114 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Coast of Guzerat 



the principal persons reside, who used to fit out vessels for piratical pur- 

 poses. A ship can approach within gun-shot of this fort without danger. 

 Near Goomtee is a small fort, called Cutch Ghur, belonging to the Rajah 

 of Bhooj, and garrisoned by his troops, for the purpose of claiming any 

 property that may be captured by the pirates belonging to the Cutch 

 merchants. 



The Coast of Guzerat, from Jigat Point to Diu Head, is but little 

 known to Europeans, being seldom frequented, on account of the pirates, 

 who are very numerous here. The principal towns are Poorbunder, in 

 latitude about 21° 40 N., and longitude 6<P 45' E. ; Novibunder, in latitude 

 about 21° 25 N., and longitude l(f T E. ; Mangarole, in latitude 21° & N., 

 and longitude 70' 23' E. ; and Pattan, in latitude 20° 50 N., and longitude 

 70' ^ E. 



DIU belongs to the Portuguese. This island is about 2 miles from 

 Diu Head, the S. point of the coast of Guzerat, which is in latitude 20* 42' 

 N., and longitude 71" T E. The channel between is only navigable by 

 fishing boats at half-tide, the W. entrance having but 4 or 5 feet at low 

 water on the bar. This entrance is defended by a square fort. Diu Island 

 is about 6 \ miles long from E. to W M and 1 \ broad from N, to S. : on the 

 E. end of it the castle and town are situated. It is one of tiie best built 

 and most strongly fortified cities in India. There are only two gates, one 

 of the sea, the other of the land, and both are shut at sunset. The houses 

 within the walls are built of free-stone. The streets are extremely narrow, 

 but kept very clean. The landing place is at a flight of stone steps opposite 

 the custom-house, at the entrance of which are many shops and warehouses 

 for goods. On the E. side of the castle there is water sufficient for a 74 

 gun ship within 500 yards of the walls, if she avoids a rock above water, 

 which is joined to a line of rocks from the shore. The island is well 

 situated for trade. 



Peovisions and Refreshments. — The market is well supplied with 

 vegetables, which come from the main. Fish and fowls are very plentiful ; 

 the latter are dearer here than at Dumaun, but cheaper than at any of the 

 English ports. Beef they are obliged to procure in a clandestine manner, 

 and kill it within the castle, on account of the principal merchants being 

 Hindoos, whose friendship is of the utmost importance to the place, as the 

 revenues of the custom-house are the only support of the garrison. Most 

 of the water on the island is brackish ; that which is for use, is kept in 

 large reservoirs, and will last the garrison and shipping from season to 



