1870.] Arabic and Persian Inscriptions in the Hugli District. 303 



In the reign of Muhammad Shah, when Nawab Asad Janghad left 

 Orisa for Bengal, he encamped at this place which is called D i n an a t h, and 

 devoted himself to establishing order in the Subah of Bengal, according to 

 the strict order of the sovereign. The hearts of the subjects rejoiced at the 

 happy news. This place has therefore been called Mubarak Manzal ; for the 

 wishes of the people were fulfilled. 



When this happy spot was laid out, I (the poet) searched for a hemistich 

 which was to give the tdrikh, and a voice from heaven whispered into my ear, 

 * Mubarak Manzil e daulatsard ham'. 



This gives A. H. 1136, or A. D. 1723-24. 



On the northern gateway, there are two verses (metre Mujtass). 



Inscription XVII (Persian). 

 Ac ts~° viAUJI ij+ly* c^ir* * *T"^ v-ajU cJ&fb+l+js Jt*« • 



When by order of the generous Nawab, this place of safety was erected, the 

 voice from heaven said regarding the auspicious year the words ' Sardi Muta- 

 minulmulk malja e 'dlam', this is the Sarai ofMutaminulmulk, the refuge 

 of the world. 



The letters of the Tdrikh give A. H. 1143, or A. D. 1730-31. 

 Eegarding Mutamin ul Mulk Shuja'uddaulah Asacl-jang Bahadur, 

 vide Stewart's Bengal, p. 261. 



In conclusion I may be allowed to express a hope that the mem- 

 bers of the Society will forward to Calcutta rubbings of inscrip- 

 tions. It is thus alone that our imperfect knowledge of the history 

 of this country can be completed. For Bengal especially, inscrip- 

 tions are of great value, because old histories have perished, 

 and coins and local records are the only available sources.*' 



repeat the words which the author of the Tabaqdt i Ndcvri has in praise of the 

 unparalleled liberality of Lachman Sen, the last King of Bengal, ' kliaffafa 

 Alldhu 'anhu-l 'azdb,' may God lessen his punishment in hell! (Tabq. Nd^irz, 

 p. 149). 



* Since writing the above, rubbings and copies of (Muhammadan) inscriptions 

 have been sent to the Society by Messrs. Delmerick (Kawulpindi), Harrison 

 (Bareli), Tiery (Chaprah), Carlleyle (Agrah), Oldham (Ghazipur), and by a 

 Muliammadan gentleman in Bard wan. They will be published in the next 

 number of the Journal. Information has also been received of inscriptions 

 existing at Ambika Kalnah (Culna on the Hooghly) near the tomb of oneUkul 

 Khan. 



