Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency, Vol. I, Part I: History of Gujarat c19.s2.t1.3

c19.s2.t1.3

Cambay (KAMBÁYA, KAMBÁYAT, KAMBÁYAH, KHAMBÁIT.) According to Al Istakhri (A.D. 951) Kambáya formed the north boundary of the land of the Balhárás.² Al Istakhri describes it as four days from Kámhal (Anhilwára) sixteen miles (4 farsangs) from the sea and four days from Surábáya probably Surábára or the mouth of the Tápti a term which is still in use.³ Al Masúdi (A.D. 915) in speaking of the ebb and flow of the ocean mentions Kambáya. He notices that Kambáya was famous in Baghdád, as it still is famous in Gujarát, for its shoes. These shoes, he says, were made in Kambáya and the towns about it like Sindán (Sanján in Thána) and Safáráh (Supára). He notices that when he visited Kambáya in H. 303 (A.D. 915-16) the city was ruled by a Bráhman of the name of Bánia, on behalf of the Balhára, lord of Mánkir (Málkhet). He states that this Bánia was kind to and held friendly discussions with stranger Musalmáns and people of other faiths. He gives a pleasing picture of Cambay, on a gulf far broader than the estuaries of the Nile, the Euphrates, or the Tigris whose shores were covered with villages, estates, and gardens wooded and stocked with palm and date groves full of peacocks and other Indian birds. Between Kambáya and the sea from which this gulf branches was two days' journey. When, says Al Masúdi, the waters ebb from the gulf stretches of sands come to view. One day I saw a dog on one of these desert-like stretches of sand. The tide began to pour up the gulf and the dog hearing it ran for his life to the shore, but the rush was too rapid. The waters overtook and drowned him. Al Masúdi speaks of an emerald known as the Makkan emerald being carried from Kambáya by Aden to Makkah where it found a market.⁴ Ibni Haukal (A.D. 968-996) names Kambáya among the cities of Hind.⁵ In his time there were Jámi or assembly mosques in Kambáya, where the precepts of Islám were openly taught. Among the productions of Kambáya he gives mangoes coccanuts lemons and rice in great plenty and some honey but no date trees.⁶ He makes Kambáya four miles (one farsang) from the sea and four (that is four days' journey) from Subára apparently Surábára that is Surat. The distance to Kámhal or Anhilwára by some mistake is shown as four farsangs instead of four days' journey.⁷ Al Bírúni (A.D. 970-1031) places Kambáya within the large country of Gujarát (120 miles)⁸ (30 farsakhs) from Debal (Karáchi). He says the men of Kambáya receive tribute from the chiefs of the island of Kís or Kish (probably Kish-Makrán).⁹ Al Idrisi (A.D. 1100) places Kambáya with other Gujarát cities in the second climate.¹ He says it is a pretty and well known naval station, second among the towns of Gujarát.² It stands at the end of a bay three miles from the sea where vessels can enter and cast anchor. It is well supplied with water and has a fine fortress built by the Government to prevent the inroads of the pirates of Kish (Makrán). From Kambáya to the island of Aubkin (Piram) is two and a half days' sail and from Aubkin to Debal (or Karáchi) two days more. The country is fertile in wheat and rice and its mountains yield the bamboo. Its inhabitants are idolators. In his Tazjiyat-ul-Amsár, Abdullah Wassáf³ in A.D. 1300 (H. 699) writes: "Gujarat which is commonly called Kambáyat contains 70,000 villages and towns all populous and the people abounding in wealth and luxuries. In the course of the four seasons seventy different species of beautiful flowers bloom. The purity of the air is so great that the picture of an animal drawn with the pen is lifelike. Many plants and herbs grow wild. Even in winter the ground is full of tulips (poppies). The air is healthy, the climate a perpetual spring. The moisture of the dew of itself suffices for the cold season crops. Then comes the summer harvest which is dependent on the rain. The vineyards bring forth blue grapes twice a year."