[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Travellers (1500–1858)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel) › [Storia do Mogor](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci) › [Storia do Mogor (Irvine)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine) › 277 # Storia do Mogor 277: The Karnatik, Bijapur and Gulkandah. Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 277 - **Language:** English ### The Karnatik, Bijapur and Gulkandah. ### [277.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.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 \[443\]. ### [277.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.277.2) In the Karnatik there was much treasure buried by those of old time; hence Mir Jumlah recovered some coined money, of which the name was not known; and Shiva Ji also discovered some hoards of money, which he spent on increasing his army. So also the common people, when they set to work to build, recover ancient money that has been buried, but are unable to make use of it for fear of discovery. The lord of the country takes possession of it, and gives a good flogging in addition, to try and find out if there is any more. I knew a poor oilman who lived in a village called Trimanavas (Tirumani). Digging up the soil to bury a vessel of oil, he recovered seven jars full of various coins, all of gold, some weighing two to two and a half drams, but the larger number were small coins, of which four-and-twenty weighed the same as one piece of eight (a dollar). The lettering could not be read; the larger pieces had on one side nothing but an image, and no one knew whose it was. The worthy oilman was sufficiently astute to remove these coins in oil-jars, which he carried for sale into another territory, and kept the money in the hands of his relations, never returning to his own country. With this money he did more or less good, building some great pagodas, or making idols, tanks, ponds, and rest-houses for travellers on the roadside, and other good works. ### [277.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.277.3) At a distance of twenty leagues inland from Madras is a village called Canchy (Kanchi), which is as if you said 'Full of Treasures.' In old days this village was a great city, whence the Hindus to this day hold it in great veneration, owing to the existence of large and lofty temples. Each one of these would make an excellent fortress; and inside of them are many buildings \[444\] with figures of idols and gilded paintings of the lives and infamies of their false gods. In the midst is a large tank, the four sides built of large stones. Behind one of the temples I have seen a square pond without water; it is four cubits in depth, and twenty-four palms across. This pond was once full of coin, but a Brahman, offended by the other Brahmans and unable to avenge himself otherwise, discovered the secret to the general Allis Mardacan ('Ali Mardan Khan), who happened to be passing through. This coin served him once as ransom money, when he had been captured by Shiva Ji. ### [277.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.277.4) These temples are in parts destroyed, for when any army passes that way they make efforts to find, if they can, what 'Ali Mardan Khan found. I have not the least doubt that in these temples there is buried money, but it cannot be easily discovered, the edifices being very spacious and paved with large stones. He who knows the place of concealment is the oldest and principal Brahman. Before he dies he informs another who is to take his place. Their idea is that if any Hindu king should gain the kingdom and make war on the Mahomedans, they would then disclose the existence of these hoards, and use the money to support him against the enemy. But in all these fifty-four years I have seen no Hindu prince on the increase, but only ruined; Shiva Ji alone have I seen living and thriving in the manner that I have recounted. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.277](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.277) · Pramāṇa