Indian Antiquary Vol 11

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text from the Indian Antiquary, Volume XI, based on the pages you've shared:

Overall Context:

The provided text is a collection of articles, inscriptions, and notes published in the Indian Antiquary: A Journal of Oriental Research in 1882. While not exclusively a Jain text, it contains significant content related to Indian history, archaeology, languages, religions, and folklore, including several inscriptions and discussions relevant to Jainism or broader Indian religious and cultural history.

Key Themes and Content:

The volume covers a wide range of topics, as indicated by its "Contents" section, which includes contributions on:

• Inscriptions and Epigraphy: A substantial portion of the volume is dedicated to publishing and analyzing inscriptions from various dynasties and regions of India, including:

  • Rashtrakuta Grants: Several grants of Govinda III., Dhruva, and Dantidurga are detailed, providing crucial information about the political and administrative history of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. These often include transcriptions, translations, and discussions of the historical context.
  • Kakatiya Inscription: The Kakatya inscription of Rudradeva at Anamkond (Saka 1084) is extensively presented, offering insights into the reign of this ruler, his lineage, military campaigns, and the description of his capital. This is a major focus, with detailed transcriptions and translations.
  • Chaulukya Grants: Inscriptions related to the Chaulukya dynasty of Gujarat are included, such as grants of Arjunadeva and another dated Samvat 1964.
  • Other Dynasties: Inscriptions from other dynasties are also present, contributing to the broader understanding of Indian history.
  • Baktro-Pali Inscription: An inscription found at Suibâhâra, attributed to Kanishka's reign, is analyzed, highlighting its Baktro-Pali script and providing linguistic insights.

• History and Archaeology:

  • Old Sites in N.E. Sindh: Lieut.-Col. B. R. Branfill provides a detailed archaeological survey of Vijnôt and other old sites in northeastern Sindh, describing the ruins, excavated materials (bricks, pottery, coins), and offering theories about their age and destruction. This article includes numerous illustrations of carved stones.
  • Chinghiz Khan and his Ancestors: H. H. Howorth continues his series on Chinghiz Khan, focusing on his predecessors, the Naimans, Merkit, and the organization of his army. It delves into the origin of the Mongol writing system from the Uighurs and discusses the significance of the number nine and the colour white in Mongol culture.
  • Coins of the Arabs in Sind: Ed. Thomas provides a numismatic study of Arab coins found in Sind, offering a historical overview of the rulers and their coinage, including the presence of local elements like the star device.
  • Is Bezawada on the Site of Dhanakataka?: The Editor engages with Mr. R. Sewell's theory about the location of Dhanakataka, presenting counter-arguments and evidence from inscriptions and geographical features.

• Languages and Linguistics:

  • Contributions to Sinhalese Grammar: Dr. E. Müller analyzes the phonetic changes, vowel systems, and grammatical peculiarities of the Sinhalese language, tracing its evolution and its relationship with Indian vernaculars.
  • Indo-Chinese Languages: Prof. Em. Forchhammer explores the characteristics of these languages, focusing on monosyllabism, tonal inflections, the adoption of Indian alphabets, and the concept of "phonetic couplets" as a structural element.

• Religion and Philosophy:

  • The Date of Sankaracharya: K. B. Pathak discusses the uncertainty surrounding Sankaracharya's date, referencing a manuscript that provides a specific timeline.
  • Tukaram: Rev. Dr. J. Murray Mitchell begins a series on the influential Marathi poet and religious figure Tukaram, highlighting his popularity, his philosophical and devotional themes, and the challenges of translating his works. He provides numerous selections of Tukaram's abhangs.
  • The Rites of Renuka Amma at Chandragutti: V. N. Narasimmiyengar describes the religious observances and festivals dedicated to Renuka Amma in Mysore, detailing the special services and the mixed nature of devotion.
  • The So-called Henotheism of the Veda: Prof. W. D. Whitney critically examines the concept of henotheism, particularly as applied to Vedic religion, arguing against Müller's interpretation and emphasizing the inherent polytheistic nature of the Vedic pantheon.

• Folklore and Customs:

  • Folklore in the Punjab: Mrs. F. A. Steel collects and Lieut. R. C. Temple annotates a variety of Punjabi folklore, including charms for snakebite and toothache, the "Story of the King with Seven Sons," and the "Death and Burial of Poor Hen-sparrow." These are presented with detailed linguistic and historical notes.
  • Bombay Beggars and Criers: K. Raghunathji provides an extensive ethnographic survey of various mendicant orders, street criers, hawkers, and other occupational groups in Bombay, detailing their customs, cries, merchandise, and social standing. This section is particularly rich in descriptive detail.
  • The American Puzzle: Wm. Goonetilleke discusses the origin and solution of the "American Puzzle" (magic squares summing to 34) within the context of Indian astrology and mathematics, referencing the Jyotistattwa and Kakshapuța.
  • Fish-Curing at the Maldives: H. C. P. Bell describes the traditional methods of fish curing in the Maldive Islands, drawing comparisons with historical accounts from Pyrard de Laval and Ibn Batuta.

• Book Notices and Correspondence: The volume also includes book reviews (e.g., of Major G. A. Jacob's Hindu Law) and correspondence on various topics, such as remarks on the Bharhut sculptures and inscriptions.

Specific Jain Relevance:

While the volume isn't solely focused on Jainism, several elements touch upon or are of interest to Jain studies:

• Chaitas: The article on "Chaityas" by Narayan Aiyangar explores the meaning and usage of the term in both Buddhist and Brahmanical contexts, noting its connection to yupas (sacrificial posts) in Vedic rites and its potential older origin than Brahmanical temples. This is relevant to the architecture and terminology of Jain temples, which are also called chaityas.
• Inscriptions: Some inscriptions might refer to Jain temples or patrons, as hinted at with the mention of Jinalaya (Jain temple) in the context of the Early Chalukya grant and the mention of Jaina images found at Bezawada.
• Folklore: The analysis of various cultural practices and beliefs across India might contain elements that resonate with or provide comparative material for Jain traditions.

Overall Value:

This volume of the Indian Antiquary serves as a valuable repository of primary source material (inscriptions) and scholarly analysis pertaining to a critical period in Indian history and culture. It offers insights into political structures, linguistic development, religious beliefs, and social customs, making it a significant resource for scholars in these fields.