 Batik was mentioned in the 17th century Malay Annals . The legend goes when <unk> Hang Nadim was ordered by Malacca King , Sultan Mahmud , to sail to India to buy 140 pieces of <unk> cloth ( batik ) with 40 types of flowers depicted on each . Unable to find any that fulfilled the requirements explained to him , he made up his own . On his return unfortunately his ship sank and he only managed to bring four pieces , earning displeasure from the Sultan . 
