Storia do Mogor 128.3

128.3

Yet it had caused sorrow to everybody except Aurangzeb. The latter, rid of a rajah whose influence might have been dangerous to his kingdom, declared that very hour an open war against Hinduism. He sent orders at once for the destruction of the fine temple called Lalta, in the neighbourhood of Dihli. He also ordered every viceroy and governor to destroy all the temples within his jurisdiction. Among others was destroyed the great temple of Matora (Mathura), which was of such a height that its gilded pinnacle could be seen from Agrah, eighteen leagues away. In its place a mosque was to be erected, to which he gave the name of Essalamabad (Islamabad) — that is, 'Built by the faithful.' Not content with this, he expelled the jogls or sanyasis, who are the ascetics and saints of the Hindus. He directed that the higher officers at the court who were Hindus should no longer hold their charges, but into their places Mahomedans should be put. He hindered the Hindus from enjoying their merry-making (intrudo) or carnival, on which occasion Mahomedans also resort to pranks and filthy sports. The time of this festival or carnival falls ordinarily on the moon of March. It is their custom to disport themselves by throwing on each other's clothes scented oils and odoriferous dust, if they are personages of position, or dirty water and other stinking things if they are low people.