Indian Antiquary Vol 58

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[JANUARY, 1929
of Gilgiti ShinA rendered possible by the thorough study of that language made by Colonel D. L. R. Lorimer. These two sections form notable additions to the survey. The volume further contains a Classified List of Languages, a List of Gramophone Records (a branch of linguistic study which Sir George has been chiefly instrumental in developing), an Index of Language-Names, and eleven most useful mapa, illustrating the distribution of the languages described.
Sir George Grierson is to be most warmly con gratulated upon the completion of this truly great work, with which he has been continuously occupied for just over thirty years, work that is, moreover, unique, as no such survey has yet been carried out in respect of any other country in the world and no commendation can be too high for the manner, in which he has performed his task. All interested in the scientific study of Oriental languages are like. wise to be congratulated that the Survey was entrusted to one whoso many qualifications combined to render him pre-eminently fitted for the work : wide linguistic attainments; intimate acquaintanco with the country concerned, its people and their character, acquired by close and sympathetic touch
touch during 25 years' administrative experience; a remarkable capecity for work and power of organi zation ; a spirit of enthusiasm that infected all who had the pleasure of Assisting him ; a mind trained to Assosa impartially the value of evidence ; a sense of humour, that acts so often as a lubricant to the brain ; and, not the least valuable, a deep and genuine affection for the land and its people that inspired him throughout his long labour.
Sir George's eminent services have since been rewarded by the signal honour of the conforment of the Order of ler.
C. E. A. W. OLDHAM.
THE EMPIRE OF THE GREAT MOGOL, & translation
of DE LART'S DE IMPERIO MAONI MOGOLIS, by J. S. HOYLAND, with Notes by 8. N. BANNERJEE, 1928. Bombay. Taraporevala Sons & Co.
Prof. J. S. Hoyland deserves the thanks of all students of Indian History for placing a translation of de Laet's well known work in their hands, for the original Latin edition has become rare and not at all at the disposal of the ordinary enquirer. The new edition is moreover all the more welcome for the annotations of Prof. 8. N. Bannerjee. The work is pre-eminently & compilation, but so far from being negligible for that reason, it actually Carrios on, after some three centuries, do Laet's own plan, as he himself was par excellence & compiler. As a Director of the Dutch East India Company he was naturally interested in Indian History, and was besides an indefatigable writor. As a writer he was learned, laborious and careful to bring the information he acquired with great assiduity up to date in his time. He thus produced book which has been highly valued by all subsequent students.
Prof. Hoyland has performed his task with skill and knowledge, and has been ably backed by Prof. Bannerjee in the matter of annotations. These have not been by any means a light matter to accomplish, for de Laet is not at all easy in his renderings of Oriental names and words. As an old annotator I can say that Prof. Bannerjoe's notes are adequate and not overdono. Altogether, Indian scholars can now congratulate themselves on possessing the invaluable de Laet in a form that will materially help them in their studies.
R. C. TEMPLE.
NOTES AND QUERIES.
AMOUNT MERU ON ANCIENT INDIAN COINS.) to the mountain, which is equally possible: the I venture on a small epicycle of speculations on the
separate and solitary tree enclosed in a square so-called caitya-symbol found on many Indian coins
paling is a common device on coins. On either view
the tree may be compared to the Iranian White from the earliest times
Haoma (Soms) or gaokarona which grows in heaven As is now generally admitted, this symbol re.. and gives immortality, and may conceivably be presente not a caitya but a mountain. At its meant for the Kalpa-druma of Indian legend. basis is normally a waved pattern which is most The bird I take to be Garuda alighting on the Mount naturally to be interpreted as signifying river or of Heaven to carry away Indra's Soma (cf. especially lake. That at once suggests the Mountain of Heaven Su parnddhydya xiii, 5, p. 263 in Charpentier's
the Mount Möru of classical literature and the edition). On other punch-marked coins we find divine Lake at its base. The mountain is associated & huge bird on a tree, which reminds us of Garuda on coins with other symbolseun, moon, a tree, and on the tree Rauhina, a well-known mythic trait, on punch-marked roins also a bird and a boost, possi. on which see Charpentier, Die Suparnasage, Pp. bly an antelope. The sun and moon are obvious. 176, 368. The Rauhina may be the "Eagle's The tree, however, domande explanation. Some. Tree" of the Iranian Yasht, xii, $ 17, which may times it stands on the ground at the side of the possibly be the same as the Gaokarena-Roprinted mountain, Bomouimos upon the mountain, and some- from Yama, Gadharva, Glaucus in B808., tince it is absent. Either then it originally formed an vol. IV, p. 714 note.) integral part of the design, or else it was added later)
L. D. BARNETE.