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IX. Translation of a Sanscrit Inscription, relative to the last Hindu King 

 of Delhi, with Comments thereon. By Captain James Tod, M.R.A.S. 



Read May 1, 1824. 



The Inscription, of which I have the honour to present a copy and 

 translation to the Society, is a memorial of an important period in the 

 History of India, especially that part familiarly, though restrictively, de- 

 nominated Hindust' hdn. To define the limits of this somewhat vague appli- 

 cation, is of no great moment ; but I believe it is generally to be understood 

 as denoting the space between the mountains o? Himalaya and i\\e Nermadd 

 river, north and south : a line in the meridian of the source of this river at 

 Jmeracantac, passing through Praydg, and meeting the great northern 

 chain, forms the eastern limit ; and westward, towards the Indus, it com- 

 prehends all the tracts within the limits of cultivation. This is generally 

 understood to be Hindust'hdn proper. What antiquity may be assigned to 

 such restrictive definition of a word, implying the abode of the whole of 

 the Hindu race, I know not ;* nor should I have deemed it worth mention, 

 but from its comprehending the space to which the inscriptionh as especial 

 reference, the greater part of which acknowledged the power of the 

 Prince, whose name it records. This name is Prithwiraja, signifying 

 " Sovereign of the Earth." 



It was at Hdnsi Hisdr, in the beginning of the year 1815, I obtained the 

 Inscription, when I left my post at Sindia's court on a visit to a friend, 

 now no more : one well known, and whose memory is honoured by some 

 members of this Society ; whose services were appreciated, and his loss 

 publicly lamented, by the late illustrious Governor-General of India, be- 

 cause talents, zeal, and honour, were synonymous with James Lumsdaine. 

 I need ask no pardon for this digression : when met for the purpose of 

 recording what is wortiiy in the History, Physics, and Antiquities of India, 

 a passing tribute to one, who, in his own bright example, raised the moral 



* Hindust'hdn proper, contradistinguished from the southern peninsula, and eastern India 

 (Dacshin and Purb) is the same with the Mcd'hya des'a, or central region. See Menu, 2. 21. 

 The Narmadd river is the limit of the Vhid'hya range of mountains there mentioned. Vinas'ana 

 is the place where the Saramiati river terminates ; losing itself in the great sandy desert. — H.T.C. 



