View of Brothcia (Bharuch), India

Title on object: Afteeckeninge vande Stadt ende Casteel van Brotchia

This view of the town of Brotchia (present-day Bharuch), an important port in the Islamic trade network on the Indian Ocean, has inscriptions indicating the impressive fortifications, the governor’s residence, the various mosques, the suburb, the shipyard and the port office (alfhandigo, next to the shipyard.)

Other copy: Bibliothèque Nationale de France, P186346.

Part of the Carte di Castello, collected by Cosimo de Medici III in 1667 and 1669 during his tours through Europe. Cosimo III bought the 66 watercolours by Vingboons in December 1667 in Amsterdam, through mediation of Pieter Blaeu.