Of the Sikhs (p. 209), says that
in 1831, when Shah Shuja treated with Ranjit Singh for aid to recover his
throne, one of the Maharaja's conditions was the restoration of the Gates
to Somnath. This probably put the scheme into Lord Ellenborough's head.
But a remarkable fact is, that the Shah reminded Ranjit of a prophecy
that foreboded the downfall of the Sikh Empire on the removal of the
Ghazni Gates. This is quoted from a report of Captain Wade's, dated 21st
November, 1831. The gates were removed to India in the end of 1842. The
"Sikh Empire" practically collapsed with the murder of Sher Singh in
September, 1843.
It is not probable that there was any real connection between these
Gates, of Saracenic design, carved (it is said) in Himalayan cedar, and
the Temple of Somnath. But tradition did ascribe to them such a
connection, and the eccentric prank of a clever man in high place made
this widely known. Nor in any case can we regard as alien to the scope of
this book the illustration of a work of mediaeval Asiatic art, which is
quite as remarkable for its own character and indisputable history, as for
the questionable origin ascribed to it. (Tod's Travels, 385, 504;
Burgess, Visit to Somnath, etc.; Jacob's Report on Kattywar, p. 18;
Gildemeister, 185; Dowson's Elliot, II. 468 seqq.; Asiatic
Journal, 3rd series, vol. I.).
[1] So in Elliot, II. 74. But Jacob says there is an inscription of
a Mussulman Governor in Pattan of 1297.
CHAPTER XXX.
CONCERNING THE KINGDOM OF KESMACORAN.
Kesmacoran is a kingdom having a king of its own and a peculiar language.
[Some of] the people are Idolaters, [but the most part are Saracens]. They
live by merchandize and industry, for they are professed traders, and
carry on much traffic by sea and land in all directions. Their food is
rice [and corn], flesh and milk, of which they have great store. There is
no more to be said about them.[NOTE 1]
And you must know that this kingdom of Kesmacoran is the last in India as
you go towards the west and north-west. You see, from Maabar on, this
province is what is called the GREATER INDIA, and it is the best of all
the Indies. I have now detailed to you all the kingdoms and provinces and
(chief) cities of this India the Greater, that are upon the seaboard; but
of those that lie in the interior I have said nothing, because that would
make too long a story.[NOTE 2]
And so now let us proceed, and I will tell you of some of the Indian
Islands. And I will begin by two Islands which are called Male and Female.
NOTE 1. - Though M. Pauthier has imagined objections there is no room for
doubt that Kesmacoran is the province of Mekran, known habitually all
over the East as Kij-Makran, from the combination with the name of the
country of that of its chief town, just as we lately met with a converse
combination in Konkan-tana.
