Page 134 - Arabiab Studies (IV)

124 Arabian Studies IV
remarks. I must, however, make it very clear that they in no way
reflect my personal views for my own visits to Muscat have been
extremely happy, due in large measure to the kindness and
generosity of the local people.

Not men tioned by Marco Polo
1503 Travels of Ludovico de Varthcma, Hakluyt Series, London,
1863, 93. Mentioned but not described.
150? The Book of Duarte Barbosa, Hakluyt Series, London, 1918,
71. ‘A large place wherein dwell many persons of
standing’—great trade and export of salted and dried fish.
1507 Commentaries of the Great Afonso Dalboquerque, Hakluyt
Series, London, 1875, 72-86. He captured the city and found
that many of the houses had hidden compartments full of
treasure and also wooden water tanks. He destroyed a
beautiful wooden mosque and burned 34 ships. Muscat was
the principal port for all the coast, a market for horses, dates
and com. The population was large. Behind it was a plain as
large as the square in Lisbon, covered with salt-pans. There
were pools of fresh water used for gardens by means of
wooden engines.
The events of the capture are also to be found in: Barros,
Jo3o, Decadas da As/a, continued by Do Couto, Diogo and
Bocarro, Antonio. Also in Lopes de Castanheda, Femao,
Historia do Descobrimento e Conquista da India pelos
Portuguescs. As it is hoped that these Portuguese sources will
be the subject of a subsequent study by Professor C. F.
Beckingham, it is not proposed to make quotations from them
here. However parts of their works can be found in Danvers,
F.C., The Portuguese in India, London, 1894.
1582 FARIA Y SOUSA, Manoel, Portuguese Asia, London, 1695,
gives a description of the town at the time of its capture by
the Turks at this date: ii, 370-2. ‘Let us in some manner
describe the situation of the town: extend the right Hand with
the Palm of it down, stretch out the Thumb from the
forefinger, and separate that from the middle Finger, keep
that close to the other two. The space between the middle and
forefinger, is a Bay called Seabo, running up as the hand
represents. The distance between the Thumb and the Fore­
finger is another Bay, not so deep, along the Shore whereof
the Town is built, shut in by two Mountains: one rises at the
point of Seabo next that part where the three Fingers are
together, it has only one path that leads to Muscat, so narrow
that two Men cannot pass it abreast. This way Alibec (Ali
Bey) came into the Town, no body imagining that he would
attempt it.* The inhabitants, including the Portuguese, fled to