Buchanan learnt about an interesting tradition regarding capture of the hill by a ‘Pir’ i.e. a Mohammedan saint, from whom the then Keeper (Khadim), boasted of a descent. The Pir, who was probably erroneously referred as “Baiskaran’ (name probably derived from Vyasakarna), was stated to have come from the west with 2 holy companions, and initially settled on the Kherhi hill, where upon having learned, “that the hill near Sultangunj was in possession of a Kanphatti Yogi, highly venerated among the heathen for his sanctity, went to the place, in order to demonstrate the vanity of the Pagan.” In Buchanan’s description, there the two worthies, ventured to challenge each other to prove the veracity and respective values of their doctrines, by the dangerous trial of miraculous authority. The Yogi, by a miraculous power called ‘Gotika parkas’, which many holy men were thought to possess, and which the keeper did not dispute, began to mount, and raised his seat some hundred feet into the air. Upon this the Mohammedan saint waxed wroth, and prayed to God, “who smote the pagan, so that he fell to the ground and perished”. The neighbouring Hindu chiefs, on hearing of the disaster, assembled, and intended to punish the Mohammedan saint, but, before they could reach the hill, all, except one old man, were miraculously struck blind, and solicited forgiveness, which was granted, and sight restored “to even the infidels”. After this incident, the chiefs settled some lands for the saint, which his descendants still enjoyed. Buchanan, however, felt that the story was unbelievable and was surprised to note that it was swallowed even by the Hindus.

To be continued....