Travels in India (Tavernier) 91: A continuation of the Author’s Journeys to the Diamond Mines

91

I COME to the third mine, which is the most ancient of all, and is situated in the Kingdom of Bengal. You may call it by the name of Soumelpour, which is a large town near to which the diamonds are found, or rather by the name Koel, which is that of the river in the sand of which they are found. The country through which this river has its course belongs to a Raja who was formerly a tributary of the Great Mogul, having withdrawn from his allegiance during the wars between Shah Jahan and Jahangir his father. Immediately on his coming to the throne