Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v2.c13.s2.t2.37

v2.c13.s2.t2.37

All these data would point toward Malay Peninsula which, like Sumatra, was conceived by the Arab writers as consisting of a number of islands. The account of Ibn Sa‘īd seems to be very definite on this point. It says that to the south of Zābag is the island of Jāwa. As the towns of Lamuri and Fancūr are placed in Jāwa, it must be identified with the northern part of Sumatra. Thus the island of Mahārāja is to be placed in Malay Peninsula. This is confirmed by the fact, that the author places Kalah in the south-east, either of the island of Mahārāja, or of Jāwa. In any case as Kalah denotes the well-known place Keddah, the island of Mahārāja must be placed to its north. The Longitudes for Jāwa (the western-most point), Zābag, and Kalah are given respectively as 144°, 151°, and 154°. Jāwa is placed between Latitudes 1 and 5 while the island of Mahārāja is placed at the latitude of 12°-30'. Further, Ibn Sa'id places the islands of Mahārāja not far from Andaman in a south-easterly direction. All these would fit in well with the northern part of Malay Peninsula.