Maḥrūz ben Jacob

Maḥrūz ben Jacob was a successful shipowner and trader between India and Egypt. Born in Aden, he bought a house in Fustāt (Old Cairo) in 1131/2 and moved there in 1135, but he made frequent trips across the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean. His ship traveled the route from Aden in Yemen to Mangalore (Manjarūr) in India, and he traded in lac, pepper, and other commodities. His mother remained living in Aden, and his widow and children, including two sons, Joseph and Abū ’l-Ḥasan, lived there after he died.