The Shaikh Abú 'Abdu-llah Muhammad, son of 'Abdu-llah, son of Muhammad, son of Ibráhím Al Lawátí, at Tanjí, commonly known as Ibn Batúta, thus declares:—On the 1st of the sacred month of Muharram, 734 H. (12th Sept. 1333), we arrived at the river Sind, the same as is called Panj-áb, a name signifying “Five Rivers.” This river is one of the largest known. It overflows in the hot season, and the inhabitants of the country sow their lands after the inundation, as the people of Egypt do after the overflow of the Nile. From this river begin the territories of the great Sultán Muhammad Sháh, king of Hind and of Sind. * * *
The baríd or post in India is of two kinds. The horse-post is called ulák, and is carried on by means of horses belonging to the Sultán stationed at every four miles. The foot-post is thus arranged. Each mile is divided into three equal parts, called dáwah, which signifies one-third of a mile. Among the Indians the mile is called kos. At each third of a mile there is a village well populated; outside of which are three tents, in which are men ready to depart. These men gird up their loins, and take in their hands a whip about two cubits long, tipped with brass bells. When the runner leaves the village, he holds the letter in one hand, and in the other the whip with the bells. He runs with all his strength, and when the men in the tents hear the sound of the bells they prepare to receive him. When he arrives, one of them takes the letter and sets off with all speed. He keeps on cracking his whip until he reaches the next dáwah. Thus, these couriers proceed until the letter reaches its destination.
This kind of post is quicker than the horse-post; and the fruits of Khurásán, which are much sought after in India, are often conveyed by this means. * * * It is by this channel also that great prisoners are transported. They are each placed upon a seat, which the runners take upon their heads and run with. * * *
When the intelligencers inform the Sultán of the arrival of a stranger in his dominions, he takes full notice of the information. The writers do their best to communicate full particulars. They announce the arrival of a stranger, and describe him and his dress. They note the number of his companions, slaves, servants, and beasts. They describe his style of travelling and lodging, and give an account of his expenditure. Not one of these details is passed over. When a traveller arrives at Multán, which is the capital of Sind, he remains there until an order is received from the Sultán for his proceeding to Court and prescribing the kind of treatment he is to receive. * * *
It is the custom of the Sultán of India, Abú-l Mujáhid Muhammad Sháh, to honour strangers, to favour them, and to distinguish them in a manner quite peculiar, by appointing them to governments or to places of importance. Most of his courtiers, chamberlains, wazírs, magistrates, and brothers-in-law are foreigners. * * *
No stranger admitted to Court can avoid offering a present as a kind of introduction, which the Sultán repays by one of much greater value. * * When I arrived in Sind, I observed this practice, and bought some horses, camels, and slaves from the dealers. * * * Two days' march, after crossing the river Sind, we arrived at Janání, a fine large town on the banks of the Sind. It possesses some fine markets, and its population belongs to a race called Sámirah [Súmra], who have inhabited the place for a long time, their ancestors having established themselves there since the time of its conquest in the time of Hajjáj, son of Yúsuf, as is related by historians in the accounts of the conquest of Sind. * * * The people known by the name of Sámirah do not eat with any one, and no one must look at them when they eat. They do not connect themselves in marriage with any other tribe, nor will others ally themselves with them. They had at that time a chief named Unár, whose history I shall relate. * *
We arrived at the imperial residence of Dehli, capital of India, which is a famous and large city uniting beauty and strength. It is surrounded by a wall, the like of which is unknown in the universe. It is the largest city of India, and, in fact, of all the countries subject to Islám in the East.