[168] Sachau’s Text of Al Bírúni, 252. [↑]
[169] Sachau’s Arabic Text, 253. [↑]
[170] Sachau’s Arabic Text, 253 chapter 58. [↑]
[171] It appears that at the time of his expedition to Somnáth Mahmúd had not adopted the title of Sultán. [↑]
[172] Sachau’s Arabic Text, 253 chapter 58. [↑]
[173] Sachau’s Text, 253 chapter 58. [↑]
[174] The Táríkh-i-Kámil. Ibni Asír (a.d. 1160–1232) is a voluminous and reliable historian. Ibni Khallikán, the author of the famous biographical dictionary, knew and respected Asír always alluding to him as “our Sheikh.” See Elliot, II. 245. [↑]
[175] From the term ‘sculptured’ it would seem the idol was of stone. It is curious how Ibni Asír states a little further that a part of the idol was “burned by Mehmúd.” See Elliot, II. 471. The Tárikh-i-Alfi says (Elliot, II. 471) that the idol was cut of solid stone. It however represents it as hollow and containing jewels, in repeating the somewhat hackneyed words of Mahmúd when breaking the idol regardless of the handsome offer of the Bráhmans, and finding it full of jewels. [↑]
[176] The Rauzat-us-Safa (Lithgd. Edition, IV. 48) speaks of Mahmúd’s project of making Somnáth his capital and not Anhilwára as stated by Farishtah (I. 57, Original Persian Text). The Rauzát-us-Safa says that when Mahmúd had conquered Somnáth he wished to fix his residence there for some years as the country was very large and had a great many advantages including mines of pure gold and rubies brought from Sarandíb or Ceylon which he represents as a dependency of Gujarát. At last he yielded to his minister’s advice and agreed to return to Khurásán. [↑]
[177] Prairies D’Or (DeMeynard’s Arabic Text, I. 381); also Al Masúdi in Elliot (History of India. I. 24). [↑]