English: Shah Jaha Inscription from a well at Makrana, Rajasthan
This epigraph comes from Makrana. The inscriptional tablet measuring 50 by 30 cm. is fixed into the western wall of a step-well in a locality known after it as Muhalla Baon. Comprising three lines of writing in Persian prose, preceded by the heading Allahu Akbar (God is Great), the text comprises a notice put up by Mirza Ali Baig prohibiting the low caste people from drawing water from the ba’i (step-well) along with other high caste men (ashrafan). It further states that if, God forbid, a Muslim allowed it, he would be an unbeliever and if a Hindu (did it), the torture of Chattu(or Chuttu or Chittii (?) would be his lot. It also states that (the notice was put up) on Friday the 1st Ramadan of the 25th regnal year corresponding to 1061 Hijra year (8 August 1651 A.D.), through Mirza Ali Baig.
EDICT TRANSLATION
(1) God is Great. (2) Since the low-caste people ( mardum-i-kamina ) used to draw water (lit. fill water), from this ba’i (step-well), together with the men of the elite community ( ashrafan ) (it was not proper; hence this) has been forbidden. (3) God forbid, if a Muslim allows this (to be done), he is an unbeliever and if (he is a) Hindu, the torture (‘adhab ) of Chittu (or Chattu or Chatu) be upon him, i.e. his lot. (4) On the date 1st of the blessed Ramadan, day Friday, year 25 of auspicious accession, corresponding to the year 1061 Hijri (8 August 1651 A.D.) (under) the Superintendence of Mlrza Ali Baig (this was put up).
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