Malay Annals/Chapter 26

IT is related that Merlang, the raja of Indragiri, who died at Malaca, left a son by the Princess Paramisuri, daughter of the deceased raja of Malaca, who was named Raja Narasinga, on whom all the people of Indragiri in Malaca depended.

At that time, however, all the young nobles of Indragiri were not treated as equals by the young nobles of Malaca; and if in their sports they came to any stream or pool of water, the young Malaca chiefs would cause those of Indragiri to carry them across; and such was their constant practice. Then all the Indragiri were indignant at such proceedings, and represented to Raja Narasinga that it was time to ask permission to take their departure for Indragiri, as they could not consent to stay any longer in Malaca, where they did not find themselves treated as equals, but rather as dependants.

Then Raja Narasinga presented himself in fall court to Sultan Mahmud, and requested his permission to return to Indragiri, "for though you have presented it to me," said he,"yet have I never seen it." The Prince, however, would not grant him permission. In a short time, however, Raja Narasinga took leave at his own hand, and fled to Indragiri, which was then in the hand of Raja Tuban, the brother of the deceased Raja Merlang, who had left a son named Maha Raja Isup, who had become raja of Indragiri.

As soon as he reached Indragiri, Tun Kichil and Tun Ali, who were chiefs of Indragiri, informed Raja Isup of the arrival of Raja Narasinga, and that he wanted to possess himself of the throne. Raja Isup was alarmed at this information, and immediately fled to Linga, where he was graciously received by the raja, named Maha Raja Tringano, who gave him his daughter in marriage; and many of his descendants still remain at Linga. After the death of the Maha Raja of Linga, Maha Raja Isup became raja of Linga. Raja Narasinga, however, became raja of Indragiri, and Tun Kichil became his bandahara.

Mean time Sultan Mahmud, the raja of Malaca, sent to Keling to purchase chintzes of forty different kinds, forty webs of every kind, and in every web forty different kinds of flowering. Hang Nadim was the person dispatched on this mission, who was a true Malaca man, related to the bandahara Sri Maha Raja, and son-in-law to the laksamana. He went accordingly on board a Malaca vessel, of which there was plenty at that time, and as soon as he reached the land of Keling, he presented himself before the raja, and represented to him the wishes of the raja of Malaca.

The Keling Raja collected the ablest painters, and directed them to draw patterns, according to the pleasure of Hang Nadim. They drew a multitude of pictures, but could not succeed in pleasing him; again they drew, but succeeded no better than before. Then said the Kelingers, "We have now exerted the utmost of our skill, and if anything can go beyond it, it is no skill of ours. Nevertheless if you have any pattern, give it, and we will draw it." Then said Hang Nadim, "Bring here a frame with ink, and let me draw one for you, and do you follow it." Then Hang Nadim drew a pattern according to his own ideas, and when the Keling draughtsmen saw him they were astonished at the quickness of his execution.

When it was finished, he gave it to the Kelingers, saying, "Such is the pattern which I want." When the Keling draughtsmen attempted to follow his pattern, they could not, for the shaking of their hands, and were obliged to request his permission to carry it home, to their several houses. By the time that all the cloth was finished, and delivered to Hang Nadim, the monsoon for returning was at hand, and he went to the nakhoda Hang Isup, to take his passage to Malaca. Now this Hang Isup traded with one Sidi Hamba Alla, who pretended that Hang Isup still owed him money, whereas Hang Isup alleged that he had paid him in full, and the quarrel between them had risen to a high pitch. Then said Hang Isup, "This bullocky Sidi here charges people falsely." "Hah, Hang Isup," says the Sidi, "I have no more bullocks than God gave me, and have received none from you, but wait till you set sail, you shall certainly sink in the middle of the sea." Hang Nadim who was present, said, "Sidi! I request of you most earnestly not to involve me in this business." "No Nadim," says the Sidi, clapping his back, "may Almighty God protect you."

On this the Sidi returned home, and Hang Nadim stowed all his bales of cloth in Hang Isup's vessel, to be ready for the voyage. They set sail, and when they reached the Silan sea, the vessel gradually foundered, with all its cargo, though there was neither rain nor tempest; and while every one was swimming for his life, Hang Nadim gained the sampan or cock-boat, and saved a part of his goods in it, and gained the land of Silan.

The Silan raja immediately sent for him, and desired him to make an egg-shaped lanthorn. Being skilled in limning, he succeeded admirably in the execution, and was highly rewarded by the raja, who was desirous of retaining him in his service, but Hang Nadim made his escape, and took his passage in a vessel to Malaca. When he reached Malaca, he presented himself before the Prince, and presented what he had saved of the bales of Keling chintz, amounting to only four or five webs.

But when the raja learned what had happened, he was enraged at him for taking his passage in Hang Isup's ship, after he knew the execration which the Sidi had denounced against it. Hang Nadim said, "I took my passage in his vessel because it was the only one which was coming quickly to Malaca, for all the rest were to be late in the season;" but the Prince was still more enraged at this answer, and said to him, "Get you away from hence;" and Hang Nadim retired and went to his own house.

About this time the laksamana Hang Tuah died, and was succeeded in his office by Rhwajeh Hasan, who was the son-in-law of Hang Tuah. This Rhwajeh Hasan had a son, Tun Abdul by name.