Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 349.2

349.2

In consequence of this letter the Mahomedans were treated with kindness by the reigning prince, who wrote to the governors of his districts in these words: — “Whereas Mullik, the son of Hubeeb, and certain other Mahomedans, have come to visit this our country, and intend residing among us, it is our royal order, agreeably to the imperial command of the late Samiry, that wherever the said Mullik or any of his tribe wish to reside, ground shall be allotted to them, in order to build either habitations or places of worship.” Mullik first settled at Cranganore, where he built a musjid, and cultivated some garden land; afterwards, having gone farther into the country, he established a colony of Mahomedans in the town of Quilon. Thence he went to Hurryputtun, Daraputtun, Mundra, Jay-Faknoor, Mangalore, and Kalinjurkote; in each of which towns he built musjids, and established Moollas to preach the true faith; and as the Mahomedans in Malabar are mostly of the Shafay persuasion, I conclude that Mullik, the son of Hubeeb, was also of the same faith. From this period, the Mahomedans extended their religion and their influence in Malabar; and many of the princes and inhabitants becoming converts to the true faith, gave over the management of some of the sea-ports to the strangers, whom they called Nowayits (literally, the New Race). The rajas of the ports of Goa, Dabul, and Choul, were the first who gave them this appellation, and encouraged emigration from Arabia;