Alberuni took full cognizance of the importance of winds and of their circulation in the distribution of such phenomena as rainfall and temperature but he little realized that winds are caused by differences in atmospheric pressure. He holds that the winds blow because it is in their nature to do so, just as it is in the nature of the earth to attract, or of the fire to burn, or of the water to flow.⁸⁴ Thus, like the Hindus, he attributes to winds a divine origin. Just as God created the earth in His own purpose so does He command the winds to blow.⁸⁵ The blowing winds, observes Alberuni, drive water vapours in the form of cloud to desolate and waterless lands.

The ideas of a metaphysical origin of winds notwithstanding, Alberuni fully understands the nature and characteristics of different winds. He knew the 'cardinal winds', which were...