Indian Antiquary Vol 18

SR No.: 032510
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 454
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 208

192
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[JUNE, 1889.
tion in the Bombay Gazetteer, Vol. V. p. 404, shows seems to me, makes it advisable to be cautious that he was conquered by Akbar in 1576 A.D. and with Samvat dates, even if they occur in MSS. that his capital fell into the hands of his foes. coming from districts where the term Samrat is But the Gazetteer adds:"Following his usual usually understood to denote the era of 58 B.C. policy, Akbar, asking for no more than an admis. Dr. Bhandarkar's assertion that the term Samvat sion of his supremacy, restored the Rao to his is used in the present day and has been used since state, and made him commander of 2000 infantry some centuries for the Vikrama era is, with and 500 cavalry." His reign did, therefore, not certain restrictions, perfectly correct. The recome to an end in 1576, and there is no reason atrictions are that the conventional use of the term why he may not have been alive and ruler of Idar does not extend to Kasmir and the adjacent Hillin 1592. Unfortunately the Gazetteer does not states of the Pañjůb nor to Nepal. In Kasmir give the date of the beginning of his successor's and the hill territory Samvat still refers as a rule reign, and I have no means to supply the omission. to the Saptarshi era or Lokakala, and in Nepal to As regards the suggestion that the writer may the era of A.D. 878-9. In the other parts of India have put in an older Samvat date and have added of which I have personal knowledge, the majority an historical note referring to his own time, that is, of the Pandits and Joshis would unhesitatingly in my opinion, very improbable. For the fact that make the same remark about Samvat which, as an historical note is given, shows that the man did | Dr. Bhåndárkar shows, a commentator of the not work mechanically, but did think about the Bhdevat karana has put down in writing. This date, and it is hence not likely that he inade so point I have not disputed and do not dispute. absurd a mistake. It is, however, unnecessary to What I mean to say is that in spite of this state continue this discussion of the probabilities, as of things, there are cases in which the writers of there is another case in which no doubt or other MSS. have used Samvat for Saka-Samvat, and that explanation than that given by me is possible. This it is advisable to make certain of the meaning of is the date of the oldest MS. of the Ganaratnamaho. Sainvat in all cases where it is worth the while dodhi, see Professor Eggeling's edition, p. v. Its and possible to do so. For as long as these colophon runs as follows: sanwak (i. e. sarvat) apparent counter instances are not removed, the 1151 virodhs.(i.e. virodhi)-earwatsard kdrttika vadi
popular usage creates only a strong presump(i.e. badi) 5 budhé. That this is a date of the Saka- tion, not an absolute certainty, that in each given Sathvat is proved, as Professor Eggeling has first cnse a Samvat date is a Vikrama-Saihvat date. If stated, by the mention of the Virðdhi sanatsara Dr. Bhandarkar succeeds in removing them, I of the Sixty. Year Cycle, which corresponds only shall be glad of his success, as he will have elimi. to Saka 1151, according to the southern luni-solar nated one of the many elements of uncertainty system. It is further proved by Dr. Schram's which have to be taken into account by those calculation of the tithi and of the week-day, the dealing with Hindu dates. whole being equivalent to 7 Nov. 1229 A.D. In conclusion, I cannot but give expression which was a Wednesday. In this case the figures to my conviction that Dr. Bhandarkar has again of the date cannot have been copied from an older proved by his Second Report bow eminently use. MS. dated Vikrama-Samvat 1151, because the ful the search for Sanskrit MSS. may be made Ganaratnamahodadhi was composed when 1197 for Oriental philology, and that he is entitled to years of that era had elapsed (Eggeling, loc. cit. p. the gratitude of all his fellow-workers for his viii.). Nor is an error of the copyist in the figures patient industry and for the ability with which he possible, because the details agree accurately with has utilized his materials. I would add the the requirements of the Saka era. The fact that this request that his Third Roport may not be delayed writer uses Sanvat, or to be quite exact Sa Avak, for too long, and that his promise to issue preliminary Sakakáld or Sakusannvat, is therefore indisputable, annual lists of his purchases may be kept. I and it is very remarkable, because Colonel Tod would also ask both him and Dr. Peterson to obtained this MS. from one of the Jaina libraries extend their operations to the South of India, of Rajputana. The Jaina scribes have since even at least by procuring MSS. from the Madras earlier times than the thirteenth century A.D. Presidency. Dr. Oppert's Catalogue shows that very frequently and as a rule used Samvat for many valuable works not yet represented in the the era of Vikramaditya, and this era alone has Deccan College collection, and probably not been the official and the popular one in Rajputând obtainable in the Bombay Presidency, are extant as well as in Gujarat, at least since the tenth in Madras; and in Bombay agents are available century. Yet we have here an indisputable de- to whom, it seems, na kinchid agamyam. viation from an otherwise hard and fast rule.
G. BÜRLER. Whatever the explanation may be, the fact, it Vienna, 20th February, 1889.