Storia do Mogor 43.1

43.1

Three times have I visited the port of Surat. It lies on the banks of a large river at a distance of nine leagues from the sea. The first time I was there Surat was very populous, but not encircled by walls, its only defence being then a fort on the bank of the river. On the second and third occasions that I visited the port the town had a good wall, made by Orangzeb (Aurangzeb) on the occasion of the war with Xevagi (Shiva Ji), as I shall state in its proper place. On my first arrival I was much pleased to see such a large river of sweet water full of ships. These latter were not very large, for such only as were of moderate size could come up it unless unloaded ; therefore, they send the cargo in boats as far as the sea and load there, and from the sea they also send the cargo inland by boats. It is a great delight to take a seat on the bank of the river and behold the numerous boats which shoot to and fro like arrows. It is the largest port in India and the best river. Thus, it is resorted to by a great number of ships from different parts of Europe, Persia, Arabia, Mecca, Bassora, the coasts of Malabar and Choramandal, Massulapatao (Masulipatam or Machhlipatanam), Bengal, Siam, Acheen, Queddah, the Maldives, Malacca, Batavia, Manilla, China, and many other parts of the world.