OR CUTTACK. 283 



tiron of it. She is said to have conceived and brought forth a son by Maha- 

 deo, shortly after which she disappeared. All the circumstances were explain- 

 ed to the husband in a dream, who acknowledged gratefully the honor con- 

 ferred on him, and declared the child thus mysteriously born his successor 

 in the Raj. 



Pursottem Deo died after a reign of twenty-five years, and was succeed- 

 ed by Pertab Janamuni, the son of Padmavati, under the title of Pertab 

 Rudra Deo, A. D. 1503. The wisdom and learning of this prince soon be- 

 came the theme and admiration of the whole country. He had studied 

 deeply all the shasters, was very fond of disputing and conversing on 

 points of theology, and introduced many curious constructions of his own, 

 and doctrines which were altogether new. He was withal devout, and built 

 many temples. His skill in the arts of war and civil government, were 

 eminent; in short he was equally celebrated as an able, learned, warlike 

 and religious prince. A very curious anecdote is related of his conduct; 

 which seems to shew that the followers of Buddha continued to form a 

 sect of importance in this part of India until the beginning of the sixteenth 

 century.* It is said that a serious robbery happened in the Raja's palace, 

 and that he being anxious to discover the perpetrators, assembled together 

 all the wise men, both of the Bauddhist and Brahminical persuasion, to ob- 

 tain their assistance in prosecuting an investigation. The brahmins could 

 tell nothing, but the followers of Buddha, through their knowledge of the 

 occult art, were enabled to point out both the offender and the place where 

 the stolen property was concealed. The Raja was induced by this inci- 

 dent to form so high an opinion of the learning and skill of the Bauddhists, 

 that he became for some time a warm supporter of that sect. His Rani 



* As this is contrary to received opinions, to tbe inferences warranted by the works of Madhava- 

 cMrya in the 13th century and the statement of Abulfazl in the 16th, it seems likely that the original 

 .authorities have confounded, as is very commonly the case, the Bauddlias and Jains, and that th* 

 Jitter are here intended. — Note by the Secretary. 



Jj 2 



