Indian local residents and pilgrims Ateshgah of Baku

engraving of temple

in late middle ages, there significant indian communities throughout central asia. in baku, indian merchants multan region of punjab controlled of commercial economy, along armenians. of woodwork ships on caspian done indian craftsmen. commentators have theorized baku s indian community may have been responsible construction or renovation of ateshgah.

as european academics , explorers began arriving in central asia , indian subcontinent, documented encounters dozens of hindus @ shrine sikh pilgrims en route in regions between north india , baku.

samuel gottlieb gmelin s reise durch russland (1771) cited in karl eduard von eichwald s reise in den caucasus (stuttgart, 1834) naturalist gmelin said have observed yogi austerities being performed devotees. geologist eichwald restricts himself mention of worship of rama, krishna, hanuman , agni. in 1784 account of george forster of bengal civil service, square structure 30 yards across, surrounded low wall , containing many apartments. each of these had small jet of sulphurous fire issuing funnel constructed in shape of hindu altar. fire used worship, cooking , warmth, , regularly extinguished.

ateshgyakh temple looks not unlike regular town caravansary - kind of inn large central court, caravans stopped night. distinct caravansaries, however, temple has altar in center tiny cells temple s attendants - indian ascetics devoted cult of fire - , pilgrims lining walls.