54 



Report 071 the Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



[July 



. The MS. then makes a rapid transit, down to later times; and the 

 mode of expression implies that the account was written by one or 

 more of the descendants of the Madura princes during their exile at 

 Vellaicuruchij subsequent to the Mahomedan troubles. There are 

 some statements concerning inter-marriages with Ceylon, and connect- 

 ed negociations. 



Remark. — This palm-leaf manuscript is in extremely good order, 

 as regards preservation, and legibility of writing; but it wants the con- 

 cluding portion. The whole is complete down to the end of the forty- 

 eighth leaf, and the remainder is deficient. Probably the whole would 

 only consist of three or four more leaves; and the interest of the nar- 

 rative may be considered as ending with the mention of the tribute 

 regulations as to Ceylon. Restoration is not needed ; and the pre- 

 ceding abstract is so full as almost to supersede translation ; which 

 nevertheless, as the document possesses considerable interest, might 

 still be desirable. 



In editing and translating the C«r/io/aca-dy nasty,* I felt desirous of 

 further details concerning Tumbichi-Nayadu, which this manuscript 

 supplies .• the two accountsf agree, except in one unimportant parti- 

 cular, and thereby confirm the authenticity of that circumstance, which 

 is besides alluded to in the family records of various Poligars, some 

 of which have been reported on. In the Carnataca dynasty there is 

 no mention of the invasion of Ceylon ; nor do I remember allusions to it 

 in the accounts of the Poligars or feudal chiefs ; but the matter must be 

 kept in mind, with the view of obtaining such corroboration. The nar- 

 rative in this manuscript is too particular, as to names, places, and cir- 

 cumstantials, to be a mere invention ; and being given by descendants 

 of Pedda-Crislmapa, the Madura prince, they probably had family re- 

 cords, or authentic tradition, for their guide. I have no doubt that 

 confirmation of the general fact, of such an invasion and conquest of 

 Ceylon, is obtainable from papers in the collection ; if the same really 

 occurred. 



The manuscript is entered in the Des. Cat. vol. 1 p. 313, to the 

 following purport : 



* Or. His. MSS. vol. 2, 



t The varying ortlio;^raphy of the names are dialectical ; the cue MS. being Tamil, the 

 other Telugu. 



