Two Years Before Our Arrival, This Chief Had Sacked
Cambay, Of Which His Grandfather Had Been King.
The 18th January, 1610,
I went from Surat on my way to Agra; but it is proper I should give here
some account of Surat.
[Footnote 229: Currode is a small place about 12 miles S.S.E. from
Surat. - E.]
This city stands about twenty miles from the sea, on the bank of a fair
river, [the Taptee,] and is of considerable size, with many good
houses belonging to merchants. About three miles from the mouth of the
river, where on the south side is a small low island overflowed in the
rainy season, is the bar where ships load and unload, having three
fathoms water at spring tides;[230] and above this is a fair channel all
the way to the city, capable of receiving loaded vessels of fifty tons.
This river extends upwards to beyond Bramport, [Boorhanpoor;] and from
thence, as some say, all the way to Mussel Patem.[231] In coming up
the river, the castle of Surat is on the right hand or south side of the
river, being moderately large, handsome, well walled, and surrounded by
a ditch. The ramparts are provided with many good cannons, some of which
are of vast size. It has one gate on the inland side with a draw-bridge,
and a small postern to the river. The captain of this castle has a
garrison of 200 horse. In front of the castle is the Medon, [Meidan, or
esplanade,] being a pleasant green, having a may-pole in the middle, on
which they hang a light and other decorations on great festivals.
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