Storia do Mogor 354.8.5

354.8.5

Since we are upon the subject of the earthquake in Gujarat, I will record the one which happened three years ago in the city of Batavia. The earth was so terribly shaken in the city that a great number of the houses fell, and many people died in the ruins, both natives of the country and foreign traders. The earthquake lasted continuously for a month, forcing the governor and all the inhabitants to leave the town, and go out into the open country to live in tents. At the time there were many Hindu traders from this place (Madras) in Batavia, and many suffered the misfortune of being crushed under the sad ruins of the city. These events caused much weeping in their families here (Madras). It is impossible sufficiently to express the sufferings endured by the poor inhabitants who were obliged to live in the open fields. Means to satisfy thirst were wanting, the rivers having lost all their sweet water, and the little water that remained tasting of nothing but sulphur. All the fish died. Nor could the inhabitants make use of the ponds, since they, too, had the same unpleasant flavour. However, with great labour and expenditure, they did their best to restore the damage, until at last the earthquakes ceased.