And then he prevents any ship from
entering the Gulf. This causes great injury to the Soldan of Kerman; for
he thus loses all the duties that he is wont to receive from merchants
frequenting his territories from India or elsewhere; for ships with
cargoes of merchandize come in great numbers, and a very large revenue is
derived from them. In this way he is constrained to give way to the
demands of the Melic of Hormos.
This Melic has also a castle which is still stronger than the city, and
has a better command of the entry to the Gulf.[NOTE 3]
The people of this country live on dates and salt fish, which they have in
great abundance; the nobles, however, have better fare.
There is no more to say on this subject. So now let us go on and speak of
the city of Hormos, of which we told you before.
NOTE 1. - Kalhat, the Calaiate of the old Portuguese writers, is about
500 m by shortest sea-line north-east of Dhafar. "The city of Kalhat,"
says Ibn Batuta, "stands on the shore; it has fine bazaars, and one of the
most beautiful mosques that you could see anywhere, the walls of which are
covered with enamelled tiles of Kashan.... The city is inhabited by
merchants, who draw their support from Indian import trade.... Although
they are Arabs, they don't speak correctly.
