A
Fakhruddin Ahmed Ben Ibrahim at-Thaibi also appears in Hammer's
extracts as ruler of Hormuz about the time of Polo's return. (See
ante, vol. i. p. 121); and though he is there represented as
opposed by Shaikh Jumaluddin (perhaps through one of Hammer's too
frequent confusions), one should suppose that he must be the son just
mentioned. (3) Takiuddin Abdurrahman, the Wazir and Marzban in Ma'bar;
followed successively in that position by his son Surajuddin, and his
grandson Nizamuddin. (Ilchan. II. 49-50, 197-198, 205-206;
Elliot, III. 32, 34-35, 45-47.)
[4] [Arabic]
[5] My learned friend Mr. A. Burnell suggests that Birdhul must have been
Vriddachalam, Virdachellam of the maps, which is in South Arcot,
about 50 miles north of Tanjore. There are old and well-known temples
there, and relics of fortifications. It is a rather famous place of
pilgrimage.
[6] It was also perhaps the Fattan of the Mahomedan writers; but in that
case its destruction must have been after Ibn Batuta's time (say
middle of 14th century).
[7] I leave this passage as it stood in the first edition. It is a
mistake, but this mistake led to the engraving of Sir W. Elliot's
sketch (perhaps unique) of a very interesting building which has
disappeared. Dr. Caldwell writes: "The native name was 'the Jaina
Tower,' turned by the English into China and Chinese. This I was
told in Negapatam 30 years ago, but to make sure of the matter I have
now written to Negapatam, and obtained from the Munsiff of the place
confirmation of what I had heard long ago. It bore also the name of
the Tower of the Malla.' The Chalukya Malla kings were at one time
Jainas. The 'Seven Pagodas' near Madras bear their name, Ma-Mallei
puram, and their power may at one time have extended as far south as
Negapatam." I have no doubt Dr. Caldwell is right in substance, but
the name China Pagoda at Negapatam is at least as old as Baldaeus
(1672, p. 149), and the ascription to the Chinese is in Valentyn
(1726, tom. v. p. 6). It is, I find, in the Atlas of India, "Jayne
Pagoda."
[8] Colonel Mackenzie also mentions Chinese coins as found on this coast.
(J.R.A.S. I. 352-353.)
CHAPTER XVII.
CONTINUES TO SPEAK OF THE PROVINCE OF MAABAR.
You must know that in all this Province of Maabar there is never a Tailor
to cut a coat or stitch it, seeing that everybody goes naked! For decency
only do they wear a scrap of cloth; and so 'tis with men and women, with
rich and poor, aye, and with the King himself, except what I am going to
mention.[NOTE 1]
It is a fact that the King goes as bare as the rest, only round his loins
he has a piece of fine cloth, and round his neck he has a necklace
entirely of precious stones, - rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and the like,
insomuch that this collar is of great value.[NOTE 2] He wears also hanging
in front of his chest from the neck downwards, a fine silk thread strung
with 104 large pearls and rubies of great price. The reason why he wears
this cord with the 104 great pearls and rubies, is (according to what they
tell) that every day, morning and evening, he has to say 104 prayers to
his idols. Such is their religion and their custom. And thus did all the
Kings his ancestors before him, and they bequeathed the string of pearls
to him that he should do the like. [The prayer that they say daily
consists of these words, Pacauta! Pacauta! Pacauta! And this they
repeat 104 times.[NOTE 3]]
The King aforesaid also wears on his arms three golden bracelets thickly
set with pearls of great value, and anklets also of like kind he wears on
his legs, and rings on his toes likewise. So let me tell you what this
King wears, between gold and gems and pearls, is worth more than a city's
ransom. And 'tis no wonder; for he hath great store of such gear; and
besides they are found in his kingdom. Moreover nobody is permitted to
take out of the kingdom a pearl weighing more than half a saggio,
unless he manages to do it secretly.[NOTE 4] This order has been given
because the King desires to reserve all such to himself; and so in fact
the quantity he has is something almost incredible. Moreover several times
every year he sends his proclamation through the realm that if any one who
possesses a pearl or stone of great value will bring it to him, he will
pay for it twice as much as it cost. Everybody is glad to do this, and
thus the King gets all into his own hands, giving every man his price.
Furthermore, this King hath some five hundred wives, for whenever he hears
of a beautiful damsel he takes her to wife. Indeed he did a very sorry
deed as I shall tell you. For seeing that his brother had a handsome wife,
he took her by force and kept her for himself. His brother, being a
discreet man, took the thing quietly and made no noise about it. The King
hath many children.
And there are about the King a number of Barons in attendance upon him.
These ride with him, and keep always near him, and have great authority in
the kingdom; they are called the King's Trusty Lieges. And you must know
that when the King dies, and they put him on the fire to burn him, these
Lieges cast themselves into the fire round about his body, and suffer
themselves to be burnt along with him.
