Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 6.7.1

6.7.1

The author of the Hubeeb-oos-Seer relates, from other authorities, that Somnat was the name of the idol ; but he is contradicted by Sheikh Fureed-ood-Deen Attar, who observes, that " the army of Mahmood found in Somnat the idol whose name was Nat." I have, however, enquired on this subject, and learn, that Soma was the name of the prince after which the idol Nat was called. Nat signifies, among the Hindoos, lord or chief, and is rendered applicable to idols. Thus we have Jugnat, signifying the lord of the creation, to whom divine honours are offered up. In the time of eclipses we are told that from 200,000 to 300,000 worshippers used to frequent this temple, and that the different princes of Hindoostan had bestowed in all 2000 villages, the revenues of which were applied to maintain its priests. This revenue was independent of other costly presents received from all parts of the empire. It was customary, also, for those idolaters to wash Somnat twice daily with fresh water from the Ganges, though that river is above 1000 miles distant.