An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies: Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous EscapeKnox, Robert
History
An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies: Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous Escape
Knox, Robert
Sri Lanka -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; Sri Lanka -- Social life and customs
[A general division of the Inland Countrey.] I proceed to the
Inland-Country, being that that is now under the King of Cande. It
is convenient that we first understand, that this land is divided
into greater or less shares or parts. The greater divisions give
me leave to call Provinces, and the less Counties, as resembling
ours in England, tho not altogether so big. On the North parts lyes
the Province of Nourecalava, consisting of five lesser Divisions or
Counties; the Province also of Hotcourly (signifying seven Counties:)
it contains seven Counties. On the Eastward is Mautaly, containing
three Counties. There are also lying on that side Tammanquod, Bintana,
Vellas, Paunoa, these are single Counties. Ouvah also containing
three Counties. In this Province are Two and thirty of the Kings
Captains dwelling with their Soldiers. In the Midland within those
already mentioned lye Wallaponahoy (it signifies Fifty holes or
vales which describe the nature of it, being nothing but Hills and
Valleys,) Poncipot, (signifying five hundred Souldiers.) Goddaponahoy,
(signifying fifty pieces of dry Land;) Hevoihattay (signifying sixty
Souldiers,) Cote-mul, Horsepot (four hundred Souldiers.) Tunponahoy
(three fifties.) Oudanour (it signifies the Upper City,) where I
lived last and had Land. Tattanour (the Lower City) in which stands
the Royal and chief City, Cande. These two Counties I last named,
have the pre-eminence of all the rest in the Land. They are most
populous, and fruitful. The Inhabitants thereof are the chief and
principal men: insomuch that it is a usual saying among them, that
if they want a King, they may take any man, of either of these two
Counties, from the Plow, and wash the dirt off him, and he by reason
of his quality and descent is fit to be a King. And they have this
peculiar Priviledge, That none may be their Governour, but one
born in their own Country. These ly to the Westward that follow,
Oudipollat, Dolusbaug, Hotteracourly, containing four Counties;
Portaloon, Tuncourly, containing three Counties; Cuttiar. Which last,
together with Batticalaw, and a part of Tuncourly, the Hollander took
from the King during my being there. There are about ten or twelve
more un-named, next bordering on the Coasts, which are under the
Hollander. All these Provinces and Counties, excepting six, Tammanquod,
Vellas, Paunoa, Hotteracourly, Hotcourly, and Neurecalava, ly upon
Hills fruitful and dwell watered: and therefore they are called in
one word Conde Uda, which signifies, On top of the Hills, and the
King is styled, the King of Conde Uda.
[Each County divided by Woods.] All these Counties are divided each
from other by great Woods. Which none may fell, being preserved for
Fortifications. In most of them there are Watches kept constantly,
but in troublesome times in all.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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