THE COAST OF MALABAR. 9 



of the information acquired by this Mahommedan au- 

 thor, whofe relation terminates with the year 937 of 

 the Hejira, anfwering to the ^year of our Lord 



1579-80. 



XI. This author begins with nearly the fame account 

 of the converfion of Shermanco Eermaloo (whofe real 

 or proper name, or rather the epithet beftowed on his 

 itation, this Mufiulman mentions to have been Shuker- 

 wutty, or Chuckerwutty) as has been already noticed 

 from the Kerul Qodputtee, with this addition, that it was 

 effected by a company of Dervifes from Arabia, who, 

 touching at Crungloor, or Cranganore, (then the feat 

 of government in Malabar,) on their voyage to vilit 

 the Footftep of Adam* on that mountain in Ceylon 

 which mariners diftinguifh by the name of Adam's 

 Teak ; and thefe pilgrims imparting, on that occafion, 

 to the Permal, or Permaloc, the then recent miracle of 

 Mahommed's having divided the Moon, the Viceroy 

 was fo affecled by this inftance of fupernatural power, 

 and fo captivated by the fervid reprcfentation of thefe 

 enthufiafrs, that he determined to abandon all for the fake 

 of proceeding with them into Arabia, to have an oppor- 

 tunity of converting with the Prophet, who was frill 

 alive, and had not even then fled from Mecca; for, 

 after fojourning fome time with the Prophet in Arabia, 



Chuckerwutty 



* This Footftep of Adam is, under the name of Sreepud, or 

 the "Holy Foot," equally reverenced and reforted to by the Hin* 

 dus, as appears by the relation of a journey made to vifit it by a 

 Fakeer of this laft mentioned perfuaiion, called Prauk Poory, 

 now living at Benares, who has alfo travelled as far north as to 

 Mofcotu; and has from memory (fince he is difabled from writing, 

 by being of the tribe of Oordhbahu. or whofe arms and hands re- 

 main conftantly in a fixed pofition above their heads) afforded 

 me an opportunity of caufmg to be committed to writing, an in- 

 terefting account of his various travels throughout India, as well 

 as into other parts of Ajia; and on the fubjeft of thefe Hindu Fa- 

 keers' propenfity to travelling. I may here add, that I faw a few 

 months ago at Benares, one of them who had travelled as far as Pe- 

 kin, which he defcribed under the name of Pechin ; and had palTcs 

 from the Chinefe government in his poifcfiion. He mentioned the 

 name of a temple of Hindu adoration as being fituated in Fekin, 



