Indian Antiquary Vol 15

This document is a portion of the Indian Antiquary, Volume XV, published in 1886 by Swati Publications. It is a journal of Oriental Research encompassing archaeology, epigraphy, ethnology, geography, history, folklore, languages, literature, numismatics, philosophy, and religion. The content is primarily focused on historical and cultural studies of India.

Here's a breakdown of the key areas covered in the provided pages:

1. Old Seals Found at Harappa (Page 7):

• This section, authored by M. Longworth Dames, discusses seals found at Harappa.
• It refers to General Cunningham's description of a seal found there, which he believed to be foreign to India due to its inscription and depiction of a bull without a hump.
• It also mentions a claim by M. Terrien de la Couperie that a stone seal from Sichuan found at Harappa represents the oldest fragment of writing found in India, dating it to the fourth century B.C.
• The author highlights the potential significance of these seals for understanding ancient trade routes and cultural connections, possibly through Bactria, and speculates they might have belonged to Buddhist pilgrims.

2. Folklore in Western India (Pages 8-12):

• Authored by Putlibai D. H. Wadia, this section presents a story titled "The Two Thags and the Ravariya."
• The tale describes how two deceitful individuals (thags) tricked a poor weaver (Ravariya) into impersonating a prince.
• Through elaborate deception, involving a litter, hired attendants, and feigned illness, they managed to get the weaver presented to a king seeking a husband for his daughter.
• The story details the clever manipulation of the king and his minister, the weaver's mute compliance, and the thags' success in extracting valuable gifts from the king.
• The narrative continues with the weaver's eventual exposure due to his inability to play the royal game of chaupur, revealing his true identity.
• The thags then disguise one of their own as a woman nursing a leper, a further deception that highlights the princess's compassion and leads to the exiled weaver's return.
• Ultimately, the thags decamp with their ill-gotten gains, the weaver and princess live happily, and the thags reportedly "turn over a new leaf."

3. Two Copper-Plate Grants of Jayachchandra of Kanauj (Pages 12-20):

• Authored by Professor F. Kielhorn, this extensive section presents the transcripts and translations of two copper-plate grants.
• It compares these grants with other known grants of Jayachchandra and his predecessors, providing historical context.
• Grant A (Royal Asiatic Society Plate): This new grant of Dharasena IV of Valabhi (erroneously attributed to Dharasena IV in the initial title, but later clarified as a grant of Jayachchandra) is dated Samvat 1225. It details the lineage of Jayachchandra's ancestors, highlighting the acquisition of sovereignty over Kanyakubja and mentioning conflicts with an "Hammira." The grant itself, made by Yuvaraja Jayachchandra, details the donation of the village of Nagali.
• Grant B (Faizabad Plate): This grant is dated Samvat 1243 and details Jayachchandra's lineage and grants the village of Kamoli.
• The paper includes detailed transliterations of the Sanskrit texts, translations, and scholarly notes identifying historical figures and places. It also discusses the metres used and the linguistic peculiarities of the inscriptions.

4. An English-Gipsy Index (Pages 20-26, 49-56, 61-64, 77-80, 113-118, 140-148, 177-184, 213-218):

• Compiled by Mrs. Grierson with an introductory note by G. A. Grierson.
• This is a foundational work for Gipsy language studies, aiming to create an English-Gipsy vocabulary.
• It acknowledges the lack of existing comprehensive works and meticulously indexes words from various sources, including George Borrow's Romano Lavo-Lil, Paspati's Études sur Les Tchinghianés, and Miklosich's Ueber die Mundarten und die Wanderungen der Zigeuner Europa's.
• The authors detail their methods for standardizing spelling based on these sources, addressing inconsistencies in the original works.
• A significant portion of the index is dedicated to comparing Gipsy grammar and vocabulary with Bhojpuri, suggesting a possible Indic origin for Gipsy language.

5. Extracts from Chinese Authors concerning the History of the Kushans (Pages 25-27):

• Authored by Edward Thomas, this section presents translated extracts from Chinese historical texts concerning the Kushans.
• It begins by referencing M. Ed. Specht's work, which differentiates the Kushans from the Ephthalites, refuting previous theories that identified them as the same people.
• The extracts from the History of the First Han describe the Ta-Yue-chi people, their migration, and their subjugation of the Ta-hia.
• It details the five principalities of the Ta-Yue-chi kingdom (Hieou-mi, Chouang-mo, Kouei-chouang, Hi-thun, Kao-fou).
• The History of the Second Han recounts the conquest of the Ta-hia by Kouei-chouang (Kouchans) under Kieou-tsieou-kio, the establishment of their rule, and the subsequent conquests by Yen-kao-tchin-tai, including Thien-tchou (India).
• The History of the Wei mentions the kingdom of Ki-pin (Cophène) being under Ta-Yue-chi domination.
• The author concludes by noting the replacement of local Rajas by military chiefs and the potential implications for the population.

6. Afghanistan in Avestic Geography (Pages 21-24):

• Authored by Aurel Stein, this article explores the geographical references to Afghanistan in the Avesta, the religious texts of Zoroastrianism.
• It identifies several Avestan place names with modern locations in Afghanistan, such as Môurva (Merv), Bakhdhi (Balkh), Haraiva (Hirat), and Vitigêya (Badghiz).
• The article focuses on the Helmand River, identified as the Avestan Hâêtumant, discussing its origin and course as described in the Yasht.
• It also delves into the interpretation of seemingly adjectival words in the Avesta that likely refer to river names, proposing identifications for Hrastra, Hvaspa, Fradatha, and Zarenyaiti, and discusses the challenges in correlating ancient names with modern geography.

7. Book Notices (Various Pages):

• Egerton's Illustrated Handbook of Indian Arms: A review highlighting the work's comprehensive classification of Indian arms based on race, its historical sketch of Indian military history, and detailed descriptions of various weapons.
• Beruni's Indica: A preliminary notice by G. Bühler announcing the impending publication of Professor Sachau's edition and translation of Beruni's work. It emphasizes Beruni's importance as a Sanskrit scholar who gathered extensive information on India's history, science, and learning, surpassing earlier Greek and Chinese accounts.
• Sasbahu Temple Inscription of Mahipala, of Vikrama-Samvat 1150: An extensive re-edition by Professor F. Kielhorn of an inscription from Gwalior. It corrects previous interpretations, provides a detailed text, translation, and analysis of the inscription's historical information, genealogy, and poetic composition.
• The British National Anthem translated into Sanskrit: By Professor A. Weber. This is a Sanskrit translation of the anthem, followed by a Punjabi version and its translation, presented as a musical adaptation.
• The Dictionary of Kaemiri Proverbs and Sayings: By Rev. J. Hinton Knowles. The reviewer praises the work for its collection of proverbs, noting its utility for understanding Kashmiri culture, while pointing out minor issues with transliteration and the attribution of certain legends as solely Kashmiri.
• Bihar Peasant Life, by G. A. Grierson: A highly positive review commending the work for its thorough compilation of information on the daily lives of Bihar peasants. The reviewer praises the book's accuracy, comprehensiveness, and detailed organization, seeing it as a valuable resource for understanding rural India and refuting negative portrayals of European administrators.
• Extracts from Chinese Authors concerning the History of the Kushans: Authored by Edward Thomas, this article discusses the Kushans based on Chinese historical texts, differentiating them from the Ephthalites.
• The Kiratarjuniya of Bharavi, with the Commentary of Mallinatha: Edited by N. B. Godbole and K. P. Paraba. The reviewer, Professor F. Kielhorn, is critical of the edition, finding it largely a reprint of a previous Calcutta edition with numerous errors and a lack of original scholarship.
• The Roots, Verb-forms, and Primary Derivatives of the Sanskrit Language, by W. D. Whitney: Reviewed by F. Kielhorn, who praises the book's detail and accuracy, noting its value for Sanskrit students and its contribution to understanding linguistic development across different periods of Indian history.
• The Light of Asia, by Edwin Arnold: The review highlights the illustrations in this edition, drawn from native representations of Buddha's life, which offer unique insights into Buddhist imagination and art.
• The Comprehensive Commentary on the Quran, Vol. III: Reviewed positively for its continued thoroughness, though the reviewer notes persistent transliteration errors.
• The Taprobantarian: A Dravidian Journal of Oriental Studies in and around Ceylon: Welcomed as a valuable resource for Southern Indian studies, though the reviewer notes the need for more comprehensive information and cautions against uncritical acceptance of certain identifications.
• The Jain Harivamsa relating to the Guptas: By K. B. Pathak, this article presents an interesting passage from the Jain Harivamsa that purports to shed light on the Gupta era, though the author suggests the dating is inaccurate.
• The Epoch of the Gupta Era: By J. F. Fleet, this paper analyzes Albiruni's statements and epigraphical data to argue for the commencement of the Gupta era in or about A.D. 319-20, and the equivalence of the Malava era with the Vikrama era.
• A Gwalior Inscription of Vikrama-Samvat 1161: An extensive re-edition by E. Hultzsch, correcting previous errors and providing detailed historical analysis.
• A passage in the Jain Harivamsha relating to the Guptas: By K. B. Pathak, this notes a passage in the Jain Harivamsha that mentions the Guptas and their succession.
• Sanskrit and Old-Kanarese Inscriptions: By J. F. Fleet, containing:
  • Dighwa-Dubauli Plate of the Maharaja Mahendrapala: Dated Harsha-Samvat 155 (A.D. 761-62), this grant provides genealogical information of the rulers of Kanauj and details a land donation.
  • Bengal Asiatic Society's Plate of the Maharaja Vinayakapala: Dated Harsha-Samvat 188 (A.D. 794-95), this grant also offers genealogical information and records a land donation.
• Notes on the Mahabhashya: By Professor F. Kielhorn, discussing the roles of Acharyadésiya, Chûlaka, and Acharya in the Mahabhashya text and analyzing questionable Varttikas (critical notes or emendations).
• The Vijayanagara Genealogy: By E. Hultzsch, a critical examination of Dr. Oppert's genealogical table of the Vijayanagara dynasty, proposing corrections and clarifications based on his own research and newly acquired grants.

9. Illustrations: The document includes several plates illustrating various archaeological finds and cultural symbols, such as:

• Indian Arms (Plate 1)
• Wizard's Drum from Lapland (Plate 2)
• Sun and Fire Symbols (Plate 1)
• Monoliths in India and Europe (Plates 3, 4, 7, 8)
• Sculptured Stones (Plates 8)
• The Venus of Quinipily (Plate 10)
• Various ancient inscriptions and their corresponding lithographs.

In essence, this volume of the Indian Antiquary is a scholarly compilation of articles and reviews on diverse aspects of Indian history and culture, with a particular focus on epigraphy (inscriptions on stone and metal), folklore, linguistics, and religious practices. It showcases the meticulous research and detailed analysis undertaken by scholars of the time to uncover and interpret India's rich past.