THE KINGDOM OF MELAYU (MELAKA/FAHZHI), 365 AH/975 CE)

#kedahseratarata

This text explains the truth and undeniable facts of Melaka, Kedah, Langkasuka, the origin of Melayu and the important commodity of Nira Nipah in the ancient weapon manufacturing.

Translation:

And the Melayu is located in the Hindi region, and between Muskat (مسقط) and Kuala Melayu (كولو ملي) take some month [journey], and between Kuala Melayu and Harkand (الهركند) takes about a month. One may be pull over if not be ready to sail pass through it from Kuala Melayu to the sea of Harkand, and it is a place that is called the land of Kulah (كله بار), between [Kulah] and the sea of Harkand, there is an island that was called Lang (لنج), no one understand their language (local sea tribe), They wear clothes made of bark, and their women are not seen with them, they sold Anbar (العنبر) in exchange for iron blades. And they went in a boat to trader [in Kulah] from the island and they brought with them Nira Nipah (النارجيل). Nira Nipah syrup is white in color, when drink it, it tastes sweet like honey. When leave long enough to become acidic (vinegary) it would be sold for a blade of iron, and they pledged allegiance to the deal. They are also good swimmers. Sometimes, they just come to pick up their iron without delivering anything.

And going down from there (Lang) will reach Kulah (Kedah). His king came from the Kingdom of Zabaj which is closely related to [the continent of] al-Hind [minor]. And they were also known as Melaka (ملك) and also known as Fozhi (الفوط), sail out from there to a place called Tioman (تيومة) , it has fresh water [supply] and the distance to it is ten days, likewise in all the islands of hindi, if wells are dug there, water will be found.

Original Manuscript text by Ibnu Faqih (died 365 AH/975 CE):

وملي من بلاد الهند. وبين مسقط وبين كولو ملي مسيرة شهر، وبين كولو ملي وبين الهركند نحو من شهر. ثم يختطف من كولو ملي إلى بحر الهركند، فإذا جاوزوه، صاروا إلى موضع يقال له كله بار بينه وبين هركند جزائر قوم يقال لهم لنج ، لا يعرفون لغة، ولا يلبسون الثياب كواسج، لم ير منهم امرأة، يبيعون العنبر بقطع الحديد، ويخرجون إلى التجّار من الجزيرة في زواريق ومعهم النارجيل، وشراب النارجيل يكون أبيض، فإذا شرب منه فهو حلو كالعسل، فإذا ترك يوما صار مسكرا، فإن بقي أيّاما حمض فيبيعونه بالحديد، ويتبايعون بالإشارة يدا بيد، وهم حذّاق بالسباحة، فربّما استلبوا الحديد من التجّار ولا يعطونهم شيئا، ثم تخطف السفينة إلى موضع يقال له كله بار، وهي من مملكة الزابج متيامنة عن بلاد الهند، يجمعهم ملك ولباسهم الفوط، ثم يتخطف إلى موضع يقال له تيومة، بها ماء عذب والمسافة إليها عشرة أيّام، ثم إلى موضع يقال له كدرنج مسيرة عشرة أيّام بها ماء عذب، وكذلك في سائر جزائر الهند إن احتفر فيها الآبار وجد فيها الماء.

Note:

1. Fozhi is mentioned in the new book of Tang, Spesific Juan (Scroll) 43. Title: Huanghua sida ji (皇華四達記), In the geographical map Kunyu wanguo quantu 坤輿萬國全圖 that stated 三佛齊, San-But-Zhi or San-Fo-Qi, Abbasid Letter Abu Dhulaf and in this manuscript by Ibnu Faqih (died 975 CE).

2. Kulah is also known as Malaka and Fozhi.

3. Langkawi was spotted in this manuscript which is within the kingdom in Langkasuka that was administered in the City of Melayu within Hudjong Salang.

3. Some months (مسيرة شهر), a month+. Possibly a month from Muskat to Harkand (Bengal) and a month from there to Kuala Melayu at Hudjong Salang, Kedah.

Copy and paste:

30 November 2022 > 5 Jamadilawal 1444H: 9.01 am