The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 6.2.7

6.2.7

December 18. — 5 Course to Cytor, an ancient cytty, ruined, on a hill, but so that it appeares a toombe of woonderfull magnificence. Ther standes aboue 100 Churches all of Carued stone, many fayre towers and lanthornes Cutt thorough, many Pillars and innumerable houses ; but no one inhabitant Ther is but one ascent to the hill, it beeing precipitious, sloping vp, Cutt out of the Rocke, having 4 gates in the ascent, before one arriue at the Citty gate, which is Magnificent. The hill is in compasse at the top about 8 Course and at the S.W. end a goodly ould Castle. I lodged by a poore village at the foote of the hill. This Citty standes in the Country of one Ranna, a Prince newly subdued by this King or rather bought to Confesse tribute. The Citty was woone by Ecbar-sha, father to this Mogull. Ranna is rightly descended from Porus, that valient Indian ouercome by Alexander, soe that I take this Citty to haue been one of the ancient seates of Porus ; though Dely, much farther N., bee reported to haue beene the Cheefest, famooues now only in ruynes. Neere that standes a pillar erected by Alexander the Conqueror, with a greeke inscription. The Present Mogull and his Ancestors, descendants of Tamberlan, haue brought all the Ancient Cyttyes to ruine, having dispeopled them and forbidden reparation. I know not out of what reason, vnlesse they would haue nothing remembered of greatness beyond theyr beginnings, as if theyr famely and the world were Coeualls.