36 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [N.S., XVIII, 
gested, at first sight, some connection with the former Twelve 
Lords of Bengal. On the other hand a simpler explanation 
might very well be that the original owner was a taluqdar, as, 
in Bikrampur, cultivators still address their immediate landlord 
as Bhuiya. Further enquiries showed as a matter of fact that 
the original ancestor of the family was a Muhammadan land- 
owner called Muhammad Ali who lived at Dapari (near Nawab- 
ganj) and Masurikhola (near the western mouth of the Buri- 
ganga) about seven generations ago, i.e. c. 1700 A.D. The first 
Christian of the family settled in Bandura. 
55. PAaLTaN SHIKDARBARI.—No. 20 may be seen in connec- 
tion with the homestead name. The first name indicates that 
some member of the family was a soldier, employed in guarding 
the old military road from Calcutta to Dacca. After crossing 
the Padma near Moinat steamer station, this road reaches the 
Ichhamati River at Nawabganj. There are still numerous 
‘‘ Paltans” in the villages of the Nawabganj Thana. 
56. Forrapaziya SHONARBARI.—This is called after a man 
Shona (vide No. 18) who came from Fathabad, the old name 
for the present districts of Barisal and Faridpur. The Bengali 
poet Vijay Gupta mentions ‘‘ Muluk Fateabad”’ in 1494 A.D. 
(cf. Dinesh Chandra Sen—“ History of Bengali Language and 
Literature,” page 279; also Dacca Review, Notes and Queries 
No. III, March, 1913, p. 457). 
57. Tarka Bast Bart.—The first dak-nam of the man 
was Basi (aii), which means “stale.” As however he was 
in the habit of talking too much at meetings, he was given an 
additional nickname Tatka (%ise\) which means “fresh.” ! 
The name is in phonetic accordance with certain Hindu names, 
e.g. Nadiyarbasi (47131411) inhabitant of Nadia: and Mohan- 
basi ( 4124141, melodious flute ). 
58. (a) Aur Costa.—These two names supply an ex- 
(d) Mri ample of a Muhammadan name being 
used in the same family as a Portuguese name, Minga being 
said to be a corruption of Domingo. Ali may however be short 
for Ali Chand, the usual Firingi corruption of Alexander. 
59. CHANDI AkaLtaBart.—A former owner of the home- 
stead was originally called Akalia because he was born in famine 
time. en, afterwards, he went to Calcutta, as many of the 
Christians do, to serve as a cook, he worked with Maghs, 
amongst whom he was known as Chandi. The name stuck to 
him on his return. 
(a) Rant Baparpari) The first two supply instances 
(6) JAMAILARBARI of : 
(c) HIRARBARI ) while Hira isthe Hindu name 
Hiralal. Rani Badar refers to a man called Badar (after Pir 


' This explanation seems rather far-fetched. 
