Riyaz al-salatin 27.1

27.1

Be it not hidden that, in ancient times, the Rais of the Kingdom of Bengal (Bangalah) were powerful, and of high rank and dignity, and did not owe allegiance to the Maharajah of Hindustan, who ruled over the throne at Delhi. For instance, Suraj, who was a powerful Rajah, subjugated the Kingdom of Dakhin (Dakin). At that time, his deputies commenced grasping and usurping ; and in the Kingdom of Hindustan, idol-worship dates from his time. It is said that, in the beginning, Hind, having seen and heard from his father Ham, son of Noah (peace be on him ! ) devoted himself to the worship of God ; and that his children also, in the same manner, worshipped God, until, in the time of Rai Maharaj, a person coming from Persia perverted the people of Hindustan to sun-worship. In efflux of time, some became star-worshippers, and others fire-worshippers. In the time of Rai Suraj, a Brahmin, coming from the mountains of Jharkand, entered his service, and taught the Hindus idol-worship, and preached that everyone preparing a gold or silver or stone image of his father and grandfather, should devote himself to its worship ; and this practice became more common than other practices. And at the present day in the religious practice of Hindus, the worship of idols, and of the sun, and of fire is very common.