Ceylon - Revision history

Admin: /* 1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval. */

2025-11-22T21:46:47Z

1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.

@@ Line 53: / Line 53: @@
 CEylan is said, by the Insularies, to have been much greater formerly than it is at this day; of four hundred Miles, which it was then in compass, it is not now above three hundred. 'Tis made to resemble a Pearl, and several do believe that it is the Taprobana of the Ancients. Its Air is the purest and most healthful that is in all India: Some call it the Land of Delights; and say, that it is the place where was the Terrestrial Paradise; that the Pico of Adam, whither the Pagan Priests go in Devotion, is a Testimony thereof, as well as the Crystal Mountains, the Forests of Cinnamon, and the Rivers of precious Stones, which are all to be found there, except the Diamond. Doubtless, the Cinnamon which is gather'd in this Island, is by much the best in the World. It affords excellent Ivory: The fishing for Pearls is perform'd in its neighbourhood, upon the Coast of the Isle of Manar. This Island abounds so with Rice, that they give it their Horses, instead of Oats. The Pike of Adam, afore-mention'd, is a high, sharp Mountain: The Fables of the Countrey say, that Adam was there bred and buried; that the Lake of Salt Water, which is at the top of it, is a Flood of the Tears Eve shed during a hundred years, for the death of her Son Abel. The Inhabitants of Ceylan, are of divers Religions; active, well shap'd, black and very ugly. Their Forces consist in Elephants, which are reckon'd the most couragious and docible of all India, from whence it comes they are called Noble. They say, moreover, that the Elephants of other Countreys, seeing them, do them Reverence, and that the Ivory of their Teeth does never turn yellow. There was formerly a white Ape in Ceylan, in such veneration amongst the Inhabitants, that this Ape falling into the hands of the Portugals, they offer'd to the King of Portugal, tho' in vain, three hundred thousand Crowns, to purchase him again. The Bannians, who reckon, amongst their false Divinities, Ramo one of their Heroes, say, amongst other follies, that he desiring to pass, from the Western Peninsula of India, into this Island, all the Scale-fish join'd together, upon the surface of the Sea, to make him a Bridge. The Streight of Manar is but a Musket-shot broad, by reason of the small Islands which are daily made, by the stones that are cast in there, that they may approach the nearer to a Pagod, or Temple of Idolaters, which is in the Terra firma of India, upon the Coast of the Fishery. There are none but small Vessels, which can pass through this Streight: So narrow a space of Sea, makes it believ'd, that the Island was formerly joined to the firm Continent. The Portugals have nothing more in Ceylan; the Hollanders stand now possess'd of most of the Places upon the Sea. There are in this Island several Cities, with the Title of Kingdom, Candea, Das sette-Corolas, Ceitavaca, Galle, Colombo, Chialo, Jaffanatapan, Trinquilemale, Baticala, Jala. The King of Candea is the most powerful of the Countrey, and a sworn Enemy of the Hollanders. He commonly causes his Blacks to burn the Cinnamon, that he may render it useless to his Enemies. The best Town of Ceylan is Candea, towards the midst of the Island.</blockquote>
 [[Category:Islands]]
 [[Category:East India]]

Admin at 18:15, 23 March 2025

2025-03-23T18:15:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:15, 23 March 2025
Line 53:		Line 53:

	CEylan is said, by the Insularies, to have been much greater formerly than it is at this day; of four hundred Miles, which it was then in compass, it is not now above three hundred. 'Tis made to resemble a Pearl, and several do believe that it is the Taprobana of the Ancients. Its Air is the purest and most healthful that is in all India: Some call it the Land of Delights; and say, that it is the place where was the Terrestrial Paradise; that the Pico of Adam, whither the Pagan Priests go in Devotion, is a Testimony thereof, as well as the Crystal Mountains, the Forests of Cinnamon, and the Rivers of precious Stones, which are all to be found there, except the Diamond. Doubtless, the Cinnamon which is gather'd in this Island, is by much the best in the World. It affords excellent Ivory: The fishing for Pearls is perform'd in its neighbourhood, upon the Coast of the Isle of Manar. This Island abounds so with Rice, that they give it their Horses, instead of Oats. The Pike of Adam, afore-mention'd, is a high, sharp Mountain: The Fables of the Countrey say, that Adam was there bred and buried; that the Lake of Salt Water, which is at the top of it, is a Flood of the Tears Eve shed during a hundred years, for the death of her Son Abel. The Inhabitants of Ceylan, are of divers Religions; active, well shap'd, black and very ugly. Their Forces consist in Elephants, which are reckon'd the most couragious and docible of all India, from whence it comes they are called Noble. They say, moreover, that the Elephants of other Countreys, seeing them, do them Reverence, and that the Ivory of their Teeth does never turn yellow. There was formerly a white Ape in Ceylan, in such veneration amongst the Inhabitants, that this Ape falling into the hands of the Portugals, they offer'd to the King of Portugal, tho' in vain, three hundred thousand Crowns, to purchase him again. The Bannians, who reckon, amongst their false Divinities, Ramo one of their Heroes, say, amongst other follies, that he desiring to pass, from the Western Peninsula of India, into this Island, all the Scale-fish join'd together, upon the surface of the Sea, to make him a Bridge. The Streight of Manar is but a Musket-shot broad, by reason of the small Islands which are daily made, by the stones that are cast in there, that they may approach the nearer to a Pagod, or Temple of Idolaters, which is in the Terra firma of India, upon the Coast of the Fishery. There are none but small Vessels, which can pass through this Streight: So narrow a space of Sea, makes it believ'd, that the Island was formerly joined to the firm Continent. The Portugals have nothing more in Ceylan; the Hollanders stand now possess'd of most of the Places upon the Sea. There are in this Island several Cities, with the Title of Kingdom, Candea, Das sette-Corolas, Ceitavaca, Galle, Colombo, Chialo, Jaffanatapan, Trinquilemale, Baticala, Jala. The King of Candea is the most powerful of the Countrey, and a sworn Enemy of the Hollanders. He commonly causes his Blacks to burn the Cinnamon, that he may render it useless to his Enemies. The best Town of Ceylan is Candea, towards the midst of the Island.</blockquote>		CEylan is said, by the Insularies, to have been much greater formerly than it is at this day; of four hundred Miles, which it was then in compass, it is not now above three hundred. 'Tis made to resemble a Pearl, and several do believe that it is the Taprobana of the Ancients. Its Air is the purest and most healthful that is in all India: Some call it the Land of Delights; and say, that it is the place where was the Terrestrial Paradise; that the Pico of Adam, whither the Pagan Priests go in Devotion, is a Testimony thereof, as well as the Crystal Mountains, the Forests of Cinnamon, and the Rivers of precious Stones, which are all to be found there, except the Diamond. Doubtless, the Cinnamon which is gather'd in this Island, is by much the best in the World. It affords excellent Ivory: The fishing for Pearls is perform'd in its neighbourhood, upon the Coast of the Isle of Manar. This Island abounds so with Rice, that they give it their Horses, instead of Oats. The Pike of Adam, afore-mention'd, is a high, sharp Mountain: The Fables of the Countrey say, that Adam was there bred and buried; that the Lake of Salt Water, which is at the top of it, is a Flood of the Tears Eve shed during a hundred years, for the death of her Son Abel. The Inhabitants of Ceylan, are of divers Religions; active, well shap'd, black and very ugly. Their Forces consist in Elephants, which are reckon'd the most couragious and docible of all India, from whence it comes they are called Noble. They say, moreover, that the Elephants of other Countreys, seeing them, do them Reverence, and that the Ivory of their Teeth does never turn yellow. There was formerly a white Ape in Ceylan, in such veneration amongst the Inhabitants, that this Ape falling into the hands of the Portugals, they offer'd to the King of Portugal, tho' in vain, three hundred thousand Crowns, to purchase him again. The Bannians, who reckon, amongst their false Divinities, Ramo one of their Heroes, say, amongst other follies, that he desiring to pass, from the Western Peninsula of India, into this Island, all the Scale-fish join'd together, upon the surface of the Sea, to make him a Bridge. The Streight of Manar is but a Musket-shot broad, by reason of the small Islands which are daily made, by the stones that are cast in there, that they may approach the nearer to a Pagod, or Temple of Idolaters, which is in the Terra firma of India, upon the Coast of the Fishery. There are none but small Vessels, which can pass through this Streight: So narrow a space of Sea, makes it believ'd, that the Island was formerly joined to the firm Continent. The Portugals have nothing more in Ceylan; the Hollanders stand now possess'd of most of the Places upon the Sea. There are in this Island several Cities, with the Title of Kingdom, Candea, Das sette-Corolas, Ceitavaca, Galle, Colombo, Chialo, Jaffanatapan, Trinquilemale, Baticala, Jala. The King of Candea is the most powerful of the Countrey, and a sworn Enemy of the Hollanders. He commonly causes his Blacks to burn the Cinnamon, that he may render it useless to his Enemies. The best Town of Ceylan is Candea, towards the midst of the Island.</blockquote>
	[[Category:Text completed]]
	[[Category:Islands]]		[[Category:Islands]]
	[[Category:East India]]		[[Category:East India]]

Admin at 18:11, 23 March 2025

2025-03-23T18:11:31Z

Show changes

Admin at 19:09, 2 February 2025

2025-02-02T19:09:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:09, 2 February 2025
Line 225:		Line 225:

	CEylan is said, by the Insularies, to have been much greater formerly than it is at this day; of four hundred Miles, which it was then in compass, it is not now above three hundred. 'Tis made to resemble a Pearl, and several do believe that it is the Taprobana of the Ancients. Its Air is the purest and most healthful that is in all India: Some call it the Land of Delights; and say, that it is the place where was the Terrestrial Paradise; that the Pico of Adam, whither the Pagan Priests go in Devotion, is a Testimony thereof, as well as the Crystal Mountains, the Forests of Cinnamon, and the Rivers of precious Stones, which are all to be found there, except the Diamond. Doubtless, the Cinnamon which is gather'd in this Island, is by much the best in the World. It affords excellent Ivory: The fishing for Pearls is perform'd in its neighbourhood, upon the Coast of the Isle of Manar. This Island abounds so with Rice, that they give it their Horses, instead of Oats. The Pike of Adam, afore-mention'd, is a high, sharp Mountain: The Fables of the Countrey say, that Adam was there bred and buried; that the Lake of Salt Water, which is at the top of it, is a Flood of the Tears Eve shed during a hundred years, for the death of her Son Abel. The Inhabitants of Ceylan, are of divers Religions; active, well shap'd, black and very ugly. Their Forces consist in Elephants, which are reckon'd the most couragious and docible of all India, from whence it comes they are called Noble. They say, moreover, that the Elephants of other Countreys, seeing them, do them Reverence, and that the Ivory of their Teeth does never turn yellow. There was formerly a white Ape in Ceylan, in such veneration amongst the Inhabitants, that this Ape falling into the hands of the Portugals, they offer'd to the King of Portugal, tho' in vain, three hundred thousand Crowns, to purchase him again. The Bannians, who reckon, amongst their false Divinities, Ramo one of their Heroes, say, amongst other follies, that he desiring to pass, from the Western Peninsula of India, into this Island, all the Scale-fish join'd together, upon the surface of the Sea, to make him a Bridge. The Streight of Manar is but a Musket-shot broad, by reason of the small Islands which are daily made, by the stones that are cast in there, that they may approach the nearer to a Pagod, or Temple of Idolaters, which is in the Terra firma of India, upon the Coast of the Fishery. There are none but small Vessels, which can pass through this Streight: So narrow a space of Sea, makes it believ'd, that the Island was formerly joined to the firm Continent. The Portugals have nothing more in Ceylan; the Hollanders stand now possess'd of most of the Places upon the Sea. There are in this Island several Cities, with the Title of Kingdom, Candea, Das sette-Corolas, Ceitavaca, Galle, Colombo, Chialo, Jaffanatapan, Trinquilemale, Baticala, Jala. The King of Candea is the most powerful of the Countrey, and a sworn Enemy of the Hollanders. He commonly causes his Blacks to burn the Cinnamon, that he may render it useless to his Enemies. The best Town of Ceylan is Candea, towards the midst of the Island.</blockquote>		CEylan is said, by the Insularies, to have been much greater formerly than it is at this day; of four hundred Miles, which it was then in compass, it is not now above three hundred. 'Tis made to resemble a Pearl, and several do believe that it is the Taprobana of the Ancients. Its Air is the purest and most healthful that is in all India: Some call it the Land of Delights; and say, that it is the place where was the Terrestrial Paradise; that the Pico of Adam, whither the Pagan Priests go in Devotion, is a Testimony thereof, as well as the Crystal Mountains, the Forests of Cinnamon, and the Rivers of precious Stones, which are all to be found there, except the Diamond. Doubtless, the Cinnamon which is gather'd in this Island, is by much the best in the World. It affords excellent Ivory: The fishing for Pearls is perform'd in its neighbourhood, upon the Coast of the Isle of Manar. This Island abounds so with Rice, that they give it their Horses, instead of Oats. The Pike of Adam, afore-mention'd, is a high, sharp Mountain: The Fables of the Countrey say, that Adam was there bred and buried; that the Lake of Salt Water, which is at the top of it, is a Flood of the Tears Eve shed during a hundred years, for the death of her Son Abel. The Inhabitants of Ceylan, are of divers Religions; active, well shap'd, black and very ugly. Their Forces consist in Elephants, which are reckon'd the most couragious and docible of all India, from whence it comes they are called Noble. They say, moreover, that the Elephants of other Countreys, seeing them, do them Reverence, and that the Ivory of their Teeth does never turn yellow. There was formerly a white Ape in Ceylan, in such veneration amongst the Inhabitants, that this Ape falling into the hands of the Portugals, they offer'd to the King of Portugal, tho' in vain, three hundred thousand Crowns, to purchase him again. The Bannians, who reckon, amongst their false Divinities, Ramo one of their Heroes, say, amongst other follies, that he desiring to pass, from the Western Peninsula of India, into this Island, all the Scale-fish join'd together, upon the surface of the Sea, to make him a Bridge. The Streight of Manar is but a Musket-shot broad, by reason of the small Islands which are daily made, by the stones that are cast in there, that they may approach the nearer to a Pagod, or Temple of Idolaters, which is in the Terra firma of India, upon the Coast of the Fishery. There are none but small Vessels, which can pass through this Streight: So narrow a space of Sea, makes it believ'd, that the Island was formerly joined to the firm Continent. The Portugals have nothing more in Ceylan; the Hollanders stand now possess'd of most of the Places upon the Sea. There are in this Island several Cities, with the Title of Kingdom, Candea, Das sette-Corolas, Ceitavaca, Galle, Colombo, Chialo, Jaffanatapan, Trinquilemale, Baticala, Jala. The King of Candea is the most powerful of the Countrey, and a sworn Enemy of the Hollanders. He commonly causes his Blacks to burn the Cinnamon, that he may render it useless to his Enemies. The best Town of Ceylan is Candea, towards the midst of the Island.</blockquote>
			[[Category:Text completed]]
			[[Category:Islands]]
			[[Category:East India]]

Admin at 18:02, 2 February 2025

2025-02-02T18:02:15Z

Show changes

Admin at 17:57, 2 February 2025

2025-02-02T17:57:04Z

Show changes

Admin: /* Cities That Functioned as Kingdoms */

2025-02-02T17:40:22Z

Cities That Functioned as Kingdoms

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:40, 2 February 2025
Line 80:		Line 80:
	----		----

	==== ~~'''~~Cities That Functioned as Kingdoms~~'''~~ ====		==== Cities That Functioned as Kingdoms ====
	By the 17th century, Zeilan was divided into several kingdoms, each ruled by a local king. Below is a list of cities that also served as the seats of these kingdoms:		By the 17th century, Zeilan was divided into several kingdoms, each ruled by a local king. Below is a list of cities that also served as the seats of these kingdoms:

Admin: /* 1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator. */

2025-02-02T17:39:37Z

1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator.

Show changes

Admin: /* 1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn. OF THE ORIENTAL ILANDS. */

2025-01-12T16:21:59Z

1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn. OF THE ORIENTAL ILANDS.

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:21, 12 January 2025
Line 7:		Line 7:

	And let so much suffice concerning the Iland Zeilan, and of Asia the third part of the World, wee proceed to America, which is the fourth, the last, and greatest part of the world, being joyned together by a famous Istmus, and so devided into the Northerne and Southerne America.</blockquote>		And let so much suffice concerning the Iland Zeilan, and of Asia the third part of the World, wee proceed to America, which is the fourth, the last, and greatest part of the world, being joyned together by a famous Istmus, and so devided into the Northerne and Southerne America.</blockquote>

			=== 1638. The merchants mappe of commerce wherein by Lewes Roberts. ===
			<blockquote>Of SILON and the Trade thereof.

			SILON lyeth in the gulph of Bengala, in length 250, and in bredth 140 miles; found so fruitfull, that the grasse groweth, and the trees beare fruit all the yeare long without intermission: it is commanded in chiefe by the great Mogul; the principall Townes are Zilan, the Metropolis of the Iland, and Columbo, fortified by the Portugals; and as it is conceived commanding over the best harbour in India.

			For commodities it hath many, and almost all things that are found in India, through all the severall Provinces and places thereof; first it hath nutmegs, cloves and pepper trees good store, and the best cynamon in all India, which is here had and found growing in whole woods, and hence dispersed into all parts of the World: also it affords all kinds of precious stones (except dyamonds) as Saphirs, Rubies, Topasses, Spinals, Granati; also a plentifull fishing for Pearl, yet not accounted so good as at Bareim by Ormus; it hath likewise mines of gold, silver, and other mettalls; also iron, flax, brimstone, ivorie bones, and sundry other commodities. Here is also a hil•… of that great height, that the Inhabitants hold it the highest in India, and call it Adams hill, upon which they say Paradise stood, and that Adam was there created; whose footsteps, if they may be beleeved, doe remaine yet ingraven there in the Rocke, and goes not out: but the Inhabitants being most active in their bodies, may be imagined to be so also with their tongues, for throughout India they practise nothing but jugling, and Hocus Pocus, and other feats of activity; being the most excellent mannagers of hobbyhorses, and tumbling, by which trade they get money throughout all the neighbour regions; and therefore not surveying this their traffique further, I will leave them to their come aloft jack, passe and repasse, and passe my selfe over to the next Ilands, being those famous of the Moluccoes, the onely Ilands of all India, affording in such store and plenty, that excellent and admirable spice, knowne to us by the name of cloves.</blockquote>

	=== 1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn. OF THE ORIENTAL ILANDS. ===		=== 1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn. OF THE ORIENTAL ILANDS. ===

Admin: /* Sources from old books */

2024-12-22T00:10:58Z

Sources from old books

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:10, 22 December 2024
Line 7:		Line 7:

	And let so much suffice concerning the Iland Zeilan, and of Asia the third part of the World, wee proceed to America, which is the fourth, the last, and greatest part of the world, being joyned together by a famous Istmus, and so devided into the Northerne and Southerne America.</blockquote>		And let so much suffice concerning the Iland Zeilan, and of Asia the third part of the World, wee proceed to America, which is the fourth, the last, and greatest part of the world, being joyned together by a famous Istmus, and so devided into the Northerne and Southerne America.</blockquote>

			=== 1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn. OF THE ORIENTAL ILANDS. ===
			<blockquote>VVEst of Sumatra, somewhat inclining to the North, is the Iland of ZEILAN, ten Degrees distant from the Aequator, and neer adjoining to the Promontory in the hither India which Ptolomy calleth by the name of Cory. The length hereof computed at 250 miles, the breadth at 150 miles only; the whole circumference at 700 or 800 miles. Conjectured by the situation, and other probable inducements, to be the Taprobane of the antient Writers. Ortelius and most other intelligent men of these later times are of that opinion. Onely Morcator, who hath carried the Golden Chersonese to the Isle of Japan; and fixed Taprobane in that of Sumatra, (in which last I must confess he hath many Partners) will have this Iland to be that which Ptolomy calls Nanigeris, though that be four Degrees more West than the Promontory of Cory, to which this Isle in former times seems to have been joined.

			Taking it therefore for an evident and undoubted truth, that this Zeilan or Ceilan is the Taprobane of the Antients, we will a little look on the State of that Iland, with reference to the times when those Authors lived. By Ptolomy affirmed to be plentiful in Rice, Honey, Ginger, Gold, Silver, Precious Stones, and all kind of metals; By Pliny, that the Gold is purer, and the Gemmes fairer, than any in India; that there were also Groves of Palm-trees, and great store of Elephants, is declared by Aelian and some others. Watered with many fair and pleasant Rivers, viz. 1. Soana, 2. Azanus, 3. Baracus, 4. Gandes, 5. Phasis: the hills in many places having a full prospect over the adjoining Vallies; the chief of which were Malea, and those called Calibi, the vales perpetually enriched with the choicest fruits. Exceeding populous for the bigness, and stored with many Towns of note. Of which Magrammum only hath the name of a Metropolis. 1. Marga•a, 2. Jogana, 3. Sindocanda, 4. Hodoca, 5. Nabartha, 6. Dogana, 7. Dionysiopolis, 8. Bocana, 9. Abara•ha, 10. Procurum, 11. Nagadiba, and 12. Anubingara, have the name of Cities. 13. Moduttum, and 14 Talaco•um, noted for the Towns of trafick; 15. Priapis, 16. Mardus, 17. Rhizala, 18. Spa•ana, and 19. that of the Sun, for commodious Havens; 20. Anurogrammum being honoured with the Title of Regia, or the Royal City. As for the name, it is said by Ptolomy to have been first called Taprobane, then Simondi Insula, and finally in his time Salice, and the People Salae; from whence the name of S•lan or Seilan seems to be derived.

			To take a view of it at the present, I find it said to be of an Ovall form, divided from the main land by a narrow Channel, the Heavens refreshing it with their dewes, the Air with a fragrant freshness, and the waters with their many Rivers and Fountains; the Earth diversifyed into lofty hills, and lowly Vallies; her inward Chambers filled with Metals, and Jewels, her outward Coat of the pleasantest colour, stored with whole woods of Cinnamon; besides Fruits, Limons, Oringes, &c. bettering those of Spain. Of Fouls and Beasts great plenty both wild and tame; and the best breed of Elephants in all the world. Destitute only of the Vine, the want of which supplyed with a pleasant drink made of the juice of fruits, more natural to them than the other, and so preservative of life that the people are reported to be longer lived than in any other parts. In a word so abounding in all contentments, that the Indians hold it to be Paradise, and take upon them to point out some of Adams footings, left for a memorial in some parts of it. And to confirm them in their Error, they have an Hill there which the Spaniards call by the name of Picode Adam, affirmed to be seven Leagues in height, from whence Adam ascended into Heaven: for that cause visited by the M•ores or Arabians, with continuall Pilgrimages.

			The people for the most part tall and strait of body, naked from the girdle upwards, unwarlike, and much given unto ease and pleasures; So queasie stomached that the poorest of them will not eat that meat which another hath touched; inclined to bravery, and therefore make wide holes in their ears, which they stretch out with Jewels to their very shoulders. Cunning Artificers in all metals, one of them making a Crucifix of such exquisite workmanship, that it seemed to give life to the dead; and was sent by the Arch-Bishop of Goa to the King of Spain, as the rarest Jewell which had evergraced his Royall Cabiner. They are also very active, and well skilled in Iuggling, both men and women, travelling thorow India with their tricks and Hobby-horses, by which they get themselves both delight and money. In matter of Religion, they are generally Idolaters, especially the Natives, whom they call Cingalas, which live in the Inlands; the Sea-coasts (as in other Ilands) being filled with Mahometans. No Christians that I hear of but in Columbo, a Town of the Portugals.

			Cities of most repute amongst them, 1. Candie, the Seat of one of their Kings, supposed to be the Sindocande of Ptolomy, memorable for the statues of their supposed Adam, most artificially wrought, of five or six Fathoms high, Symetrically proportionable to the print of his foot, which they conceive to have amongst them. 2. Ventane, of great renown for an Idol-Temple, in compass 130 paces, of great height, and all white except the top, which hath the Spires thereof so gilded, that when the Sun shines, men are not able to look upon them. 3. Janasipatan, 4. Triqui-Le•ale (supposed to be the Tarichi of Ptolomy, 5. Batecolom, 6. Vilassem 7. Tanamaca, 8. Laula, 9. Galle, the Seats of so many of their Kings. 10. Nagarita, conceived to be the Nagiri; as 11. Agena, the Jogana of Ptolomy. 12. Colmuchi, the Seat Royall of the chief King of this Iland, situate on a capacious Bay in the Southwest of it, and of most trade in all this Country: many great ships laden with Cinnamon, Gemmes, Elephants, and other Indian commodities, going yeerly hence. Fortified by the Portugals (by whom called Columbo) with a very strong Castle, built with the Kings leave at first, to secure their trading; but since used by them as a curb to hold him in with, and to compell him to pay tribute.

			This Country first discovered to be an Iland by Onesicritus, Admirall of Alexanders Fleet, was in the time of Ptolomy inhabited by severall Nations. The principall of which were the Galthi, and Muduls dwelling in the North, the Rhogandani, and Nanigiri in the South; the Sindocandae in the West, and the Tarachi in the East: the middle parts being taken up by the Anurogrammi, Nagadibi, Soani, Semni. But little or nothing is said of them in the way of story, but that they were good Mimicks, did imitate the tunes of birds, and could speak to two at once, as if double-tongued; that they were very studious of Astrology, and worshipped the Sun and the Host of Heaven; that some of their Ambassadors coming to Rome, in the time of Claudius Caesar, Solem a Laeva oriri mirati sunt, &c. admired to see the Sun rise on the wrong side of them; and finally that the King was chosen by the people with respect had to his age and clemency; who being inthroned, appointed thirty Judges to administer Iustice to the Subject, without the Major part of whom, sentence of death was to pass on no man. In following times this Monarchy (for such it was in the time of those Authors) was broken into many peeces: the Portugals finding nine Kings in it, at their first coming hither, all homagers or Tributaries to the King of Colnuchi. After that this their chief King was wickedly murdered by his Barber, who drove the other Kings out of the Country, and for a while usurped the Monarchy to himself. Since which time, having once again recovered their Kingdoms, six of them (as I have somewhere read, but remember not where) put themselves under the protection of the Great Mongul, and became his Feudataries.

			Neer hereunto on the Coasts of Malabar, are the Ilands which they call Maldivae, many in number, but so called from the principall of them, as that from Maldiva, a noted and well-traded Empery, where the King resideth. Not very plentifull of necessaries for the use of man, did not the Palm alone supply them in all other wants. Inhabited by an industrious and sober people, who make themselves long garments of Silk or Flax brought from other places, wherewith more modestly adorned than the rest of the Indians: and by their fishing draw up shels of such mingled colours, that they serve amongst the Siamites instead of money.</blockquote>

	===1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.===		===1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.===