaean Christians in former times being so unhappy, that in 50 years before the coming of the Jesuites, (if the Jesuites may be believed from whom we have it) they had seen no Priest, nor other Minister of the Gospell. Chief Towns hereof, (for of those many others of less note I shall make no mention) are 1. Travancor, the chief City, which gives name to the Province, but neither well-built, nor of very much trading. 2. Quilacare, the head City of a peculiar Signeury, but held of the Kings of Trancanor, as their next and immediate Lords, though all those Kings also Feudataries of the Crown of Narsinga. And were that the worst Tenure by which they hold, it might be tolerable; but there is a matter of worse consequence which attendeth these besotted Princes. The Kingdome here is but a pomp of twelve years continuance, and then endeth in a sad Catastrophe. For at the end of those twelve years, the King repairs to Quilacare, prayeth before the Id•l above mentioned, then mounteth on a Scaffold covered with s•lk or Tape•try, and in the sight of all his People, gathered together to behold this strange solemnity, cutteth off his nose, ears, lips and other parts, which he casts towards the Idol, and in conclusion cuts his own Throat for his finall Sacrifice: his designed Successor being present at this bloody Sacrifice, who at the twelve years end is to do the like. Never was Scepter bought at so dear a rate: For though all Crowns be lined with thornes, yet here the pomps of soveraignty be less lasting than in other places; the entrance full of fears, and the end, of horrors.
These Kingdomes heretofore but one, till the year 900 or thereabouts, were branched and cantoned into these seven by Sarama pereimal, the sole Monarch. He by the sollicitation of some Arabians, trading to his Ports, became Mahometan; and therein so devout, that he resolved upon a Pilgrimage to Meccha, there to end his daies. At his departure, he divided his estates into these seven parts, distributing them amongst the neerest of his kindred: assigning unto him of Coulan the preheminence in sacred matters, and the Imperiall dignity unto him of Cale•ute, with the title of Samorin, that is to say, Chief Emperor, or as some write, a God on earth. He only privileged with the right and power of coinage; the rest to be subordinate, if not subject to him. From Percimals setting forwards to the City of Meccha, the Malabars accompt their reckonings, and begin their years; as the Christians from the birth of their Lord and Saviour. And for a time his hests were punctually observed. But the Kingdome of Calicute being weakned by the power of the Portugals, the other Kings began to free themselves from that subjection, and in the end to cast off all Relation to him, and to his Prerogatives. Yet still he is esteemed of more power and majestie, than any of the rest of the Kings of Malabar; and looked with more reverence than any of them. The certainty of his Revenues I have no where met with, but conjecture them to be very great; first in regard of that infinite trading which is mannaged from most parts of the World in his Port of Calicute; the customes and imposts upon which must needs be of exceeding value; and secondly in reference to the wealth of private Merchants, many of which are said to equal some Kings in Africk, and Dukes in Europe not a few.
Quid Domini facient? audent cum talia Fures.And if the man such riches have,Then what must he that keeps the Knave?
What Forces he is able to raise may be fully seen by that which hath been said before; wherein we find him with an Army of 90000 men besieging and taking in the Fort of Chalen; with another of 100000. beleagursing the Castle which the Portugals had built neer his City of Calicute. And when the said Portugals stirred up the King of Cochin to make head against him, he fell upon them suddenly both by Sea and Land, with 60000 Land-souldiers, and 200 good Vessels of war for the service at Sea. Sufficient force to reduce the rest of these petit Kings to their old acknowledgements, but that some of them to avoid the danger, have put themselves under the Vassallage, or protection at the least, of the Great Mongul: others by suffering the Portugals to build forts in their Kingdomes, have engaged them in defence of their estate against this pretender. His forces consist most of Foot, Horse being unserviceable in these Countries, by reason of those many Rivers which interlace it. And these Foot are compounded most of Gentry which they there call Nairos, trained to their weapons when they are but seven years of Age; every one to that weapon which he most delighteth in; which makes them very expert and nimble at them: much privileged for that cause by the Lawes of the Countrey; and so esteemed of by the King, that out of them his Sisters choose what men they please to be their Husbands; some of them by that means being made the Fathers of the King succeeding. Nothing else memorable touching the affairs of Calicute, but the way of succession to the Kingdome: the Crown descending upon none of the Kings Children, but on the sonne of his Eldest Sister, or neerest kinswoman. For being that one of the Bramines hath alwaies the maidenhead of his Queens, and that some of these Stallions are continually allowed to keep them company; it is presumed, or very probably supposed, that the Queens Children are the Bramines, and not the Kings.
1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri.
Malabar, a Country upon the Western Coast of the Peninsula of India, on this Side Ganges, at the West of Cape Comorin. It begins from Cape Ramos; distant on the South Side 10 Leagues from Goa, and ends at Cape Comorin. The Length of it is about 108 Leagues, according to Linschot. It is the most fruitful, populous and temperate Region in the whole East-Indies. There be several Kingdoms that borrow their Names from their Capital Cities; as, Angamele, Calicut, Cananor, Cochin, Coulant, Travancor, Cranganor, Manigate, Porca, Tanor, &c. The Coast is always green, covered with tall Trees. There are great quantities of Pepper and Cinnamon. There was but one King formerly, but now it is governed by several Princes. The Portuguese and Hollanders have Plantations there: The Last are possessed of considerable Towns. The Inhabitants are well shaped; most of them are black, or very tawny. They have Wit enough, but neglect to improve it. The Mahometans are very treacherous, and the Natives, but a little better. They are distinguished by their several Tribes: The First is, That of their Princes; the Second, That of the Nambouries, or the High Priests; the Third, Of their Bramens; and the Fourth, That of their Nahers, or Nobles. The Zives are those that till the Ground; and they are allowed to bear Arms. The Moncana's, or Fisher-men, dwell upon the Sea-Coasts, and live upon Fish: They never think them worthy to be listed for Soldiers. The Chetes, that is, the Weavers, and other sort of Artificers, make also a Tribe by themselves. The Pouliats are the vilest of all, and live in little Cottages made of Palm-leaves. When a Namboury, a Bramen, or a Naher meets a Pouliat, he commands him to get out of the Way; and if he doth not obey immediately, he may force him away with Arrows, or Musket-shot; and may lawfully kill them, provided they be not in a privileged Place, for all that these Pouliats have sometimes good store of Gold and Silver; for, knowing that most of the Malabars use to bury their Money, without ever removing the least part of it, they carefully seek it out, and by that means grow rich. This Law is exactly observed among the Malabars, That no Body can raise his Fortune beyond the Tribe that he is born of; and how rich soever they may be, they never change their Condition. No Stranger may travel over the Kingdoms of the Coast of Malabar without one or more Nahers to guide him; and the Prince never punishes a Violence offered to them that go without them. These Nahers never betray or forsake their Trust: If the Man they accompany happen to be killed, they will chuse rather to perish with him, than to bear the Reproach of surviving him. Thos• of a nobler Tribe never keep Company with their Inferiors, ch•efly in Eating and Drinking. The Children are noble by their Mother's, not by their Father's Side; and are counted of the Mother's Tribe, not of the Father's. The Princesses marry some of the Nambouries, and Bramens; but their Children are Princes, and Heirs to the Crown. The Princes cannot marry Princesses; but the Nahers and their Children are Nahers, and not Princes.
The Malabars hate Theft so much, that they often sentence one to death for stealing a Bunch of Pepper, or something of the like Value. All Civil or Capital Causes are pleaded before the King, by the Parties: And if the Criminal be sentenced to Death, he is immediately dispatched, being dragged out of the Palace. They have no Executioners but the Nahers of the Guard, because every one takes it as an Honour to execute the Prince's Orders. When the King dies, the oldest among the Princes succeeds him: So they have few young Governors. When the King of Cananor goeth out of his Palace, he either rides on an Elephant, or sits in a Palanquin, wearing a Crown of Massive Gold, in form of a Cap, weighing 500 Ducats. The Minister of State, or Lieutenant-General of the Kingdom, presents the King with it; and that of the late King is put in the Treasury of his Pa-god, or Temple. As to their Marriages, Women among them may take as many Husbands as they please, contrary to the Mahometans, who marry several Wives: For which Reason they are exempted from that cruel Custom, in use among other Indians, to born themselves alive with their Husbands Bodies. The Mahome••ns of Malabar are born of those Strangers that setled themse ve• there for Trade; because the Natives, and, above all, the Nahers, or Nobles, are not brought up to any. All that is imported or expo•ted out of the Country, passes through the Hands of the M•hometans. The Villages they live in are called Bazars, or Markets. The richest live upon the Sea-Coasts, or at the Mouth of the divers, for the Conveniency of Merchants, that are commonly Europeans. Dellon's Voyage into the East-Indies.
Malabares, or Malavares, the Name of the Indian Pyrates, which rove along the Coast of the Peninsula of Indus, on this Side the Gulf of Bengala, chiefly from the Coast of Malabar to Surat. They are Mahometans, and very cruel to Christians. They are commonly 200 or 250 in their Barks, and sail by Squadrons of 10 or 15, and will fight a great Man of War; for they presently board it, and throw abundance of C•rcasses or Fire-Pots upon the Deck. But those that know their manner of Fighting, as soon as they perceive them, presently stop all the Holes of the Deck, and fill it up with Water, to prevent the Damage of that Artificial Fire. The Malabare• are so superstitious, that they will never touch any dirty Thing with their Right Hand. They let grow the Nails of their Left Hand, which they use instead of a Comb; wearing long Hair, like Women, which they twist about their Heads, with a triangular piece of Linen-Cloth tied over it. Tavern. Voyage in to the Ind.