Travels in India (Tavernier) 78: BOOK II

78

Nevertheless, since some Indian vessels load up with it on their return from Mecca, I give it place here amongst the drugs. The principal trade in it is at Hormuz and Bassora, where the Dutch, when returning empty from Mocha, load up as much as they can, it being an article which they sell well. From Hormuz it is exported to Persia, and even to Great Tartary; and from Bassora it is distributed in Chaldee, in Arabia along the course of the Euphrates, in Mesopotamia, and other Turkish provinces, — for as for India, it is but little used there. Coffee, which means wine in the Arabian tongue, is a kind of bean which grows at eight days’ journey from Mocha, on the road to Mecca. Its use was first discovered by a hermit named Sheikh Siadeli (i.e. Sayid Ali), some 120 years ago or thereabouts; for before him there is no author, ancient or modern, who has mentioned it.
All goods in coming from Agra to Surat, for despatch of bills of exchange at 5 per cent, for packing, carriage, and customs, according to their classes, are charged from 15 to 20 per cent.
All the gold and silver, whether in ingots or coin, pays 2 per cent on entering Surat. The merchant does what he can to avoid this charge; nevertheless, when caught, he is let off with paying double and nothing more. The Princes would like to confiscate the whole sum, but the judges are opposed, and maintain that Muhammad forbade all custom dues and interest on money. I have spoken fully in the second chapter of the first book of the custom dues, the money, both gold and silver, and the weights and measures of India, to which I refer the reader.