تحفة النظار في غرايب الامصار وعجايب الاسفار 17.1.2

17.1.2

His request with the Emperor was, that he should be permitted to rebuild an idol-temple in the country about the mountain of Kora, on which infidel Hindoos resided, on the top of which and on the heights was a plain of three months’ journey, and to which there was no approach. Here, too, resided many infidel Hindoo kings. The extremities of these parts extend to the confines of Thibet, where the musk gazelles are found. There are also mines of gold on these mountains, and poisonous grass growing, such, that when the rains fall upon it, and run in torrents to the neighbouring rivers, no one dares in consequence drink of the water during the time of their rising: and should any one do so, he dies immediately. This idol-temple they usually called the Bur Khana. It stood at the foot of the mountain, and was destroyed by the Mussulmans, when they became masters of these parts. Nor were the inhabitants of the mountain in a condition to fight the Mohammedans upon the plain. But the plain was necessary to them for the purposes of agriculture; they had, therefore, requested the Emperor of China to send presents to the King of India, and to ask this favour for them. Besides, to this temple the people of China also made pilgrimages. It was situated in a place called Samhal. The reply of the Emperor was, that this could not be permitted among a people who were Mohammedans; nor could there exist any church whatsoever, in countries subject to them, except only where tribute was paid;