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Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts, 



[April 



ruled during ^42 years.* In their time, the three kings afore- 

 mentioned made their preparations which (the descendant of) Sali^ 

 vahana learning, consulted about some place of refuge, and hearing 

 of Trichinopoly, enquired concerning its origin and antiquity. This 

 statement introduces the ordinary legend about that place, founded on 

 circumstances connected with the poem of the Ramayana, Assem- 

 bling all his forces Salivhana set out with them from Bhoja roya-puVf 

 and overran the whole of the Peninsula, until he came to Trichinopo- 

 ly ; of which he took possession. Ascending the rock, and perceiving 

 the strength of the place, he considered that no one could dispossess 

 him of it, if he made it his citadel ; which greatly added to his confi- 

 dence. Residing in a palace at the foot, he thence administered the 

 affairs of the kingdom. Meantime the three kings continued their pre- 

 parations at Cudatturiyur. Cachi F^Va7^ advised to send an envoy to hear 

 what Salivahana, would say, and then to levy war against him. The 

 CAo/aw accordingly sent Cachi Vi^an himself, accompanied by some 

 troops. At an interview with Salivahana in Trichinopoly he recited 

 the preparations made with the express intention of destroying the 

 power of that ruler, demanding in consequence that he should give up 

 Trichinopoly, renounce the Samana way, bathe his head in the Cave* 

 ri (become a Hindu), retire to his own proper town of Bhoja-raya-pm\ 

 and there maintain only half his present array. Salivahana much in- 

 censed, with abusive epithets, rejected the demand ; but added a chal- 

 lenge if they thought themselves strong. Cachi Viran returned to 

 Cudatturiyur ; and, his opinion being asked, he advised a second em- 

 bassy before making war. Cachi Viran was again sent. An appointed 

 time and place of combat were now fixed ; Salivahana engaging to 

 come wHth his forces to the place. This place was Tiru-varti-kavaly 

 whither the three kings, Cachi Viran, his son, and an army repaired as 

 appointed. There Vira Cholan was crowned, and invested with royal 



* Thus, in the sense of this author, Salivaham stands both for an individual and for a 

 dynasty, of which he was the head; according to a custom of other oriental, and even Scrip- " 

 tural writers, as has been fully shewn by Bp. Newton in his Dissertations on the Prophe- 

 cies. The tales about Vicramaditya make Bhoja raja his successor, after some interval, in 

 a different town, and on another throne. If the Carnaiaka rajalal can be safely followed, 

 the town and fortress of Salivahana was at the modern Dowlutabad, a truh^ singular 

 place, according to the description given of it by Captain Seely, while the neighbouring 

 sculptures atEllore (prevailingly Juinuin fashion) sanction the idea of a great power in 

 the neighbourhood. At that place Dem-giri (or Dowlutabad) a long list of kings did 

 reign down to i?awja cZera (or Itam-deo) conquered by the Mahomedans, when the place 

 •was plundered and the kingdom subjugated. Hence I think we have some importaut in- 

 dications, to be followed out in fuller conchisions. 



