Sarandib
سرنديب
A large island in the Indian Ocean ruled by a very wealthy king. The author says it has gems, rubies and other precious stones, and that Chinese ships call there. Its people live by farming and fishing, and scholars of different faiths meet to debate before the king 1.
At a glance
- Region
- South Asia
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Overview
Sarandib is a large island in the Indian Ocean, ruled by a king of great wealth, according to al-Idrisi. He mentions that in it are jewels, rubies and various kinds of precious stones, and that the ships of China come to it. Its people live by agriculture and fishing. There are various religions in it, and its scholars gather to debate in the presence of the king. 2
According to Ibn Khurdadhbih, the awahi rubies and their kind, diamonds, pearls and crystal are imported from it, as is the sunbadaj with which jewels are treated. 3
Sources
- Al-Idrisi, Nuzhat al-Mushtaq fi ikhtiraq al-afaq (Cairo: Maktabat al-Thaqafa al-Diniyya, 2002), 2 vols., p. 74-75
- Al-Idrisi, Nuzhat al-Mushtaq fi ikhtiraq al-afaq (Cairo: Maktabat al-Thaqafa al-Diniyya, 2002), 2 vols., p.74-75
- Kitab al-Masalik wa-l-Mamalik of Ibn Khurdadhbih, p.78
Cite this page
islam.museum contributors. “Sarandib”. islam.museum, https://islam.museum/en/place/sarandib/. CC BY-SA 4.0. Accessed 2026-10-17.