600 DESCRIPTION OF SELECT COINS. 



The fifth series belongs to a much later period, the 11th and 12th cen- 

 turies, or the times coeval with the two Mohammedan invasions. 



Subsequently to that date few Hindu princes in Gangetic Hindustan, 

 were allowed to strike their own Coins, and it is to the south of India, 

 therefore, that we must look for a further supply. These may be regarded 

 as forming a sixth series, the far greater proportion of which belongs to 

 the Sovereigns of the last independant Hindu kingdom of any considera- 

 tion, that of Vijayanagar. 



The details of these six classes, and the formation of others, must 

 be left to future enquiry, the conduct of which, it is hoped, will have been 

 facilitated by the researches now submitted to the Society. 



Account of the Excavations of Tope Manikyala, by 



Lieutenant-General Ventura. 



Having adverted in former pages to the discovery of ancient Coins in 

 the Punjab by General Ventura, it may be satisfactory to notice the 

 circumstance at more length on the present occasion, and, in justice to 

 the first explorer of the monument, in his own words. 



Letter from General Ventura to Messrs. Alexander and Co. 



Lahore, 3 Avril, 1830. 

 Messieurs. 



Dans le courant du mois d' Avril dernier, me trouvant campe aux 

 environs de Manekiala, (ville du cheval aux yeux blancs,) sous laquelle reposent les decombres 

 d' une grande cite, Je fus pousse a la suite de la decouverte faite precedemmeiit sur les lieux de 

 medailles portant des inscriptions Grecques, a entreprendre les fouilles d' une coupole, dont la 



