History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c84.s5.t1.36

v5.c84.s5.t1.36

Another incident, illustrating the gross credulity of the people of Kashmir, took place in May 1692, which in that year was the Muslim month of fasting (Ramzan). A stranger of some position (*sardar*) named Mir Husain had come to Kashmir and taken up his residence near the Takht-i-Sulaiman hill, where he set up his hermitage. Gradually the local people began to visit him freely. In the month of Ramzan he prepared a grand illumination in honour of the season. Most of the people of Srinagar turned it into an occasion for excursion and sight-seeing. Many boats went there, forming a vast crowd, and all were free from care. In the third quarter of the day such a violent storm of wind rain thunder and lightning burst upon the place that the whole city was darkened as in the darkest night. It continued so for some time, and then the people, believing that the Sun had set, broke their day's fast. But after 2 or 3 hours the tempest ceased, the Sun reappeared, and all felt themselves befooled and disgraced, for a Muslim can hardly commit a greater sin than to eat anything in the day-time of the month of Ramzan.