19 



amounted annually to twenty thousand rupees: two principal 

 causes for its decline are the oppressive government of the nabob, 

 and the retreat of the sea, which once washed the city walls, but 

 now flows no nearer than a mile and a half from the south gate. 



Indigo was always a staple commodity at Cambay, where a 

 large quantity is still manufactured; its cultivation employs many 

 hands in the adjacent districts. When the plant has attained ma- 

 turity, the leaves are stripped from the stalks, and infused in a cer- 

 tain quantity of water, Avith a small proportion of sweet oil, for 

 thirty or forty hours; the water, which has by that time acquired 

 a blue tint, being poured off, is left in large flat troughs, until by 

 exhalation there remains only a thick sediment; which is made 

 into small cakes, and dried in the sun for use. This is the pure 

 indigo; it is frequently adulterated with red earth, which adds to 

 its weight, but renders it coarse and dull. 



The country in the vicinity of Cambay is fertile and pleasant, 

 abounding with wheat and different grain, peculiar to Hindostan; 

 many acres are sown with carrots and other vegetables, and ex- 

 tensive fields of cotton, erinda, and various shrubs for extracting 

 lamp oil, which is much used. Guzerat is naturally one of the 

 most fruitful provinces in India; but in the Cambay districts, 

 from the indolence of the inhabitants, and the oppressions of the 

 government, they plant only from hand to mouth, and cultivate 

 neither grain nor fruits that require trouble: mangos and tama- 

 rinds, which grow spontaneously, are almost the only fruit-trees; 

 in some of the nabob's gardens are a few pomegranates, grapes, 

 and limes. 



Cambay is amply supplied with provisions at a reasonable rate; 



