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night from his departure. The next day he held a Court, and summoning all complaints he directed Khatib to relate his grievance. When he had stated his case, a body of the infidels wished to intimidate him and falsify his statement. On this the Rai ordered his water carrier to give the water-pot to them that they might drink from it. Each one tasting found that the vessel contained sea water, and could not drink it. The Rai then told them that he had failed unable to put implicit confidence in any one. because a difference of religion was involved in the case; he had himself therefore gone to Kambayat, and having made personal enquiries as to the truth, had learnt that the Muhammadans were the victims of tyranny and oppression. He said that it was his duty to see that all his subjects were afforded such protection as would enable them to live in peace. He then gave orders that two leading men from each class of infidels. Brahmans, Fire-Worshippers, and others should be punished. He gave a lac of Balotras" to enable them to rebuild the mosques and minarets. He also granted to Khatib four articles of dress.” These are preserved to this day, but are only exposed to view on high festival days. The mosque and minaret was standing until a few years ago. But when the Army of Bala" invades Nahrwala, they were destroyed. Said Sharaf Tamin rebuilt at his own expense, and having erected four towers, made golden cupolas 'for them. He left this monument of the Faith in the land of Infidels, and it remains to this day.
(Tarsa This name is used for Christiansand Fire-Worshippers. It would also some times seem to be applied to Bhuddists. )
These Balotras appear to derive their name from Balas, In persian. (One Mr. Writes this name “Balwa" another "Malu'-Malwa)
ANNEXTURE. C રા. શ્રીયુત નારાયણજી વિસનજી ઠકકરકૃત.
મયણલ્લાદેવી-ગુજરાતની માતાની પ્રસ્તાવનામાંથી, શ્રી વીરક્ષેત્ર-વડોદરામાં પ્રગટ થતા “સાહિત્ય” નામક માસિક પત્રના વર્તમાન વર્ષ ઈ. સ. ૧૯૨૪ ના જાન્યુઆરી માસના પ્રથમ અંકમાં પ્રકાશિત કરાયેલાં “ પાટણની પ્રભુતા,” એની મે. ડુમાની નવલકથાઓ સાથે સરખામણી” શીર્ષક તુલનાત્મક અભ્યાસના પરિણામરૂપ તથા નિપક્ષપાત લેખમાં તે લેખના લેખક રા. રામચંદ્ર શુકલે પિતાના એ લેખને લખવાના કારણને દર્શાવતાં “ સાંપ્રત કાળના સાહિત્ય ક્ષેત્ર” માં નાવિધ બીજોનું નિક્ષેપણ થવા લાગ્યું છે; અને નૂતન ફણગા ફરવા માંડ્યા છે. “ પ્રજાબંધુ” ના
” વિશેષાંકમાં ર. નારાયણ ઠકકરે એક નવી વસ્તુનું આલેખન કરી આ ક્ષેત્રમાં ખળભળાટ જગાવ્યું - આધુનિક નવલકથાકારમાં ઉચ્ચ ગણાતા રા. કનૈયાલાલ મુનશીની “પાટણની પ્રભુતા” “ ગુજરાતને
