1832.] 
ISLAND OF SUMATRA, ' 173 
CHAPTER XI. 
Sumatra — The Kingdom of Menangcabow — Its former Power and Splendour — • 
Curious Proclamation of the Sultan — Arts and Manufactures of the People — 
Fire-arms and Gunpowder — The Battas ; their Religion, Character, Manners^ 
Customs — The Kingdom of Acheen — Description of the Inhabitants, Govern- 
ment, Religion, &c. — Severity of their Punishments — Cruel Sport of the Qual- 
lah-Battooans — Dress and Character of the Achenese — Their Oratory — Revival 
of Trade after the late War — Imbecility of the Government — The Rajah of 
Trumon — Islands on the Coast— Pulo Nyas Parents sell their Children for Slaves 
— The Pogies — Islands and Inhabitants of Egano — Winds and Currents — Sur- 
veys and Charts, by Captains Endicott and GilHs. 
The ancient and comparatively powerful empire of Menang- 
cabow, comprises an extensive tract in the centre of the Island of 
Sumatra, reaching several leagues to the north, and nearly one 
hundred miles to the south of the equator. It also communicates,- 
by several rivers, with the seacoast on each side of the island.. 
The seat, or capital of this monarchy, is called Paggarooyoong,, 
where the sultan or emperor holds his court, from whenc^ his 
power and influence were formerly felt in almost every part of the 
island. Even the sultans and kings of Acheen, Indrapoor, Moco- 
Moco, Palembang, and Jambee, confessed his supremacy, and 
paid him an annual tribute ; while his name and power were ac- 
knowledged and respected by the neighbouring princes of the east. 
But the period of this greatness and splendour is lost in the 
mists of antiquity, and only known to us by tradition ; for when 
Sumatra was first visited by Europeans, as has been seen in 
preceding pages, the sultans of Acheen, Pasay, &c., were all 
independent of the monarch of Menangcabow ; although some 
of them still paid him a complimentary tribute. For centuries 
past there has been a great deal of mystery thrown around the 
history and character of this inland' imperial court by Mahometan 
priests, who affect to regard the sultan as the sovereign head of 
their faith, on the island ; although his present power is in fact but 
little more, if any, than that of a common rajah. 
The proclamations and imperial edicts which have emanated 
