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NOVEMBER, 1877.]
account for without the supposition that the pronunciation of s in Ceylon must have struck the Hindu introducers of the art of writing as somewhat different from their own, although it is true the two letters are used indiscriminately. Now, Prakrit grammarians record a peculiar pronunciation of s in the dialect of Magadha, which appears in the dramatic works of the Hindus; perhaps (though of course we can assert nothing in these matters) early Simhalese partook of the same distinction.
INSCRIPTIONS IN CEYLON.
The following two cave inscriptions may serve as specimens of the most ancient Simhalese preserved to us (by & I have transcribed the second referred to above):
(1.) Inscription in a cave at Vessagiri Anuradha
pura :
Parumaka Palikadasa bariya parumaka Tirakita jita upasika Chitaya lene sagaśa chatudiśa:
The cave of the lay-devotee Chita (Chitra), wife of the Brahman Palikada, daughter of the Brahman Tirakita, [is given] to the priesthood of the four quarters of the world."
(2.) Inscription near Nettukanda (about fifteen miles from Mihintala, in the jungle, six miles off the Trinkamali road) :
Parumaka Welu putana lene agata anagata chatudiśa sagasa:
"The cave of the sons of the Brahman Welu [is given] to the priesthood in the four quarters of the world, present and absent."
II. From the beginning of the Christian Era to the Fourth Century A.D.
We have in this period a fixed date to start from in the numerous inscriptions of King Gajabahu Gâmani (113-125 A.D.), referred to in my former reports, as this king, though not generally mentioned under the distinguishing appellation of Gajabâhu, has been mindful of preserving to posterity the names of his father (Tisso) and his grandfather (Vasabho). Thus he opens his inscription on the Ruwanwali Dâgaba, Anuradhapura (now in the Museum, Colombo):
Wahaba rajaha manumaraka T[i]sa maharajaha puti maharaja Gayabahu Gamiņi Abaya: i.e. "King Gaya bahu Gamini Abaya, son of king Tis a, grandson of king Wahaba."
Manumaraka is the ancient form of the modern word munubard, 'grandson,' derived, by inversion of syllables, from Sanskrit manorama, mind-delighting,' as nandana, the delighter,' i.e. the
son").
Some smaller inscriptions of this period, formerly unknown to me, I found at Mihintala. A very well preserved inscription of considerable length is engraved on Ha barané rock. Paleographically
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it differs little from the inscriptions of the second century, but occasionally the angular characters appear intermingled with the more graceful forms of a later period, which fact, in conformity with observations I have made on other inscriptions, proves that an older stage of the alphabet was for some time retained for engraving on the rock, after a more current form had come to be employed in ordinary life. The language shows some decided instances of development from the second century, but it is still very far removed from what is considered the classical form of Elu literature. The contents are rather more valuable than generally of inscriptions of the same period, as they record some particulars concerning the construction of the tank of Habaranê, which was effectuated by utilizing two natural lakes. Like most ancient inscriptions, this also abounds in clerical errors. The following is the text of the whole, transcribed in Roman characters, to which I beg leave to annex a literal translation, as I have made it out. Inscription on Habarané rock.
Siddham.
'Mujita gamana keriyahi ameta Chasayaha puta Abayaha ati | Walamani wawiya
'kati wawiya dakihi galana kana atala wawiya keta awitakita eta eta gama saro
atali kotu me Agichalamana wawiya Mula sara cha Pachachaliwa sara cha
*do karihi sahasa cha chaka chatalisa karine (karihina?) cha Sarima parumaka maharaji me Agimalamana
wawiya bojiya pati Sene puta Abalayaha cha maahalaka balataka rakana Kanakayaha mânumaraka cha samanaya Hamâ
'ra tara (tera) kata ka (?) riya | dakapatiya kala amana da... rakaṭa saga salahi liyawaya bojiya pataya Karakulawaya (wawiya)
'Chetagiri wiharahi Abatalahi silachetahi tumaha akala kotu kari witara Gapa chetehi tela huta mala kotu cha jina palisatari kama karana karotu Chopawaliya Giniya Megaha ch[e]tihi Jaganaka hamânanaṭaya parawatahi
"cha-ka kotu cha bojiya petiya Karakala wawiya dini [hi ?] me chetihi wi[hara?] bojiya patiya ri-karihi | sahasi cha wisiti karihi
10 do pata cha | ametaha cha Wahabayaha putanana (or ta?) ya duti[ya]... puchayasa awanaka wasahi majimodini chada puna masi sata paka
11 diwasa [hi].
Literal Translation. "Hail! Concerning the inundated villages (this) is (the saying) of Abaya, son of the minister Cha
