1850.] Note on an Inscription. 455 



the name of Ra-Gangadeva, son of Ra Dhamf, takes as a loan two 

 thousand two hundred and fifty Shadboddika (?) drummas — (in figures) 

 2,250 ; and as security for these drummas, he gives in pledge his cul- 

 tivated and other lands. And on this deed (inscribed brick), by his 

 own hand, the borrower places his assent thus — " This is my agree- 

 ment." The surety, in this case, is Ranuck, Sri-Baghadeva, such a one 

 as a king might be content with ; — Ra-Devaditya, Ra-Dhauri, Ra- 

 Kumanapala, Ra-Vilasa, and Ra-Prajayan — these are made witnesses — 

 worthy men. And this is written, with the consent of both parties, 

 by piiiva-Sri-Sidhaal, son of Dhiva-Hata. If the letters get smudged or 

 obliterated, still the matter can be certified by these (i. e. by the 

 writer and the witnesses), 



Note. 



The above inscription, which may not be considered altogether as 

 uninteresting, is engraved on a large brick 1 ft. 3 in. by 1 ft. ; 3 in. 

 in thickness. It is not an ordinary brick, but evidently made for the 

 purpose ; the writing has been done with a style when the clay was 

 still damp, and has then been baked ; but being of a soft clay and 

 indifferently burnt, many of the letters have been much worn : yet, 

 it is for the most part sufficiently clear to admit of its being easily 

 made out. The character is that peculiar to Raja Jayachandra's time, 

 differing but slightly from modern Deva Nagri, with the vowel marks 

 of ai and ao carried behind the preceding letter as in modern Bengali ; 

 for instance ^ is written (^, and ^n is written (%. This peculiarity may 

 be taken as a fair guide for fixing the approximate date of inscriptions 

 in which dates are wanting ; it appears to have fallen entirely into 

 disuse in the latter part of Raja Jayachandra's reign. But to return to 

 our brick, I have heard that such are not of uncommon occurrence in 

 this neighbourhood ; but I have failed in obtaining any other specimen, 

 and it was not without difficulty I procured this, as a superstitious 

 veneration is attached to them simply because few can read and less 

 understand them. They are generally supposed to be keys to hidden 

 treasure. 



The simple publication of the text and translation of an ancient 

 inscription would at first appear to be of little moment — but the con- 

 tents must be considered, and deductions drawn therefrom, which is , 

 the plan I have hitherto adopted. First then, we have a clear date, viz. 



3 n 2 



