Travels in India (Tavernier) 6.5.p10

6.5.p10

At Daulatābād from 1 to 1½.
In some years the exchange rises from 1 to 2 per cent, when there are Rajas, or petty tributary Princes, who interfere with trade, each claiming that the goods ought to traverse his territory and pay him custom. There are two in particular between Agra and Ahmadabad, one of whom is the Raja of Antivar, and the other the Raja of Bergam, who disturb the merchants much in reference to this matter. One may, however, avoid passing the territories of these two Princes by taking another route from Agra to Surat by way of Sironj and Burhanpur; but these are fertile lands intersected by several rivers, the greater number of which are without bridges and without boats, and it is impossible to pass until two months after the rainy season. It is for this reason that the merchants who have to be at Surat in the season for going to sea, generally take their way through the country of these two Rajas, because they are able to traverse it at all seasons, even in the time of the rains, which consolidate the sand with which nearly the whole country is covered.
Besides, it is not to be wondered at that the exchange is so high, for those who lend the money run, for their part, the risk that if the goods are stolen the money is lost to them.
When you arrive at Surat, to embark, you find there also plenty of money. For it is the principal trade of the nobles of India to place their money in vessels in speculations for Hormuz, Bassora, and Mocha, and even for Bantam, Achin, and the Philippines. For Mocha and Bassora the exchange ranges from 22 to 24 per cent, and for Hormuz from 16 to 20 ; and for the other places which I have named the exchange varies in proportion to the distance. But if the goods happen to be lost by tempest, or to fall into the hands of the Malabaris, who are the pirates of the Indian seas, the money is lost to those who have risked lending it.
I have but one word to say, in addition, regarding the weights and measures. Here, in the margin, is the 5th part of the ell of Agra, and the 4th of the ell of Ahmadābād and Surat. As for the weights, the ordinary mand is 69 livres , and the livre is of 16 onces ; but the mand , which is used to weigh indigo, is only 53 livres. At Surat you speak of a seer , which is 3/4 livres , and the livre is 16 onces.