1880.] H. S. Jarrett — Note on an Inserijption found in Kashnir. 19 



its eificacy secured the throne to the monarch's successors until the reign o£ 

 Fath Shah who directed it to be buried with him, from which period dates 

 the decline of the dynasty. 



His son Sultan Sikandar, better known by the title of the Iconoclast 

 from the number of idols he destroyed, assumed the sovereignty in A. H. 

 796 (A. D. 1393-4). During his reign, the rapid advance of Timur 

 on his march to India, induced Sikandar to conciliate the Tartar conque- 

 ror by despatching his son Shahi Khan known afterwards as Zayn-u'l Aabi- 

 din to his court with presents and friendly letters. Timur gratified by this 

 conduct, left him in possession of his territory but detained Shahi Khan in 

 Samarkand which he never left until Timur's death. Sikandar after a 

 reign of twenty-five years and nine months, died in A. H. 822. A superb 

 mosque which contained 372 columns, each 40 cubits in height and 6 in 

 circumference, was begun and completed by him in the space of three years 

 under the direction of two famous architects Khwajah Sudr-ud-din Khora- 

 sani, and Sayyid Muhammad Nuristani. To his piety was also owing the 

 erection of the great mosque of Bijarah, and with the exception of the 

 rattle of the royal kettle-drums, no profane music was permitted to disturb 

 the austere tranquillity of his capital. Through his munificence the walls 

 of the romantic gardens of Shalimar were extended as far as the Parganah 

 of Phag and their stability was assured or blessed by the burial beneath 

 their foundations of all the Hindu works that could be collected. As these 

 treated either of idolatrous rites, astrology or history that was fabulous, 

 they were considered by the monarch as condign objects for destruction. 



He was succeeded by his son Ali who reigned but six years and nine 

 months. This prince bent upon performing the pilgrimage to Mecca 

 resigned his kingdom in A. H. 828 into the hands of his famous brother 

 Zayn ul Aabidin and set out on his journey. A. H. 822. (A. D. 1419). 



A H. 828. (A. D, 1424-5.) Zayn lil Aabidin was noted early in life 

 for his abilities. He employed the time he had spent in Samarkand in 

 adding to his store of knowledge, and on his return to his country he 

 brought with him a number of artificers, such as paper-makers, book- binders, 

 carpet-weavers, saddlers and others to improve the industries of his own 

 land. His brother Ali having reached the territory of his father-in-law 

 the Jammu Chief, was persuaded by him to abandon his pilgrimage and re- 

 sume his sovereignty. Keturning therefore with an army, he was met by his 

 brother Zayn lil Aabidin, who gave him battle, defeated him and placed 

 him in confinement wherein he shortly after died. The powerful faction of 

 the Gurjis who in the time of his father possessed great influence in state 

 affairs, and who favoured the cause of his brother, was exterminated by him 

 at Naushahr, at which palace he erected a place for his own residence. 



His time was now spent in promoting the prosperity of his country 



