[BITList] Fwd: [INDIA-BRITISH-RAJ] The GREAT MOGUL's wealth as seen by William Hawkins

[John Feltham]

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar" <bosham at gmail.com>
Date: 17 September 2009 6:00:46 PM AEST
To: <india-british-raj at rootsweb.com>
Subject: [INDIA-BRITISH-RAJ] The GREAT MOGUL's wealth as seen by  
William Hawkins
Reply-To: india-british-raj at rootsweb.com

I wish I had had even a millionth of these vast riches! ...

The following is snipped from ''Plymouth Armada Heroes'', at

http://www.welbank.net/hawkins/pah/chap6.html

--- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar

William Hawkins the Third

THE third William Hawkins laid the foundation of our Indian Empire.
He was the eldest son of William Hawkins, the elder brother of Sir
John, by his first wife, and therefore first cousin and contemporary
of Admiral Sir Richard Hawkins. He was born at Plymouth about
1565, and educated to a sea life.

A BRIEF DISCOURSE OF THE STRENGTH, WEALTH, AND
GOVERNMENT, WITH SOME OF THE CUSTOMS, OF THE
GREAT MOGUL.  By WILLIAM HAWKINS.

''As Christian Princes use their degrees by titles, they have their
titles by their number of horses, except favoured by the King and
honoured with the title of Chan. There are 12,000 Horsemen. Dukes
9,000, Marquises 5,000, Earls 3,000, etc. etc. The yearly income
of his Crown Land is fifty Cror of Rupias, every Cror is a hundred
Leckes, and every Leck is a hundred thousand Rupiae. The compass
of his country is two year's travel with Carravan. His Empire is
divided into five great Kingdoms and there are five especial castles.
The chief city is Delhi where he is established King. His treasure
is an immense amount of gold and silver in coin. 82 1/4 lbs weight
of rough diamonds great and small, but none less than 2 1/2 carats.
Of Ballace rubies 2,000, pieces of pearl of all sorts 600 lbs, rubies
of all sorts 100 lbs, of emeralds 250 lbs, of Eshime, which comes
from Cathaya 100 lbs. Of stones of Emen, a red stone 5,000 pieces.
Of other sorts as coral, topasses, etc. there is an infinite number.
Of the jewels wrought in gold. Of swords of Almaine blades, with
hilts and scabbards set with stones of the richest sort 2,200. Of
Saddle Drums used for Hawking 500; brooches for their heads,
wherein their feathers be put 2,000. Saddles of gold and silver
set with stones 1,000. Of Teukes 25; a great lance which instead
of colours, are carried, when the King goeth to the wars. Of
Quilasoles - state umbrellas - for to shadow him 20. None in
his Empire dareth have any of these carried for his shadow
but himself. Five chairs of state; three of silver, and two of gold:
of others 100 of silver and gold. Of rich glasses 200; vases for
wine very rich set with jewels 100; 500 drinking cups but 50 very
rich, made of one piece of Ballace ruby, and other stones. Of
chains of Pearl and precious stones, rings with jewels an infinite
number which only the keeper knoweth. Of all sorts of Plate of
silver wrought 100,000 lbs. of wrought gold plate 50,000 lbs.
weight.

"There are 12,000 horses, whereof 4,000 are Persian, 6,000
Turkish, and 2,000 of Kismire. Of elephants there are 12,000,
camels 2,000, oxen for carts and other service 10,000, mules
1,000. Of deer for sport 3,000, of dogs for hunting 400. Tame
lions 100. Of buffaloes 500. All sorts of hawkes 4,000. Pigeons
for sport of flying 10,000, and 4,000 singing birds.

"Of armour of all sorts, at an hour's warning, in readiness to arm
25,000 men.

"His daily expense for his own person, feeding his cattle, apparel,
victuals, and house amount to 50,000 Rupias a day. The daily
expenses for his women is 30,000 rupias. All this written concerning
his treasure, expenses, and monthly pay is at his Court or Castle
of Agra; and all his Castles have their several treasure, especially
Lahore, which was not mentioned above.

SNIP


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ooroo

Bad typists of the word, untie.