Indian Antiquary Vol 60

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

Page 188

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[Adaust, 1931
over the duties and get the work brought up to date. The two volume now before us, which have been compiled under his supervision, comprise the 10th and 11th Reports, dealing with the research carried out during the periods 191719 and 1920-22, respectively. They are arranged upon similar lines : & short introductory chap- ter contains a summary of the results, the libra- rice and collections examined, the centuries and years (where noted) to which the MSS. pertain and the subjects of which they treat, the new Buthors and works discovered, as well as other points of special interest or importance. This is followed by two lengthy "appendices," viz., 1-Notes on all the authors whose works were found, and II-Extracts from their works. Ap. pendix III contains extracts from the MSS. of unknown authors, and Appendix IV a list (with Buthors' names) of MSS. composed after 1850, which, under the standing orders, did not call for report. Two useful indexes have been added, of (I) authors and (II) works.
The new MSS. discovered range in date from the twelfth to the nineteenth century, and refer to a great variety of subjects, religious works being pro dominant, but philosophy, rhetoric, erotics, history and medicine also figure largely in the lists. Among the most remarkable results of the inquiriee made is the large number of works that have come to light, both in prose and verse, several being of special interest or merit, written by authors hitherto unknown. The examination of this maes of material has not only led to the acquisition of useful biographical and historical information, but has enabled the periode of many authors, which were previously doubtful or disputed, to be definitely established. Authors with the same name have been found to be distinct persons, while others have been found to be identical, though writing under different names.
Among important new finds recorded in the 11th Report are complete work by Vidy&pati entitled Kirtilatd; a complete and probably the most reliablo) text of the Madandefaka, attributed to Rahim, the learned courtier of Akbar; en interesting work on the Dhami panth by Prâna. nátha, the founder of that sect; and a copy of Tulasidasa's Balakanda Ramdyana, dating from 1604 A.D., which has a special value 88 being apparently free from interpolations.
C.E.A.W.O.
India is also in some respects the most interesting to the student of anthropology in all its branches. It has produced, almost as a matter of course, a lively archæological report.
During the year under review the chief work undertaken was taking stock of the enormous number of inscriptions in the State--the collection up to date amounting to 1,231 lithic, 51 copperplate and 54 "cadjan," 1.c., palm-leaf inscriptions, making a total of 1,336. They relate to practically every dynasty that has ruled in South India and include 174 Christian and 3 Muhammadan inscriptions and are scattered about in 184 localities. The value of such work for historical purposes is beyond all doubt.
The Mutta (Matha) or Vedic Colleges of Travancore which are well endowed and are divided into three classes, purporting to study Vedic and Secular Philosophy and Vedic ritual, have received much attention. The Department is undertaking thorough and comprehensive examination of their records. Here again its work can be made to be of the highest value.
Travancore 18 rich in mural paintings and archit ectural sculpturos, usually illustrating Puranio legends, and here, if the Department will correctly photograph and otherwise reproduce them, much work of importance is before it.
Her Highness the Regent has a fine collection of coins, an armoury and a library. Among the coins are specimens of Roman coins of Augustus, Tibe. rius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero-very valuable to show the time and duration of a famous son trade. An examination and catalogue of these coins and of the armoury and library would be of the highest value to European students. As regards the Lib. rary the following extract is worth recording :
"Kanakkuadram is a treatise in an ancient Malay. Alam dialect, in the 5th book or chapter of which, entitled Kalafiju, are treated the weights of gems, gold, pearls, etc., for ascertaining which the following table is given -
1 nelmai = 1 visatukkam Then
4 nelmai = 1 kunni 2 kunni = 1 manjadi 2 mañjadi = 1 panatûkkam
10 panatûkkam = 1 kalañju The Superintendent, Mr. Vasudeva Poduval, hae interested himself in ordeals and oaths, and he produced two short appendices containingen account of each, which are of much interest for a public outside the borders of the Travancore State.
Travancore is a land of mountains and still waters and therefore of many attractive sites. A photograph of one such, Kaladgi, the birth-place of Shankaracharya, is given as an illustration. Altogether we have in this modeet report a document containing much that should attract the student of things Indian.
R. C. TEMPLE.
ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
ARCHÆOLOGY, TRAVANCORE, for 1104 M. E. (1929 A.D.) Government Press, Trivandram.
The territories of H. H. the MahAreni Regent of Travancore form the most southern portion of the Indian Peninsula, and contain one of the densest populations therein, with survivals of some of the oldest forms of civilisation, and at the same time 0.00 of the most modern. This remotest part of