It is mentioned in Sanskrit texts Padma & Skanda Purana that were completed in the 1st millennium that Diyas symbolize parts of the sun. Diyas are described as a cosmic giver of light & energy to life & which seasonally transitions in the month of Kartik.
King Harsha refers to Diwali in 7th century Sanskrit play Nagananda, as Dīpapratipadotsav where lamps were lit & new brides & grooms received gifts. In 11th-century Persian historian, Al Biruni wrote of Diwali celebrated on the day of New Moon in Kartika month. Venetian traveler Niccolò de’ Conti visited India in 15th-century & wrote of these festivals they fix up within their temples & on outside of roofs, an innumerable number of oil lamps, which are kept burning day & night & families gather, clothe themselves in new garments, sing, dance & feast.16th-century Portuguese traveler Domingo Paes wrote of Vijayanagara Empire, where Diwali was celebrated in Oct. with householders illuminating their homes & their temples, with lamps.
Islamic historians of the Delhi Sultanate & Mughal Empire era also mentioned Diwali. Emperor Akbar participated in festivities.
Sir William Jones, a philologist known for observations on Sanskrit & Indo-European languages noted 4 of 5 days of Diwali in the autumn month as Bhutachaturdasi Yamaterpanam (2nd Day), Lacshmipuja Dipanwita (Day of Diwali), Dyuta Pratipat Belipuja (4th day) & Bhratri Dwitiya (5th day). Lacshmipuja Dipanwita, remarked Jones, was a “great festival at night, in honor of Lakshmi, with illuminations on trees & houses.
About the Author: Dr.Harish Bhalla is a Senior Physician who is also known as the Culture Czar of Capital of India. He is a Crusader against social evils spl. Drug & Alcohol Addiction. He is a regular prolific Blog writer on multiple subjects & thus called the ‘store house of Knowledge’. Dr. Bhalla is also the brother of prominent singer Subha Mudgal