he determined to go there, but not in ships because he had not enough
for so many people, so he began to cart a great quantity of stones
and earth and to throw it into the sea in order to fill it up, so
that he might reach the island; and putting this in hand with great
labour he did so much that he crossed over to the island of Ceyllao,
which is twelve or fifteen leagues off[13], This causeway that he
made was, it is said, in course of time eaten away by the sea, and
its remains now cause the shoals of Chillao. Melliquiniby,[14] his
captain-general, seeing how much labour was being spent in a thing so
impossible, made ready two ships in a port of Charamaodell which he
loaded with much gold and precious stones, and forged some despatches
as of an embassy sent in the name of the king of the island, in which
he professed his obedience and sent presents; and after this the king
did not proceed any further with his causeway.

"In memory of this work he made a very large pagoda, which is still
there; it is a great place of pilgrimage.

"There are two thousand of these and similar stories with which I
hope at some time to trouble your honour; and with other better ones,
if God gives me life. I kiss your honour's hand."[15]

To conclusively establish the fact that this account can only refer
to Muhammad Taghlaq of Delhi, who reigned from 1325 to 1351, it is
necessary that we should look into the known character of that monarch
and the events of his reign.

Nuniz states that his "Togao Mamede" conquered Gujarat, was at war
with Bengal, and had trouble with the Turkomans on the borders of
Sheik Ismail, I.E. Persia.[16] To take these in reverse order. Early