Hindu Temples: What Happened to Them v2.c19.s2.34

v2.c19.s2.34

Muhammad Ufi, the compiler of this work, observes that he never heard a story to be compared with this. He had once been to Kambayat (Cambay), a city situated on the sea-shore, in which, a number of Sunnis, who were religious, faithful, and charitable lived. In this city, which belonged to the chiefs of Guzerat and Nahrwala,²⁴ was a body of Fire-worshippers²⁵ as well as the congregation of Musulmans. In the reign of a king named Jai Singh, there was a mosque and a minaret from which the summons to prayers were cried. The Fire-worshippers instigated the infidels to attack the Musulmans and the minaret was destroyed, the mosque burnt, and eight Musulmans were killed.

A certain Muhammadan, a Khatib, or reader of the Khutba by name Khatib Ali, escaped and fled to Nahrwala. None of the courtiers of the Rai paid any attention to him, or rendered him any assistance, each one being desirous to screen those of his own persuasion. At last, having learnt that the Rai was going out to hunt, Khatib Ali sat down behind a tree in the forest and awaited the Rais coming. When the Rai had reached the spot, Khatib Ali stood up, and implored him to stop the elephant and listen to his complaint. He then placed in his hand a kaisda, which he had composed in Hindi verse, stating the whole case. The Rai having heard the case placed