Isaac

Issac, also known as Ishaq bin Yahuda, was a Syrian trader who earned his wealth in India and China known from the Arabic book Kitāb Ajāib al-Hind (“The Wonders of India”), written by Buzurg b. Shahriyār in the 10th century. After thirty years in India he returned with a ship full of superior musk, silk clothing, Chinese porcelain, jewels and precious stones and countless Chinese rarities.

Buzurg himself calls his story “one of the most curious tales of the traders of the sea and those who have sailed the sea and become wealthy through it.” Isaac, son of the Jew (also referred to in the story as ‘the Jew,’ rather than son of the Jew) had engaged in business with trade commissioners (dallālīn) in Oman. When another Jew sued him for payment of a debt, Isaac absconded and fled to the lands of India. He took with him all of his possessions, which then totaled some 200 dinars., and nothing was heard of him for thirty years. Then in 912/3 he returned to Oman from China, sailing a ship that belonged to him, as did its entire cargo. The cargo, valued to more than a million dinars, included superb musk, silk clothing, Chinese porcelain, jewels and precious stones and countless Chinese rarities.

In the next three years Isaac’s merchandise flooded the market of Oman. His wealth aroused jealousy and animosity and once the situation became unbearable for him in Oman he uilt another ship, filled it with all of his possessions, and set out again for China. On his way to China he was demanded a payment of 20,000 dinars by the ruler of Sumatra for a grant of safe passage to China. Issac refused to pay and was murdered while his ship with all its cargo was seized.