48 



COINS. 



The ancient coins found in the Peninsula of India, may be divid- 

 ed into four classes. 



1. Roman and Greek, which, when not corroded by rust, are ea- 

 sily distinguished by the character and the outlines of the figures. 



2. Mahommedan coins of the different dynasties, Arabic, Persi- 

 an, Patau, Mogul, &c. and sometimes of the Caliphs who reigned 

 previously to the first Mahommedan invasion.. They are distin- 

 guished by inscriptions in Arabic or Persian, and few of them, ex- 

 cept the Zodiac coins, have figures of any living creature : they are 

 either round or square. 



3. Hindu coins of various descriptions, sometimes with only in- 

 scriptions in Sanscrit, in the D^wanagari character ; but generally 

 distinguished by emblems of religion, by figures of deities and of 

 animals, and by heads of sovereigns, frt;quently very rude. The 

 most remarkable are the Rama Taiika, a gold coin, convex on one 

 side and concave on the other, on which the coronation of Rama is 

 represented, and the Canoge coins, on some of which is represented 

 a king enthroned ; on others an idol, &c. 



4. Ancient Persian or Parthian c@ins, with inscriptions in the 

 Pahlevi character, and sometimes in Greek. These are rarely found 

 in India, and generally represent the fire worship on one side. 



Curious coins are often presented at certain Pagodas, as Triputty, 

 Trivalore, and PaddapoUam. Various Chinese coins are also occa- 

 sionally found on the sea coast. 



In describing coins, a distinction should be made between such 

 as were intended for money arid such as served the purpose of med- 

 als. 



COUNTRIES AND PEOPLE. 



If there are any races in India with woolly hair, their history 

 should be investigated, as they are probably not of Asiatic origin. 



An account of the state of slavery in the peninsula, both domestic 

 and agricultural. 



An account of the Abyssinian slaves on the western coast of the 

 Peninsula, their numbers and the date of their transportation thither. 



Are there any traces of a colony of Abyssinians in Central India, 

 or among the Vellalers of the Carnatic. 



An account of military tribes, the composition, organization, dis- 

 cipline and tactics of native armies ; and any elucidation of military 

 institutions, and the art of war under the different empires which 

 have successively existed in India. 



An account of the Parsees, their numbers, religion and literature. 



