The members of the Arab family bearing the surname of At-Thaibi (or Thibi) appear to have been powerful on the coasts of the Indian Sea at this time, (1) The Malik-ul-Islam Jamaluddin Ibrahim At Thaibi was Farmer-General of Fars, besides being quasi-independent Prince of Kais and other Islands in the Persian Gulf, and at the time of his death (1306) governor of Shiraz.  He had the horse trade with India greatly in his hands, as is mentioned in a note (7) on next chapter. (2) The son of Jamaluddin, Fakhruddin Ahmed, goes ambassador to the Great Kaan in 1297, and dies near the coast of Ma’bar on his way back in 1305.  A Fakhruddin Ahmed Ben Ibrahim at-Thaibi also appears in Hammer’s extracts as ruler of Hormuz about the time of Polo’s return. (See ante, vol. i. p. 121); and though he is there represented as opposed by Shaikh Jumaluddin (perhaps through one of Hammer’s too frequent confusions), one should suppose that he must be the son just mentioned. (3) Takiuddin Abdurrahman, the Wazir and Marzban in Ma’bar; followed successively in that position by his son Surajuddin, and his grandson Nizamuddin. (Ilchan. II. 49-50, 197-198, 205-206; Elliot, III. 32, 34-35, 45-47.)

[4] [Arabic]

[5] My learned friend Mr. A. Burnell suggests that Birdhul must have been
    Vriddachalam, Virdachellam of the maps, which is in South Arcot,
    about 50 miles north of Tanjore.  There are old and well-known temples
    there, and relics of fortifications.  It is a rather famous place of
    pilgrimage.

[6] It was also perhaps the Fattan of the Mahomedan writers; but in that
    case its destruction must have been after Ibn Batuta’s time (say
    middle of 14th century).

[7] I leave this passage as it stood in the first edition.  It is a
    mistake, but this mistake led to the engraving of Sir W. Elliot’s
    sketch (perhaps unique) of a very interesting building which has
    disappeared.  Dr. Caldwell writes:  “The native name was ’the Jaina
    Tower,’ turned by the English into China and Chinese.  This I was
    told in Negapatam 30 years ago, but to make sure of the matter I have
    now written to Negapatam, and obtained from the Munsiff of the place
    confirmation of what I had heard long ago.  It bore also the name of
    the Tower of the Malla.’  The Chalukya Malla kings were at one time
    Jainas.  The ‘Seven Pagodas’ near Madras bear their name, Ma-Mallei
    puram, and their power may at one time have extended as far south as
    Negapatam.”  I have no doubt Dr. Caldwell is right in substance, but
    the name China Pagoda at Negapatam is at least as old as Baldaeus
    (1672, p. 149), and the ascription to the Chinese is in Valentyn
    (1726, tom. v. p. 6).  It is, I find, in the Atlas of India, “Jayne
    Pagoda.”

[8] Colonel Mackenzie also mentions Chinese coins as found on this coast.
    (J.R.A.S. I. 352-353.)