Balbi

Balbi, GASPARO, a Venetian merchant of the 16th century, who is worthy of mention as the first traveller who has left an account of India beyond the Ganges. In the pursuit of his calling, Balbi was often led to Aleppo, and from thence, on one occasion, he made a visit to India which lasted several years. A Latin translation of his Viaggio (1590), or account of his travels, was printed at Frankfort in 1594. In his journey he visited Bagdad, Bassora, Goa, Cochín, and Pegu. He minutely records his own observations, but is excessively credulous in accepting information at second-hand.