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OF THE HINDUS.
215
in the 14th century, supposing the Kabir work to be correct in the date it attributes to the latter.
If the date assigned by HAMILTON to the migration of the Hindu tribes from Chitaur, the beginning of the 14th century, be accurate', it is probable that this was the period at which the worship of Siva, agreeably to the doctrines of MATSYENDRA, or GORAKH, was introduced there, and into the eastern provinces of Hindustan
The temple of GORAKHNÁTH at Gorakhpur, according to the local tradition, was founded by Siva in the second or Treta age. Of its revolutions subsequent to that period no account was preserved, until it was converted into a Mohammedan mosque by ALA-ADDIN. The temple, after some interval, was re-built in a different situation by an association of the followers of GORAKHNÁTH, and this was possibly the period at which the sect assumed its present form. A similar fate, however, attended this edifice, and it was appropriated by AURANGZEB to the Mohammedan religion. A second interval elapsed before a shrine was again erected to GORAKHNÁTH, when it was re-built on the spot on which it now stands by BUDDHANÁTH according to instructions communicated to him by GORAKHNÁTH in person. The present temple is situated to the west of the City of Gorakhpur, and attached to it on the south are three temples consecrated to MAHÁDEVA, PASUPATINÁTH, and HANUMÁN. The inclosure also
* HAMILTON’s Nepal, page 14.
