50 
IBN BATUTAH IN SOUTHERN INDIA, 
made two expeditions against the infidels in which he was 
entirely successful^ carrying ofi much spoil and killing the 
enemy in vast numhers. After his second victory, however, 
on the very day of his triumph, having removed his helmet 
from his head to quench his thirst, he was hit by an arrow 
shot by an unknown hand and died on the spot. His son- 
in-law, Kutb-ad-din, was elected to succeed him, but his 
conduct so irritated his subjects that he was put to death at 
the end of forty days. Sultan Grhiyas-ad-din was proclaimed 
king and married the daughter of Jelal-ad-dinj one of whose 
daughters Ibn Batutah had married at Delhi. 
On approaching the sultan's camp, a chamberlain was 
found awaiting the travellers to conduct them to his royal 
master, who received them kindly and presented Ibn Batu- 
tah with food and presents. 
In a subsequent interview he laid before the sultan a 
scheme he had entertained for the conquest (annexation ?) 
of the Maldive Islands with which the sovereign was much 
pleased. He wished the enterprise to be promptly under- 
taken and had certain vessels fitted out for the pxirpose. 
Robes of honour and gifts for the amirs were set aside, 
especially for the sultana, with whose sister he wished to 
form a matrimonial alliance, and Ibn Batutah was authorized 
to draw up the marriage contract. An order was also deliv- 
ered to freight three vessels with alms to be distributed to 
the poor of those islands, and Ibn Batutah was told to 
depart and to return within five days. Admiral Khojah 
Sarlak insisted that it would be impossible to start for the 
Maldives before the expiration of three full months. The 
expedition had consequently to be postponed and Ibn Batu- 
tah spent the following months in the sultan's camp. 
The ground which the amy had to traverse was dense, 
impenetrable jungle. As soon as the camp was struck, 
the sultan advanced at the head of his troops towards the 
