South India and her Muhammadan Invaders c15.s3.2

c15.s3.2

After all that, I had an interview with the Sultan. I proposed that he should send an army to the Maldive islands. He agreed to this proposal and ordered some ships to be got ready. He also resolved to send a present to the Sultan of the Maldives, some robes of honour and gifts to the amirs and viziers. He entrusted me with the drawing up of a marriage contract with the Sultan’s sister; finally he ordered three vessels to be filled with alms for the poor of the island and said to me: ‘You will return at the end of five days.’ The admiral Khodjah Serlec said to him: ‘It is not possible to sail for the Maldives until three months hence.’ Then the Sultan said to me: ‘Since this is the case, come to Fattan (Paṭṭaṇam) in order that we might end this expedition and return to our capital of Moutrah (Madura). It is from there that they will set out.’ I went and stayed there with him, and, whilst waiting, sent for my concubines and my friends.