4.02 ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS 



way through the Manama ti hills in the district of 

 Tipura. It was carried to Mr. Eliot, Magistrate of 

 the district ; and by him communicated to the Asiatick 

 Society. On examination, it has been found to contain 

 an inscription declaratory of a grant of land, dated 

 near 600 years ago. 



The plate measures 11 inches in height and pin 

 breadth ; and is engraved on one surface only. The 

 sides have a gentle curvature ; and, at top, is an abrupt 

 bend allowing room to a figure coarsely delineated and 

 apparently intended to represent a temple. The cha- 

 racter agrees nearly with that now in use in Bengal: 

 but some of the letters bear a closer resemblance to the 

 writing oi Tirhut *. 



The following is an exact copy of the inscription io 

 .Jsdgari letters, as decyphered by the aid of several 

 Pandils. A literal translation is subjoined ; and a fac 

 simile of the original is exhibited in the annexed en- 

 graving. 



♦ There is reason to suppose the writing, as well as the language 

 of i^^w^a/ to be originally the same with the 7jr/(j//i^v<2 .- altered, in 

 course of time, since the separation which has been the consequence 

 oi' a colony of Cdnyacubja Brahviens settling in Bengal. 



