Sect. IV.] Hindoo Literature. 271 



cutta. Tliey complied with the invitation, and, 

 after making large collections from the m'ost au- 

 thentic books, both ancient and modern, the whole 

 M'as translated into the Persian language, from 

 which an English version was publi^.hed by Mr. 

 Nath. Brassey Halhed, in 1776\ The publication 

 of this work may be regarded as an important 

 event in the history of Hindoo literature *. 



It Mas long ago known that all the science and 

 literature possessed by the Brahinaiis \vere recorded 

 in the Sanscrit f , an ancient and sacred language 

 which was understood only by a few of the most 

 learned among themselves, and with M'hich ihc 

 rest of mankind were wholly unacquainted. For 

 nearly three centuries different Europeans, settled 

 in India, sought to acquire a knowledge of this 



* About the middle of the sixteenth century Akber, the sixth 

 in descent from Tamerlane^ and a prince of distinguished talenti 

 and virtues, ascended the throne of Hindostan. As in everr 

 part of his extensive dominions the Hindoos formed the great 

 body of his subjects, he hiboured to acquire a perfect knowledge 

 of their religion, r.ciences, laws, and institutions j that he mi^lit 

 condiict every part of his government, particularly the adminisLr:i- 

 tion of justice, in a manner as much accommodated as possible 

 to their own ideas. In this undertaking he was seconded by his 

 viz-ier, Abul Fazel, a minister whose understanding was not less 

 enlightened than that of his master. By their assiduous researche> 

 and consultation of learned men, such information was obtained 

 as enabled Abul Fazel to publish a brief compendium of Hindoo 

 jurisprudence in tlie Ayeen Ahbcry, which may be considered as 

 tiie first genuine communication of its principles to persons of a 

 different religion. About two centuries afterwards Mr. Hiitings 

 imitated and surpassed the example of Akber. See Robertson's 

 India, p. 260. 



t The word Sanscrit, according to Mr. V/ilkins, is compound- 

 ed of the preposition San, signifying compkfwn, and Skrita,Jitiis/i- 

 edt implying that the languiigc is exquisitely relin^d and puliihed. 



