Page 114 - Arabian Studies (I)

98 Arabian Studies I

the latest Arab texts but during the 100 years from the middle of the
fifteenth century to the middle of the sixteenth century samples can
be taken from both sources. In the matter of general topographic
terms, the Portuguese names are taken from classical sources and do
not concern us here e.g. Mare Rubrum, Arabia Felix, Sinus Persicus,
whereas with coastal features there is a remarkable amount of
agreement between the two sources. Practically all the Portuguese
nlacc names can be equated with an Arab name certainly all the
r places. On the south coast only the prominent capes Sauqirah
’nr have no Portuguese equivalent but the Arabic texts have
ul in the area of Zalar (Dhufar) and in the stretch of
2 coast from Sauqirah to Ra’s al-Hadd. In the Persian
rabs have more detail on the Persian coast where the
e is given, but the Portuguese have considerably more
3 Arab coast and the Homem-Reineis map of 1519 gives
island detail in the Gulf which does not compare with
3xts. To some extent the Portuguese maps accumulate
:s by including two versions of the same place name which
n misread and not recognised as being equivalent. Thus the
m-Reineis map has Que and Ces perhaps both for Qais, and
oaharab and andrauy for HindurabT.12 Bahrain is also given on both
sides of the Gulf. There is no doubt however that the two sources
taken together confirm the importance of certain harbours and
navigational features of the coast at this date. The Arab texts shed
light on certain strange features of the Portuguese charts, and they
are detailed enough for comparisons to be made with modern charts
and maps. Most of the toponyms mentioned in both sources are
traceable in modern times, although once prominent names are now
lost in obscurity.
Below is a list of place names taken from the Portuguese charts
with possible equivalents from the texts of the Arab navigators
together with modern identifications where necessary. The forms in
italics appear in charts of a later date than the time of the Arab texts
(1550-1600).

Portuguese name Arab name Modern equivalent

SOUTH ARABIAN COAST
hara al-‘Arah
darzina Darzfnah
Adem ‘Adan
abicam, abiam Abyan
Ahwar
hoar Haura