1869.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 235 



this country, before it passed under European sway. The study 

 of the mechanical and industrial history of these races, as evidenced 

 by the few remains which have been preserved to us, is one full of 

 interest, but is also one which can only be successfully prosecuted by 

 means of the combined labours and contributions of many. 



II. — The Nineteenth Booh of the Gestes of Prithiraj hy Chand Barddi, 

 entitled " The marriage ivith Padmavati" literally translated from 

 the old Hindi hy John Beames, Esq., B. C. S. (Extract).* 



I have selected this spirited poem as a first specimen of translation 

 from the Prithiraja Basa, and it must be regarded solely as an essay 

 in translation. Chand's language is archaic, his dialect is as much 

 Panjabi as Hindi, dating from a time prior to the definite separation 

 of the two languages, his poetic licenses are numerous and daring, the 

 text of the sole manuscript I have yet had an opportunity of thoroughly 

 studying is very corrupt, and I have no Pandit to help me. I rely 

 chiefly on my own resources. I have, however, used with very valuable 

 results, dictionaries of Panjabi, Sandhi, and Gujarati, and a glossary of 

 the Marwari dialect. Still much remains uncertain and conjectural, and 

 I am open to any criticisms, and ready to admit that I may have 

 made mistakes where lt tantum difficile est non errare." 



Booh the Nineteenth. 

 Here begins the marriage with Padmavati. 



Couplets (^T^T). 



1. In the Eastern land there is a fort, lord of forts, 

 Samud Sikhar, hard of access ; 



There lives a victorious hero, lord of kings 

 Of Jadav race, strong-armed. 



2. With retinue, horses, elephants, much land 

 And dignity of a Padshah (TTTfrr^m T ^^TT^) 

 A mighty lord to all his servants, 



With pomp and standards very splendid. 



Poem (^rf^Tf). 



3. With many standards very splendid, 



* The whole paper will be published in an early number of the Journal. 



