'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎88] (221/458)

88
COMMANDER F. JONES.
Hj *** jk^lj cixJb ^Jlyoj
The legend on the NW. face is commemorative of the name, titles,
and genealogy of the Khalif, Mastansir B’illah, and like most royal deeds
savours much of self-adulation and pomp, at a time too when the faded
glory of the Khalifate was on the eve of setting for ever. It contrasts
strongly with the concise forms in use among the early successors of
Mahomed, who used generally the simple but expressive distinction of
Khalif only, with the addition at times of “ Commander of the Faithful”
as descriptive of their power.* The lapse of six centuries however,
as in other barbarous states, had worked a great change in the
primitive habits of the race. Humility and great abstemiousness,
the characteristic virtues of the early Arab reformers, had been lost
in the pride of conquest and possession, to be succeeded by arrogance,
luxury, and princely display, that subsequently led to their overthrow
and degradation. The following is the legend on the NW. face of
the bridge :—
45^ r uyi &Uf LU f
* The address of the letter sent by the celebrated Hassun.ar-Rashid to the Roman Em
peror, is a specimen of the laconic and contemptuous style of the early Mahomedan sovereign-
It ran thus,-‘ c From the Khalif Hassun.ar-Rashid to Nicephorus the Roman dog.’'—Gibbon,
yol. 6, chap. 52.
f I am indebted to the pen of Mr, Collingwood. of the Indian Navy, for tbe accurate draw
ing of the bridge of Harbeb.