Page:History of Bengali Language and Literature.djvu/116

86 Kulaji of the Tantu Bains (weavers) by Mādhava. Satdharmāchāra Kathā by Kiṇkar Dās. Sadgopa Kulāchāra by Mani Mādhāva. Tili Pañjikā by Rāmeçwar Datta. Suvarṇa Vaṇika Kārikā by Maṇgal. Rāja Mālā (completed in 1439 A.D.) by Çukreçwar and Vāṇeçwara. 

This last is a genealogical history of the Rājāhs of Hill Tipperā.

These genealogical works preserve the traditions of an ancient race, and though the composition of many of them, as we have said, belongs to comparatively recent times, yet they embody facts regarding our social condition which have been transmitted from distant ages. They are therefore entitled to the consideration of those interested in the history of Bengal. Not only do they give accounts of our social movements, but they are full of incidental references to contemporary events.

I shall here refer in some detail to a genealogical account written by a Brāhmin named Nalu-Paṇchānana, who is an admitted authority on the subject. The style of writing and the description of the subject clearly show that the author, who lived about one hundred fifty years ago, had embodied facts in it found in older records. The book is called Gosthikathā Kārikā. It is chosen here for reference, because the genealogical accounts will not again be touched upon, and because the matter contained in the Kārikā is important, as