South India and her Muhammadan Invaders c15.s7.1

c15.s7.1

When we reached the little island situated between Hinaour (Honawar) and Facannaour, infidels attacked us with ten men-of-war, and after a lively engagement defeated us. They took verything I possessed—the store I held in reserve for a rainy day—pearls, precious stones given me by the king of Ceylon, clothes and provisions given me by wealthy men and holy persons. They left me no garment but a pair of drawers. They also seized all that belonged to every passenger and sailor, and made us go ashore. I returned to Calicut and entered one of the mosques. A lawyer sent me a dress, the Kadhi (Kazi) a turban, and a certain merchant another dress. Here I had news of the marriage of the vizir Abd Allah (Abdulla) with the Sultana Khadidjah, after the death of the vizir Djemal-eddin (Jamalu-d-din), and I also heard that the woman I left behind had given birth to a boy. I thought of going to the Maldive islands, but I remembered the enmity which had existed between me and the vizir Abd Allah. In consequence, I opened the Koran and these words came before my eyes ‘Angels will descend and say to them “fear not and be not sad.”’ I implored the blessings of God, and set sail. After ten days I arrived at the Maldives and landed on the isle of Cannalous. The Governor of this isle, Abd Al’aziz Almakdachaouy, welcomed me kindly, treated me and gave me a boat fully equipped. I afterwards arrived at Hololy, the island where the Sultana and her sisters go for a holiday and for bathing. The natives call these amusements ‘tetdjer’, and indulge in these games on their ships. The viziers and chiefs sent the Sultana presents and gifts whilst she remained on the isle. I met the sister of the Sultana there, her husband, the preacher Muhammad, son of the vizier Djemaleddin, and his mother who had been my wife. The preacher visited me and had food with me.