1871. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 97 
Bibu Ramakrishna Dasa, proposed by Mr, H. Blochmann, 
seconded by Moulavi Kabiruddin. 
The President reported that the Council had elected Dr. F. 
Stoliczka as a Trustee of the Indian Museum, on behalf of the So- 
ciety, in place of Dr. 8. B. Partridge who has resigned his trustee- 
ship on leaving India. 
The President also communicated a proposition of the Council 
that Ch. Darwin, Esq., be elected an honorary member of the 
Society. 
The President said that according to the provisions of Rule 6 of 
the Bye-laws of the Society, the Council should, in the case of a pro- 
position for the election of an honorary member, state the grounds 
on which the recommendation is based. 
In the present case, the President thought it would scarcely be 
necessary to say anything more in support of the proposition of 
the Council, than to recall the very great influence which the works 
of the author of the ‘ Origin of species,’ ‘ Animals and plants under 
domestication’ and the ‘ Descent of Man’ had upon the study of 
natural history in every one of its branches. Few can claim such 
a thoroughly philosophical treatment of natural history, as Ch. 
Darwin, who is justly styled the naturalist of the day. 
The ballot will take place at the next meeting of the Society. 
The following letters were read :— 
1. From Major Stubbs—on a Muhammadan coin. 
Mr. Blochmann said :—The coin of which Major Stubbs has sent 
a rubbing, is a most curious one. It was struck in A. H. 1202, 
(A. D., 1788) by Muhammad Bedar Bakht, whom the notorious 
Ghulim Qadir, on the 22nd Shawwé4l, 1202 (26th July, 1788) 
placed upon the throne of Dihli. The reign of this puppet 
king, who was a son of Ahmad Shah, was of short duration. 
When he was first brought forward, Shah ’Alam (II) was still 
upon the throne. Ghulim Qadir, sword in hand, made him 
descend, and sent him to his apartments, and three days later made 
the new emperor inflict corporal punishment upon his venerable 
predecessor. He used to lounge on the throne, side by side 
with Bedir Bakht,} whom he covered with abuse and ridicule, 
