1838=] 



Rejoort on the Mackenzie Mauuscrij)ts. 



293 



preceding. They are indeed utterly unintelligible, without a commen- 

 tary ; which usually accompanies them. Narkiren ultimately conquers. 

 There are subordinate details which 1 omit. 



Remark. — This species of writing was noted by me in a former part of 

 this report, under the Tamil palm-leaf manuscrip!, entitled Vira Dii- 

 rendra Raja-Cadhai. The present however is a much more recondite 

 specimen ; and by a superior hand. It differs widely from the Alakes- 

 vara raja Cadhai, also abstracted in this report. The document is written 

 on strong durable paper, with good ink, and will long continue in good 

 preservation. The frame work, or prose of the tale, might be translated ; 

 but from the different genius of language, the verses could not be fairly 

 represented, by any translation ; unless indeed any one could write Ru- 

 nic verses, mingling these with modern English, and giving a glossary, 

 or explanation. 



It is entered in Des. Cat. vol. L p. 219, art. xxii. under the title 

 of Tamul-Perumal Cheritra for which title, I can divine no reason. 

 The authorship is ascribed to Seyallar.'^ 



Section 3. Raina-paiyan-ammani., the poem concerning the victory of 



Rama-paiyan. 



This poem relates to the time of Tirumala Nayalc of Madura, and to 

 his general Rama-paiyan, who was sent with an army to reduce the rebel 

 Setupati, or chief of Ramnad. 

 j A large body, under feudal chiefs (or palliya-carers) was gathered, com- 

 j manded by Rama-paiyan. The Maravars, in defence, were headed by 

 i Sadaican, the Setupati, and by Vanniyan, his son-in-law : a six-days' 

 I straggling contest occurred. Of the Madura people, 360, and of the Ma- 

 » ravas 200 fell. Sadaican was wounded in the hand, and retreated to the 

 I sea-shore, where he embarked with his army. Some petty sea-fights 

 i/ occurred. But Rama-paiyan ultimately constructed a bridge from the 

 1^ main-land to the island Ramiseram, whereon the Setupati, and his 

 troops had taken refuge. Here the fighting was renewed. Vanniyan 

 escaped with his life ; but Sadaican (by magical devices, says the docu- 

 ment) was taken prisoner ; put in fetters ; carried to Madura ; imprison- 

 ed : and after some time, released. Rama-paiyan received distinguishing 

 honours, as the result of his successful command. 



Remark. — In the accounts oi Palliya-carers, heretofore abstracted, llie 

 incidents of this war are mentioned. Most of them, with a reference also 

 to this poem, were given by me in the 2d vol. of Or. Hist. MSS. This 



