=~ 
234 
wares, except gold and silver. Here 
may be found men of all religions, even 
infidels who traffic in perfect liberty, and 
to whom justice is equally administered; on 
which account Hormuz has been entitled 
Dar-el iman, or the Habitation of Safety. 
The inhabitants possess all the affability 
and courtesy of those who dwell in Irak 
(Mesopotamia arid Parthia) with all the 
acute penetration of Indians, Here 
Abdulrizak remained two whole months, 
orrather the governor detained him on 
diferent pretences until the monsoon pro- 
per,as they said, for his embarking ; this.is 
the first or the second, the third being the 
seasoh when one may expect tempests 
and pirates.* Permitting him at last to 
depart, they furnished him with two ves- 
sels, one for himself and his attendants, 
the other for his horses who were fasten- 
ed by the feet. Assoonas they had set 
sail, Abdulrizak was exceedingly incom- 
moded by the offensive smell of the vessel ; 
and when they had sailed into the opensea, 
such a dreadful storm arose, that the ma- 
riners knew not hew to steer their course. 
When the tempest had subsided, the mer- 
chants declared they would not any longer 
continue this voyage because the proper 
season or monsoon was pastand their lives 
were endangered. After some other acci- 
dents, Abdulrizak landed at the port of 
Maskat, with the persons belonging to his 
suite. From Maskat he proceeded to 
Kuryat, where he proposed to remain 
awhile, and made his arrangements ac- 
cordinely. 
Chap. 17,—Whilst Abdulrizak conti- 
nued, against his will, at Kuryat,f on the 
sea coast, the new moon of Moharrem in 
the year 846, (May the 12th 1442) ap- 
peared and enlichtened this habitation of 
uneasiness. It was still the vernal equi- 
nox, yet so intense was the heat, that 
marrow boiled within the bones, pearls 
in their shells, and the blades of swords 
dissolved hike wax within the scabbards! 
This place was rendered so unhealthy by 
the excessive heat, that the ambassador, 
his elder brother, and ail his attendants 
were affected withillness. After suffering 
from sickness during the space of four 
months, they were informed that the air 
‘was better in a neighbouring quarter, 
* An ingenious English navigator, Captain 
Forrest, reckons in like manner, three mon- 
soons in these latitudes. 
+ This is but a simple station or halt- 
ing place gine Kuryat); yetitis marked in 
the first aes of the map of Asia, by Dan- 
ville, 
Abdulrizak’s Travels from Persia to India. 
[May 1, 
named Kalhat,* and that the water there 
was excellent. He had been, however, 
reduced by ill health to such a state of 
weakness, that he could not be conveyed 
thither in any other manner than by sea 5 
but on arriving there, his fever so in- 
creased, that he} passed the night in dread- 
ful pain. At last, when the monsoon pro- 
per for his departure arrived, it was found 
necessary to carry him on board the ship 
which was to bear him to Hindoostan. 
The passage was so favourable, that he 
landed in eighteen days at Kalikut, in 
good health, to which he had been re- 
stored by the coolness of the sea air and 
the change of climate. 
Chap. [11.—Kalikut} is a secure sea- 
port, and as much frequented as Hormuz 
by merchants from various quarters of 
the world, who bring thither the commo- 
dities of Zyrbad, Abyssinia, Zanquebar, 
and often of Mecca, and other parts of 
Hejaz,} with perfect liberty of staying 
there, or going away whenever they 
think proper. It is, however, a city of 
infidels, and, consequently, to be consi- 
dered as the country of an enemy; but 
a great many true believers (Musule - 
mans) reside at Kalikut. They have twa 
mosques in which they perform their de- 
votions publicly. They have also a cadi, or 
magistrate, te administer justice amongst 
them, and two imams, or chaplains. So 
great is the public confidence and secu- 
rity in this port, and so well observed are 
the decrees of justice, that the articles of 
merchandize, after having been landed, 
remain exposed in the market places with- 
out any danger, and, when sold, pay only 
* Kalhat a promontory of Arabia, on the 
coast of Oman near Maseat. 
+ Kalikut, the capital of Malabar. Accord- 
ing to. Khaifa, a Tu-kish geographer, this is 
a city of great extent, but the houses are low. 
The King of Malabar is called Sameoury, which 
signifies the Great Prince. ‘This city has suf- 
fered considerably from the wars of the inha- 
bitants with the Portuguese. Here are many 
idolaters who adore the devil undera most hide- 
ous form; but the object of their worshipis to - 
prevail on him to offer them noinjury. From 
this place is brought tin, camphor, and Indian 
canes. “This city was formerly called Simila. 
There are many tanks, cr ponds, in which the 
people bathe. The country produces all sorts 
of spices, and abounds in silk and copper. 
To this account we may add that it was the 
first port of India which the Portuguese 
reached under Wasco de Gama, May 18, 
ae fifty-five years after Abdulrizak had 
mere Ite 
} Hejaz, a province of Arabia Felix, of 
“which Mecca is the capital. 
a fortieth. 
