296 PIETRO DELLA VALLE AT AHMADABAD
into the Temperate Zone; which doubt I could not clear
for want of my astrolabe, which I had left with my
other goods at Surat.
On Tuesday following, which to us was the day of
Carnoval, or Shrove Tuesday, walking in the morning
about the town, I saw a
handsome street, straight,
long and very broad, full
of shops of various trades;
they call it Bezari Kelan
(Bazar-i Kalan), that is,
the Great Merkat (Market),
in distinction from others
than which this is bigger.
In the middle is a structure
of stone athwart the street,
like a bridge with three
arches, almost resembling
PIETRO BELLA VALLE.
After an old woodcut.
the triumphal arches of
Kome. A good way beyond this bridge, in the middle
of the same is a great well, round about which is built
a square piazetta, a little higher than the ground. The
water of the well is of great service to all the city, and
there is always a great concourse of people who come
to fetch it.
Going forwards to the end of the market, we came
to the great gate which stands confronting the street,
and beautifi'd with many ornaments between two goodly
towers; 'tis the Gate of a small castle, which they call
by the Persian word Cut (Khat). Nor let it seem
