CONTENTS. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. ART. III.-Translation of an Inscription on three Copper Plates found near Bhandúp Village in Salsette. Dated saka 948 (A.D. 1027). ART. IV.—Translation of a Berber Manuscript, by W. B. HODGSON, Esq., M.R.A.S., late American Consul at Algiers. ART. V.-Remarks on the Origin and History of the Parawas, by SIMON CASIE CHITTY, Maníyagar of Putlam, Ceylon, M.R.A.S., ART. VI.-On Phoenician Inscriptions, in a Letter addressed to the Secretary of the Royal Asiatic Society, by Sir GRENVILLE ART. VII.-Remarks on a Phoenician Inscription presented to the Royal Asiatic Society, by Sir GRENVILLE TEMPLE, Bart., a fac-simile of which was published in the third Vol. of the Society's Transactions; also, a Translation of the same; by Sir ART. VIII.-Remarks on "Paläographische Studien über phönizische ART. XIII.-Remarks on the Origin of the Popular Belief in the ART. XIV.-Notes on the Thags, by Lieutenant REYNOLDS, of the Madras Infantry, and of H. H. the Nizam's Service. Commu- nicated by Lieutenant-Colonel SMYTHE, of the Madras Cavalry. 200 J84. JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. ART. I.—Hindú Inscriptions, by WALTER ELLIOT, Esq., Madras Civil Service.-Read 16th July, 1836. I BEG to present to the Society two MS. volumes, containing copies of 595 Inscriptions, collected, during a period of eight years, in the southern Mahratta country, or the district of Dharwar; in the western part of the Nizam's territories; in the northern district of Mysore; and from the province of Sunda, comprised in the Mangalore collectorate. Most of these are engraved on great slabs of stone, generally formed from a compact black basalt, which takes a fine polish, and seems particularly adapted for resisting the influence of the weather. Sometimes the slabs are of clay slate, or (particularly to the N. E.) of a small schistose limestone, more liable to injury and erosion. Others, again, are cut on the pillars of temples, or on their exterior walls, as on the sandstone temples of Ellora; and a very few are taken from deeds engraved on sheets of copper, that had been long in the earth, and had accidentally been brought to light. Several have been procured from monumental stones recording the death of warriors, or the incremation of sattís; the latter are frequent in the S. W. portion of the Dharwar district, and in Mysore, and display rudely-sculptured representations of the scenes recorded. The plain slabs have generally a few symbols engraved above the commencement of the inscription. In the right corner is the sun, in the left the moon. Below the sun is sometimes found the peculiar ensign or symbol of the party making the grant. Thus, the Chalukyas carry the figure of a boar, which was their signet, or ensign; and the Yadavas are often distinguished by the representation of a crooked knife, or dagger. Underneath the moon is a cow and calf, which were always presented to the Bráhmans on the occasion of grants being made. In the centre is the chief object of worship of the granter. The Chalukyas, being followers of Siva, have the Lingam in this situation, with an officiating priest on the one side of it, and a votary on the other; the Kalabhuryas, a sitting Jain Tirthara, with attendants, &c. VOL. IV. B |