234 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [July, 1909. 
Patna, is a stone mosque built by one Makhsus Khan in Akbar’s 
reign, probably the same officer as above. In the Bhavisyat- 
Purana, Brahmanda section, it is stated :—‘‘ in the vicinity _ 
Kiritesvart i is Morasudabad, founded by a Yavana.’’! The dat 
of this work is, however, uncertain. 
During Jahangir’s reign the place had become well known for 
silk articles. In the letters of the Patna Agents of the English, 
sortes are wounde of’’; and again, in the letter, dated April 
11, 1621 A.D., it is written :—‘‘ Wee have ventured 500 Rup. 
[ees] to Mucksoudabande for samples [of] silke of the sortes wee 
provide.’ 
rte with Kasimbazar, it became much more important in 
the second half of the eighteenth century. The English Agents, 
Streynsham Master and William Hedges, mention it as the seat 
of the local ‘‘ governor’’ Bolcand or Bulcand Riy, and in 
Hedge’s diary® frequent complaints were noted against him for 
stopping English goods on various pretexts. Bolcand died at 
** Moxudabad ”’ on ae November, 1683. It was then the 
Ramzin, 1000 H. or before 6th October, 1679 A.D). Itis 
shown in Valentyn’s map (1658-6 AD.) as ‘* Moxuda- 
bath,” on an island formed by two ce of the Ganges 
e Diwan of Bengal. Muhammad Hadi, entitled Kartalab 
aa to Murshida- Khan, not pulling on well with the gov- 
bSd, in x126 B. ernor, prince ’Azimu-sh-Shan, removed his 
offices to Me khensebid in the very begin- 
ning of the 18th century (1702 A.D.?). He changed the 
name of the place to Mursidabad, calling it after his new 
title Murshid Kuli Khan, This change appears from the coinage 
last in a rupee of 1116 2 48th year, and Murshidabad first 
in a rupee of 1117 H., 49th year.’ “When Murshid Kuli became 
Deputy Nazim, and subsequently Nazim, it became the capital 
of Bengal, which it continued to be until with the battle of 
a in June, 1757, the control passed to the British at 
Caleutt 
is Ant. p. 419. 
‘ he English Vochiries in India, 1618-21, 194, 
8 Diary of W. Hedges, Yule, er 
Lah a 0. ie i, 33, 47, ete., 140 ‘deactiyiak 234. 
Makhsigabad coins of 1116 H., L.M.C., p. tl 5 3 and for 
Mursidnbéa coins of 1117H., L.M.C., p. 191, and IM.C., p- 173, 
