Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive c10.12989

c10.12989

1538.—“Beyond the Isle of Elephanta (*do Alifante*) about a league distant is the island of Salsette. This island is seven leagues long by 5 in breadth. On the north it borders the Gulf of Cambay, on the south it has the I. of Elephanta, on the east the mainland, and on the west the I. of Bombai or of Boa Vida. This island is very fertile, abounding in provisions, cattle, and game of sorts, and in its hills is great plenty of timber for building ships and galleys. In that part of the island which faces the S.W. wind is built a great and noble city called Thana; and a league and a half in the interior is an immense edifice called the Pagoda of Salsette; both one and the other objects most worthy of note; Thana for its decay (*destroição*) and the Pagoda as a work unique in its way, and the like of which is nowhere to be seen.”—*João de Castro, Primo Roteiro da India, 69-70.*