Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v2.c20.s2.32
Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champā; Vol. II: Suvarṇadvīpa) v2.c20.s2.32
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v2.c20.s2.32
“The maritime country called Kalah, situated midway between Arabia and China, belongs to the empire of the Mahārāja (of Zābag). The area of the land is said to be 80 square farsang. The town of Kalah is the market where is centralised the trade in aloes, camphor, sandal-wood, ivory, tin, ebony, brazil-wood, all kinds of spices and articles of incense, and various other commodities, which it will take long time to mention in detail. The vessels from Oman come to this port, and from this port also depart vessels bound for Arabia”.² Mas‘ūdī, while describing this state of things, marks the contrast with the old days when there was a direct voyage between China and Arabia.³