The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c7.s6.64

c7.s6.64

Chaul is spoken of in the same terms as Dábhol both as to size and trade, its weavers of silk and traffic in horses being particularly and frequently mentioned.⁸ Indeed, from the time of Marco Polo the acquisition of horses from the ports of the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf is always spoken of as of the highest importance to the kings of the Dakhan, and in every treaty with the Portuguese stipulations were made as to the importation of horses for the cavalry of the native armies.⁹ Later on, notwithstanding the prosperity of the Portuguese town (Lower Chaul), the traffic of the old city is said to have been very great, and the list of imports from Mecca includes many European commodities; while among the