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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
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[Audust, 1902.
while Al Kazwini (1268 to 1275 A. D.) and Ibn Batata (1842 to 1847 A. D.) write it al-Malibar. Like variations occar among the old European travellers also.
The following exhibits in one view the varying forms in which the word was written by the old Geographers and travellers :
Muhammadan. Al Birunt (970 - 1039), Melibar. Al Idrisi (1153), Manibar. Raabidu'ddio (1247-1381), Manibar, Al Kazvini (1263 - 1275), Malibar. Abulfeda (1273 — 1331), Mapibar. Ibn Batu'a (1342 -- 1347), Malibar. Bakat (date not ascertained), Malibar. A Turkish work translated by Von Hammer for the Bengal Anatic Society's Journal calls it Monober (Ma'sbar (date not ascertained).
European Marco Polo (1271 - 1294), Melibar. Friar Odorio (1286 — 1380), Minibar. Merigaolli (1290 -1356), Myaibar. John of Monte Corvino (1291), Midabar... Friar Jordanus (1820). Molebar. Nicolo Conti (1419), Melibaria.
Fra Mouro (1440), Melibur. According to Abulfeda, the country of Al-Mauiter extended from Hon war to Kumkhri. Rashida'ddin, bowever, includes Sindabir also, i.e. Gon. Al Birduf says that it extended from Karoha, whose identity with its moder site it is difficult to make out, to Kaulam or Quilon, 800 paranangs in length. Al Idrli's Manibâr extended from Honor to Kwelam, while Ibn Batata says that its length is a journey of two months along the shore from Sindabûr (Goa) to Kolam or Quilon. At a later date a point between Mt. D'Ely and Mangalore on the North and Kaplam (Quilon) on the south were the usual limite Asigned to Malabar. It may be noticed that the country between Quilon and Comorin, known onoe as Mahaka, is left ont, au not forraing part of Malabar daring the media al period.
General Canningham, in his Geography of Ancient India, identifies Malabar with the Xo-lc-klu-oba (Mainkapa) or layakata of the Chinese traveller Hinen Taiang (A. D. 629 to 645). "The first half of the namo Mo-lo-kit-chs is," says Dr. Haltaach, "no doubt the wellknown Dravidian word mala, a hill (mala in Malayalam), and the second may be connected with kúrram, which means a division, or more probably with kôffam, which means . district in Tamil insoriptions. Thus Mo-lo-kiu-cha or Malakotta would be synonym of Malanda or Melal-nadu, the bill-country. But w Hinen Teiang places Malakos to the south of Pravida and attributes to it circuit of 5000 li, General Cunningham is, doubtless, right in supposing that it must have included, besides Malabar, the whole Southern part of the Madras Prosidepoy beyond the Kaveri." The Chinese traveller has noticed the fact thai Bandalwood and a oamphor-bearing tree (cinnamon) grew on the mountains of Malaya. In Sanskrit and in Malayalam the term Malaya is applied to the Western Ghate, and the sandal is called muldyaja, i, e, the produce of Malaya.
Hinen Triang places the Capital of Malakotta 8000 to the south of Kabchipura. Though General Ounningham has pointed out that the distance would take us out to see beyond
The li may be rookoned at the full value of 1079-19 feet to Ind. Ant. Vol. VIII. p. 180.
