Marco Polo's Voyage to Indian Seas: 21: Masulipatam

At this kingdom we arrive after departing from Maabar and travelling northwards about a thousand miles. It is subject to a queen of great wisdom, whose husband died forty years ago [1] and her love to him was much that she has never married another. During her reign she has ruled the country with great equity, and been beloved beyond measure by her people.  They are idolaters and independent; they live on rice milk and flesh.  Here diamond is found in plenty.  There are several mountains, among which during the rain, water flows with great turbulence, and through wide caverns, and when the shower ceases, men search through the ground previously inundated, and find gems. In summer there is not a drop of water.  The heat is unendurable.  Fierce and venomous serpents cause great fear. Those who venture through these difficulties discover valuable diamonds.  There is also an extensive deep valley, enclosed by rocks, and so difficult to access.  The people throw in pieces of flesh to where the diamonds adhere.  The eagles are attracted by the flesh, fly thither and seize and carry it to different spots.  The men on the watch raise loud cries at the eagles which carry the spoils, and the terrified eagles drop the spoils, which the men take up and find the diamonds. They search the droppings of the eagles and find diamonds in it.  These diamonds reach the hands of the merchants and then they go to the hands of the great Khan.  Most beautiful cotton clothes are made here.  Abundance of animals and sheep provide them enough subsistence. Now I am going to narrate about the place, where the body of apostle St Thomas was buried.

Note:-

1. The Queen: It was Rudrama Devi of Kakatiya dynasty.

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