1838.] from Girndr in Gujerdt. 353 



On the same principle in the absence of other argument, we may set 

 down the fy of our new series as 7, being identical with £J the initial 

 of sapta. 



The modern 3 ^, has no small likeness to the tr of the older Nagari 

 alphabets : nor does the 2 differ much from d ; but these resemblances 

 may be more ideal than real ; for by an equally facile process of com- 

 parison they might be both derived from the Arabic figures, as might 

 other members of the series, as 7 and 8, in the Nagari of the Nepalese 

 coins particularly. 



The 9 of the Tibetan, Bengali, Nipalese and Burmese numerals is 

 precisely the I of the ancient alphabets. Now in the allotment of the 

 vowels numerically, the It represents 9 ; but it would appear far-fetched 

 to adopt one insulated example of derivation from such a source. 



The 9 however of the Surdshtra grants and coins is totally of a dif- 

 ferent order. It resembles the four-petalled flower of the bel or Indian 

 jasmine, — and in the copper plates we find it absolutely represented 

 with a stalk, (see No. 1, of PL XX.) Seeking the name of this flower 

 in Sanskrit, malliJca, the pandit reminded that one of its synonymes 

 was nava mallika, which the dictionaries derive from natia ' praised, 

 excellent' — but which may now receive a much more natural definition 

 as the * jasmine flower resembling the figure 9.' 



It is further to be remarked that in many of the ancient systems, 

 separate symbols were used to denote ten, twenty, &c. in combination 

 with the nine units severally. The curious compound figure seemingly 

 used for the 1 of 15 in the two cases quoted above dip may be of this 

 sort: — indeed it somewhat resembles the Ceylonese ten (see Plate.) 

 On this point however I can offer no demonstration, nor any other 

 argument, save that we have already more than nine symbols to find 

 accommodation for as numerals. 



With all these helps, and analogies, I have endeavoured to arrange the 

 nine old numerical symbols in their proper order in the accompanying 

 plate, so as also to meet the conditions of the succession of dates on the 

 coins of the satraps of Surdshtra. In this I am far from being confident 

 of having succeeded ; but having once as it were broken the ice, we may 

 soon hope for a more perfect solution of the curious problem, through the 

 multitude of new, or rather old, monuments which seem to emerge from 

 oblivion just at the time they are wanted, under the united efforts of the 

 Society's associates in central India. Once having proved that it was 

 customary to date the coin of that early period, we must direct attention 

 again to the monograms on the Bactrian, Indo-Scythic and Canouj 

 coins, which may turn out to be also used numerically, 

 2 y 2 



