Indian Antiquary Vol 18

Author(s): John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 65

FEBRUARY, 1889.)
MISCELLANEA.
53
it from the life of SS. John and Euthymius, pre- the time of Muhammad, as an introduction to the served in a manuscript of the year 1074. Of this Study of Islam. Part I. Sketch of the Religious ancient manuscript, as Professor Tsagarelli says, Life of the Heathen Arabs at the time of Muham. two copies exist. On referring to these copies the mad. (Missionary Miscellany against Musalman Professor finds that the form Balavari is incorrect; doctrines Part XVII.)- A Review by V. R[osen]. in one of the copies before v stands , in another consisting of many pages, in the main unfavour. gh, and so we must read the name Balahvari, or able. The reviewer recognises in the author Balaghvari. The word balavari signifies 'founda- laboriousness and a good knowledge of Arabic, tion, which agrees with what the writer pre- but inasmuch as he confesses that he had viously supposed. He concludes with a hope that not the opportunity of consulting some of the the Greek original will be found, and thus it will most important Arabic works, does not think be seen how far the life has been paraphrased by that he ought to have undertaken to write the Georgian translator.
the book. The only course open for the real (0) Criticisms and Bibliography.
student of history of whatever country he (1). A Description of the Territory of Sir-daryo, treats is the careful study of the original autho. compiled from official documents by E. Smirnon, rities. The reviewer then recapitulates some St. Petersburg, 1887.--The district contains about of the early authorities on Arabian history, but 1,200,000 inhabitants. The book is very useful we must not copy their mistakes, eminent though and will do something to dispel the illusions they were. Oriental history and philology have prevalent about the richness of the country latterly made great strides. The reviewer gives (which has already cost the Imperial treasury a three requirements which are fundamental in the great deal), especially Chapter VII. on the indus. case of every one who treats of Oriental history. tries of the territory. The cotton and silk indus- (i) The writer must have recourse to the most tries are languishing. Chapter III. is weak where important authorities which have been published. the author discusses the population, because he (ii) A criticism of the authorities, as careful goes too much into history, about which he knows and many-sided as possible, and, as a natural but little. The work concludes with sixteen result, a correct estimation of the importance and statistical tables of very various character. It is meaning of each separate fact. to be hoped that other districts will be described, (iii) As much accuracy as possible in details.. those of Fergana and Zaravshan (if possible-- But M. Moshanov fails in these. His authoriwithout any history).
ties, are at sooondhand; he knows nothing of the (2). The Travels of the Shah Nasru'dden in Ma- great advances in Arabic epigraphy. He shews sanderan. (Diary kept by his Highness.) Translated no critical use of authorities, and his details are from the Persian by E. Koriander, Mining Engi- inaccurate, being from translations, &c. An neer.The Journals of the Shah Nasru'ddin, example is given in his treatment of Al.Uzza, an oompiled by himself at the time of his travels in ancient Arabian deity mentioned in the Quran, Persia (in Mazandôrin, Kerbela and Khurasan), in The work has no scientific value, but the reviewer spite of occasional monotony and dryness in style, hopes for something better from the author on possess considerable interest in many particulars. account of his knowledge of Arabic and his The Shah is full of curiosity, and introduces enthusiasm in the study. ethnographical, social and archæological obeer- | (5). Dictionnaire des noms propres palmyra. vations, but the chief interest of the book is niens, par E. Ledrain.-The object of the work geographical and topographioal. The Shah often is to collect into a corpus the proper names, scatvisits the most out-of-the-way places, and so who- tered over collections of every kind, learned travels ever undertakes to translate his diary ought to and monographs which are found in Palmyrean give the geographical names very accurately (an Inscriptions, and in this way to furnish as comalphabetical list of them would not be without its plete material as possible for the future investi. use), but M. Koriander gives neither. He has gator of Palmyrean onomatology. The author done his work very carelessly, suppressing some makes no comments on the names, which are things, adding others, and confusing the narra- more than four hundred in number, and are tive. The book is of little valge. The original transoribed in the Hebrew alphabet. Of the names appeared at Teheran in 1294 A. H.
introduoed by M. Ledrain a large number do not (3). Contomporary Persia. -A good book and belong to the dialect spoken at Palmyra. Owing well translated.
to the city being on one of the highways of com(4). M. Mashanov. A Sketch of Arab Life in merce, there lived there a multitude of strangers
A translation of the work by Dr. Wills.