Page:History of India Vol 9.djvu/250

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VASCO DA GAMA AT CALICUT

diary has not yet been determined. The brief extract here given is supplemented by an account of the voyager 's reception written by Gaspar Correa, who was not with the expedition, although he came to India fifteen years later and claims to have used the diary of Figueiro, a Portuguese priest who accompanied Da Gama's fleet. Correa's "Lendas da India" is not generally held in high esteem by historians, although the author's many years of life in India would particularly qualify him to describe the manners at the Zamorin's court. The "Roteiro," or Journal, on the contrary, as is emphasized by Ravenstein in his translation for the Hakluyt Society, has the highest value, and from it the following description of the visit at Calicut is taken.

DOM VASCO DA GAMA After a Ms. portrait in the British Museum.

'The city of Calicut is inhabited by Christians. They are of a tawny complexion. Some of them have big beards and long hair, whilst others clip their hair short or shave the head, merely allowing a tuft to re-

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