IBN BATUTAH IN SOUTHERN INDIA. 
49 
companions ashore on a raft, he himself remaining on board 
till two more raf could be constructed by the sailors. How- 
ever darkness overtook them before the task was complete 
and a very unpleasant night was spent on board the wreck. 
In the morning some natives came off in a boat from 
the shore and rescued him from his perilous position. Ibn 
Battitah thus found himself on the coast of Malabar and 
hastened to explain to the inhabitants that he was a friend 
of their sultan. On hearing this they wrote to apprize their 
ruler of what had occurred. Ibn Batutah himself sent a 
letter at the same time describing his misfortunes. The 
sultan was engaged fighting certain infidels at two days' 
journey from the scene of the wrecks and three days after 
the message had been despatched to him an amir arrived 
accompanied by a detachment of cavalry and infantry, a 
palankeen, and horses, to greet Ibn Batutah and escort him 
to the camp. He at once set out on horseback accompanied 
by his few companions, halted for the night at the fort of 
Harkatu (y^), and arrived at the sultan's camp on the 
second day. 
Ghiyas-ad-dln Addamagham, Sultan of Malabar, had at 
one time served as a cavalry soldier under Malik Mujir, 
one of Sultan ^ Muhammed's officers ; finally he was invested 
with royalty. Previous to his accession he had been known 
as Siraj -ad-din, but from the time of his elevation to the 
throne he assumed the name of Ghiyas-ad-din. 
Formerly Malabar had acknowledged the authority of 
Sultan Muhammad, King of Delhi. Ibn Batutah's father-in- 
law, Jelal-ad-dln Ahsan Shah {^'^ having 
incited a successful rebellion, assumed the reins of govern- 
ment. He reigned for five years and was then assassinated 
by one of his amirs Ala-ad-din adaiji o^.-^^), who 
seized the throne and ruled in his stead one year. This sultan 
* Muhammad ILn Tughluk of Delhi. 
7 
