32 



Beport on the Macl-cnzle Manuscripf.';. 



[Jan, 



The real contents of the paper are a genealogical notice of the Ajmeer 

 ruler, with his pedigree, from an early period. 



Note.— One part of the document is complete : another one follows, 

 on the same subject, having three leaves at the beginning but wanting 

 the remainder. The former document, written on inferior country pa- 

 per, and much damaged by insects, I have had re-copied ; since its 

 details, such as they are, assume the shape of local history : the other 

 fragment does not claim the same attention. 



Section 4. Account of Gujirat, and its rajas. 



This paper was restored in the 3d volume, and abstracted, in my third 

 Report ; which may be consulted. 



Section 5. Account of Ficrama-raja of Uchcham, or Ougein. 



A mythological tale. Parvafi is represented as enquiring from Siva 

 an account of the manner in which Vlcrama acquired the throne of Indra. 

 Siva states that an inhabitant of Indra' s world having offended his chief 

 was sentenced to come to earth, in asinine form (symbolical) in which 

 form the Gandharva man-ied the daughter of the king of Ougein, and 

 became father of Vicrama, and his brother Baiti. It narrates the visit of 

 Vicrama io Indra to adjust a dispute there; for the doing of which he 

 received from Indra a jewelled throne, which he brought down to earth 

 (symbolical). After the death of Vicrama his conqueror SaUvaliana^ 

 attempted to ascend his throne; but was prevented by the statues which 

 supported the throne acquiring the power of speech, and narrating ac- 

 tions of Vicrama, which shamed his successor, and prevented him from 

 taking his seat there. 



Remark. This is a Mahratta version of the popular tale found, un- 

 der variations, in all the vernacular languages of India. The acquisition 

 of Indra" s throne is a mere allegory to imply the possession of grea t 

 prosperity. The paternal origin oi Vicrama is variously toM : in this 

 tale it is put into as degrading a foi*m as possible ; but still under an 

 enigma. In other versions of the tale, Bhija-raja is represented as 

 succeeding Vicrama, and shamed out of the idea of sitting on that prince's 

 throne. Here the name given is that of Salhahana ; concerning whom 

 other versions of the tale offer very confused accounts. The probability 

 is that Salivahana and BJioja-raja, are only different names of the same 



