Travels in India (Tavernier) 29.4

29.4

Vengurla is a large town, half a league from the sea, in the kingdom of Bijapur. It is one of the best anchorages in all India, and it is where the Dutch came to get supplies on all occasions when they blockaded Goa, and they take in supplies there still for the vessels which they employ to trade in many parts of India, for there is at Vengurla excellent water and very good rice. This town is also much renowned on account of its cardamons, which the orientals esteem as the best of spices, and is only found in this country, which causes this commodity to be very scarce and dear. Coarse cotton cloths for home consumption are made there too, as also a sort of matting which they call toti, which is only used for wrapping up merchandise.