The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman

_ 103 _ said the people are perverse and very weary, they concealed from him all the things of the land, they say there is great value set there on silver and coral, and at Juda more of these things would they buy, and that it was this, Senhor, what caused that there were some Guzarata ships which gave all this bother, the land is very well provided, and ten bales of rice is worth a pardao which is four hundred twenty three reis each bale of three alquieres, and this is griacal rice(A), and twenty (?) ferols for one tanga which are three vintems and other such additions and three cows for a pardao, and the money of this land is in buzirs because gold and silver no one can have but the King of the land. The people are baça and their language is nearly the same as at Goa, and this is due to the opposite coast of the creek of Bengala being this one of India, and Bengala lies to twenty degrees to the north west (sic) which is the altitude of Dio, and a slave is valued at six tangas and a young woman of good appearance as much again; in the bar, Senhor, of this river there is a length of three fathoms of low water in width above the water at high tide from three to six, from the bar to the city they say there are two short leagues, the city itself is very populous and very weak, at this place Dom João remained for five months awaiting for (A) Griacal rice – the sort of Indian rice.

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