The Grand Idol jagernat.  
News from the Eastindies: Or, A Voyage to Bengalla, one of the greatest Kingdoms under the High and Mighty Prince Pedesha Shassalem, usually called the Great Mogul. With the state and magnificence of the Court of Malcandy, kept by the Nabob Viceroy, or vice-King under the aforesaid Monarch: Also their detestable Religion, mad and foppish rites, and Ceremonies, and wicked Sacrifices and impious Customs used in those parts.  
Written by William Bruton, now resident in the Parish of S. Saviour's Southwark, who was an eye and ear witness of these following Descriptions; and published as he collected them being resident there diverse years: and now lately come home in the good Ship called the Hopewel of London, with diverse Merchants of good account which are able to testify the same for truth.  
Imprinted at London by I. Okes, and are to be sold by Humphrey Blunden at his shop in Cornhill at the sign of the Castle near the Royal Exchange. 1638.   

A Rare and most Strange Relation from Bengalla in the East-Indies, being one of the greatest Kingdoms under the Great Mogul, and of their Laws, Manners, and Customs, etc.  

ALthough diverse learned, painful, and skilful Mathematicians and Geographers have with great Industry spent much profitable Time, in finding out the Circumference of the Terrestrial Globe, in describing Empires, Kingdoms, Principalities, Lordships, Regions, Provinces, Territories, Variations of Climates and Situations, with the diversities of Dispositions, of Tongues, Religions, Habits, Manners, Laws, and Customs of sundry Nations: Though much labour, peril, and Cost hath been worthily employed by Pliny the second, Ortellius, jodoco Hondius; or (to come nearer) to our English Worthies, such as are described in the Book of Hacklewicks' Voyages, namely, Windam, Chancellor, Grinvill Willoughby, Drake, Cavendish, Gilbert, Chidly, Frobusher, Clifford, Sidney, Devoreux, Wingfield: as also the exceeding pains taken by Mr. Samuel Purchase, and the Learned and Renowned Knight Sir Walter Raleigh in their Descriptions of the whole World, nor forgetting the perils that Mr. Sands passed in his tedious Travels, with his exact Relations and Descriptions: With Atlas newly Imprinted, (a rare Work) and last, William Lithgow deserves a kind Remembrance of his Nineteen years' sore and dangerous Travels of his Feet and Pen, worthy your Observation and Reading.  
But all these Authors and Actors both of History and Travel, did never discover all, but still (out of their plentiful Harvests of Observations) they left some Glean for those that came after them to gather. For the manifestation whereof in this following Discourse, I have tied and bound myself to speak only Truth, though it seem incredulous or Hyperbolical; and if I should any way sway or stray from the Truth, there are living men of good Fame, Worth, and Estimation, who are able and ready to disprove me.  
Therefore briefly to the matter in hand: I William Bruton was shipped as a Quartermaster, from the Port of London, to serve in the good Ship called the Hope-well, of the Burden of 240 Tons. To relate our long and tedious passage by Sea, and our Arrival at every Port and Haven, were but little to the purpose, and would more tyre than delight my Reader: Therefore to begin, that after my Arrival in those parts, and in my services and passages there for the space of 7. years, I observed many things, and put them in Writing; but afterwards I came to know that the same things had been discovered and described formerly by more sufficient and able men of Capacity than myself, I thought good to keep them to myself, and discover nothing but that which before was not so fully or scarce known as I shall now decipher them.  
The 22. of March, 1632. I being in the Country of Cormadell with six English men more at a place called Massalupatam, (a great Town of Merchandise) Master John Noris, the Agent there, was resolved to send two Merchants into Bengalla, for the settling of a Factory there, and these six English men (of the which I was one) were to go with the Merchants, and withal to carry a Present from the Agent to the Nabob, (or King) of that Country, to obtain the promises that formerly he had granted to the English for Traffic, and to be Custome-free in those of his Dominions and Ports. Wherefore a Junke was hired at Massalupatam to be our Convoy; the said Junke did belong unto those parts, and the Names of the English men that were appointed for that voyage, were Mr. Ralph Cartwright Merchant, Mr. Thomas coley second, William Bruton, John Dobson, Edward Peteford, John Bassley, John Ward, and William Withal.  
Though we hired the aforesaid Junke, March 22. yet it was the 6. of April following before we could be fitted to depart from Massalupatam, and in much various Wether, with many difficulties and dangers, (which to relate here, would be tedious and impertinent to my intended Discourse) the 21. of April, being then Easter-day, we were at Anchor in a Bay before a Town called Harssapoore: It is a place of good strength, with whom our Merchants do hold Commerce with correspondency. This 21. day in the Morning, Mr. Ralph Cartwright sent the Moneys a shore to the Governor of Harssapoore, to take it into his safe-keeping and protection till such time as he came a shore himself. So presently there came a Portugal Friggat fiercely in hostility towards us, but we made ready for their entertainment, and fitted ourselves and the Vessel for our best defences: but at last they steered off from us, and upon our command she came to an Anchor somewhat near us, and the Master of her came aboard of us, who being examined whence he came, and whither he was bound, to which demands he answered nothing worthy of belief, as the sequel showed; for he seemed a friendly Trader, but was indeed a false Invader, (where opportunity and power might help and prevail) for on the 22. day Mr. Cartwright went a shore to the Governor of Harssapoore, and on the 24. day the said Master of the Frigate (with the Assistance of some of the ribble rabble Rascals of the Town) did set upon Mr. Cartwright and Mr. coley, where our men (being oppressed by multitudes) had like to have been all slain or spoilt, but that (Lucklip) the Rogger (or Vice King there) rescued them with 200 men.  
In this fray Mr. Thomas coley was sore hurt in one of his hands, and one of our men much wounded in the leg and head; their Nockado or India Pilot was stabbed in the Groin twice, and much mischief was done, and more pretended, but by Gods help all was pacified.  
The 27 of April we three took leave of the Governor, and Town of Hassarpoore, (I mean three of us) namely, Mr. Cartwright, William Bruton, and john Dobson; leaving Mr. coley and the other four men with him, till news could be sent back to them from the Nabobs Court, at Cutteke or Malcander, of our success and proceedings there with our other goods, for he is no wise Merchant, that ventures too much in one bottom, or that is too credulous to trust mahometans or Infidels.  
And having laden our small Boats with the goods, (which were Gold, Silver, Cloth, and Spices, (of which spices those parts of India are wanting, and they almost are as dearethere as in England) we passed some two Leagues and half by Water, and after that, the said goods was carried by land in Carts, till we came to a great Town called Balkkada, but it was more than three hours after Sunne-setting, or late before we came thither.  
The 28 of April in the Morning, the Governor of this Town came and saluted our Merchant, and promised him that whatsoever was in his power to do him any friendly courtesy, he should command it; and indeed he was every way as good as his word; for he lent us Horses to ride on, and Cowlers (which are Porters) to carry our goods (for at this Town the Carts did leave us, and our goods were carried on men's shoulders: then we set forwards, being accompanied with the Governor, with his Music, which were Shawms, and Pipes of sundry forms, much after the forms of Waits or Oboes, on which they play most delicately out of Tune, Time, and Measure. In this manner the Governor, with a great number of people did bring us about half an English Mile out of the Town, where he courteously took his leave of us, but yet he sent his servants with us as guides, and that they might bring his Horses back to him, that he lent unto us.  
This town of Balkkada, is a strong and spacious thing, very populous: There are many Weavers in it, and it yieldeth much of that Country fashion Cloth. This day, about the hours of between eleven and twelve of the Clock it was so extreme hot that we could not travel, and the wind did blow with such a soultering scalding heat, as if it had come forth of an Oven or Furnace, such a suffocating fume, did I never feel before or since; and here we were forced to stay near three hours, till the Sun was declined, we having happily got under the shadow of the branches of a great Tree all that time. Then we set forward for the Town of Harharrapoore: which in the space of two hours, or a little more, we drew near unto: so we stayed a while till our carriages were come up together unto us; which done, there met us a man, who told us that his Master stayed our coming, than we speedily prepared ourselves for the meeting of so high esteemed a person: and when we came to the Town's end, there did meet us at a great Pogodo or Pagod, which is a famous and sumptuous Temple (or Church) for their Idolatrous service and worship there used, and just against that stately and magnificent building, we were entertained and welcomed by one of the King's greatest Noblemen, and his most dear and chiefest favourite, who had a Letter from the King his Master, and was sent from him to meet us, and conduct us to his Court. The Noble man's name was Mersymomeine. He did receive us very kindly, and made us a very great feast or costly collation before supper; which being done we departed for our Sirray, (or Inn) where we lay all night with our goods: but Mersymomeine stayed with his followers and servants in his and their Tents at the Pagod.  
The 29 day of April we stayed at Harharrapoore, and visited this great man, but the greatest cause of our staying, was by reason that the Nockada (or Pilot) of the Frigget, whose men did affront and hurt some of our men at Harssapoore, for which cause the Frigget was stayed there, and the Pilot of her came to this great man, thinking by gifts to win him to clear his Vessel, (the which he thought to make prize of) but he would not be alured by such rewards or promises; but told him that he must appear before the Nabob, and seek to clear himself there.  
The 30 of April we set forward in the Morning for the City of Coteke (it is a City of seven Miles in compass, and it standeth a mile from Malcandy, where the Court is kept) but Master Cartwright stayed behind, and came after us, accompanied with the said Noble man: We went all the day on our journey till the Sun went down, and then we stayed for our Merchant, being eight English Miles from Coteke, and about twelve or one of clock at night they came where we were: so we hasted, and suddenly got all our things in readiness, and went along with them, and about the time of three or four of Clock in the Morning we came to the house of this Mersymomeine at Coteke, being May day.  
Here we were very well entertained, and had great variety of sundry sorts of meats, drinks, and fruits, such as the Country yields, even what we could or would desire fitting for our use. About eight of the Clock Mersymomeine went to the Court, and made known to the King, that the English Merchant was come to his house: then the King caused a great banquet to be speedily prepared, and to be sent to the house of Mersymomeine, which banquet was very good and costly. Then, about three or four of the clock in the afternoon, we were sent for to the Court of Malcandy, which is not half a mile from Coteke. The magnificence of which Court, with the stately Structure and situation of the place, as well as my weak Apprehension can enable, I describe as followeth.   

The Court of MALCANDI in BENGALLA.  
GOING from the house of Mersymomeine, we passed over a long stone Causeway, of some two foot in breadth, and at the end thereof we entered in at a great gate, and being conducted along further we came into a Bussar, or very fair Market place, where was sold a great number of all sorts of Fruits, Herbs, Flesh, Fish, Fowle, Rice, and such like needful commodities and necessaries as the Country yielded. (which is very fertile) Having passed this place, we did enter in at a second gate, where was a guard of some fifty armed men, and so we came into a place all paved with great stones, or as it may fitter be called, a fair and spacious street, where Merchants seated on both sides the way, were buying and selling all kind of their own and foreign wares and merchandizes that was very rich and costly.  
Passing this place we entered in at a third Gate, where was another Guard of one hundred Men Armed: by this Gate was a great Pogodo or Pagod, which joined to the Southermost part of the King's house. In this Street there were houses but one side of the way, for on that side that the King's house was on there was no other House but that. Then we came to a fourth Gate, which was very spacious and high, and had two lofty stories one above the other, and upheld by mighty Pillars of grey Marble, most curiously Carved and Polished: At this Gate was a great Guard of 150 Men or more, all armed.  
Going through this Gate, we entered into very great broad place or street, (much of the breadth of the street between Charing Cross and White-Hall, or broader, and no dwelling in it; here we passed the wall of the King's House, or Palace, till we came to the Court Gate.  
In this broad street are every day 1000 Horses in readiness for the King's use; (for he hath always 3000 at an hour's warning, in the two Towns of Coteke and Malcandy; whereof 1000 always waiteth at the King's Gate, and so by turns do all the rest attend as their places and services require.  
Over against the Gate of the House is a very great house of Timber, whose Chambers are made with Galleries, built and supported with great Arches to uphold the Roof: In these Galleries there were men that played on all kind of loud Instruments, every morning they began to play at four of the Clock, and gave over at eight.  
On the North side of the Gate is a small Tower builded with two hollow Arches, wherein are placed two mighty Images of stone, with great Pipes of Iron placed in their breasts, and by devices in the lower rooms, they do make fire and water to flash and spout out of those Pipes on Festival days. On the South side of the Gate there standeth a great Elephant, artificially wrought of grey Marble, but for what use I know not.  
At the entrance into the Palace Gate, we passed through a Guard of 150 men armed, the Pillars within were all of grey Marble, carved three Stories one above the other. The outward Court was paved all with rough hewed Marble. On the South side of the Palace were houses wherein were men, cunning workers in rich works, employed only for the King's use and service.  
On the North side (in the Palace) a fair fabric builded, wherein was erected two stately Tombs, who were founded by one Backarcaune,— he was Nabob, and predecessor to this Nabob now governing: and at the East end of the Palace there was a fair place made and paved with broad grey Marble, and curiously railed about, the Rails being four foot and half high from the ground, and a very fair Tanke, which is a square pit paved with grey Marble, with a Pipe in the mid●st of it, whose water descended between two Walls, with the forms of Fishes of sundry sorts, carved in stone very artificially, as if they had been swimming or gliding up the Wall against the stream.  
At this East end there was also a second Gate, where was a Guard of 100 men armed; here stood also men that did keep the time of the day by observations of measures of Water, in this manner following: First, they take a great pot of Water of the quantity of three Gallons, and putting therein a little pot of somewhat more than half a pint (this lesser pot having a small hole in the bottom of it) the water issuing into it, having filled it, than they strike on a great plate of brass, or very fine metal, which stroke maketh a very great sound, this stroke, or parcel of time they call a Goome, the small pot being full they call a Greenshield, 8 Grease maketh a Par, which Par is three hours by our account.  
They likewise do begin the day at the hour of six in the morning, and it is ended with them at six at night: here we entered into the second Palace, which had in the midst thereof a fair and sumptuous Theatre built, and about it was made small banks, whereon were planted great varieties of fruits and flowers, very sweet to the sent, and pleasing to the sight; this place was also curiously railed in round: Then we entered into a narrow passage between two high stone Walls, where there was another Guard of 250 men armed: This passage brought us to a third Gate, wherein we entered into a third Palace or pleasant prospect, for in the midst of it there was a very fair pavement of Marble,— square, of the largeness of— yards every way, and railed some three foot & a half higher than the ground, that was on the outsides of it: it was likewise delicately railed about, and in the midst of it there was a fair arched place roofed, into whose entrance was an ascent of four steps high, and all the rooms in it were spread or over-laid on the floor with rich Carpets exceeding costly.  
The space between the outward Rails and these Rooms, was about 30. Foot, and the length 80. foot on the one side, but on the other side was a fair Tanke of water.  
This place they called the Derbar (or place of Council, where Law and Justice was administered according to the Custom of the Country, and it was likewise adorned and beautified with very pleasant Trees and Flowers, and Banks about them with Gutters between the Banks, in which Gutters water passed for the cooling and watering of them, and the water proceeded from the Tanke aforementioned. Here we stayed the space of some two hours (or there about) looking up and down, and being looked upon by Soldiers, and such fashioned Gentlemen as the Court yielded; (for there were more than 100 men armed, which were of the Nabobs, or Kings Privy Guard) At last the word came forth that the King was coming: then they hasted and over-laid the great large pavement with rich Carpets, and placed in the midst against the Rails, one fairer and richer Carpet than the rest, wrought in Bengalla-worke: They likewise placed a great round pillow of red Velvet on this Carpet; they placed also six small Pillars of Gold on the ends and sides of the rich Carpet, to hold it fast, or press it to the ground, lest it should be raised with the Wind. They also placed upon the Rails a Pannell of Velvet to lean on: At the last his Majesty came accompanied with the number of 40. or 50. of his Courtiers, the most part of them were very grave men to see to: Also the Nabobs own Brother (a comely Personage) did bear the Sword before him. Then the Nobleman (Mersimomein) presented our Merchant (Mr. Ralph Cartwright) to the King, who did obedience to him, and the King very affably bended forward (in manner of a Curtsy or Respect) and withal leaned his Arms on two men's shoulders, and slipped off his Sandal from his foot (for he was barelegged) and presented his Foot to our Merchant to kiss, which he twice did refuse to do, but at the last he was fain to do it: then the King sat down, and caused our Merchant to be placed by his Brother: His Counsel sat all along by the footpace of the Rooms beforementioned, his Brother and his Favourites sat thwart the place or Pavement, every one sitting in the fashion of a Tailor cross-legged.  
The Assembly being set, our Present was presented to the King, which was some Twenty pounds of Cloves, Twenty pounds of Mace, Twenty pounds of Nutmegs, two Bolts of Damask, half a Bale, or fourteen yards of Stammell-cloath, one fair Looking-glass, whose frame was guilded, one Fowling-piece, with two Locks, and one double Pistol; this was the Present which the King received with much acceptation and content, and withal demanded the cause of our Coming and our Request: To whom our Merchant answered, that he was come to desire his Majesty's Favour and Licence for free Trade in his Country, and not to pay any Junkan— (or Custom) At this request he seemed to make a stand, (and pausing a little) he conferred privately with his Council, but gave us no Answer.  
Our Merchant likewise requested that the English Merchants Trading for the East-Indies, might have free Licence to come with their shipping small or great, into the Roads and Harbours of his Sea-port-Townes, or to any Havens or Navigable Rivers, or any such place or places as shall be found sitting for the safeguard, building, or repairing of the said Vessels belonging to the honourable Company. And likewise to transport their goods either off or on the shore, without the let or hindrance of the Natives of the Country: Likewise to have his Licence to quoin Moneys, Gold or Silver, Country-money, and such as is currant with the Merchant.  
By this Time that our Merchant had ended the Relation of his Suits, and cause of his coming, the King's Minister with a loud voice called to prayer. Then the King speedily arose from his Seat, and all his Company went with him, and we were dismissed till prayer was ended. When the Minister came, there was a large covering spread over the rich Carpets; the covering was of black and white clothes, on this they all stood, and when they kneeled, they did kneel with their faces towards the going down of the Sun, (which is to the West.) Prayer being ended, the Assembly sat again concerning our Propositions, all other businesses were laid aside; being now the shutting in of the Evening, there came a very brave show of lights in before the King. The fore-most that came, were six Silver Lanterns, ushered in by a very grave man, having in his hand a Staff over-laid with Silver, and when he came to the steps of the Pavement, he put off his shoes, and came to the Carpets, making obedience: so likewise did those that bore the six Lanterns; but all the other lights, being one hundred and thirty, stood round about the Rails. Then the Usher took the Lantern that had two lights in it, and (making obedience) lifted his arms aloft, and made an ample Oration, which being ended, they gave all a great Salame, or kind of Reverence with a loud voice, and departed every one, and placed the lights according as the several offices and places did require. Here we stayed till it was between Eight and Nine of the Clock at Night, but nothing accomplished; only we had some fair promises of furtherance by some of the Courtiers: Thus we were dismissed for that time, and we returned for our Lodging at Mersimomeins house at Coteke, accompanied with a great multitude of people, and many Lights, who much admired our kind of habit and fashion.  
The second day, we came in the Afternoon again to the Court before the Nabob, which being set, there met us at the Derbar (or Council-house) our old Enemy the Nockada of the Frigget, who made a great complaint against us, that we had sought to make prize of his Vessel, and to take his goods by force: he had likewise given a great gift to a Nobleman to stand his friend, and speak in his behalf.  
Our Merchant pleaded likewise, that all such Vessels as did Trade on the Coast, and had not a Pass either from the English, Danes, or Dutch, was lawful Prise. He answered, that he had a Pass; our Merchant bid him produce the same before the Nabob, and he would clear him: to which the Nabob and the whole Council agreed: but he could show no Pass from any of the afore-named 3. Nations, but he showed two Passes from (or of) the Portugals, which they call by the name of Fringes, and thus was he cast, and we had the better of him before the King and Council.  
But than stood up the Nobleman to whom he had given a Reward, (who had also a little knowledge or insight in Sea-affaires) and said, what Stranger seeking a free Trade, could make prize of any Vessel within any of the Sounds, Seas, Roads, or Harbours of his Majesty's Dominions? This he spoke not so much for the good of the King, but thinking and hoping that the Vessel by his means should have been cleared with all her goods, and the Nockado (or Pilot) aquitted, that so by those means he might have gained the more and greater Rewards; but he was quite deceived in his vain expectation. For the Nabob perceiving that she belonged to Pyplye, a Port-town of the Portugals, whom the Nabob affects not, where the Portugals were resident, and that she was not bound for any of his Ports, he made short work with the matter, and put us all out of strife presently, for he confiscated both vessel and goods all to himself. Whereby the Nobleman was put by his hopes, who was indeed a Governor of a great Sea-towne, whereto much Shipping did belong, and many Ships and other Vessels were builded. Our Merchant seeing that he could not make prize of the Vessel or the goods, nor have any satisfaction for the wrongs which he and our men had received, he rose up in great anger, and departed, saying, that if he could not have Right here, he would have it in another place, and so went his way, not taking his leave of the Nabob, nor of any other, at which abrupt departure they all admired.  
The third day in the Morning the King sent for our Merchant by the Lord controller of his Court, who went with him accompanied with Mersimomein and others to the Derbar, where there was a very grave Assembly set: Then came the King, who being set, he smiled upon our Merchant, and (by an Interpreter) demanded the cause why he went away the last Evening (or overnight) in such an anger? To whom he answered boldly and with a stern undaunted countenance, that he had done his Masters of the Honourable Company wrong, and (by his might and power) had taken their Rights from them, which would not be so endured or put up. The King hearing this, demanded of the Assembly, which were as well Merchants as Nobles, (in the Persian Tongue) of what strength and force our shipping were, their Number, Burden, and Force, where our chief place of Residence was for Trading: He likewise sent for Persian Merchants, and did diligently inquire of them the same demands and questions: who answered, that we had great Trading on the Coast of Cormadell, India, and Persia; and likewise in the South-Seas, as Bantam, Japaro, Janbee, and Macossor: They further told the Nabob, that our Shipping were great, and of great force withal, and likewise if his pleasure was such as to be at odds with us, there neither could, would, or should any Vessel, great or small, that did belong to these parts, stir out of any Havens, Ports, or Harbours of his Majesty's Dominions, but they would take them, and make prize of them, for they were not able to withstand their force. At these words the King said but little, but what he thought, is beyond my knowledge to tell you.  
Then the King turned to our Merchant, and told him in Moor's Language (the which he could very well understand) that he would grant the English free Trade upon these Conditions following.  
That if the English Ship or Ships should at any time see any Ship or Ships, Junke or Junks, or any other Vessel of the Nabobs, or any of his Subjects in distress either by foul Wether, or in danger of Enemies, or in any other extremity, that we (the English) should help, aid, and assist them to our powers; or if it happened they were in want of Cables, Anchors, Water, Victuals, or any other necessaries whatsoever that did belong to them, that we the said English should help them as we were able. Likewise that we the said English should not make prize of any Vessel belonging to any of the Dominions of the said Nabob, and that we the said English should not make prize of any Ship, Vessel, or Vessels, within the Ports, Rivers, Roads, or Havens of the Nabob, though they were our Enemies; but at the Sea we might make prize of them if we could: to this all our Merchants agreed. Then the King caused Articles on his part to be drawn, and published in this manner following.  
Here I the said Nabob, Vice-King and Governor of the Country of Woodia, under the great and mighty Prince Pe Desha Shassallem, do give and grant free Licence to the aforesaid Ralph Cartwright Merchant, to trade, buy, sell, export and transport by Shipping, either off or upon the shore, not paying any Junkeon or Custom, nor any under me to cause them to pay any: Likewise, that if they do convey Goods by shore between Factory and Factory, or any other place for their better advantage of gain within these his Dominions, I straight charge and command that no Governor, Custome-gatherer, or other Officer whatsoever, shall make or cause them to pay any Junken or Customs; but shall suffer them to pass free, without let, hindrance, molestation, or interruption of stayage, but shall (I say) help and further them in any thing that shall be the furtherance of their business. Moreover, I do grant to the English Merchants to take ground, and to build Houses fitting for their Employments, and where they shall see convenient for their best utility and profits, without let or hindrance of any of my loving Subjects.  
And further I do give and grant to the English Merchants free Licence, to build Shipping, small or great, or any other Vessel which they shall think best and fittest for their occasions and uses; they paying no more than the Custom of the Country to the Workmen; and likewise to repair shipping if any such occasion be to require it.  
Likewise ● the Nabob do command, that no Governor or Officer whatsoever under me, shall do the English any wrong, or cause any to be done unto them, as they shall answer it at their perils, wheresoever they are resident: Neither shall any wrong be done to any servant of theirs, that doth belong unto them.  
And again, if any Controversy should be betwixt the English, and the people of the Country, if the matter be of any moment, than the said Cause shall be brought before me the Nabob at the Court at Malcandy, and at the Derbar I will decide the matter, because the English may 〈◊〉 no wrong, (behaving themselves as Merchants ought to do.)  
This Licence form and given at the Royal Court of Malcandy, the third day of May 1633, but not sealed till the fifth day of May following at night.  
The fourth day of May the King sent a great Banquet to the House of Marsymomeine, to our Merchants and there came to this Feast the great man that did speak on the Nockado's side against us, at the Darbar, about the Frigget aforesaid: He brought with him to our Merchant for a present a Bale of Sugar, a Bottle of Wine, and some sweet meats, saying, he was sorry for the things before done and passed, but if any thing lay in him to do the Company and him any good, he and they should be sure of it. This man was Governor of a Town called Bollasarye, a Sea Town where shipping was built; (as is afore said) his name was Mercossom, and understanding that the Merchant was minded to travail that way, he promised him to do him all the courtesies that could be.  
The fifth day of May in the afternoon we were before the King again at the Darbar, at our coming he called for our Perwan, (which was our Warrant or Licence) and then he added to it the free leave of coining of moneys, and sealed it with his own Signet himself, and so all things was strongly confirmed and ratified for our free trade in his Territories and Dominions.  
The sixth day of May the King made a great Feast at the Court where were assembled the most and chiefest of all his Nobles and Governors that were under his command, and being set, he sent the Lord controller of his house for the English Merchant Master Ralph Cartwright to come unto him, who came with all speed, and when he was in the presence of the King, he caused him to sit down by him, and take part of the Feast, (for the King was exceeding merry and pleasant) then the King caused a Vest or Robe to be brought, and with his own hands did put it upon our Merchant; and thus was he invested and entertained in the presence of this Royal, Noble, and great assembly.  
This day the King was in Magnificent State and Majesty, on rich Persian Carpets: (as is before mentioned) But over this great Company was a large Canopy of branched Velvet of four colours, and in the seams between the joinings of it was yellow Taffeta, which hung down like unto the Balance of a bed, it was 80 foot in length, and 40 foot in breadth, and it was upheld with four small Pillars, overlaid with Silver, whose height was twelve foot, and in thickness one foot. Here we stayed till about the hour of five in the afternoon, and then we took our leaves of the King, and the rest, and departed to Coteke to the house of Mersymomeine.  
Thus have I plainly and truly related the occurrences that happened at the Court of Malcandy, but although the Palace of the Nabob be so large in Extent, and so magnificent in Structure, yet he himself will not lodge in it, but every night he lodgeth in Tents with his most trusty servants and Guards about him, for it is an abomination to the Moguls (which are white men) to rest or sleep under the roof of a house that another man hath builded for his own honour. And therefore he was building a Palace, which he purposed should be a Fabric of a Rest, and future Remembrance of his renown: He likewise keepeth three hundred Women, who are all of them the daughters of the best and ablest subjects that he hath.  
The seventh day of May we went up and down in the Town of Coteke; it is very populous of people, and hath daily a great Market in it of all sorts of necessaries which the Country affordeth, it is seven Miles in compass, and hath but two great Gates belonging to it; it is three Miles between the one Gate and the other.  
Upon the eighth day of May we went to the Court at Malcandy again to desire of the King a Warrant, or free Pass, for safe convoy of Letters, or any other such occasion through his Countries.  
Here we found his Majesty sitting in the outward Palace of the Court on the Pavement, by the Tank before named, with a very fair Canopy over him, made of Damask, and upheld by four small Pillars overlaid w●th Silver, with his Nobles by him for this effect and purpose following.  
He was by the great Mogul commanded to wage War with all expedition against the King of Culcandouch, (a great Prince neighbouring upon his Confines) which had wrongfully with hostility entered on the South-west part of his Country, and had made some spoil and havoc on the same. The King, I say, had here called all his Commanders, Leaders, and Captains together, giving them a great charge concerning the good usage of his men, and their best endeavours in the management and performance of their services in those Wars. He likewise gave gifts to the Leaders, and money to the Soldiers to encourage courage them. The Army consisted of 30000 men, which was 10000 Horse, and 20000 foot, armed for the most part with Bows and Arrows; and some again with Darts, like our Javelins, but far more sharp; and some again with a kind of Falchon, Scimitar, or like a bended sword by their side: some of which weapons have cut in sunder two malefactors, which have been condemned to dye, being bound back to back, at one blow given backwards by the Executioner. But our Commission being granted, and our business ended finally, our Merchant (reverently) took his leave of the King; and the King (with his Nobles) did the same to him, wishing him him all good success in his affairs in his Country; and so we departed.  
The ninth of May we gathered together all our things, and at night we departed from Coteke.  
The tenth, at the hour of two in the Afternoon, we came to the Town of Harharrapoore, and hosted in the house of our Interpreter.  
The eleventh day we went to the Governor of the Town, and showed him our Fermand, or Commission from the King; the Governor made a great Salame, or curtsy in reverence unto it, & promised his best assistance and help in any thing that he could do, and there the said Governor had a small Present given to him.  
The twelfth day of May Master Thomas coley came to us at Harharrapoore, and the rest of the English men with him, with all the goods; then we hired a house for the present, till such time as ours might be builded, for our further occasions to the Companies use.  
This Town of Harharrapoore is very full of people, and it is in bounds six or seven Miles in compass; there are many Merchants in it, and great plenty of all things, here is also cloth of all sorts great store, for there doth belong to this Town at the least 3000 Weavers that are house keepers, besides all other that do work, being bound or hired.  
The foureteenth day the two Merchants went abroad, and found out a plat of ground fitting to build upon; then they laid the Kings Deroy on it, and seized upon it for the Companies use, and there was no man that did, or durst gainsay them for doing the same.  
The fifteenth day they hired workmen and labourers to measure the Ground, and to square out the foundation of the House, and likewise for the Wall, which was one hundred Conets square, which is fifty yards, every Conet being half a yard, or a foot and half: and it behoved us to make haste, for the time of the great Rains was at hand.  
The sixteenth day they laid the foundation of the Walls, being nine foot thick, much haste was made, and many workmen about it; but this our first work was but labour lost and cast away, for it came to nothing.  
For on the eighteenth day the Rains began with such force and violence, that it beat down all our Work to the ground, and washed it away, as if there had not been any thing done; this Storm continued without ceasing, (day and night) more or less three weeks complete.  
The sixteenth day of june Master Ralph Cartwright took his journey for Ballazary, and two English men with him, who were Edward Peteford, and William Withal, and from thence he was minded to travail further into the Country of Bengalla; and the eighth of july following we received a Letter from Master Cartwright, concerning his proceedings and troublesome passage; for he found not the Country according as was reported, by reason of the time of the great Rains that fell, yet he was safely arrived in Pipely.  
The three and twentieth day of july in the Morning, we had news that there was an English Ship arrived at Hassarpoore, and had shot of three pieces of Ordnance, and stayed all night, and the next day in the morning, she having not a Boat to come from her, she weighed Anchor, and set sail for Ballazary.  
The 25 of August, in the morning, Master Thomas coley died of a violent Fever at Harharrapoore.  
The seventh day of September I received Letters from Master Cartwright from Ballazary, and withal he sent me the name of the Ship, to wit, the good Ship Swan, and Master Edward Austin (or Ostin) commander.  
The nineteenth day of September there came two Merchants from Ballazaray to Harharrapoore, the one of them his name was Master Robert Littler, the other Master john Powlle, Purser of the Ship Swan.  
The fourth day of October our Merchant Master Robert Littler, took a journey for jaggernat, and he returned the sixteenth day to the Factory at Harharrapoore.   

A brief Relation of the great City of Jaggarnat.  
THe fifth day of November I was sent about the Companies business to the great City of jaggarnat, and I travailed this day to a Town called Madew, and I lodged all night in a Pagod, or Pogoda.  
The sixth day I William Bruton travailed eight Course, which is thirty two Miles English, and came to a Town named Amudpoore, where I found met together, of men, women, and children, more than 3000; and all of them were Travellers and Raungers of the Country, having no residence, but are called Ashmen; (because they do cast ashes upon themselves) also they are called Fuckeires, which are Religious names given to them for their supposed holiness, but indeed they are very Rogues, such as our Gipsies be here in England, when they see their time and opportunity to put Roguery and Villainy in practice: at this Town I made no great stay, for I had a good charge about me of the Companies.  
The Eighth day of November, in the Morning, after I had gone about the affairs that I was sent to do, I went to view the City in some part, but especially that mighty Pagodo or Pagod, the Mirror of all wickedness and Idolatry: Unto this Pagod, or house of Satan (as it may rightly be called) do belong 9000. Brammines or Priests, which do daily offer Sacrifices unto their great God Jagarnat, from which Idol the City is so called; and when he is but named, than all the people in the Town and Country do bow and bend their knees to the ground, as the Moabites did to their Idol Baal-Peor: Here they do also offer their Children to this Idol, and make them to pass through the Fire; and also they have an abominable custom to cause or make them pass through the Water as Sacrifices unto the said ungodly God.  
This Idol is in shape like a great Serpent, with seven Heads, and on the cheeks of each Head it hath the form of a Wing upon each cheek, which wings do open and shut, and flap, as it is carried in a stately Chariot, and the Idol in the midst of it: and one of the Moguls sitting behind it in the Chariot upon a convenient place with a Canopy, to keep the Sun from injuring of it.  
When I (with horror) beheld these strange things, I called to mind the 13. Chap. of the Revel. and 1. Verse, and likewise the 16. & 17. Verses of the said Chapter, in which places there is a Beast, and such Idolatrous worship mentioned, and those sayings in that Text are herein truly accomplished in the 16. Verse: for the Brammines are all marked in the forehead, and likewise all that come to worship the Idol, are marked also in their foreheads; but those that do buy and sell, are all marked in the left shoulder; and all such as do dare or presume to buy and sell, (not being marked) are most severely and grievously punished.  
They have builded a great Chariot that goeth on 16. Wheels of a side, and every Wheel is five foot in height, and the Chariot itself is about Thirty foot high. In this Chariot (on their great Festival days at night) they do place their wicked God Jagarnat, and all the Brahmins (being in number 9000.) do then attend this great Idol, beside of Ashmen and Fuckeirs some Thousands, (or more than a good many) The Chariot is most richly adorned with most rich and costly Ornaments, and the aforesaid wheels are placed very complete in a round Circuit so Artificially, that every wheel doth do his proper office without any impediment: For the Chariot is aloft, and in the Centre betwixt the Wheels; they have also more than 2000 Lights with them: And this Chariot with the Idol is also drawn with the greatest and bestmen of the Town, and they are so eager and greedy to draw it, that whosoever by shouldering, crowding, shoving, heaving, thrusting, or any violent way can but come to lay a hand upon the Ropes, they think themselves blessed and happy. And when it is going along the City, there are many that will offer themselves a Sacrifice to this Idol, and desperately lie down on the ground, that the Chariot-wheels may run over them, whereby they are killed outright; some get broken arms, some broken legs, so that many of them are so destroyed, and by this means they think to merit Heaven.  
There is also another Chariot which hath but 12. wheels, and that is for an Idol or a Devil of an inferior rank, or lower degree; and he doth not go abroad or in progress, but when the Brahmins do please. This Pagodo is situated by the Seaside, and is to be seen into the Sea at the least 10. or 12. Leagues; (for the Air and Sky is clear and pure in those parts, that it may be seen far) It is enclosed with a Wall of Stone, much about 22. foot in height, and the enclosure is foure-square, and every square is 150. Geometrical paces; so the four squares in the Totall are 600 paces or yards about: it standeth due East, West, North, and South; and every square hath a great gate for the entrance into it, but the South and West-gates are barred up till the Festival times, and none commonly used but the North and East-gates, but especially the North-gate; for it hath all its prospect into the high or chief street of this City.  
Now in some other parts of this Country the people do adore and worship other creatures for their Gods: some worship the Celestial, as the Sun, Moon, and Stars: some again Terrestrial, and they of the Mountains, Valleys, and Woods: some aquatical, and those of the Seas, Rivers, and Fountains: some running after a beast like an Ox, the Dog, and the Cat; some after the Hawk, some after the sheep, and some so foolish, that they doted upon the very Herbs and Flowers in their Gardens. For indeed they have very rare Flowers for colour, such as I never saw in England, or elsewhere. Some of this Nation have erected to themselves a God, in the likeness of Jupiter, and do chain him by the leg in their Pagod, to the intent that he might not leave them, nor forsake them; and keep continual watch and Guard njght and day, lest any of their Enemies should come and entice him away by bribery, and so to prevail with him to come forth of it, and by that means their City come to ruin and destruction: so much for their Idolatry.  
This City of Bengalla is very great and populous, it hath many Merchants in it, and yieldeth very rich Commodities, as good Cloth in abundance, Sugars, Silks, Taffetas, Stuffs, Wax, Gumlacke, Butter, Oil, Rice, and Wheat, with many other good commodities vendable. It is likewise famous for its multitude of Rhinoceroes'; it hath a Beast much like unto a Unicorn, and because it hath but one Horn, some do believe and take it for the Unicorns Horn for the virtue it hath in it. This City was once free from Taxations, till Ehebar the great Mogul caused it to be united to his Empire. The chiefest Cities which join nearest to it, are Catigan and Satagan on the Banks of Ganges Eastward: It was once the Seat of the great Bengalian King Malchiram, as Mr. Purchase relates in his Pilgrimage. This City lies Westward toward Pega, and near to Coswin and 〈◊〉, two famous Cities for Traffic and Situation; lying upon the River, and within some few Leagues of the Gulf called the Bengallian gulf, which is a very dangerous one; for at some certain times of the year it is very hazardable for Vessels to pass without shipwreck: There be many other Lakes and Rivers which I could mention, but for Brevity sake I omit them. But there is no strong drink suffered to be drank within the City, except a Stranger do bring it in privately, and so it is not known: and thus much shall suffice for the impious Religion of Jaggarnat, and the stately Court of Malcandy.  
The most of these people have no Learning, but do all things by memory: They wear commonly long hair, and are very strict in their time of Fasting; but afterwards, when the Ceremony is over, than they freely commit all kind of wickedness again. In some places they have their Edicts or Laws written, and in other places unwritten: They know not what belongs to Bonds or Bills, and they lend without Witnesses, or any sealing of Writings, even upon their own Words: And he that his found to deny his promise, hath the tops of his Fingers cut off. Their habit is various and different; some of them do go in Linen or Woollen; some are clothed with Beasts skins, or Birds feathers; others go naked, and do cover only their secret parts: Their Bodies are for the most part black, which is not accidental, but naturally arising from the quality of the seed they are begotten: Most of them are of a large stature; they have many Wives which they purchase and buy of their Parents: some they keep to be their Vassals to do their drudgery; others, which are handsomer, for issue sake and pleasure.  
Here are greater store of Beasts than in any other part of the Indies: as Oxen, Camels, Lions, Dogs, Elephants: they have Dogs which are as fierce as Lions, with which they usually hunt and pursue those wild beasts as we do our Bucks, for their delight and pleasure. They ride on goodly Horses booted and spurred; so likewise do their Women.  
These people are notable ingenious men; let it be in what Art or Science soever, and will imitate any workmanship that shall be brought before them: for the most part of them hate idleness, and those that do not study in some Art or other, are counted drones, and stand for Ciphers, and dead men amongst the best and chiefest sort of people: They have a Custom, that always before dinner they do call their Children and young people in their houses together, and do examine how they had spent their time from the Sunrising, and if they could not give a good account of it, they were not to be admitted to the Table; and so every day, and if they did not the next time improve themselves in some knowledge of laudable things, they are most severely punished and chastised.  
These Barbarous and Idolatrous people, although they be so ignorant in the true worship of God, cannot endure a perjured person, nor a common swearer, nor a common drunkard, but will punish them very severely by stripes, or else by forfeiture of their Commodities: A perjured person, say they, is an arch enemy to their God and them: and it is so hateful, that if it be committed by their Father, Brother, or kindred, they do presently condemn him, according to the nature of the offence: for though they love the perjury, by reason of the benefit that cometh unto them by it, yet they hate the person even to death: for, say they, he which was sometimes perjured in their behalf, may undo what he hath done, and speak the truth when time serves: They instance a story of Soleman the great Turk, who loathed and abhorred the Traitor that betrayed Rhodes unto him, and in stead of his daughter, whom he expected to be given him in Marriage for a reward, he caused him to be flayed and salted, and told him in derision, that it was not fit for a Christian to marry with a Turk, unless he put off his old skin: likewise they instance Charles the fourth, who rewarded the soldiers (that betrayed their Lord and Master Krantius) with counterfeit coin; and being desired to deliver them current money, answered, that counterfeit Coin was the proper wages for counterfeit service: Thus a liar or perjured person amongst these Idolatrous people they will not believe, though he had spoken of sworn the truth: for he that hath been once false, is ever to be suspected in the same kind of falsehood: wherefore just and upright dealing is aptly compared to a glass, which being once broken, can never be repaired; or to opportunity, which once omitted, can never be recovered. And so I conclude this relation, wishing all men to prefer knowledge and honesty before wealth and riches; the one soon fadeth, the other abideth for ever: for amongst all the goods of this life, only wisdom is immortal.   
FINIS.