MAHOMED KASIM HINDOO SHAH, surnamed Fe-rishta, the most humble of the subjects of this realm, begs to state to the learned, that in his youthful days he was early inspired with a desire of compiling a history of the conquests of Islam in Hind, and of giving some account of the holy personages who have flourished in this country; but being unable to procure the materials neces­sary for this purpose at Ahmudnuggur, where he then resided, his wish was not fulfilled, when in the year 998 (A. D. 1589) he proceeded from that city to Beejapoor, and was introduced to the prince who then filled the throne of the latter kingdom. That monarch devoted much of his time to the study of history, and frequently heaped favours on this author, urging him to complete the object which had ever been uppermost in his mind.

In order to effect this end, he was directed to obtain historical works from all quarters; and in a short time a vast collection of materials was brought together and minutely examined. Of these not one work contained all the information which was required; for, though the history of Ni­zam-ood-Deen Ahmud Bukhshy embraces a great portion of the period alluded to, it was found so de­fective in some parts, that the author even was ca­pable of supplying many of the deficiences from his personal knowledge alone. The desire, therefore, of becoming the historian of the rise of the Ma-homedan power in India more and more filled the writer's mind. He, in consequence, began to ar­range his materials; and having, in the course of time, brought his task to a close, he presented it in the year 1018 (A. D. 1609), under the title of “The History of Ferishta,” to his revered monarch, to whom his labours are thus humbly dedicated.

As the author conceives it would be highly unbecoming in him to make comments on those writers who have touched on the same subjects, and who have drawn their mantles over their heads, and sunk into the slumber of the tomb, he places the finger of silence on his lips, and is dumb as to their imperfections. He leaves his readers to judge of his work for themselves; beg­ging them to understand, that the height of his ambition amounts only to the desire that his his­tory may rank in comparison with theirs, as the Caaba at Mecca does with the holy Temple of Jerusalem, and as Ally ranks with the prophet Mahomed.

The author's fervent hope is, that these simple and unadorned annals, founded on truth, but de­void of all pretension to elegancy of style, or beauty of composition, may be acceptable to the Prince to whom they are dedicated; and that the contents of these volumes may be disseminated far and wide over the regions of the earth.

IN the compilation of this work the following original manuscripts were consulted:—

1. Turjooma Yemuny.

2. Zein-ool-Akhbar.

3. Taj-ool-Maasir.

4. Moolhikat Sheikh Ein-ood-Deen of Beejapoor.

5. Tubkat-i-Nasiry.

6. History of Feroze Shah.

7. Victories of Feroze Shah.

8. Commentaries of Babur.

9. Commentaries of Hoomayoon.

10. History of Moobarik Shah.

11. Another History of Moobarik Shah.

12. Bahmun Nama, an heroic Poem, by Sheikh Azoory.

13. Tareekh Bina-i-Gety.

14. Siraj-oot-Tareekh Bahmuny, by Moolla Mahomed Lary.

15. Tohfut-oos-Sulateen Bahmuny, by Moolla Dawood Bidry.

16. History of One thousand Years, by Moolla Ahmud of Nineveh.

17. Rozut-oos-Suffa.

18. Hubeeb-oos-Seer.

19. History, by Hajy Mahomed Kundahry.

20. Tubkat Mahmood Shah of Guzerat, by Nuseer Shah.

21. Memoirs of the Reign of Mahmood Shah of Guzerat.

22. History of Bahadur Shah of Guzerat.

23. History of Moozuffur Shah of Guzerat.

24. Another History of Moozuffur Shah of Guzerat.

25. History of Mahmood the Great of Mando.

26. History of Mahmood the Lesser of Mando.

27. History, by Nizam-ood-Deen Ahmud Bukhshy.

28. History of Bengal.

29. History of Sind.

30. History of Kashmeer.

31. Fowayid-ool-Fowad.

32. Kheir-ool-Mujalis.

33. History of Kootb Shah.

34. Sir-ool-Aarifeen, by Sheikh Jumal, the Poet.

35. Nooska Kootby.*

The work is divided into an introduction, twelve chapters, and a conclusion.

The Introduction treats of the Progress of Mahomedism in India.

Chapter I.	The Kings of Ghizny and Lahore.
II.	The Kings of Dehly.
III.	The Kings of the Deccan.
IV.	The Kings of Guzerat.
V.	The Kings of Malwa.
VI.	The Kings of Kandeish.
VII.	The Kings of Bengal and Behar.
VIII.	The Kings of Mooltan.
IX.	The Rulers of Sind.
X.	The Kings of Kashmeer.
XI.	An Account of Malabar.
XII.	An Account of the Saints of India.

Conclusion: giving some Account of the Geography and Climate of India.