Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 2.djvu/273

 INDIAKT ISLANDERS. Q^Q An examination of the institutions of the In- dian islanders furnishes an argument, and, as far as I know, one only, in favour of the hypothesis of Kalinga being the native country of those who pro- pagated Hinduism in the Indian islands. This argument is drawn from a comparison of the kalen- ders of Southern India, and that which prevailed in the Indian islands. The year in Karnata and Telinga is lunar, with an intercalary month in every thirty, and the era commences with the birth of Salkana or Saka, 78 years after Christ. This, with all its particulars, is the kalender which prevailed in Java, and which at present obtains in the Hindu country of Bali, as its name, Saka warsa chandra^ distinctly implies. The same kalender and era do not generally prevail in Hindustan; and with respect to the nations of the Deccan, those of the south place the birth of Saka or Salivana one year later than the people of Carnata and Telinga, and, of course, one year later than the Indian islanders. This valuable fact will determine us to the northern part of the eastern portion of the Dec- can, and, as maritime emigrations from the interior of a great country are improbable, to the sea-coast. some of the poorer of the great Archipelago. Religious in- novation was carried farthest where there was most com- merce, as in Java, the coast of Sumatra, and the Malayan Peninsula.