Indian Antiquary Vol 62

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

Page 45

FEBRUARY, 1933]
BOOK-NOTICES
39
Nepal, such as Nowari, Murmi, Gurung, Róng of Sanskrit words added, the most fastidious critica (Lepcha), Magari and Sunwår, belong to the Tibeto.should be satisfied. Burman Sub-Family. Nepali, also known by In a work oi this size and comprehensive character the names Gorkh Ali, Parbatiya and Khas-kure, it is inevitable that some errors should creep in; was introduced under the dominion of the Rajputs that they are so rare is testimony of the care and who migrated, under pressure of the Muhammadan accurate methods of the compiler. The few we kings of Delhi, into Garhwai, Kumdon and western have noticed are chiefly in respect of words of Nopal, and gradually extending their influence Arabic or Persian origin. Had any reliable die in the hill country, Occupied the town of Gorkha tionaries of the Bihari vernaculars been published, in 1659 A.D. It was a rulor of this House of Prof. Tumor would have received much help Gorkha, as Buchanan Hamilton described the therefrom. We notice, however, that he has dynasty, who in 1769 finally brought the whole of carefully searched, and made good use of that Nepal under his sway and founded the existing invaluablo storehouse of rural terms, Bihar Peasant kingdom. Whether other Indo-Aryan dialects Life, compiled by Sir George Grierson. had previously been spoken in Nopal is not definite- Professor Turner is to be warmly congratulated ly known, but it is likely that this had heen the on the publication of this fine piece of work, case. “If there were such an Indo-Aryan lan- which we hope is the auspicious harbinger of a guage," Prof. Turner writes, “it was probably greater work for which material is accumulating. closely akin to the ancestor of Bhojpuri and
C. E. A. W.O. Maithili." Some of the special features of this dictionary
A CALENDAR OF THE COURT MINUTES OF THE EAST may be briefly noticed. The etymological notes,
INDIA COMPANY, 1671-1673. By Ethel Bruce which have been printed within square brackets
Sainsbury, with an Introduction by W. T. Otte. under the words concerred, are concisely recorded,
will, M.B.E. 87 X 6 in.; pp. xxvii +356. Oxford, but discloso much research and are, we think, of
Clarendon Press, 1932. outstanding philological value. We would like to
This volume forms the ninth of the series of 800 scholarship of this character directed to the
Calendars compiled by Miss Sainsbury; and the etymological sido in Hindi dictionaries. It will work is of the same high standard as characterised be noticed that care has been taken to distinguish the previous volumon. The introduction, the first words borrowed from Sanskrit (1.o., loan words) to be written by Mr. Ottewill, Sir William Foster's from words inherited or descended from that
successor at the India Office, contains & carefully language. The indexes, so accurately and fully prepared analysis of the contents, which is of great prepared by Mrs. Turner, which contain some help to the reader. The three-year period was 48,000 words arranged alphabetically under each
comparatively unoventful in India itself, but was language side by side with the Nepali connected marked by better trading results and the resumpwords, will be most useful for purposes of reference tion (after five years) of payment of dividends by to students of other Indo-Aryan languages. Besides the Company, in spite of the renewal of war with Indo-Aryan, a few words of Dravidian, Munda, the Dutch, which necessitated the adoption of Tibeto-Burman and other languages have been special measures, such as the supply of convoys, included. Wo should porhaps have expected for the protection of the Company's fleets. Tho more evidence of Tibeto-Burman and Munda most sensational events porhaps were the capture influences in the vocabulary; and it is possible by four Dutch men-of-war, on the 1st Jan. 1673, of that extended researoh in the direction of these the island of St. Helena, which had been in posseslanguages will reveal further such traces. In the sion of the Company since 1651, and ita recapture matter of orthography cortain innovations will be along with three Dutch E. I. ships by Captain observed. These are fully oxplained in the In. (afterwards Sir) Richard Munden four months troduction. For instanoo, Turnbull's practice in later. The island was restored to the Company, the use of the virdma has been adoptod, and who continued to hold it until the Crown assumed tatamas have been written as actually pronounced, possession in 1834. except in the case of words still confined to purely The full index has been prepared with Miss learned ciroles. Prof. Turner expressly explains | Sainsbury's customary care. that he has inverted no new spelling, but adopted
C. E. A. W.O. the system which most nearly represents in writing
THE RELIGION OF TIBET, by SIR CHARLES BELD, the actual pronunciation of the spoken word. K.C.I.E., C.M.G. 9X6 in. ; pp. xvi +235; 69 This is a thoroughly sound principle, and having illustrations and 3 maps. Oxford, Clarendon regard to the etymological notes and the index Press, 1931.