1838.] 



Report on ihe Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



23 



General note to manuscript book Xo. 15. 

 The paper on which this book is written remains in good preserva- 

 tion, unattacked b}' insects. But the writing being very pale, and lia- 

 ble to early illegibility, pointed it out for restoration. The contents of 

 the book are of average interest: and a few passages are rather special. 



IV Carnalaca rdjdkal Savisiara charitra or a general history of the 

 peninsula. 



Palm leaf manuscript No. 214 — Countermark 75. 



This work, which is of no ordinary interest or importance, professes 



0 be a general history of Peninsular India, Mahomedan as well as 

 Hindu, and to include the period from the commencement of the Caii- 

 f/M^a corresponding with the installation of Paricshila son of Abimayi- 

 ya, and grandson of Jrjuna, down to Cali-yuga 4903, being Acheya 

 year of the Hindu cycle ; era of Vicramadaitya 1864 — Saiivahana saca 



1 729 (A. D. 1807-8). It is a great pity that there is a small chasm in 

 one place, and a much larger one in another though not in the most 

 yaluable portions. 



The general nature of the work may best appear from the following 

 abstract, often little more than a mere index to the contents. 



lNTRODUCTioN.--The usual invocation. The author's name, Narray 

 nen of the Anantakon race cf Ginjee. The book was composed 

 while Lord W. Bentinck was governor of Madras, atthe special request 

 of Colonel William Macleod then commissioner at Arcot, who desired 

 Narrayanen to write down a narrative of events in India from the earli- 

 est times, as such an account would be very acceptable to Europeans. 

 In consequence of this request Narrayanen felt great anxiety tliat his 

 work should be complete and authentic, and after six months prepara- 

 tory study, during which he specially procured the aid of learned Ma- 

 homedans, and acquired from them all ihe details cf their bcoks, and 

 records, he wrote down this compendium of results. He offers the 

 customary apology to authors and critics for any deficiency that may 

 be found in his production. 



The Narrative. 



The first Canc/a, or section, on primeval matters. A reference to 

 the creation of elementary principles-the Brahmandam, ov mundane 

 egg ; the formation therein of the different orders of beings and things. 

 The greater and lesser periods, or ages-periodical deluge-formation 



