‘When the sun is resplendent, innumerable atoms are visible.’ If my enemies have conceived that weakness, loss, insecurity, and calamity have fallen upon me, they are mistaken. I am shielded by a powerful and auspicious star, and fortune is favourable to me. Now let all that my enemy can seize from out my dominions be considered as booty, and made over to his saiyids and professors; as for me, all that I can take from his kingdom I will make over to my falconers and brahmans.” So on both sides armies were sent into the other's country, and committed great devastations.*
The king had appointed as a temporary substitute of the Brahman Danáík a person named Hambah Nurír, who considered himself equal to the wazír. He was diminutive in stature, malignant, low-born, vile, savage, and reprobate. All the most odious qualities were united in him, and he had not a single estimable trait in his composition. When the seat of the administration was polluted by that wretch, he stopped my daily allowance without any cause. The Hormúzians having found an opportunity of showing their malice, displayed the devilry which forms the leaven of their disposition; and conformity of vice having ingratiated them with Hambah Nurír, they declared that I was not accredited by His Majesty the Khákán-i Sa'íd, but that I was a mere merchant, who had carried in my hand the diploma of His Majesty. They spread several other lies in the hearing of the infidels, which produced such an impression upon them, that for some time, in the middle of this unholy country, I was reduced to a state of misery and uncertainty. But while labouring under this anxiety, I met the king several times on the road, who treated me with great condescension, and asked how I was going on. In very truth, he possessed excellent qualities.
The Danáík, after ravaging the territory of Kulbarga, and bringing some wretched people away with him as captives, returned to Bíjánagar. He reproached Hambah Nurír for having stopped my daily rations, and gave me an assignment for 7,000 fanams on the mint the very day of his arrival. Khwája Mas'úd and Khwája Muhammad of Khurásán, who were also residing in Bíjánagar, were appointed to go upon the embassy, carrying with them presents and stuffs. Fath Khán, one of the descendants of Sultán Fíroz Sháh, who had been King of Delhí, also sent a deputy, named Khwája Jamálu-d dín, with presents and a petition.
On the day of my audience of leave, the monarch said to this poor individual, “They have represented that you are not really the envoy of His Majesty Mírzá Sháh Rukh; otherwise we would have paid you greater respect. If you should come again into this country, and I should ascertain that you are really sent on a mission by His Majesty, I will pay you such attention as becomes the dignity of my empire.”
In the letter addressed to His Majesty, the monarch communicated the malicious aspersions which had been spread by the Hormúzians, and observed, “It was our intention to commend myself to His Sacred Majesty by royal presents and gifts, but certain parties represented that 'Abdu-r Razzák is not His Majesty's servant.” * * *
The humble author, having completed his preparations, took his departure for the shore of the sea of 'Umán.
The sun of Divine Benevolence arose from the horizon of prosperity, and the star of fortune ascended from the Orient of hope, and the brilliant lights of joy and content showed themselves in the midst of the dark night, conformably to the saying, “God is the friend of those who trust in Him. He will bring them forth from darkness into light.” The nights of trouble and affliction in that abode of idolatry and error vanished at the rising of the morning of good fortune and the appearance of the sun of prosperity; and the evening of sorrow and helplessness was changed into days of festivity and rejoicing.
“The duration of night that was longer than the day is now reversed.
“The latter has grown longer, the former has decreased.”
Bíjánagar is a city in the most remote territory of Hindustán, and the whole country is idolatrous; the resources which I had accumulated for my travels were consumed during the misfortunes to which I had been exposed. But why should I speak of that which is not worthy of mention? But in consequence of my wretched condition, I had no hope of getting provision for my journey—all I could do was to throw myself on the mercy of God.
With a stout heart and expanded hopes, I set out on my road; I confided myself to the kindness and mercy of God. On the 12th of Sha'bán, accompanied by the ambassadors, I took my flight on the wings of travel for the city of Bíjánagar, and after being eighteen days on the road, we arrived, on the 1st of Ramazán (January, 1444), at the port of Mangahúr,* and there I was honoured with being admitted to an interview with Amír Saiyid-'Aláu-d dín Mashhadí, who was 120 years old. For several years he had been venerated by the faithful, as well as the infidels, and in that country his sayings were regarded as oracles, for no one dared to refuse obedience to his precepts. One of the ambassadors of Bíjánagar, Khwája Mas'úd, unfortunately died while we were in this place.
“On this sinful earth, over which the vault of heaven extends,
Who knows in what place his head will rest beneath the
tomb?”
After having celebrated in the port of Mangahúr the feast which follows the fast of Ramazán, I went to the port of Hanúr, to arrange about fitting out a vessel, and I laid in provisions for twenty people for a voyage of forty days. One day, near the time when I was about to embark, I consulted the book of presages compiled by Imám Ja'far Sádik, which comprises verses taken from the Kurán, when I opened it at a passage of fortunate omen, containing this verse, “Be not afraid, you have been saved from the tribe of wicked men.” I was exceedingly struck with a passage so appropriate to my situation, the anxiety which beset my heart from fear of the sea vanished altogether, and all at once trusting in a happy deliverance, I embarked on the 25th of the month Zi-l ka'da.
Sometimes we engaged in conversation on the extraordinary names and wonderful appearances which had come under our observation, and our hearts enjoyed peace and contentment. Sometimes, from the effect of contrary winds, which resembled drunkards, the cup of vicissitude found its way into the vessel, and its planks, which were so joined as to resemble a continuous line, were on the point of becoming separate like isolated letters of the alphabet.
The raging storm was changed into a favourable wind, the foaming tempest ceased, and the sea became as calm as my heart desired. The passengers, after having celebrated on the sea the festival of azhá, at the end of Zí-hijja, sighted the mountain of Kalahát,* and rested in security from the dangers of the ocean. At that time, the new moon of the Muharram of the year 848 (of April, 1444), showed itself in the sea like the image of a friend's eyebrow. * * *
The narrative of my voyage has reached that point, when the new moon of the blessed Muharram showed its beautiful image in the sea. The ship remained out at sea for several days more, but on arriving at Maskat we cast anchor; where, after the damages sustained at sea by the storm were repaired, we reembarked, and continued our route.
The vessel, after leaving Maskat, arrived at the port of Khúr-
After re-embarking, we left the port of Khúrfakán, and arrived at the city of Hormúz on the forenoon of Friday, the 12th of the month of Safar. From the port of Hanúr to that of Hormúz, our voyage lasted seventy-five days.