Page:HMElliotHistVol1.djvu/45

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IBN KHURDA′DBA.

13

misplaced. The notes marked P give the Paris readings, where the differences are such as to preclude an alteration of the Indian version. The passages in brackets have been taken from the Paris translation in addition to those published in the first edition.

EXTRACTS.

[The greatest king of India is the Balhará, or “king of kings.” The other sovereigns of this country are those of Jába, Táfan, Juzr [Guzerat], Ghánah, Rahmí, and Kámrún. The king of Zábaj is called Alfíkat,[1]and the king of the isle of the eastern sea Mahárája].
The kings and people of Hind regard fornication as lawful, and wine as unlawful. This opinion prevails throughout Hind, but the king of Kumár[2] holds both fornication and the use of wine as unlawful. The king of Sarandíp conveys wine from 'Irak for his consumption.
The kings of Hind take great delight in maintaining elephants, and pay largely for them in gold. The elephants are, generally, about nine cubits high, except those of ’Anáb,[3] which are ten and eleven cubits.
The greatest king of India is the Balhará, whose name imports “king of kings.” He wears a ring in which is inscribed the following sentence: “What is begun with resolution ends with success.”
The next eminent king is he of Táfan; the third is king of Jába; the fourth is he of Juzr: the Tátariya dirhams are in use in his dominions. The fifth is king of ’Ana;[4] the sixth is the Rahmí,[5]

  1. [In a subsequent passage he says, “The king of Zábaj is called Mahárája,” and this agrees with Mas’údí.]
  2. [Kumár is the country about Cape Comorin, Travancore, etc. Kazwíní makes the same statement respecting Kumár but he refers to Ibn Fakiyah as his authority. He adds that wine-drinkers were punished by having a hot iron placed on their bodies, and kept there till it got cold. Many died under the infliction.]
  3. [So says Sir H. Elliot's text. The Paris translation reads, "aghbáb, vallées spacieuses et étendues qui s’avancent dans la mer." Sulaimán and Mas’údí place these valleys near Ceylon, post, page 22. Rel. des Voy. i., 128.]
  4. [The Paris version here reads “’Anah,” but in the first paragraph the name is given as “Ghanah,” Sir H. Elliot's text has “’A′ba.”]
  5. [“Rahma” in the Paris translation; alif-i maksúra.]