52 Translation of Ibn HuokuVs Account of Seine! , [No. 1. 



temple is a structure iu the midst of buildings situated in the streets 

 of Moltan near the bazar of the ivory workers on the side of the cop- 

 per-smiths. In the centre of this structure stands a dome in which 

 is placed this idol. Round the building are houses for the various 

 servants of the temple, and of those devoted to religious austerities. 

 This idol is alone worshipped in Moltan whether by people of India 

 or of Scind ; nobody lives in the building with the idol. 



This image is in the similitude of a human being, seated upon an 

 elevated platform built of brick and mortar. Sometimes the entire 

 body is covered up, the outward skin is very red in colour, like 

 mujeet. Nothing is left to be seen but the two eyes. Some people 

 think the body of the idol is made of wood ; but some consider it of 

 other substance. They will not permit it to be exposed ; its eyes are 

 composed of two jewels and on its head is placed a crown of gold. 

 Seated on the platform, its arms are extended to its knees with the 

 fingers closed up as if counting four in number. The Umeer of Mol- 

 tan takes all the wealth presented to the idol and expends it on the 

 priests. 



When the sacred war-banners of Eslam were first carried into In- 

 dia ; this idol was thrown down, exposed, broken, and burnt ; after 

 which the warriors returned having destroyed the city. Near Moltan 

 are many high-walled forts ; the soil is very productive, but exceeded 

 by Munsooruh in cultivation and in population. Moltan acquired the 

 title of the City of Gladness and Capital of Gold, because it was one 

 of the first places conquered to Eslam. At the time there was much 

 distress and want in the Moslem army — but in the city was obtained 

 large quantities of gold. The army was refreshed by the spoil. Out- 

 side Moltan at the distance of about a half a fursukh, is a collection 

 of houses called Chundurawur, the cantonment of the Umeer ; he 

 only enters the city on Friday, when seated on an elephant he pro- 

 ceeds to the place of prayer. 



The Umeer is of the Koreesh tribe, one of the sons of Samuh, the 

 son of Lowa. He reigns over them, pays no obedience to the chief 

 of Munsooruh, but reads the Khotbuh in the name of the Caliph. 



Bismud is a small place situated with Moltan and Chundurawur, 

 on the east of the Indus, at a distance of one fursukh from the river. 

 Their water is all drawn from wells ; the soil is culturable. 



