310 
H. P. Shastri— Notes on Palm-leaf MSS. 
[No. 4, 
Notes on Palm-leaf MSS. in the Library of IIis Excellency the Mahardja 
of Nepal.—By Pandit Hara Prasad Shastri, Professor of Sanskrit , 
Presidency College. 
[Read November, 1897.] 
I passed the greater portion of the last summer vacation in the 
valley of Nepal, and took this opportunity of examining the antiqua¬ 
rian treasures of that famous valley. It is an excellent place for inscrip¬ 
tions, every temple and every work of public utility having some. The 
foundation of the temple, its repairs, every addition and every gift 
made to it, are recorded in stone. Some of these inscriptions are very 
old. The late Dr. Bhagvanlal Indrajl and Mr. Bendall examined a very 
large number of inscriptions in Gupta characters and there are still 
many inscriptions in that ancient character to be found in the valley. 
Two days’ search brought four new inscriptions to my notice. 
The coins to be found in the valley mostly belong to the Malla Kings 
of Nepal. Unlike Bengal and Behar, where the initial coinage was 
introduced by the Muhammadans in the 13th century, Nepal had its 
ancient coinage. But I could find none of these ancient coins. 
It is the only part of ancient Bharatavarsa and ancient Aryavartta 
where Buddhism is still a living religion, though not in vigour. But 
Buddhism here is so different from what we know to prevail in Tibet, 
in Ceylon and other parts of Asia. There are Viharas, but those are 
inhabited by married priests. There are Arliats or Vajracaryas, and 
Bhiksus. But the greater portion of their time is spent in handicrafts 
to support their children. 
There are MSS. in Nepal both ancient and modern. The Baidas 
possess many ancient palm-leaf MSS. of very ancient date and the 
present Maharaja, with a zeal which cannot be too highly praised, is 
endeavouring to add to the already excellent collection in his possession. 
The MS. Library is now kept in a room in the College building, but 
the Maharaja has built a beautiful and commodious palace with a clock 
tower in it for the accommodation of the Library. In the Library are to be 
found Tibetan Lamas, Parvatiya Pandits, Newar Pandits both Hindu 
