86 W. Hoej- — Sdhyaurd Copper-Flate. [May & June, 



near each corner, and it is evident that it was intended to attach the 

 plate by rivets to some other object. The upper portion of the plate, 

 to the extent of about one-third of the surface, is occupied by symbols, 

 such as are commonly called Buddhistic, and the remaining two-thirds 

 of the surface are covered by an inscription in four lines. Both symbols 

 and letters are cast in high relief, and are in a state of almost perfect 

 preservation. The back of the plate is rough. 



The symbol to the left is a conventional representation of a tree, 

 consisting of a stem and three leaves with stalks, standing inside a railing. 

 The next object may be described as a pavilion with curved convex 

 roof resting on four pillars, and surmounted by a duplicate similar 

 curved roof, resting on three supports, and tojjped by three short poles. 



Next in order comes an object like a long-handled spoon, with a 

 knob at the end of the handle, standing on the knob. The fourth 

 symbol is the BO-called conventional " Buddhist caitya," formed of 

 three curves, surmounted by a crescent, with a ball enclosed. The fifth 

 symbol, placed above the line, consists of a disc or ball (the sun), with 

 a crescent (the moon), placed obliquely above it. 



The sixth symbol is a curved tree-stem, without leaves, standing 

 in a railing. The seventh and last symbol is a repetition of the second, 

 namely, the two-storied pavilion. 



The tree of the first symbol may be intended for a sal (Shorea 

 Tohusta) tree. The leafless tree cannot be identified, nor can I explain 

 the spoon-like object. The shape of the roofs of the pavilions sug- 

 gests that the figures are intended to represent buildings constructed of 

 wood and bamboos. 



The number of characters (ahsara) in the inscription is as 

 follows : — 



First line, 19 



Second „ 19 



Third „ 17 



Fourth „ 17 



Total 72 



The characters are ancient Nagari, of the Maurya period, and 

 appear to me not to differ materially from those used in A96ka's Girnar 

 inscription, as given by Dr. Burgess in Plate V of Vol. IV of the Archaeo- 

 logical Survey Reports of Western India. 



Almost every letter is perfect, aud can be read at sight without 

 doubt or hesitation. 



The only exceptions are as follow : — 



Line 1, character 11. This chai-acter is blurred, but seems to be a 

 tf p. The dot on it seems to be aimavdra. 



