58 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



[July 



This poem, of inferior construction, narrates a petty war between 

 Siddhi-raja cMiti oi^Q\\o\'e,'Ax\^ Cdtama-raju, chief of certain herdS" 

 men, who refused a claim of tribute from the former, which led to a 

 war ; the incidents of which are narrated in a style of exaggeratioHj 

 and hyperbole. The final defeat of the Nellore chief is alleged to have 

 been caused by the cows belonging to Cdtama and his adherents. The 

 class of C7mc//■^/a5 (or tanners, and sandal-makers), also bore a con- 

 spicuous share in the circumstances of this border struggle. 



Remark. — The manuscript is complete, and in tolerable good or- 

 der; one or two places being slightly touched by insects. It is not of 

 high consequence ; being on a level with ordinary border-minstrelsy j 

 and the struggle narrated might be compared to that between Dutch- 

 boers and CafFres, in the interior of Africa. The Chaclyas of Madras 

 are said to sing it about the streets, to the honour of their tribe. Its 

 literary claims are very low. 



The book is entered in the Des. Cat. vol. 1. p. 304. art. vl. Some 

 pains appear to have been bestowed on it; and the entry is correct. 



7. Nanja-raja Charilra, or the story of Nanja-raja, No. 90. — 

 Couatermark 386. 



A manuscript in tolerably good preservation, but not complete at the 

 end. On examination, it proved to contain the subjecC- of a poetical 

 drama, in plainer prose. The drama itself exists; and merely cele- 

 brates the marriage of a king, whose capital was Seringapatam, in the 

 Mysore country. 



it is entered in the Des. Cat. vol. 1. p. 332. art. xl. 



8. Bhadra-raja Charitra. No. 79— Countermark (wanting) the 

 story of Bhadra-raja. 



This is an incomplete manuscript. The commencement is given, 

 though the numbering of the palm-leaves, shews that foregoing leaves 

 are wanting, either of introductory matter, or of some other subject. 

 Four adhdyas, or chapters, are complete, and the fifth unfinished; 

 leaving it quite uncertain how much may be wanting. It is a poetical 

 romance by Vencatdcharya, and contains the fictitious adventures of 

 Bhadra-rekudu, born to Bhadra-raja in consequence of the merit of a 

 sacrifice, and so called from having a mark on his hand : he was also 



