Travels in India (Tavernier) 39.2.2

39.2.2

On the 7th [August], after having travelled 3 leagues, we came to a town called Nelour, where there are many pagodas, and having crossed a great river a quarter of a league farther on, we marched for 6 leagues and came to a village called Gandaron. On the 8th [August], after a march of eight hours, we slept at Serepelé, which is only a small village. On the 9th [August] we travelled 9 leagues, and slept at a good village called Ponter. On the 10th [August] we marched eleven hours and halted at Senepgond, another good village. On the 11th [August] we only went as far as Palicate, which is but 4 leagues from Senepgond, and of these 4 leagues we marched more than one in the sea, our horses in many places having the water nearly to the saddle. There is also another road, but it is longer by 2 or 3 leagues. Pulicat is a fort belonging to the Dutch, who occupy the whole length of the coast of Coromandel; and it is where they have their factory, and where the Chief of all those living in the territory of the King of Golconda resides. There are generally about 200 soldiers in garrison in this fort, besides many merchants who reside there for trade, and other persons who, after having served the Company for their full term, are in retirement in this place. There are also some natives of the country, who by degrees have congregated here, so that Pulicat is to-day like a small town.