Indian Antiquary Vol 03

Author(s): Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 77

FEBRUARY, 1874.]
and an estate called Borddhon in juxtaposition, I cannot but feel that we have come near to a kingdom of Paundra-Varddhana.
MISCELLANEA AND CORRESPONDENCE.
I must confess that Mr. Fergusson, to whom I mentioned my conjecture, was not satisfied with it, as not corresponding with sufficient accuracy to the measurements of Hiwen Tsang. We have, however, no accurate knowledge how far the kingdom of Paundra-Varddhana may have extended, and I think the Chinese pilgrim may have entered the dominions of the king without being near those central portions which still retain the
name.
An alternative suggestion might be the discovery of the name of Paundra in that of Ponrowa (Beng.) which Ghayâs-ud-din and seveal of the earlier Muhammadan kings of Bengal made their capital, calling it Firozpur or Firezabad. It still exists, containing the shrines of two Muhammadan holy men, a few miles to the north of Maldah, and in the region where we are certainly to look for the kingdom of PaundraVarddhana. Writing at sea, without means of referring to a map, I think a straight line drawn from Rajmahal to Gauhatti would pass very near Borddhon-kuti, which may have been the capital visited by Hiwen Thsang.
I do not remember the direction in which the monkeys in the Ramâyâna were sent, to whom the Paundra were mentioned as one of the tribes among whom they were to search for the lost Sitâ, but I think the name should be remembered in connection with the kingdom of Paundra.
Mr. Fergusson* places the kingdom of PaundraVarddhana between the Kusi on the west, the Brahmaputra on the east, and Ganges on the south. These limits would include the whole of Dinajpur, Maldah, and Bogra, part of Purneah, and part of Rajshahye, and the identification of names which I have suggested brings the tracts indicated within those districts. I make the suggestion for what it is worth, courting criticism, and glad if I can attract the attention of any one capable of solving the question more satisfactorily than I can.
To the remarks made above on the name of Poundra, I must add that I think it much more likely that the name of a kingdom should survive in that of a large tract, like that of the Sarkar of Pânjara, than in that of a single town like Ponduwa or Ponruwa, which does not appear to have ever given a name to the adjacent country.
E. VESEY WESTMACOTT, Bengal Civil Service.
January 9th, 1874.
HINDU RITES.
To the Editor of the "Indian Antiquary." SIR,-In the Indian Antiquary, vol. II. page 53, a Madras custom is described which consists in the village school-children going round from house to house at the Daserd festival, singing songs, beating together painted sticks, and asking for presents, which form a perquisite of the schoolmasters. It is curious that an exactly similar custom prevails in the town of Karnal (), but the day is Ganesh Chauth (4th Sudi Bhâdur), called also Chauk chakrt. The songs sung by the children are all chaupats.
Would it not be useful to describe minutely, as occasion offered, some one of the ordinary Hindu ceremonies as practised in a particular place, and to invite communications regarding the localities where it is, or is not, observed, and any local varieties in ritual that may exist? It would be convenient if each monthly part of the Antiquary were to contain such a description of the ceremonies peculiar to the month next but one to that of publication, as readers could then easily compare the account given with the actual celebration in their districts. It appears to me that we should, in this way, arrive at a comparative view of Hindu ritual, as practised in various parts of India, which would be of no inconsiderable value.
THE DIVINE AND THE PHYSICAL LIGHT.
From the Mesnavi of Jellal-allyn Rumi2nd Duftur. Translated by E. Rehatsek, M.C.E.
نور حق بر نور حس راكب شود انکی جان سوی حق راغب شود
اسب بی راکب چه داند رسم و راه شاہراہ بداند تا باید شاه سوی حتی رو که نورش راکب است
63
DENZIL IBBETSON, Assist. Settlement Officer, Karnal
دش را آن نور نیکو صاحب است نور حق تزین بود نور حس را بود عهدی نور على نور این
سوی تری میکشد نور حسی
نور حشش
سوی میبرد
Je
p. 255 of the paper above referred to.