Book II. Travels in India. 183. . 



and Ardcvile, and fome EngUfo Cloth brought by the Armenians from Confian- 

 tinople and Smyrna. Some of the Merchants that come from Caboul and Bou)- 

 tan go to Candahar, and thence to Ifpahan ; whether they carry Coral in Beads, 

 yellow Amber, and Lapis Lazuli Beads, if they can meet with it. The other 

 Merchants that come from the Coaft of Mult an, Labor , and Agra } bring only 

 Linnons, Indigo, and ftore of Cornelian and Chriftal Beads. Thofe that return 

 through Gorrochepour, and are agreed with the Officer of the Cuftom-Houfe, 

 carry from Patna and Daca, Coral, yellow Amber, Bracelets of Tortois-fhells, 

 and other Shells, with great itore of round and fquare thick pieces, of Tor- 

 tois. When I was at Patna, four Armenians who had been before at Boutan, 

 return'd from Dantùck^, where they had made certain Figures of yellow Am- 

 ber, reprefenting the fhapes of feveral Creatures and Moniters, which they were 

 carrying to the King of Boutan, who is an Idolater, as are all his people, to, 

 fet up in his Pagods. For the Armenians for Money will (ell any thing of Ido- 

 latry } and they told me befides, that if they could but have made the Idol 

 which the King of Boutan befpoke of them, they fhould have done their bufi- 

 neft. Which was to have been a Monfters head, with fix horns, four ears, four 

 arms, and fix fingers upon every hand, all of yellow Amber ; but they could 

 not find pieces big enough. 



The Caravan is three months travelling from Patna to the Kingdom of Bo»-r 

 tan. It fets out from Patna about the end of December, and eight days after 

 arrives at Gorrochepour. , , 



From Gorrochepour to the foot of the high Mountains, is eight or nine days 

 journey more, during which the Caravan futFers very much hardlhip, for the 

 Country is nothing but wide Forrelts, full of wild Elephants. So that the Mer- 

 chants, inftead of taking their refts, are fore'd to watch, keep fires, and fhoot 

 otf their Muskets all the night long. For the Elephant making no noife in treadl- 

 ing, would elfe be upon the Caravan before they were aware j not that he 

 comes to do any mifchief to the men, but to get what victuals he can find. 

 You may travel from Patna to the foot of thofe Mountains in Palleki's. But gene- 

 rally they ride upon Oxen, Camels, or Horfes, bred in the Country. Thofè 

 Horfes are generally fo little, that when a man is upon the back of them, his 

 feet touch the ground ; but they will* travel twenty Leagues an end, and never . 

 bait, or elfe with a very fmall one. Some of thofe Horfes co'ft two hundred 

 Crowns ; for indeed when you come to crofs the Mountains, you can make 

 ule of no other fort of carriage but them, in regard of the narrownels and rug- 

 gednefs of the Pafies ; which many times put the Horfes very much to it, as 

 ftrong and as low as they are. 



Five or fix Leagues beyond Gorrochepour you enter into the Territories of the 

 Raja of Nupal, which extend to the Frontiers of the Kingdom of Boutan. This 

 Raja is a Tributary to the Great Mogul, and pays him every year an Elephant 

 for his Homage. He refides in the City of Nt.pal, from whence he derives 

 his Title ; but there is little either Trade or Money in his Country, which is 

 all Woods and Forrefts. 



The Caravan being arriv'd at the foot of thefe Mountains, which are call'd 

 at this day by the name of Naugrocot, abundance of people come from alt 

 parts of the Mountain, the greateft part whereof are women and maids, whb) 

 agree with the Merchants to carry them, their goods and provifions crofs the 

 Mountains, which is eight days journey more. 



The women carry upon each moulder a woollen Roll, to which iè faften'd a 

 large Cuftii'on, that hangs down upon their backs, upon which the man fits* 

 There are three women to carry one man, relieving one another by turns. And 

 for their luggage and provifions, they lade them upon Goats, that will carry a 

 hundred and fifty pound weight apiece. Thofe that will ride, are in many places 

 fore'd to have their Horfes hoifted up with Cords. They never feed them but 

 morning and evening, mixing a pound of meal, half a pound of brown Sugar, 

 and half a pound of Butter together, with water fufficient. In the evening they 

 muft be contented only with a few flat Peafon, bruis'd, and fteep'd half an hour, 

 in water. The women that carry the men, get for their ten days travel two 

 Roupies apiece, and as much for every burthen which the Goats carry, and for 

 èvèry Horfe which they lead. After 



