1873.] T. W. H. Tolbort— History of the Portuguese in India. 161 



The following papers were read — 

 1. Authorities for the History of the Portuguese in India. — By 

 T. W. H. Tolbobt, B. C. S., Miydnwali, Bannii. 

 (Abstract.) 



Mr. Tolbort gives in this paper a list of the authors whose works are 

 most valuable for the History of the Portuguese in India. He limits the 

 range of these authorities to the period between 1193 when Vasco da Gama 

 discovered India, and 1663 when the capture of Cochin by the Dutch finally 

 broke the power of the Portuguese, and established the supremacy of others 

 in the East. During that period the adventures of the Portuguese form a 

 chapter of Universal History. In years subsequent to 1663, the subject, 

 though not devoid of incidents of gallantry and romance, dwindles to one 

 of national rather than universal interest. 



The oldest work is by Correa, who came in 1512 as amanuensis to Al- 

 buquerque to India. Then follow Joao de Barros (died 1570), whose ' Da 

 Asia' is looked upon as a classical work, and Couto, the continuator of De 

 Barros, after whom the works of many other authors are described. 



The author also gives references to Muhammadan writers, and notices 

 in conclusion the Dutch and Portuguese records that still exist at Goa and 

 other settlements, selections from which were printed between L866 and 

 1869 by Sr. Eivara of Goa. 



2. Notes on two Copper-plate Grants of Govindachandra of Kanouj . — By 

 Ba'bu Ra'jekdrala'la Mitea. 



The two copper plates, which form the subject of the paper, were lately 

 discovered in the village of Basahi in the Etawah district, and sent for 

 notice by Mr. E, T. Atkinson, B. C. S. One of them bears date 

 Samvat 1161 = A. D. 1103, and the other 1174. Both record grants of 

 villages to Brahmans by Raja Govindachandra Deva of Kanouj. The paper 

 gives a summary of the dates of the last line of Kanouj kings from Yasovi- 

 graha to Jayachandra, the last sovereign, from whom the country passed into 

 the hands of Moslim rulers ; and notices a number of taxes and cesses which 

 zemindars were authorized to impose on the people, including among others, 

 a chowkidary tax, a tax on justice, a percentage on mortgages, and cesses 

 on mines, salt-pits, mowa and mango trees, khaskhas grass, and trade in 

 precious metals. Annexed to the paper are transcripts and translations of 

 the two records. 



3. On a new genus and species (Hylceocarcinus Humei) of Land Crabs 

 from the Nicobar Islands. — By J. Wood-Mason. 

 The species described in this paper is very closely allied to the members 

 of the West Indian and Brazilian genera, Gecarcinus and Pelocarcinits, but 



