^882.] IBN BATUTA IN THE MALDIVES AND CEYLON. ft 



surprised that they thought so highly of these common objects: 

 %ut was informed that they do this as a token of consideration and 

 respect.* 



After leaving these people we landed on the sixth day at the 

 island of Othmdn, a distinguished man and one of the best one 

 could meet. He received us with honour and entertained us. On 

 the eighth day we put into an island belonging to a Vizier named 

 Ttlemdy. On the tenth, we at length reached the island of Mahal, 

 where the Sultana and her Consort reside, and cast anchor in the 

 harbour. It is a custom of the country that no one may disembark 

 without the permission of the inhabitants. f This was accorded to 

 m$ : and I then desired to betake myself to some mosque, bu^ 

 the slaves on the beach prevented me, saying, " It is necessary 

 that you should first visit the Vizier." I had requested the captain 

 when he should be questioned about me to say, (( I know nothing 

 of him"; for fear lest they should detain me, being unaware that 

 some ill-advised babbler had written to them an account of me 5 

 and that I had been Kazi at Delhi. On our arrival at the audi- 

 ence hall, we took our seats on benches at the third entrance door. 

 The Kazi ^ Iqa Alyamany came up and welcomed me, while 

 I saluted the Vizier. The ship captain Ibrahim {above he 

 is called 'Omar) brought ten pieces of worked stuffs, made a 

 salute before the Queen, and threw down one of them: then he bent 

 the knee in honor of the Vizier and threw down another, and so on 

 to the last. He was questioned about me, and replied, " I know 

 nothing of him." 



We were then presented with betel and rose-water which is 

 a mark of honor with them. The Vizier gave us lodging in a 

 house and sent us a repast consisting of a large bowl full of rice 

 and surrounded with plates of salted meats dried in the sun, 

 chickens, melted butter and fish. On the morrow I set out with 

 the captain and the Kazi, ' ) Iqa Alyamany to visit a hermitage 



* The Sinhalese penumkada or pingo of presents of sweetmeats, provisions^ 

 fruits, &c. 



f Enforced to this day— B> 



