4)6 r)N ANCIENT MONUMENTS 



III. Itiscription on three PJaies. ' of Brass found ai 

 Chitradurg, 



A GRANT of land, engraved on three plates of b^ass, 

 which were found at Chitradurg in the year 1800, and 

 a fac simile of a similar grant found at the same place, 

 have been presented by Major C. Mackenzie to the 

 Asiatick Society. 



The plates, which appear to be very similar in both 

 grants, may be described from that, of which the ori- 

 ginal has been received. T"hey are nearly seven inches 

 wide and as many high ; but surmounted by an arch of 

 two inches in height. The two exterior plates have 

 been engraved on the inner side only : the middle one 

 is so on both faces. At the edge is a rim, half a line 

 thick, by which the inscription is secured from being 

 effaced by the rubbing of the plates. They are held 

 together by a brass ring, on which is a seal of the same 

 metal representing a boar. The engraved surfaces have 

 some appearance of having been once gilt. 



The language is San<erU, excepting the description 

 of the lands, which is in the Canara dialect. The 

 whole inscription is in Deva^ndgari characters : but 

 some of the letters are formed in a very unusual man- 

 ner. It contains a gnmt by the king of Jldydnagar 

 (^pTonovmcci^BiJih/agar,) formerly the capital oiCarndt*- 

 aca : and is dated little mere than four hundred years 

 ugo. Grants, by kings of this dynasty, are not uncom- 

 mon in the Dekhiu ; and may be of use in determining 

 the d:'.*',s of ihcT several reigns. These princes were 

 enlighter.r-d patruns of science ; especially Harima'ra 

 and BuccA Ra'/a sons of Sancama the founder of 

 t.'.c Uynastv, 



