[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) › [Les six voyages de Jean-Baptiste Tavernier](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier) › [Travels in India (Ball)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier~en-ball) › 31.2.2 # Travels in India (Tavernier) 31.2.2 Travels in India (Ball) 31.2.2 - **Language:** English ### [31.2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier~en-ball.31.2.2) During the time they held Hormuz they did not allow any merchant to travel to India by sea, and all were therefore compelled to take the route by land through Kandahar. When the Turkish, Persian, Arab, Moscovite, Polish, and other merchants arrived at Bandar-'Abbas, they constituted but one united body, and from it four of the most experienced were deputed to go and see all the different kinds of merchandise, and to ascertain the quality and price. After having made their report to the others the price was settled and the goods removed, which were then distributed to each nation in proportion to the number of merchants who had come from these different countries. It is the custom throughout Asia that nothing is sold except in the presence of a broker, and each class of goods has its own separate one. These brokers pay the money to those who have sold, and receive it from those who have bought; there are certain classes of goods for which the fee due to them is 1 per cent, others for which it amounts to 1½ and even to 2 per cent. The Portuguese then in those times made great profits, and suffered no losses from bankruptcies. As to the pirates, the Viceroy took effectual steps, for when the rains were over and the season for embarkation had arrived, according to the number of vessels laden with goods, he gave a sufficient number of galiotes to escort them to sea for from 25 to 30 leagues — the Malabaris not going farther from the coast than 15 or 20. - [Previous: 31.2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier~en-ball.31.2.1) - [Next: 31.2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier~en-ball.31.2.3) - [Up: 31.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier~en-ball.31.2) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier~en-ball.31.2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.tavernier~en-ball.31.2.2) · Pramāṇa