"which occurred in India in 1 8 1 9. 117 



but nothing material or positive has been discovered on this 

 part of the subject. 



Although the appearance of the country in Cutch bespeaks 

 that it has suffered at some period from convulsions of nature; 

 and although there are strong signs of volcanic matter thickly 

 scattered over its surface, still there does not exist even a tra- 

 dition of an earthquake* of any violence having occurred. 

 The natives, therefore, were perfect strangers to such a phse- 

 nomenon, and were terrified in proportion to their ignorance. 

 The instantaneous and firm belief adopted by all sects and 

 descriptions was, that the world was at its end; and their 

 minds were impressed accordingly f. After the first alarm 

 had subsided, advantage began to be taken of the circum- 

 stance. The Brahmins enjoined charity to the Hindoos; 

 and placards were issued from unknown quarters, foretelling 

 misfortunes to those who did not feed their priests, or who 

 persevered in sin. One of these papers was stated to have 

 come from Kassee (Benares); and as it had a remarkable 

 effect upon all classes of Hindoos, I am induced to submit a 

 verbal translation of it. 



" A letter has been received in the name of Shri Ramjee. 

 It has come from Kassi Benares. In the middle of this Iron 

 Age, the Golden Age will make its appearance: Shri Bhud- 

 dajee will appear. Of the iron age have elapsed 4912 years J; 

 and after Sumvut 1876 (A.D. 1819) the golden age will last 

 13,033 years. On the 5th A.sonsood (or 24th September 

 1819), after twenty-two ghurries of the night have elapsed, at 

 that moment will Bhuddajee appeal*, and the golden age com- 

 mence. The earth will shake lor seven ghurries and thirty 

 pulls. The earth will open : then will false and uncharitable 

 people be swallowed up. They who are charitable and reli- 

 gious, depend upon Bhugwan, give alms, do virtuous actions, 

 and fear bad actions, — these will be saved. The golden age 

 will last 13,033 years: the age of man will be 250 years. 

 There will be universal friendship and peace. Every month 

 will consist of forty-five days; every day consist of ninety 

 ghurries. There will be thirty-six mansions of the moon: 



* The slight shocks felt oflate years in Guzerat were also experienced 

 in this province 



f A few minutes after the shock, I walked through the streets of An jar, 

 which were crowded with people sitting on the ruins of their houses and 

 shops which had fallen into the road. They appeared to nic to he in a 

 state little short of mental derangement ; and to a question put, the only 

 answer to be got was " Ram Krushn;" which they repeated constantly and 

 loudly, apparently unconscious of what they were saying. 



X This appears to be a mistake, as 4920 years have elapsed. 



there 



