46 



pecting the ancient records preserved among the Jews, and the an* 

 cient inscriptions on copper which they possess. 



Does the town of Cochin give origin to an era in use in the 

 neighbouring districts ? 



The ancient history, state and institutions of the south of India 

 might be illustrated by materials of various descriptions in the hands 

 of the Natives, which are liable to be neglected and lost ; but 

 might yet be recovered, such as MSS. in any language, with trans- 

 lations relating to the ancient government of the Pandeyan, Chola, 

 and Chera dynasties. Such MSS. are believed to exist in the 

 Tanjore country, at Trivaloore, Cumbeconura, Seringham, Chidum- 

 brum, and in the Tondeman's country. 



Records of the following descriptions may also be found. 



Genealogies of the several dynasties and considerable families. 



Chronologies, Registers and Records, sometimes preserved by 

 official persons. 



Prophecies, often really conveying under that assumed disguise, 

 historical information with more apparent freedom than could be 

 addressed to Oriental Sovereigns. 



Tales and popular stories, sometimes containing correct informa- 

 tion of remarkable characters and events. The Mahratta Bakeera 

 are of this description. 



Historical notices of changes of government and of facts con- 

 nected with local establishments, which are occasionally to be found 

 in the ancient financial records. 



In the temples and agrarums of the Brahmans, the mutts of the 

 Jangham priests of the Lingavunt sect, and the bustiesand temples 

 of the Jain, two species of records were kept; 1st, the Mahatyams 

 or religious legends, which appear to consist of passages extracted 

 from the Puranums and apply to the local circumstances of the es- 

 tablishment ; 2d, the Stalla Puranums, which are carried through 

 the earlier periods of real history to modern times, detailing the 

 dates of the several grants of land to the pagodas, agrarams, &c. 

 of the immunities and benefactions granted, and the benefactors' 

 names, titles and genealogies. Considerable information may be 

 derived from these documents, and there is reason to think that 

 some of the most correct are still preserved by the Jains and Jan- 

 gums. 



ANTIQUITIES. 



As there is reason to think that a general comparison of the anti- 

 equities preserved in different provinces would be the most effectual 

 means of throwing light on the early history of India ; it is suggest- 



