35. We can searcely attribute to the Persian monarchy the
sea-coast of Gedrosia or Macran, which extends along the
Indian Ocean from Cape Jast (the promontory of Capella) to
Cape Goadel. In the time of Alexander, and probably many
ages afterwards, it was thinly inhabited by a savage people
of Icthyophagi, or Fishermen, who knew no arts, who
acknowledged no master, and who were divided by inhospitable
deserts from the rest of the world. (Arrian de Reb.
Indicis.) In the twelfth century, the little town of Taiz
(supposed by M. d'Anville to be the Tesa of Ptolemy) was
peopled and enriched by the resort of the Arabian merchants.
(Geographie Nubiens, p. 58; d'Anville Geographie Ancienne,
tom. ii. p. 283.) In the last age the whole country was
divided between three princes, one Mahometan and two
Idolaters, who maintained their independence against the
successors of Shaw Abbas. (Voyages de Tavernier, part. i. 1.
v. p. 635.)