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JANUARY, 1928)
THE COLLECTION OF MSS AT DACCA UNIVERSITY (1926-27)
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Progress of the work of Cataloguing. We were fortunate in securing the services of an experienced hand like Babu Mathurânâth Majumdår for preparing a detailed catalogue of our collection. His lifelong service in this line in the Asiatic Society of Bengal and his association with veterans like Mahamahopadyaya Haraprasad Sastri had given him unique opportunities and experience, by which we expect our collection to benefit. The work of detailed cataloguing is necessarily slow and the term of Mathura Babu had to be extended beyond six months for which he was employed in the first instance. Up till now, he has succeeded in cataloguing about 600 bundles only, and it will be in the interests of the University to extend his term for a further period to enable him to complete his work. The preliminary serial cataloguing is done by the Library Assistant Babu Abinas Chandra Basu, and he is easily keeping pace with the work of collection. He also assists me for two hours daily in the preparation of the valuation lists, an arrangement which serves to give me very valuable assistance and also to train him up in the work of recognising MSS. and preparing their catalogue.
Utilisation. The MSS. are already attracting workers. Dr. De has edited a hitherto unpublished Kavya called Kichaka-badha from two MSS. in our collection, with a commentary from a MS. preserved in the British Museum. This book will be published by the University. He is now engaged in editing the Mahánátaka from seven MSS. in our collection. Mr. Radhagovinda Basak is editing the Ghafakarppara Kávya from our MSS. with an old commentary. Dr. S. K. Das of Rajshahi College is studying the Panchardtra Agamas and Tantras with the help of the transcripts obtained from Madras. Mr. Umes Chandra Bhattacharyya is studying some of the Tantras in our collection. Prof. Tucci is utilising the MSS. on Durga-puja for writing his work on the same subject. Babu Subodh Chandra Banerji, our Travelling Agent, is making a thorough study of the Sarvvånandi commentary of Amarakosa and some genealogical works in that connection. The writer of the present note is studying some of the Bengali MSS. Mr. Satish Chandra Roy, the renowned Vaisnava scholar offered his services to the MSS. Committee in the preparation of reliable editions of important Vaisnava works. He has already been commissioned to edit an old Bengali Kavya called Harivanka by Bhavananda from three MSS. of the work in his own possession and three other MSS. in the collection of Dacca University. He has also agreed to edit Chandidás and other Vaişnava poets from MSS. in our collection.
Personnel. The following members continued to serve on the MSS. Committee-Dr. S. K. De, President: Mr. N. K. Bhattasali, Honorary Secretary ; Dr. R. C. Majumdar, Mr. Radhagovinda Basak, Mr. N. G. Bannerjee, Mr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, Mr. Muhammad Shahidullah. On the departure of Mr. Shahidulla for France, Mr. Umesh Chandra Bhattacharyya was elected in his place.
Tours. The Honorary Secretary undertook a tour in search of MSS. in the districts of Faridpur and Barisal in October last and obtained some important MSS.
Agents. Babu Subodh Chandra Banerji, M.A., as Travelling Agent, continued to give us very valuable service. During this session, he toured the districts of Sylhet, Tippera, Noakhali and Bogra and obtained many important MSS. The collection of MSS. should be a permanent feature of the University of Dacca and the trained services of Babu Subodh Chandra Banerji should be placed on a stable footing as one of the permanent employees of Dacca University,
Babu Bireswar Roy, Local Agent for the Madaripur Sub-division of Faridpur district, is also giving us splendid service and deserves our heartiest thanks,
