Travels in India (Tavernier) 85.1.5

85.1.5

The Portuguese, on their first establishment in India, kept a fleet at Diu composed of galleys, brigantines, and smaller vessels, with which they made themselves, for a very long time, masters of all the commerce of the places which are about to be enumerated, so that no one was able to trade without taking out a passport from the Governor of Diu, who franked it in the name of the Viceroy of Portugal at Goa. The revenue which he obtained from these passports sufficed to support the fleet and garrison, and the Governor, who was only appointed for three years, did not omit to accumulate wealth for himself during that time. Thus, according to the forces that one might establish in this place, one would derive great benefit. The Portuguese, feeble as they are at present, do not fail to profit from not having to pay duty for the money which they carry into the Kingdoms of the Great Mogul and the King of Bijapur, nor for the goods which they take there. When the rainy season is over, the wind being nearly always north or north-east, you can go from Diu to Surat in light boats in three or four tides, but if large vessels are laden, it is necessary for them to coast all round.