Storia do Mogor 277.1

277.1

Let us return once more to our account of the Karnatik. The kings of Bijapur and Gulkandah being powerful and also enemies to the Hindus, made war against the Nayaks before referred to, who belong to the Karnatik, taking their lands and fortresses. The King of Bijapur conquered as far as Porto Novo, which is a harbour on the sea ; and the King of Gulkandah equally made himself master of everything as far as Sadrasta, close to the sea. In the middle of this conquered country of the Karnatik is a river near the sea called Marcane (Marakkanam), which is over half a league in width. At this place is the division between the two kingdoms, and thus there are two Karnatiks, one of Bijapur and one of Gulkandah. The Karnatik was formerly a very powerful kingdom with great cities, fortresses, castles, and ancient edifices. The country was very rich by reason of the great traffic. For gold came there from China, Japan, Aracan, Achin, or Sumatra (visited by many ships), Pegu, Bengal, Queda, Malacca, and the island of Amboyna, whence come nuts, mace, and cloves, Bantam, Camboje, Manila; pimento brought from the coast of Sumatra, and cinnamon from Ceylon — all these came, and were collected in this Karnatik, passing thence to Persia, Turkey, and Europe. Since the Europeans came to India all these spices are taken away by sea [443].