1893.] G. A. Grierson — A specimen of Padumawati. 129 
also patronised by Jagat Dev. These were Yusaf Malik and Salone 
Siggh (whom Malik Muhammad calls Miya as if he was a Musalman). 
It is said that another attendant at Jagat Dev’s court was a Katthalc, 
named Gandharv Raj, who was skilled in the art of singing. Malik 
Muhammad was greatly attached to him and gave him his blessing, 
prophesying that skill in song would always remain in his family, and, 
at the same time, begging him to take, as a sign of affection, his title 
of Malik. Ever since, Gandharv Raj’s descendants have called them- 
selves Malik, and members of the family still live in Taluka Raipura and 
at Haldi in Baliyii District, and are renowned singers. 
It is said that the Raja of Ametlil was childless, but was granted 
a son, in consequence of the prayers of Malik Muhammad. When the 
poet died, he was buried at AmethI, and his tomb is still shown, 
and worshipped by believers. Malik Muhammad’s two friends, Malik 
Yusaf and Salone, died in what is now the district of Gorakli’pur, from 
a surfeit of mangoes. Malik Muhammad was with them at the time, 
and himself narrowly escaped. The mangoes are said to have been 
infested by poisonous insects. 
The text of the Padumawati, being in the tligth Hindi language, 
and written in the Persian character, is very difficult both to read and 
to understand. It has been frequently transliterated into the Ragarl 
character, but the transcriptions, whether MS. or printed, are full of 
mistakes, generally guesses to make the meaning clear. The best trans- 
literated edition is that by Pandit Ram Jasan of Banaras ; but even 
in his case (putting instances of sanskritization out of sight) hardly 
a line is correct. There are several printed editions in the Persian 
character, but they too are all incorrect. 1 have been fortunate enough 
to become possessed of several old MSS. of the poem in the Persian 
character, and by diligent comparison I have endeavoured to reproduce, 
in the Nagarl character, the actual words written by the poet. A glance 
at the critical notes will show the labour involved in the task. I have 
also endeavoured to give a tentative translation of text as I went along. 
To the text, I append an analysis of the whole poem, which may 
prove interesting. It must, however, be understood that I do not 
guarantee its entire correctness. There are many passages which I do not 
yet understand, and which await further examination. I hope, in process 
of time, to publish, jointly with Mahamahopadhyaya Pandit Sudhakara 
DvivedI, P.A.U., a complete and satisfactory edition of the whole poem. 
Of that edition, the present specimens may be taken as a provisional 
sample, and I shall be most grateful fbr any suggestions which x'each me 
in time to improve the larger work. 
J. i. 17 
