Since,
however, he elsewhere gives a list of nine stages between this locality
and Golconda, the aggregate distance being 68 French leagues, or, say,
189 English miles, I was at first inclined to believe that the
distances from Visapour and Golconda had been transposed. This being
admitted, there was no difficulty in identifying Raolconda with the
modern Rawdu-conda, in Lat. 15° 41', Long. 76° 50' in the Nizam of
Haidrabad's territory. But after consultation with Mr. King, I now
think that the place must have been near to, if not identical with,
Ramulkota. Tavernier says:—
The
strata containing the diamonds ranged from half an inch to an inch in
thickness, and the gangue was hooked out with iron rods. Some of the
stones were valued at from two to sixteen thousand crowns. The steel
wheel was used for cutting.*
Tavernier gives an account of the polishing of the
gems
as practised here. His account of the great security of property and
system, with reference to the. sale of diamonds, together with the
courtesy with which he was treated, will be read generally with
interest.
KlSTNA AND GODAVERI DISTRICTS.
The
principal mines in these districts are situated on the banks of the
Kistna, or Krishna. They are named Golapilly, Malavilly, Purtial,
Gani-Coulour = Kollur, &c.
* Quoted from Capt. Burton, "Quarterly Journal of Science," N.S., vol. vi. 1S76.
