No. 27.— 1884.] TISSAMAHARAMA ARCHEOLOGY. 



87 



We can see, now, why the tank is called (i Tissawaewa," Tissa, 

 or A'satissa, being the name of the village or town on its eastern 

 and south-eastern side, in which the artificers and other work- 

 people lived, and in which these pillars were set up. One is 

 tempted to identify the title of the " community" with the 

 original name of the city of Magama, as given in Simhalese 

 works, but actual proof of the connection is slight. It is certainly 

 an interesting coincidence that this name should occur in an 

 early inscription (which, on account of its lengthened vowels, 

 appears to belong to the first century A.D.), at the very site of 

 the ancient capital. Alteration in the class of some consonants 

 is not uuknown in early inscriptions. Compare tabiya (Situlpa, 

 No. 16), and puta (Mihintale, No. 20). Taking the two inscrip- 

 tions together, one would suppose that the above named 

 community lived at the " Royal village of A'satissa," that is, 

 at Magama. If not, and if they had not been the most im- 

 portant fraternity represented, they would have been included 

 with those who came from a distance to the Convocation, pro- 

 bably gathered in from all the various monasteries of the 

 Province, and would not have been honoured by special mention. 

 The natural presumption is that this community contained all the 

 Magama and A'satissa priesthood. Such a numerous and influ- 

 ential body might, without impropriety, be separately noted in 

 an inscription cut under its own supervision. I see no other way 

 of accounting for the special mention of this Fraternity. If this 

 hypothesis is correct, Tamana is the equivalent of Magama + 

 Tissa. 



III. - — Inscription on the 44 mal-poruwa," the great stone slab for 

 flower- offerings, at the Maharama dagaba, in one line: — 



Siddham. Nadigama ca sike vulisi inaha gaba pataye dine 

 do kali hadi. 



Hail ! The Nadigama spire is raised, and the slab 

 for the great chamber is given ; two skilful 

 (deeds) accomplished. 

 The great chamber mentioned is probably the pilima-ge, or 

 house for the statues. Judging by the shape of the letters, and 

 by the first word, which shows the inscription to be cut by royal 

 command, it is possible that reference is here made to the improve- 

 ments carried out by Woharaka Tissa, A.D. 209-231. (MaL, p. 

 226,) 



IV. — Inscription on the pavement to west of the Maharama 

 dagaba : — 



(1) He wasaga harasa (2) ra taina tanma puda ua (3) 

 ka hunu yasata la (4) ddha kotu dwanda no 



