Chapter NUGGURKOTE to NUMERICAL AFFIXES, CO-EFFICIENTS of N by The Hobson Jobson Dictionary

NUGGURKOTE to NUMERICAL AFFIXES, CO-EFFICIENTS

NUGGURKOTE, n.p. Nagarkot. This is the form used in olden times, and even now not obsolete, for the name of the ancient fortress in the Punjab Himalaya which we now usually know by the name of Kot-kangra, both being substantially the same name, Nagarkot, ‘the fortress town,’ or Kot-ka-nagara, ‘the town of the fortress.’ [If it be implied that Kangra, is a corruption of Kot-ka-nagara, the idea may be dismissed as a piece of folk-etymology. What the real derivation of Kangra is is unknown. One explanation is that it represents the Hind. khankhara, ‘dried up, shrivelled.’] In yet older times, and in the history of Mahmud of Ghazni, it is styled Bhim-nagar. The name Nagarkot is sometimes used by older European writers to designate the Himalayan mountains.

1008.—“The Sultan himself (Mahmud) joined in the pursuit, and went after them as far as the fort called Bhím-nagar, which is very strong, situated on the promontory of a lofty hill, in the midst of impassable waters.”—Al-’Utbi, in Elliot, i. 34.

1337.—“When the sun was in Cancer, the King of the time (Mahommed Tughlak) took the stone fort of Nagarkot in the year 738.…It is placed between rivers like the pupil of an eye…and is so impregnable that neither Sikandar nor Dara were able to take it.”—Badr-i-chach, ibid. iii. 570.

c. 1370.—“Sultan Firoz…marched with his army towards Nagarkot, and passing by the valleys of Nákhach - nuhgarhí, he arrived with his army at Nagarkot, which he found to be very strong and secure. The idol Jwálámukhi (see JOWAULLA MOOKHEE), much worshiped by the infidels, was situated in the road to Nagarkot.…”—Shams-i-Siráj, ibid. iii. 317–318.

1398.—“When I entered the valley on that side of the Siwálik, information was brought to me about the town of Nagarkot, which is a large and important town of Hindustán, and situated in these mountains. The distance was 30 kos, but the road lay through jungles, and over lofty and rugged hills.”—Autobiog. of Timur, ibid. 465.

1553.—“But the sources of these rivers (Indus and Ganges) though they burst forth separately in the mountains which Ptolemy calls Imaus, and which the natives call Dalanguer and Nangracot, yet are these mountains so closely joined that it seems as if they sought to hide these springs.”—Barros, I. iv. 7.

c. 1590.—“Nagerkote is a city situated upon a mountain, with a fort called Kangerah. In the vicinity of this city, upon a lofty mountain, is a place called Mahamaey (Mahamaya), which they consider as one of the works of the Divinity, and come in pilgrimage to it from great distances, thereby obtaining the accomplishment of their wishes. It is most wonderful that in order to effect this, they cut out their tongues, which grow again in the course of two or three days.…”—Ayeen, edition Gladwin, ii. 119 ; [ed. Jarrett, ii. 312].

1609.—“Bordering to him is another great Raiaw called Tulluck Chand, whose chiefe City is Negercoat, 80 c. from Lahor, and as much from Syrinan, in which City is a famous Pagod, called Ie or Durga, vnto which worlds of People resort out of all parts of India.…Diuers Moores also resorte to this Peer.…”—W. Finch, in Purchas, i. 438.

1616.—“27. Nagra Cutt, the chiefe Citie so called.…”—Terry, in Purchas, ii. ; [ed. 1777, page 82].

[c. 1617.—“Nakarkutt.”—Sir T. Roe, Hak. Soc. ii. 534.]

c. 1676.—“The caravan being arriv’d at the foot of the Mountains which are call’d at this day by the name of Naugrocot, abundance of people come from all parts of the Mountain, the greatest part whereof are women and maids, who agree with the Merchants to carry them, their Goods and provisions cross the Mountains.…”—Tavernier, E.T. ii. 183 ; [ed. Ball, ii. 263.]

1788.—“Kote Kangrah, the fortress belonging to the famous temple of Nagorcote, is given at 49 royal cosses, equal to 99 G. miles, from Sirhind (northward).”—Rennell, Memoir, edition 1793, page 107.

1809.—“At Patancote, where the Padshah (so the Sikhs call Runjeet) is at present engaged in preparations and negotiations for the purpose of obtaining possession of Cote Caungrah (or Nagar Cote), which place is besieged by the Raja of Nepaul.…”—Elphinstone, in Life, i. 217.

NUJEEB, s. Hind. from Ar. najib, ‘noble.’ A kind of half-disciplined infantry soldiers under some of the native Governments ; also at one time a kind of militia under the British ; receiving this honorary title as being gentlemen volunteers.

[c. 1790.—“There were 1000 men, nudjeeves, sword men.…” Evidence of Sheikh Mohammed, quoted by Mr. Plumer, in Trial of W. Hastings, in Bond, iii. 393.

1796.—“The Nezibs are Matchlock men.”—W. A. Tone, A Letter on the Mahratta People, Bombay, 1798, page 50.]

1813.—“There are some corps (Mahratta) styled Nujeeb or men of good family.…These are foot soldiers invariably armed with a sabre and matchlock, and having adopted some semblance of European discipline are much respected.”—Forbes, Or. Mem. ii. 46 ; [2nd edition i. 343].

[„ “A corps of Nujeebs, or infantry with matchlocks.…”—Broughton, Letters from a Mahratta Camp, edition 1892, page 11.

[1817.—“In some instances they are