[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) › [The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy) › [The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster) › 6 # The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 6: To THE EAST INDIA COMPANY. The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe (Foster) 6 - **Language:** English ## Contents - [6.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6.1) — 7 parts - [6.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6.2) — 7 parts - [6.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6.3) — 5 parts ### To THE EAST INDIA COMPANY. ### [6.1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6.1.1) {AddL MS. 6115, f. 60.) Brampore, 24 November, 1615. What hath passed in my journy by sea to Suratt, wher by Godes mercy I arriued the 20th of September with your whole fleete in safety and extraordinary health, I hope you expect no more from me then I could collect by Circumstances and the outward face of what was resolued in Councell, to all which I was a stranger, no man euer acquaynting me with any proposition or conclusion. For outward things, our course, my opinion, and such like, I refer you to a journall sent herewith, which I pray accept in good part ; and though it be long, and I, as you suppose, a young marriner, yet you shall fynd some Cautions very necessary for you. What Course I tooke at my landing the journall will relate, and how euery day was spent at Suratt ; in this lettre you may expect nothing but my poore councell and judgment of this trade, and the managing therof ; wherin it seemes to me you neuer haue had any true enformation. First, for liberty of your people, I found them all in absolute seruitude, so as no priuat man, much lesse a nation, could endure. And though, when ther was no busines (as at our Comming) it seemd not so tyrannous, and that the former Gouernors were somewhat better, yet I haue enformed myselfe off all and it was euer seruile and base, since Captain Best had a ship vnder his Lee. ### [6.1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6.1.2) And take this generall rule : It is the Custome to Change the Gouernors here euery yeare, and some tyme the rule of the Prouince (as now it belongs to the Prince) ; that new humors must be dayly fedd ; and presents are here expected as due as the Kings customes, and not such as you will send but as they will choose. Besides, vnlesse the peace may be made with the Portugall (which I haue endeauored), the Roade is vnsafe at Swally, and you must alway maynteyne a fleete four monthes for the safety of one ship. By water in boates ther is no possibility to transport your goodes, the riuer beeing vnder Command of the frigatts and to carry them 12 mile by land is an infinite Chardge, trouble and decay of many things. Soe that, to Conclud, if a better could be procurd, Suratt is no residence for your factory ; or, if it must be, you must send a Pinnace of 80 tunns with 12 Peices, that may goe over the barr of Suratt and Carry your owne goodes to the Key, safe from frigatts and other dangers. Your goodes, when it is Come in Cartes, lyes ten or twelue dayes at the water side before leaue cann be obtayned for boates to transport them. I entend for better securitye to motion the giuing you an ould towne called Maladafar into which your ships may come with six fadome water and anchor vnder the forte, yea, they may harbor at all tymes in a storme and ride without the woormes as smooth as in Theames ### [6.1.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6.1.3) A truce, rather then a Peace, with the Mogull is newly procured by the Portugall payeing three leeks of Rupias for the ship taken, and licence to goe to the Red Sea signed. This newes I mett on the way; a Moore comming from Court with 300 followers sent to Meca, going to Suratt to take shipping, where three shippes haue order to make ready this yeare without theyr ancient tribute to the Portugall. He had store of Indico with him. I demanded what Conditions concerning the english this peace did Conteyne. An Armenian Christian merchaunt tould me the Mogull had answered he could not put out the english, beeing powerfull at sea, but he lefte it to the Portugalls to doe what they pleased and to endure likewise theyr fortune. So that the warr is left open for both at sea, and wee must woorke and stand vpon our owne safety. The Portugall mannaginge this peace bought presently as much Indico as laded 180 bullocks and are now comming downe with yt. . . . . . . . All your goodes come by land long journyes at your chardg, both for Carts, Peons, Guardes and such trach ; wheras I suppose some residence may be had vpon some riuer that may ease most of yt . . According to such relations as I haue gotten, the River of Syndu were most comodious of all others, to which from Labor any thing may passe by water ; besides, the Cuntry is more healthy and plentiffull in Indico and Comodytyes fitt for England then these parts, the Portugall having great ladings yearly from thence. ### [6.1.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6.1.4) Further, if you may procure the Port Jasques in Persia, the places are neighboring and a Countenance one to a nother ; or, if not, yet many Comodytyes of Persia will there be found, by reason the riuer comes from far within land, navigable with boates, and is truely the mouth of the famous Indus, and not that discribed by Cosmographers faling into the Baye of Cambaya. And since I am fallen vpon Persia, breefly ther is no such place for the benefitt of our Nation to settle a trade for venting cloth and buying silke, and for good justice toward all men. And if no greate quantety at first (beeing the south parts) will away, wherby you may returne from thence one ship: yet it may be taken in the way, and what you vent may be sould for silkes (which are very vendible here) or ready mony, wherby these parts may be furnished and the exportation of monyes saued from England. Somewhat hath beene done in this, but to no great purpose, because all the hopes giuen were before the returne of Sir Robert Sheirly. Since two Merchants haue beene dispatched to Court. . . . . I purpose to send to Hispan with all expedition, as well to enforme my selfe off all possibilitye as to procure your securytye and welcome to Cape Jasques, if you please to accept yt ; ### [6.1.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6.1.5) and after, if I may receiue a Commission from his Majestie, by your procurement, to treat farthar with him, or to goe to his Court and meete your shipping at Cape Jasques, I doubt not to settle you such a meanes for vent of Cloth as you shall well esteeme of yt. Ther passeth yearly Carauans from Agra to Cambalu, which stands in a could part and may also vent much cloth for mony, the Cuntrye beeing exceeding rich and the Court near the Sea, vpon a nauigable river ; and seeing you send to Japan, it is not many dayes wyde of it. I entend to procure the Mogull to write in our behalfe and to know if he wilbe pleased to giue you leaue to send a shipes lading of Cloth yearly vnto him . . . . ### [6.1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6.1.6) The Presentes you haue this yeare sent are extreamly despised by those who haue seene them ; the lyning of the Coach and Couer of the Virginalls scorned, beeing veluett of these parts and faded to a base Tawny ; the Kniues little and meane, soe that I am enforced to new furnish the Case of my owne store ; . . . . the burning glasses and prospectiues such as no man hath face to offer to giue, much less to sell, such as I can buy for sixe peence a peice; your Pictures not all woorth one Penny, and finally such error in the chooyce of all things, as I thincke no man euer heard of the Place that was of Councell. Here are nothing esteemed but of the best sorts : good Cloth and fine, and rich Pictures, they comming out of Italy ouerland and from Ormus ; soe that they laugh at vs for such as wee bring. And doubtlesse they vnderstand them as well as wee; and what they want in knowledge they are enformed by the Jesuites and others, that in Emulation of vs prouide them of the best at any rates. ### [6.1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6.1.7) . . . . I can say little of the estate of your busines ; only it is kept in the brest of some few men, and your jelousy to giue mee any authorytye of your busines or factors hath disabled me to looke into many things that should haue redounded to your profitt. I know not what suspect you had that I would eyther abuse them or your stocke ; but you were deceiued to my great ease and your owne disaduantage, It beeing so diuuldged here (as I thincke, by your expresse command, or for some other vayne end) that I haue nothing to doe with the merchants nor their busines, nor that they neede make mee no account of any thing ; wherby if I but fynd just fault or giue honest councell, the meanest can say it concerns not mee, I haue not to doe with them. ... If the Generall keepe not good eyes (which I doubt not, he beeing euery way a very able man) you shalbe sufficiently abused in priuat trade ; for this I know, that many of the meanest, and vnder the degrees of factors, brought ashore 100/1., 80/1., and few vnder 50/1., which went liberally for Callicoes. . . . ### [6.2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6.2.1) .... You may thincke that I haue broken your order in desiring the Generall to pay me 200/1. beforehand, on my second yeares wages now currant; because he frugally for you made curious of yt, and yet curteously, when he saw reason, did yt it for mee. I desire to make this apologie for him : I did not thincke you held it reasonable I should land and goe a great journy without one penny in my purse for my priuatt vse ; for you all knew I carried none ; that you gaue mee and lent mee, I protest I disbursed, with additions of myne owne, for my preperation ; and I never ment to make vse of any of that allowed for my chardge for my particular, but to receiue yt and expend yt and giue an account of yt apart to a penny. . . . Besides, I haue required that my seruants halfe yeares wages behynd may be payed here the first yeare, for els they must goe naked, and I am not able to supply all wants. What is 50/li. for 15 Men — about 3/1. apeice, a poore allowance for such as must attend mee ; and it is not 50/1. more then you giue me that dischardges theyr wages ; so far I am from gayne. . . . ### [6.2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6.2.2) .... For my extraordinarye expence of goeing to Court and dyett, I haue vndertaken the Carriadge of the Presents and your seruants sent with them (wherof the Coach is extreame Cumbersome) and receiued 1,000 royalls of 8 ... . wherof you shall receiue by my first from Adgmere a just accompt .... I landed at Suratt, where I was esteemed an Imposture like my Predecessors (for the Jesuits diue deepe into your secrettes and blaze them) ; two before having taken the title of ambassador, Master Hawkins and Master Edwards, but so that they haue almost made yt ridiculous to Come vnder that qualetye. . . . Only I lett you for conclusion know the estate of the Portugall in all these parts. . . . He is on veary ill tearmes and with a little helpe would be vtterly broken heare. But his Majestie must be dealt with. It is good policye of state to sett foote on him now he is falling, and if I had authoritye to treate roundly with the Persian and to engage any helpe to the Mogull by sea, I could dissolue him quite in these parts. ### [6.2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6.2.3) Or if this may not be convenient to enterprice, yet if you will giue him one good blow, which you haue power and reason to doe : whensoeuer you will send sixe good shipes togither for this Place, vnder colour of safe conduct of those to returne hence, and so to take theyr Course for the Sowthward, they may ride in the roade and enforme themselues dayly of the Comminge in of the Gallions for Goa, which ariue alsoe in September, and lade in December for lisbone (the Peons of Suratt may and will goe to Goa for 30s. and bringe weekly aduise when they beginn to lade, for they halfe lade within the barr, vnder the fort, and then come out to take in the rest, where they ryde vnfitted for any defence, halfe their men ashoare with frigatts to fill them), and then four of your shipes may way and bee with them in so many dayes, and take what they please, almost without shooting a shootte, lade themselues and fire them ; and one prosperous assault vpon them would more disharten them, bring them to better termes (when they sawe your resolution to prosequute them), giue you more reputation and good booty, then twenty repulses euer in your owne defence. It is a rule in warr : the offensiue is both the nobler and the safer part. They make this vse of your sparing them : that their King dares doe any affront to you, because the King of England is a tributarye ; ### [6.2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6.2.4) but that you dare not Attempt them, but only defend your goods, least the King of Portugal should punish his Majestie for such bouldnes at home. It is thought requisite that you seeke trade in the Terretoryes of the Mogull in Bengale. I will enforme myselfe of the fittest port and procure a firman for residence of your factors. Since my arriuall at Bramport, beeing the 14 of Nouember 1615, I visited the Prince, which I rather did because ther was a purpose to settle a factory ther. ... I am heer visited by Godes hand with a terrible feauer, now sixe dayes, and brought veary weake; abused in my Carriadges, notwithstanding the Prince gaue order for me, and the Kings firman. The Cuttwall tooke my mony and made price as he pleased; and when I sawe his abuse, I sought abroad, but none would stirr without his leaue. So that I must suffer it, as I doe manyfould and infinite abuses, this beeing a generall Character : euery man will promise any thing, but to this hower I neuer found one man that euer held his woord in any one thing without beeing followed and sued too sixe dayes togither — no answere but " to-morowe." . . . The Cuntrye is all slauish. In this towne of Bramport, the ancient and Cheefe Cytty, except the Castle and some fewe ill howses of Commanders, your swyne lye better than any man ; and what I endure I best knowe. . . . Nouember 25. — Master Boughton dyed and I buried him by leaue early the Next Morning. Nouember 26. — Being enforced to take the Cutwalls, I laded. ### [6.2.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6.2.5) Nouember 27. — In much weaknes, beeing Carried in a Pallankee, I Parted Brampore, and lodged that night at Raypora, 3 Course off. Nouember 28. — 15 Course to Burgome. This day I lost my Carriadges, and all my Company. Beeing very sicke I hastened away in my Palenkie to Burgome, but they not beeing able to Follow, we were afrayd one of another. I was without tent or prouision, and gott into a little open house, and soe rested in my Palenkie. I sent away a Peon who before Morning returned with Newes of one another. Nouember 29. — My Carriadges and Company Came to me ; and I rested this day, beeing soe sick as at night I was past sence and giuen ouer for dead ; but God raysed mee. Nouember 30. — In the Morning came a firman from Sultan Peruies for our entended factory at Brampore, which I dispeeded backe to Surat. At Noone I remooued 7 Course. December 1. — 10 Course to Bicangome. December 2. — 7 Course. December 3. — 5 Course. December 4. — To Ecbarpur, 11 Course. It standes on a goodly riuer, falling into the sea nere Baroch, and is doubtles nauigable. December 5. — Spent in passing the riuer called Narbodah, being forced to vnlade. December 6. — 8 Course; lodging in a wood, not farr from the Kings famous Castle of Mandoa, which standes on a steepe hill, walled round in circuit 14 Course. The Castle is faire and of woonderfull greatnes. December 7. — 10 Course. December 8. — 8 Course. December 9. — 10 Course. December 10. — 12 Course. December 11. — 16 Course. ### [6.2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6.2.6) December 12. — 14 Course. December 13. — 6 Course. December 14. — I rested to drye my tents and ease my selfe and Company. December 15. — 6 Course. December 16. — 6 Course. December 17. — 12 Course. Hence I sent Master Shalbancke to Adsmere to prepare for mee. ### [6.2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.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. ### [6.3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6.3.1) December 19. — 12 Course. December 20. — 10 Course. December 21. — 10 Course. December 22. — 9 Course. At noone Master Edwardes the Agent mett me, accompanied with the famous vnwearied walker Tho. Coryatt (who on foote had passed most of Europe and Asya, and was Now arriued in India, beeing but the beginning of his purposed trauells) and some other Christians residents in Adsmere. I lodged in the feilds, Master Edwardes having sett vp his tents and prouided for mee. December 23. — I arriued at Adsmere (10 Course), comming in priuatly in the euening, beeing not able to sitt vpp. From Brampore toward Adsmere, for 6 dayes my course was much westerly or N.W. to Compasse the hills, but after due North, or so that the bearing from one another is next hand N. by W. and S. by E. The distance 209 Courses, which I Judge about 418 Miles english, the Courses beeing longer then toward the sea. December 24-30. — I kept my bed and was not able to stirr, but sent my excuses to the king. December 31.— This night the king, impatient of my delay and eager on his presents, suspecting I was not so ill as I pretended, sent a gentellman with a wyld hogg to mee for a Present, which hee kylld in hunting; and Chardged him to see mee, so that I was forced to admitt him into my Chamber, wher he saw my weaknes and gaue satisfaction to the king. January 1-4, 1615-16. — I began to recouer and sitt vp. January 5. — Master Edwardes departed for Suratt. January 6-9. — I prepared to see the king. January 10. ### [6.3.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6.3.2) — I went to Court at 4 in the euening to the Durbar, which is the Place wher the Mogull sitts out daylie, to entertayne strangers, to receiue petitions and presents, to giue Commandes, to see, and to bee seene. To digresse a little from my reception, and declare the Customes of the Court, will enlighten the future discourse. The king hath no man but Eunuchs that Comes within the lodgings or retyring roomes of his house : His weomen watch within, and guard him with manly weapons. They doe Justice on vpon another for offences. He comes every Morning to a wyndow called the Jarruco, looking into a playne before his gate, and showes him selfe to the Common People. At noone hee returns thither and sitts some howers to see the fight of Eliphants and willd beasts ; vnder him within a rayle attend the men of rancke ; from whence hee retiers to sleepe among his woemen. At afternoone he returnes to the Durbar before mentioned. At 8 after supper he Comes downe to the Gazelcan, a faire Court, wher in the middest is a Throune erected of free stone wherein he sitts, but some tymes below in a Chayre ; to which are none admitted but of great qualetye, and few of these without leaue ; wher he discourses of all matters with much Affabilitye. ### [6.3.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6.3.3) Ther is noe busines done with him Concerning the state, gouerment, disposition of warr or peace, but at one of these two last Places, wher it is publiquely propounded, and resolued, and soe registred, which if it were woorth the Curiositye might bee seene for two shillings, but the Common basse people knew as much as the Councell, and the Newes euery day is the kings new resolutions tossed and censured by euery rascall. This Course is vnchangeable, except sicknes or drinck preuent yt ; which must be known, for as all his Subjects are slaues, so is he in a kynd of reciprocall bondage, for he is tyed to obserue these howres and Customes so precisely that if hee were vnseene one day and noe sufficient reason rendred the people would mutinie ; two dayes noe reason can excuse, but that he must consent to open his doores and bee seene by some to satisfye others. On Tuesday at the Jarruco he sitts in Judgment, neuer refusing the poorest mans Complaynt, where hee heares with Patience both parts : and some tymes sees with too much delight in blood the execution done by his Eliphants. Illi meruere : sed quid tu vt adesses ? At the Durbar I was led right before him, at the enterance of an outward rayle, where mett mee two Principall Noble slaues to conduct mee nearer. I had required before my going leaue to vse the Customes of my Country, which was freely granted, soe that I would performe them Punctually. When I entred within the first rayle I made a reuerance ; ### [6.3.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6.3.4) entering in the inward rayle a Nother ; and when I came vnder the king a theird. The Place is a great Court, whither resort all sorts of people. The king sitts in a little Gallery ouer head ; Ambassidors, the great men and strangers of qualety within the inmost rayle vnder him, raysed from the ground, Couered with Canopyes of veluet and silke, vnder foote layd with good Carpetts ; the Meaner men representing gentry within the first rayle, the people without in a base Court, but soe that all may see the king. This sitting out hath soe much affinitye with a Theatre — the manner of the king in his gallery ; The great men lifted on a stage as actors ; the vulgar below gazing on — that an easy description will in forme of the place and fashion. The king preuented my dull enterpreter, bidding me welcome as to the brother of my Master. I deliuered his Majesties lettre translated; and after my Commission, wheron hee looked Curiously; after, my presents, which were well receiued. He asked some questions, and with a seeming Care of my health, offering me his Phisitions, and aduising mee to keepe my house till I had recouered strength; and if in the interim I needed anything I should freely send to him, and obteyne my desiers. He dismissed me with more fauour and outward grace (if by the Christians I were not flattered) then euer was showed to any Ambassador, eyther of the Turke or Persian, or other whatsoeuer. ### [6.3.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6.3.5) January 12. — Hee sent a gentellman for my Commission to show his queene the seale, which he kept one night, and returned yt with such care that the bringer durst not deliuer it but to my owne handes. January 14. — I sent to the Prince Sultan Coronne, his third Sonne by byrth but first in fauour, that I determined to visitt him, not doubting he would vse me with due respect; for I was enformed he was enemy to all Christians and therfore feared some affront. He answered I should be welcome, and receiue the same Content I had from his father. Hee is lord of Suratt, our cheefe residence, and his fauour important for us. January 15-21. — These dayes I stirred not abroad, the king and Prince beeing often a hunting, from whom I receiued two wild hoggs, part of their quarry. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.roe-embassy~en-foster.6) · Pramāṇa