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The Glorious Deeds of ʿĀlamgīr 8: Caves of Ellora.

Ma-ásir-i 'Álamgírí, of Muhammad Sákí Musta'idd Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 8

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8

[Text, p. 238.] Muhammad Shah Malik Juna, son of Tughlik, selected the fort of Deogir as a central point whereat to establish the seat of government, and gave it the name of Daulatabad. He removed the inhabitants of Dehli thither with their wives and children, and many great and good men removed thither and were buried there. Ellora is only a short distance from this place. At some very remote period a race of men, as if by magic, excavated caves (nakkáb) high up among the defiles of the mountains. These rooms (khána) extended over a breadth of one kos. Carvings of various designs and of correct execution adorned all the walls and ceilings; but the outside of the mountain is perfectly level, and there is no sign of any dwelling (khána). From the long period of time these pagans remained masters of this territory, it is reasonable to conclude, although historians differ, that to them is to be attributed the construction of these places.