A History of the Mahrattas v1.c8.26

v1.c8.26

¹ The story altogether, as detailed by Ferishta, bears the marks of tradition: an observation of no consequence in this place; but it may be remarked, that all Bramins, now in the Deccan, holding the office of Qanoongo, which is similar to that of Deshpandya, are invariably called Kangoh, in the corrupt dialect of Maharashtra, and that even in Persian this corruption is found, spelt both with the kaf and qaf. [The story of Zafar Khān having been in the service of a Brahman named Gāngū (Kangoh), and of the consequent derivation of the title Bahmanī from the word Brahman, is without foundation. Zafar Khān ‘assumed the name or title of Bahman, because he claimed descent from the early Persian King so-called, better known as Artaxerxes Longimanus, the Long-armed (Ardashir Darāzdast), who is identified with Ahasuerus of the Book of Esther.’ (O.H.I., p. 275 and footnote.)]