8E TALES OF INDALUS

Ita good to seee you here again Ali..said RaShid the Kalifah


TALES OF INDALUS
CHAPTER E 

HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF ABBASID GOVERNMENT IN ASIA
 
 The dinner was done
Then the Kalifah announced somehing...
Listen everybody let us hear my favorite poem from my friend Ali Colia  ...to be followed by his stories of his expriences oo his previouslast journeys to the kingdoms Malakku aand Kham Bo Ja a year ago when he was here with our dinner like this



Ali.. stood and delivered his poem



 I wonder if in Samarcand  camels kneel in golden sand, Still lading bales of magic spells And charms a lover's wisdom tells, To fare across the desert main And bring the Princess home again— I wonder!

 I wonder If grateful beasts find out the way To those who succoured them in pain, And bring their blessings back again; If cranes and sparrows take the shape And all the ways of mortals ape— I wonder!

o MY HIGhNESS THE kALIFAH OF bADGhDAD
before my long story allow me to inteoduce to you my friends Garsila, the ambassador of Queen Clropatra of Egupt and her escort Rho the over kord  of security of our ships

Heres my story:

I had inherited considerable wealth from my parents, and being young and foolish I at first squandered it recklessly upon every kind of pleasure, but presently, finding that riches speedily take to themselves wings if managed as badly as I was managing mine, and remembering also that to be old and poor is misery indeed, I began to bethink me of how I could make the best of what still remained to me. I sold all my household goods by public auction, and joined a company of merchants who traded by sea, embarking with them at Balsora in a ship which we had fitted out between us



a
ancient map of East Indies

  
 ancient lands of east indies (Malakku Islands
    We set sail and took our course towards the East Indies by the Persian Gulf, having the coast of Persia upon our left hand and upon our right the shores of Arabia Felix. I was at first much troubled by the uneasy motion of the vessel, but speedily recovered my health, and since that hour have been no more plagued by sea-sickness 

 From time to time we landed at various islands, where we sold or exchanged our merchandise, and one day, when the wind dropped suddenly, we found ourselves becalmed close to a small island like a green meadow, which only rose slightly above the surface of the water. Our sails were furled, and the captain gave permission to all who wished to land for a while and amuse themselves. I was among the number, but when after strolling about for some time we lighted a fire and sat down to enjoy the repast which we had brought with us, we were startled by a sudden and violent trembling of the island, while at the same moment those left upon the ship set up an outcry bidding us come on board for our lives, since what we had taken for an island was nothing but the back of a sleeping whale. Those who were nearest to the boat threw themselves into it, others sprang into the sea, but before I could save myself the whale plunged suddenly into the depths of the ocean, leaving me clinging to a piece of the wood which we had brought to make our fire. Meanwhile a breeze had sprung up, and in the confusion that ensued on board our vessel in hoisting the sails and taking up those who were in the boat and clinging to its sides, no one missed me and I was left at the mercy of the waves. All that day I floated up and down, now beaten this way, now that, and when night fell I despaired for my life; but, weary and spent as I was, I clung to my frail support, and great was my joy when the morning light showed me that I had drifted against an island..


Being returned from mylast sixth voyagefrom here , I absolutely laid aside all thoughts of travelling any farther; for, besides that my years now required rest, I was resolved no more to expose myself to such risk as I had run; so that I thought of nothing but to pass the rest of my days in quiet. One day, as I was treating some of my friends, one of my servants came and told me that an officer of the caliph asked for me. I rose from the table, and went to me. 'The caliph,' said he, 'has sent me to tell you that you  must speak with you.' I followed the officer to the palace, where, being presented to the caliph, I saluted him by prostrating myself at his feet. 'Alid,' said he to me, 'I stand in need of you; y

Early the next morning we accordingly set out, and when we reached the capital I was graciously received by the king, to whom I related my adventures, upon which he ordered that I should be well cared for and provided with such things as I needed. Being a merchant I sought out men of my own profession, and particularly those who came from foreign countries, as I hoped in this way to hear news from Bagdad, and find out some means of returning thither, for the capital was situated upon the sea-shore, and visited by vessels from all parts of the world. In the meantime I heard many curious things, and answered many questions concerning my own country, for I talked willingly with all who came to me. Also to while away the time of waiting I explored a little island named Cassel, which belonged to King Mihrage, and which was supposed to be inhabited by a spirit named Deggial. Indeed, the sailors assured me that often at night the playing of timbals could be heard upon it. However, I saw nothing strange upon my voyage, saving some fish that were full two hundred cubits long, but were fortunately more in dread of us than even we were of them, and fled from us if we did but strike upon a board to frighten them. Other fishes there were only a cubit long which had heads like owls

. Early the next morning we accordingly set out, and when we reached the capital I was graciously received by the king, to whom I related my adventures, upon which he ordered that I should be well cared for and provided with such things as I needed. Being a merchant I sought out men of my own profession, and particularly those who came from foreign countries, as I hoped in this way to hear news from Bagdad, and find out some means of returning thither, for the capital was situated upon the sea-shore, and visited by vessels from all parts of the world. In the meantime I heard many curious things, and answered many questions concerning my own country, for I talked willingly with all who came to me. Also to while away the time of waiting I explored a little island named Cassel, which belonged to King Mihrage, and which was supposed to be inhabited by a spirit named Deggial. Indeed, the sailors assured me that often at night the playing of timbals could be heard upon it. However, I saw nothing strange upon my voyage, saving some fish that were full two hundred cubits long, but were fortunately more in dread of us than even we were of them, and fled from us if we did but strike upon a board to frighten them. Other fishes there were only a cubit long which had heads like owls.must do me the service to carry my answer and present to the King of Serendib. It is but just I should return his civility.'




 lasr






 

 The Abbasid Revolution

The Abbas

id Dynasty overthrew the preceding Umayyad Dynasty, which was

based in Damascus, Syria. The Umayyads had become increasingly unpopular,

especially in the eastern territories of the caliphate. The Umayyads favored Syrian

Arabs over other Muslims and treat

ed

mawali

, newly converted Muslims, as second

-

class citizens. The most numerous group of

mawali

were the Persians, who lived side

-

by

-

side with Arabs in the east who were angry at the favor shown to Syrian Arabs.

Together, they were ripe for rebellion.ther Muslims were angry with the Umayyads

for turning the caliphate into a hereditary dynasty. Some believed that a single family

should not hold power, while Shiites believed that true authority belonged to the family

of the Prophet Muhammad through his

son