Cambaia, Region

Sources from old books

1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn.

7 CAMBAIA.

CAMBAIA hath on the East Delly and part of Mandao; on the West, Gedrosia a Province of the Persian Empire; on the North, Dulsinda, and the rest of Mandao; on the South, the main Ocean, and some part of Decan. It lieth on both sides of the Indus; and is so called from Cambaia, the chief Province of it.

The whole divided into

1. Sinda.

2. Guzarate, and

3. Cambaia specially so called.

1. SINDA hath on the East the River Indus, by which separated from Mandao; on the North, that part of Sanga which is called Dulsinda; on the West, parts of Gedrosia, and Guzarate; and on the South, the rest of Guzarate onely: coasting along the Western banks of the River Indus, whence it had the name; that River being now called Sind, as was said before. And for this reason, as I take it, the Western part of Sanga lying North of this, took the name of Dulsinda, and not Dulcinda (with a C) as most commonly written.

The Country for the generality very rich and fertile; but in some places nothing but a sandy Desart, inhabited for the most part by wild Asses, Foxes, Deer, and some wilder beasts; but none so wild as the Caelies, a robbing nation, so numerous withall, that they sometimes rob whole Caravans as they pass that way, notwithstanding the many Forts and Castles built of purpose to secure those passages.

Places of most importance in it, 1. Tutta, (or Gutu Nagar Tutta) on the banks of Indus, a Town of great trade, but most frequented by the Portugals; who here receive such Indian commodities, as come down the water from Labor; returning Pepper in exchange, which they bring up the River from their other Factories. 2. Lawribander, at the mouth or out-let of the Indus, three dayes journey from Tutta, the Port-town unto which it is, notwithstanding that distance. Supposed to be situate in or neer the place of that Alexandria which Alexander built in memory of his navigation down this River to the Indian Ocean. An Haven much frequented because free from worms, which about Surat, and other Havens on these Seas, so infest the ships, that without much cost and care bestowed upon them, they make them unable to return. 3. Calwalla, memorable for the Tenure, as given by Echebar the Mongul to a company of Women and their posterity for ever, to bring up their daughters to dancing, and more wanton exercises. 4. Radempoore, a great Town with a strong Castle, seated at the edge of the Desarts: thorow which those that are to pass use here to provide themselves of water and other necessaries for their journey. 5. Nuraquemire, a pretty Town on the further side of the Desarts, esteemed a Paradise by such as have passed thorow those uncomfortable and dangerous sands, for the space of ten or twelve daies journey. 6. Sarrama, a large Town, twenty miles from Tutta; the Center in which all lines meet, and from whence the distances of all Towns in Sinda, are accustomably measured.

The Countrey antiently subject to the Kings of Cambaia, and in the right of that Crown to the Great Mongul: but the people for the most part so untamed and masterful, that except in some of the greater Towns they pay no Tributes, and in some places even within half a daies journy of Tutta, will acknowledge no King, but rob and spare whom they please. If at any time the Mogul sends a force against them, (as he doth sometimes) they fire their houses, made like a Bee-Hive of straw and mortar, which are soon rebuilded; and retire themselves unto the Mountains. Yet one good quality they have amongst many ill ones. When they have robbed a Traveller, or took money of him in the way of toll or custome for his passage by them, they will conduct him honestly to the end of the Desarts, lest any should rob him but themselves.

2. GVZARATE hath on the North, Sinda; on the South, the main Ocean; the River Indus on the East; on the West, Gedrosia, which the Indians call Nawatacos, but the Persians, Circam.

The Soil of the same temper and fertilitie with that of Cambaia, specially so called; and there we shall speak further of it. The common people whom they call Guzorates of the same disposition generally with the rest of the Indians: but the greatest part of the Countrey is possessed by the Resbutes or Ras•ooches, the antient Inhabitants of this tract. Who when their Countrey was subdued by the Moores or Saracens, retired unto the Mountains and fatuesses of it, standing upon their guard, and were never yet subdued by the Great Monguls. Who though possessed of the Sea-shores, and most Towns of consequence, are fain to leave the inland parts and open Countries to the power of these Out-lawes: who either prey upon the people, or force them to compound for their peace and quiet at uncertain prices. Their Arms most commonly a Sword, Buckler, and Launce; well-horsed, and resolute in any thing which they undertake: which made one of the Moguls say of them, that no men in the world knew to die, but they.

Places of most importance in it, 1. Diu, in a Peninsula looking towards Persia, but on the Eastside thereof, neer the mouth of Indus. Possessed by the Portugal, and by them fortified with a strong and impregnable Citadel, built with the leave and liking of King Badurius, thereby to buy their aid against Merhamed the Mongul who had newly vanquished him. A matter of such consequence to the Crown of Portugal, that John Bo elius confined to India for some Crimes by him committed, undertook (in hope by the merit of that service to obtain his pardon) to carry the first news of it in a small vessel not above 18 foot long, and but 6 foot broad (the best which for the present could be provided): which with great courage he performed, and thorow that large, wide, and tempestuous Ocean, came in safety with his news to Lisbon, to the great joy of the King, but greater admiration of all sorts of people. Scarce settled in their new possession, when besieged by Solyman Bassa, Admirall to Solyman the Magnificent, with a Flcet of 80 ships and Gallies, Anno 1537. offended with the Portugals for aiding the King of Persia, more for diverting the Spice-trade unto Alexandria. In which he had so ill success, that having assaulted it in vain with his Land-forces, he was fain to raise his siege in such hast and tumult, that he left his great O dnance behind him. 2. Sauran, a Town and Castle of the Resbutes, spoken of before; and by them held against the power of the Great Mongul. 3. Boldra, a very fair and beautiful City, but of no great compass. 4. Ardovat, not far from the banks of the Indus, on the North of this Region towards Sinda. 5. Madibat, by some called Amadabat, affirmed to be both for wealth and greatness the cheif of Guzarate, neer as big as London; well walled, and situate on a plain neer the Rivers side; seldome without Merchants of all Religions, Jews, Gentils, Christians, Moores, some of all, and neither. 6. Saringt, 7. Periano, 8. Serkeffe; this last remarkable for the Sepulchres of the old Kings of Cambaia, fair, and well kept, and visited from all parts of the Kingdome.

Nothing considerable in this part of the Countrey, as to point of story, but what is common to them with the rest of Cambaia; but that the Rasbutes, or Rasbooches still remain unconquered. Possessed not only of the hills and Mountains, but of some strong holds: and governed by the Heads of their Casts or Tribes: all which acknowledge the Morgul for their Superiour in regard of his power; but none of them obey him as their Lord or Soveraign: conceiving it to be some abasement of their own authority, if they admit of him as an Umpire to compose their differences, which they sometimes do.