________________
434
EPIGRAPHIA INDICA. Memoirs, p. 339, where he is styled Hamida Khán Kháspa Khaili, shiqdár of Higår Firóza).
The following inscription refers also to Muhammad Shah's fortification of the place." Originally it consisted of three parts that are now scattered. The larger portion, given here, is at present doing duty as the headstone of a grave near the Husain Gate; & smaller one has been let into the brick wall of a well, near the same gate, and is fast being destroyed. The inscription, in heavy characters, is a very fine one, and ought to be preserved. Two lines, size 3' 3" by 1' 6" —
بناء عمارت این حصن حصين ودررازی متین در عهد [ سلطان السلاطين ] جم نشان رسليمان تمکین سکندرزمان ابوالمظفر محمد شاه السلطان
« The building of the edifice of this strong fort and solid gate (cas) in the time of (the king of kings) celebrated like Jamshed, of high dignity like Solomon, the Alexander of the period, Abu'l Muzaffar Muhammad Shah, the king......" 16
17. Inside of the mihráb of the mosque of the Makhdům Şahib Asbraf in the Weavers' Quarter of Hansi, is a very old inscription in square Kufic characters that must be of the first Pathan period. It measures 1' 1" by 9' and consists of the Kalima only. Over the outer gateway of the enclosure of the same mosque is found a poor inscription of three lines (93" by 6"), giving the date, “Month Şafar 989," (began 7th March, 1581). The old mosque therefore was repaired in Akbar's time.
18. Outside the stables of Haidar Bég, high up in a wall is a rectangular sandstone, bearing an inscription of nine lines (size 1' 9" by 1' 7"). It is frightfully worn and can be deciphered only with the greatest difficulty. But the following is certain :
...... vies
در عهد ردولت سلطان السلاطين ابوالمظفر شهاب الدین محمد صاحب
* Perhaps also to the Barsi Gate (Blochmann No. 3, Garrick No. 6).
15 Other inscriptions of 'AlA uddin Muhammad Shah's reign (A.H. 695-715) have been published in General Cunninghan's Archæological Survey Reports, vol. XX, p. 76 (A.H. 705, at Bayana), by E. Thomas, Chronicles of the Pathan Kings, p. 173 (A.H. 710, at Diblf), and by Blochmann, Proceedings of As. Soc. B. for August 1873, p. 156 (A.H. 711, at Rápri), (also No. 22 below). I would here call attention to a work that may be very important for the history of another monarch of the Khilji tribe, viz. of Mahmud Shah I. of Malwa. The Royal Library at Berlin possesses a M8. that seems to be unique; At least I have found no second copy in the accessible catalogues of manuscripts, and the late Mr. . Rehatsek did not know of one elsewhere. Its title is Ma'dthiri Mahmudshali na siyari khildfale pandhi, written in the lifetime of Mahmud Shah I. of Malwa, as the author 'Ali Ibn Mahmud u l-Kirmani states, by Mahmûd's own order. The writer shows himself well acquainted with many private adventures of his sovereign, especially with his dreams before the occupation of the throne, and be describes fully these inviting divine messages as justifying the rebellion of the subject against his former master. Although partly composed in a very bombastio style, it would still be worth publishing, all the more mit is a proof of the taste then reigning at the court of Malwa. Mahmud is related to have been always a favourer of learned men. It is stated in this work that for the engraving of the inscriptions on the splendid Madrasa B & m-i Bihisht, built by Shah Mahmúd A.H. 845 in his capital, he employed Persian artists because of their higher dexterity, and these applied the thalth and muhaqqaq kinds of writing (Fol. 89). This may be a hint in cases where nothing is related concerning the nationality of the stone-cutters. It is remarkable how many of the modern' Indian caligraphiste mentioned in the 34th chapter of the first book of the dini Akbari (cf. also Mr. Blochmann's translation, p. 100, et seg, and notes) ware strangers by birth and only afterwards settled in India. The Kufic style that has fourished in Arabia, Egypt and Spain bas produced only some scanty flowers in India, but this is easily explained by the later date of Islam in India, the Kufie period then already having passed. Some remarks about the caligraphy of the inscriptions are to be found in the Jour of 41. 8. B., rol XL, p.257-8, and in Ravenshaw's Gaur.
