Beport of the Archaeological Survey. 



Ixi 



114. The history of the Kutb Minar is writ-ten in its inscriptions. 

 In the basement story there are six bands or belts of inscriptions 

 encircling the tower. The uppermost band contains only some verses 

 from the Koran, and the next below it gives the well known ninety- 

 nine Arabic names of the Almighty. The third belt contains the 

 name and praises of Mauz-uddin, Abul Muzqfar, Muhammad JBin 

 Sam. The fourth belt contains only a verse from the Koran, and the 

 fifth belt repeats the name and praises of the Sultan Muhammad Bin 

 Sam. The lowermost belt has been too much injured, both by time 

 and by ignorant restorations, to admit of being read, but Syad Ahmad 

 has traced the words " Amir-ul-TJmra" or Chief of the u Nobles." 

 The inscription over the entrance doorway records that " this Minar 

 of Sultan Shams-uddin Altamish having been injured, was repaired 

 during the reign of Sikander Shah, son of Bahlol, by Fatah Khan, 

 the son of Khawas Khan, in A. H. 909," or A. D. 1503. 



115. In the second story the inscription over the doorway records 

 that the Emperor Altamish ordered the completion of the Minar. 

 The lowermost belt contains the verses of the Koran respecting the 

 summons to prayers on Friday, and the upper line contains the 

 praises of the Emperor Altamish. Over the door of the third story 

 the praises of Altamish are repeated, and again in the belt of inscrip- 

 tion round the column. In the fourth story the door inscription 

 records that the Minar was ordered to be erected during the reign of 

 Altamish. The inscription over the door of the fifth story states that 

 the Minar having been injured by lightning, was repaired by the 

 Emperor Firuz Shah in A. H. 770 or A. D. J 368. 



116. But besides these long inscriptions, which form part of the 

 architectural ornament of the pillar, there are a few other short 

 records which are worth preserving. On the basement story is re- 

 corded the name of Fazzil, son of Abul Muali, the Mutawali or high 

 priest; and on one side of the third story is found the name of 

 Muhammad Amircho, Architect. On the same story, also, there is a 

 short Nagari ^inscription in one line with the name of Muhammad 

 Sultan and the date of Samvat 1382, or A. D. 1325, which was the 

 first year of Muhammad Tughlak's reign. On the wall of the fourth 

 story there is another Nagari inscription, in two lines, which is dated 

 in the Samvat year 1425, or A. D. 1368, in the reign of JPiroj Sdh, or 

 Firuz Shah Tughlak. A third Nagari inscription is found on the 



