Indian Antiquary Vol 31

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 44

40
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
(JANUARY, 1902.
fact, that in Ladakh this material has taken the shape of a religion, which exercises its influence up to the present day. I do not see why I should not write down the outlines of a religion, whose influence cannot be denied by all who have lived in Ladakh for some time.
General Position of the gLing-chos, As has been stated, the Kebar Saga is not only known to Ladakhis, but is recited in & great number of countries all over Asia. Until it has been studied in all of them, it will be impossible to decide where is the original home of the Saga, nor by which road it has travelled from one country to the other. European folklore and mythology also contains many parallels to the Kesar Saga, as has been shown by Schott, Ersch, Graber, Grimm, Jülg and Potanin (according to Dr. Lanfer's criteism). There are certain mythological ideas which seem to be existent in a very large territory all over the globe. Dr. Lanfer mentions the frequent use of number 9.; great power of the hero ; quick growth of the hero when a boy; two rocks, knocking against each other; a smith, teaching the hero, all of which occur in the Kesar Saga.
If future researches should enable us to see the route, which all of these stories have followed in their wanderings, the question still remains, why just these stories, which do not appear to be particularly amusing, have travelled all over the earth. I could well imagine that solar mythologies, grown, perhaps, out of animism (and if stones were considered to be animated, why not the sun ?), may have arisen in different places of the earth. These mythologies may have prepared the road for certain mythological tales; and the relationship of the different mythologies may rest in the fact that their originator, the sun, is everywhere the same.
(To be continued.)
EXTRACTS FROM THE BENGAL CONSULTATIONS OF THE XVIIITH CENTURY
RELATING TO THE ANDAMAN ISLANDS.
BY R. C. TEMPLE. (Continued from Vol. XXX. p. 186.)
1792.- No. XIV. Fort William, 30 November 1792. Read a Letter from Captain Kyd.
Captain Kyd, 28th Novr. Edward Hay, Esqr., Secretary to Government,
Sir,-- I did myself the pleasure of acquainting you, that Captain Lindsay of the Ship Eagle had consented to take my Baggage to the Andamans on his being permitted to carry the Company Ophium on freight to Prince of Wales Island, on which account I promised to endeavour to have the right Made a liberal one. The Master Attendant has I understand adjadged the fair freight of one Chest to be Ten Rs. I should hope that it will on this occasion be encreased to twelve which as there is hat a small Number of Chests will not much encrease the Expence; while by this agreement the greatest part of my Baggage - and Servants with Six month. Grain and Provisions for all my Servants, with a great Many Trees and Plants, will be conveyed - all of which would not occupy less than balf a Pilot Vessel, Fort William,
I am, etc.. 28th Novr. 1792,
(Signed) A. Kyd. The Board agree that it will not be proper to charge the freight of the Ophium going to Prince of Wales Island with the excess pointed out by Captain Kyd, but they think it reasonable that Captain Lindsay should be allowed freight for his Baggage to the Andamans, and they determine that the amount payable on this Account shall be 500 Sicca Rupees.
Ordered That a Treasury Order be issued in favor of Captain Lindsay for this sum,