On the coasts of the Indian Sea at
this time, (1) The Malik-ul-Islam Jamaluddin Ibrahim At Thaibi was
Farmer-General of Fars, besides being quasi-independent Prince of Kais
and other Islands in the Persian Gulf, and at the time of his death
(1306) governor of Shiraz. He had the horse trade with India greatly
in his hands, as is mentioned in a note (7) on next chapter. (2) The
son of Jamaluddin, Fakhruddin Ahmed, goes ambassador to the Great Kaan
in 1297, and dies near the coast of Ma'bar on his way back in 1305. 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.
