Indian Antiquary Vol 26

SR No.: 032518
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 360
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 15 MB

Page 319

DECEMBER, 1897.) CURRENCY AND COINAGE AMONG THE BURMESE.
313
... 28
GOOOOOOOO
Articles.
Value. (6) For compensation and fines :1 gong a cubit in diameter
... 300 1 pair cymbals ... 1 silk sash ... ... 1 male silk jacket ... 1 male head-dress ... 1 mantle ...
... ... ... ... 1 slave ... ...
... ... 300 1 female jacket ... 1 female head-dress
*** ... ... ... ... 1 1 female petticoat ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 8
CHAP. II. BULLION WEIGHTS.
Preliminary Remarks. Before proceeding further with these enquiries, it is necessary to go into the vast and vexed question of Indo-Oriental bullion weights, so far as it affects Burmese Currency.
I have found my notes to be much more extensive than I had at first apprehended, but as they contain matter that is, I think, new to most Western students and illustrate several subjects of interest to searchers into things Eastern and Far Eastern generaliy, perhaps the length of my remarks is not to be regretted.
I commence at the very beginning of the subject with a short enquiry into the practical nses to which the seeds of the Abrus precatorius and the Adenanthera pavonina have been put as the lower standard of weight. I then pass on to a consideration of the Burmese Troy weight system, discussing the points at which it can be connected with the Indian and Far Eastern systems. The consideration of these points leads to an enquiry into the far larger and more difficult subject of the Siamese and Shan system of weights and its fundamental identity with that of the Burmese. I next give such consideration as is possible, from the information at my command, regarding the Chinese ponderary system, both ancient and modern, and its bear. ings on, and in my view its identity with, that of the whole Par-Eastern Continental Countries. This diseassion carries one necessarily on to the weight system of the Malayan Islands and its descendant, the existing Fer-Eastern General Commercial System, - an enquiry that has led me to the opinion that it is virtually that of India and the Far East generally. I then discuss the weights of Southern India, and their connection with those of Northern India, - a most complicated question, - shewing the points as to which they differ and coincide with each other and with the weights further East.
Passing from the general subject, I next discuss what I have gathered as to the Pali and old Burmese weights and the official Burmese standards. And, because of the manner in which they illustrate the details of the general subject, I have paid much attention to the ponderary notions of the peoples speaking the Minor Tongues current in Burma and the neighbourhood. This has obliged me to make notes and remarks on these languages that may be of interest to others than students of Oriental numismatics. The languages thus illustrated, frequently from notes made directly by myself, are the Karen, the Talaing and the Manipuri,14 and those of the Kachin-Naga and the Chin-Lashai Groups of Languages. As illustrating the language of the Kachins of Burma proper, I have made enquiries, – sometimes at first hand, -into those of the Singphos and of the Lhota, Ao, Angåmi, Miri-Abor and other Nagas. As regards the Chin dialects, the notes extend also to those of the Kaki Lushais,
An essentially Nága language.