Remonstrantie 7: [6. ACCOUNT OF THE PROVINCES NORTH AND WEST OF AGRA.]
Jahangir's India (Moreland, Geyl) 7
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[6. ACCOUNT OF THE PROVINCES NORTH AND WEST OF AGRA.]
7.1
Lahore is situated in 32° latitude, 300 kos north-west of Agra. It was a great centre of trade in the days before the English came to Agra, and the Armenian and Aleppo merchants did a large and very profitable business. In those days the chief market for indigo was Lahore rather than Agra, because it was more convenient for the merchants, who travelled in caravans at fixed seasons by way of Kandahar and Ispahan to Aleppo; and this is why the indigo which reached Europe from Aleppo or the Levant was known as Lauri, or more properly Lahori. A brisk business is still done in the fine cotton goods of Masulipatam, or Golconda and Mongapatnam, but nothing like what was formerly transacted. The trade of Lahore may in fact be called dead, for exports are limited to the requirements of Persia and Turkey, because the profits cannot stand the great costs of overland transit compared to those of our sea-carriage. Lahore thus lost practically all its trade, and the substantial Hindus, or Khattris, whose reputation still survives, lived on what was left of their old profits. For some years however the present King has spent five or six of the cool months of each year in Lahore (the rest, or hot weather, being spent in Kashmir or Kabul), and the city has now recovered, but more in splendour, royal buildings, palaces, and gardens, than in point of wealth. The river Ravi flows past the city.
7.2
It rises in the mountains of Kashmir, and flows by Multan and on to Tatta and Bakkar, carrying a large trade in shallow-draught vessels. Agra imports from Lahore ormesines and carpets, which are woven there, and also many goods from more distant places, such as fruit from Kabul, asafoetida from Kandahar, and other commodities obtained in Multan. Agra exports to Lahore most of the spices which we sell here (for the local consumption is very small when the King is not here, or there is no Camp); also all kinds of white cotton goods, both Bengals and Golcondas; ivory (most of which is wrought in the neighbourhood of Multan); quicksilver, vermilion, coral; turbans, girdles, and all sorts of silk goods from Ahmadabad, where they are woven; silk from Patna; lac, pepper, and drugs too numerous to be named.
7.3
Multan is the capital of the province of that name, and lies 140 kos north [really, south-west] of Lahore. The province is exceedingly productive, and commands the route to Persia, which runs by way of Kandahar. The Persian trade is extensive, because the city is conveniently served by three great rivers, the Ravi (which serves Bakkar in Sind, and also Lahore), the Behat [Jhelum] and the Sind [Indus]. The latter also rise in the mountains of Kashmir, so that near Multan the water flows with an astonishing current, but all the same they are largely used by shallow-draught vessels. Very much sugar is produced, which is carried by water to Tatta in large quantities, and also to Lahore; gallnuts and opium are also produced; sulphur is obtained in large quantities, as well as the best camels in India; the finest and most famous bows are made here, also large quantities of white cotton goods and napkins, which are exported to Kandahar. All these goods come by way of Lahore to Agra, and are thence distributed in all directions. From Agra or Lahore, Multan receives large quantities of cotton, coarse yarn, Bengal cotton goods, turbans, prints, red salu from Burhanpur, and small quantities of spices. Tatta, the capital of Sind, is 80 kos distant from the sea. The port is named Lahari Bandar, where all large vessels anchor; the goods are brought up in boats, and, owing to the strength of the current, they usually take from 8 to 10 days on the way.
7.4
This country was conquered by the Khan Khanan under Akbar in the year [blank in MS.]. The city lies southwards from Agra, 400 kos distant by way of Jaisalmer, and 700 kos from Lahore by way of Multan. It prospered greatly owing to the trade of the Portuguese, while Ormuz remained in their hands. There are large supplies of white cotton goods, which in my opinion are far superior to baftas [Gujarat calico] at the same price; also much striped cloth, taffetas of yarn and silk, and other cotton goods. Ornamental desks, draught-boards, writing-cases, and similar goods are manufactured locally in large quantities; they are very prettily inlaid with ivory and ebony, and used to be exported in large quantities to Goa and the coast-towns. This business has however now come to an end, and since the trade of Ormuz was lost, merchants from Ispahan have to come to Tatta, though with great difficulty and expense. They bring silk for sale, but clandestinely, because export from Persia is prohibited; they also import large quantities of fouwne (called by the Moslems massiedt), which grows there, and is used for dyeing red, like chay-root on the Coromandel Coast; also almonds, raisins, prunes, and other dried fruit. In addition, they bring large sums in gold ducats, because the heavy cost of transit reduces the profit to be made on merchandise.
7.5
In return they take white cotton goods, yarn and silk taffacils, turbans, girdles, loin-cloths, Bengal cloth, Lahore indigo, ‘painted' cloth, and much sugar, both candy and powder, which is brought by water from Lahore and Multan.