'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎2] (135/458)

2
LIEUTENANT H. G. RAVEBTY
It stated that, cotemporary with Mahmood, there was a Raja King of
Sealkote, near Goojrat in the Panjab, by name Selghanee. This Chief
wished to erect for himself a very strong fortress near to Sealkote; but
he found it much more difficult to finish than to commence: in fact,
that to complete it was impossible. Three sides stood well, but the
fourth fell down almost as soon as it could be built up. On this cir
cumstance occurring several times, Raja King Selghanee collected together
his Brahmins and Soothsayers, to ask their counsel in the matter,
whose advice was, that it would be necessary to sacrifice a Mahomedan
on the spot, and sprinkle the walls of the fort with his blood, after
which the wall would stand, and the fortress be brought to completion.
The people of the Chief were accordingly despatched in all directions
to search fora suitable object, and after some delay, they brought back
with them an old poverty-stricken woman, together with her only son,
which latter was considered a fit offering to appease the anger of their
Gods. The price of blood was offered to the mother, and of course
refused; but the case being urgent, and Raja King Selghanee finding that
neither gold nor persuasion were likely to be of any effect, ordered
that the boy should be taken by force from his mother and sacrificed,
which was accordingly done; and the fort of Sealkote, in due time,
completed.
The wretched mother, having been allowed to depart, proceeded to
Ghuznee, to lay her complaint before, and seek for justice from, Mah
mood, whom she met at a bridge near the city, as he was returning
from the chase. On his being pointed out to her by an attendant, she
cried out with a loud voice, “ Ah! Champion of Islam! I come to de
mand justice at your hands: say will you listen to me here, on this
bridge, or on that of Sarat ?”* Mahmood answered—“ It were better,
oh woman, that I should hear your complaint here, for I may neither
* Bridge of Sirat, or al Sirat, the bridge of breadth, narrower than the thread of
a famished spider, and sharper than the edge of a »word; over which the Faithful must enter
into Paradise, to which it is the only entrance. But this is not the worst part of it, for the
river which flows beneath, is the river of Hell itself, into which the unskilful and tender of foot,
as might be expected, manage to fall—not a very pleasing prospect to those who have to follows
A certain Moolah was one day holding forth in the Musjid, on the subject of Heaven and
Hell, said that those who did what was right would go to the former, and those who did evil
to the latter place ] and that to gain the gate of Paradise, it was necessary to pass over the bridgs
of Sirat, which was narrower than a hair, and sharper than the edge of a polished diamond. An
AfFghan, who was present, and who had become very much concerned at this latter part of tbs
sermon, at length rose up, and said , i( Ah Akhund i you had better say at once that there is
road at all, if it teas you state, instead of deceiving people in this manner.* *